Shopping Trip
Luciana walks through the streets, accompanied by her maid Liana. They're strolling through a marketplace, looking at the various stalls offering colorful trinkets and supplies.
Luciana's gaze drifts over the stalls, scanning the wares.
She's searching for one particular item—something special.
Finally, she spots it—a bolt of smooth silver fabric, the color of moonlight.
Luciana walks toward it, with Liana following closely.
Silver fabric
Luciana steps up to the fabric stand, eyeing the shimmering silver cloth.
She runs a hand over it.
It's soft, but sturdy—perfect for what she has in mind.
The merchant, noticing her interest, steps forward.
"A fine choice, young lady. The best moon-woven silk around! For something special, I take it?"
14. **The Thief**
Just as Luciana reaches to hand her coins, a rough-looking man darts forward—swift and sly.
He snatches the silver fabric from her hands.
> "Hey! This'll fetch a pretty price!" he sneers.
Luciana freezes—eyes wide for just a moment.
Then narrows them sharply~
But before she can react—
A small stone *whips* through the air—
**Thwack!**
It hits the thief's wrist clean—he yelps, dropping the fabric with a curse!
Both Luciana and Liana turn in surprise...
And there, leaning casually against an alley post?
**Philip.**
Arms crossed. Hair slightly tousled by wind. Eyes cold with warning.
Behind him? His guard stands at attention~ ⚔️
Without moving closer, Philip calls out—voice smooth but edged like steel:
> "Try stealing from my sister again... I won't throw stones next time."
The thief pales, mutters something under his breath—and vanishes into the crowd~💨
Silence returns~
Philip pushes off from the wall... walks over slowly... picks up the silver fabric himself...
Then hands it back to her without a word~ 🖤
Luciana stares—at him, then at what he's done.
Liana clutches her chest: *"Master Philip! You saved it!"*
But Luciana doesn't say anything right away~
She just takes back the cloth...
And whispers so only he hears:
> "...I was going to buy it on my own."
Philip smirks slightly—but his eyes are warm beneath that usual irritation:
> "You were."
A beat.
"Just not today."
He turns to leave—but pauses once more:
> "Don't waste good wrapping on bad writing."
Then walks away—
Leaving behind not just safety...
But love disguised as scolding~ ✨📘💫🐾