Leo stood at the edge of Carthorn’s lively town square, his eyes fixed on Atelier Vionne, the boutique where he’d order his attire for Lucian’s birthday celebration. The shop’s elegant with tall windows frad in gold, silk banners fluttering—stood out amid the square.
Nimbus sat at his side, his purple eyes scanning the crowd, tail flicking with quiet alertness. Liana, standing close, adjusted her cloak. "Shall we go in, Young Master Leo?"
Leo’s gaze shifted to the square where rchants hawking wares, carts rattling, townsfolk walking through. A flicker of movent caught his eye, his lips twitched into a smirk. They’re here. "Yeah, let’s move," he said.
He crossed the street with Liana and Nimbus. Stepping into the boutique, Leo was t with the scent of cedar and fine fabric, the air was soft with the rustle of silk. The interior was a display of opulence, bright hardwood floors, velvet drapes, and racks of tailored garnts.
A lean man with sharp eyes and spectacles hurried forward, bowing deeply. "Young Master Leonhardt! Welco to Atelier Vionne. We’re honored to prepare your attire for Master Lucian’s celebration."
Leo nodded, his expression calm, noting every corner of the room. "Let’s make it quick. I need sothing for the banquet."
Master Vionne, the tailor, grinned, his eagerness buffed but sincere. "Naturally, my lord. We’ve created designs according to House Caulem’s specifications, but we will require your asurents for perfection." He pointed toward a mirrored stand in the middle of the room. "If you’d step up here, please."
Leo climbed onto the platform, slipping off his coat to reveal a fitted black shirt that hugged his lean, muscled fra. Nimbus leapt onto a cushioned bench nearby, curling up but keeping his gaze locked on the shop’s door and windows, his ears twitching.
Vionne circled Leo, tape asure in hand, his movents precise. "Arms out, my lord. Chest up. Excellent."
As Vionne asured his shoulders, Leo kept his tone casual, probing. "What’s the design looking like?"
Vionne’s eyes lit up. "For you, a midnight blue coat—sleek, regal, with silver embroidery to echo your eyes. A black vest, white tunic, and movent-friendly trousers, appropriate to House Caulem’s fra. He took a mont, taking Leo’s arm to asure. "We’ll have hidden pockets for... useful necessities."
Leo’s sneer faltered, catching the reference. "Sounds good. Can you make it rugged? I don’t stay still."
Vionne’s assistant presented a swatch of fine wool blended with elven thread, its surface smooth but resilient. "This will withstand... demanding situations," Vionne said, his smile knowing. "The lining will be midnight blue silk—elegant yet functional."
Leo tested the fabric, its strength eting his approval. "Good. Make it sharp and fast."
Vionne completed the asurents, stepping back with a flourish. "We’ll craft a piece worthy of you, Young Master. You’ll command the room at the celebration."
Leo stepped down, his smirk faint but satisfied. "Just make sure it fits right." He glanced at Liana, who gave a subtle nod, her eyes quietly scanning the shop as keenly as his. As they turned to leave, Vionne called, "We’ll notify you when it’s ready, my lord!"
Leo raised a hand in acknowledgnt, stepping back into the square’s streets.
They walk through Carthorn’s crowded square, the midday sun casting long shadows across the cobblestones. Leo had chosen to walk instead of taking a carriage.
"Young Master, why do you always like to walk in this heat?" she asked, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
Leo made a grin, his tone easy. "Keeps grounded."
He pulled out his coin pouch, jingling it lightly. "How about a quick bite before we head back?"
Liana’s eyes lit up, but before she could answer, a teenager darted from the crowd, snatching the pouch and weaving through the crowd. Leo’s smirk flickered, he’d anticipated this. Liana, reacting, took off after the thief, shouting, "I’ll get it back, Young Master!"
Leo sighed, shaking his head. "Liana, you’re not built for sprints. you can go slowly." But she was already chasing the boy, who glanced back, slowing just enough to draw her toward a quieter alley.
As Liana followed, the pickpocket disappeared around a corner, leaving her alone in a deserted street.
Brakk leaned against a wall, his grin sharp and unhinged.
He scratched his neck, his tone mocking. "Expected the sheep to take the bait, but I got the maid instead." His eyes looked over Liana, his smile twisting with malice. "No matter. I hear he’s soft on you. I’ll have my fun ’til he shows up for you."
Liana’s expression didn’t change, there’s no fear, just cold disdain, as if Brakk were sothing foul under her shoe. She crossed her arms, smirking. "Fun? With you? I’d rather scrub the manor’s floors."
Brakk’s grin faltered, his face darkening. "What’s that, girl?" He stepped closer, the reek of cheap liquor stenching from him. "You think I’m playing? I set this trap for him, but plans changed. I’ll cut him slowly, piece by piece, while I’m enjoying you in front of him."
Liana’s smirk didn’t change, her gaze piercing. "Really? Funny."
Brakk snarled, lunging for her throat, but a black blur exploded from the shadows.
Nimbus, now a sleek, massive panther, slamd into him with terrifying force, claws slashing his chest. Brakk scread, crashing to the ground, his knife fell across the cobblestones as Nimbus pinned him, fangs inches from his neck.
The panther’s purple eyes burned, a low growl rumbling like thunder. Liana fellback, shocked at the sight of the beast, her breath catching.
Brakk trembled, his bravado gone, his eyes wide with terror as Nimbus’s claws dug into his chest. The panther’s jaws twitched, ready to kill, when a calm voice cut stops him. "Hold, Nimbus."
Nimbus paused, looking up as Leo stepped into the alley, tossing his coin pouch casually in one hand.
He offered Liana a hand, pulling her to her feet. "Nice work. You did what I wanted."
Liana, still looking at the panther, blinked in shock. "That... that’s Nimbus?"
Leo chuckled, his smirk sly. "Well, it is." Nimbus let out a soft, almost smug growl, his eyes flicking to Liana as if acknowledging her surprise.
Leo crouched beside Brakk, who lay panting, blood flowing from his wounds. His voice was ice, his crimson eyes glinting with nace. "Thought you’d catch off guard? Sloppy."
Brakk’s voice shook, his bravado shattered. "You... planned this?"
Leo’s smirk was a blade. "Always a step ahead." He nodded to Nimbus. "Keep him down, let’s show him the fear of death."
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