Stalker

   Sakura and Finn turned to us with gratitude still shining in their eyes. After everything they had gone through, their expressions were a little tired but full of relief. They waved as they walked down the street together, side by side, gradually disappearing into the crowd.

   With that, Luna, Bel, and I resumed our stroll around the bustling streets of the city.

   The streets were alive with the vibrancy of urban life. Shops lined the wide sidewalks, their windows filled with colorful displays meant to entice passersby. A street performer was juggling glowing orbs of light, drawing a small crowd of amazed onlookers. The scent of freshly baked bread wafted from a nearby bakery, mixing with the tantalizing aroma of street food being grilled at a stall.

   Bel skipped ahead, his tail wagging enthusiastically as he stopped at a toy store display. 

   “Big brother, look! Look at this!” he called, pointing at a model spaceship that hovered inside the glass, rotating slowly under the store's lights.

   I caught up with him, peering into the window. “Pretty cool, huh?”

   Bel’s eyes sparkled. “Can we go inside?”

   Before I could answer, Luna interjected. “Master, I must remind you that Ms. Zephyra gave us money only for sightseeing. And...” she looked pointedly at me, “...I don’t believe she will approve buying that.”

   I sighed. “Right. She would probably argue that she can make a better one.”

   Bel groaned but quickly bounced back, pulling us along to the next sight that caught his attention—a giant billboard advertising a new magical combat game.

   At one point, though, I felt an odd sensation. A tingling at the back of my neck, like an invisible thread pulling my attention. I stopped and turned, scanning the crowd.

   “Master…” Luna said, her tone quiet but alert.

   “I know. Something’s off,” I replied under my breath. “It feels like someone’s watching us.”

   Luna’s gaze sharpened, and she subtly adjusted the hem of her maid outfit, where I knew she kept her daggers hidden.

   Bel, sensing the shift in mood, tilted his head. “What’s wrong, big brother?”

   I placed a hand on top of his head. “Nothing serious. Just stay close to Luna for a bit, okay?”

   “Okay…” he replied hesitantly, his tail drooping slightly.

   We continued walking, but I subtly led us into an arcade that loomed up ahead. Bright lights flashed from game machines, and cheerful sound effects echoed through the building. It was the perfect place to blend in and spot anyone who might still be following us.

   Inside, we wandered through rows of gaming cabinets, pretending to check out the various attractions. Luna and I exchanged brief glances, silently communicating our plan.

   Then I saw it.

   A figure in a dark hooded coat hovered just a little too long by the claw machines. He didn’t play anything, just stood there, shifting from foot to foot, eyes darting in our direction. He tried to act casual, but he was clearly watching us.

   “That’s him,” I whispered to Luna.

   Without hesitation, Luna moved like a shadow, and pressed the cold blade of her dagger lightly against the figure’s side, hidden from view. The figure froze instantly.

   “Don’t move,” Luna whispered, her voice as sharp as her blade. Then she turned to me and said. “What do we do with him, Master?”

   I looked around, ensuring we hadn’t drawn any attention. 

   “For now, let’s go somewhere where we can talk quietly,”

* * *

   A short while later, we arrived at a charming pastry shop. It was the same one we’d passed by earlier—the one where we had found Finn in before. The shop was cozy, with the smell of sweet dough and warm butter drifting through the air. Inside, there were glass displays filled with colorful cakes, pastries topped with delicate fruit, and neat rows of bread with golden crusts.

   After ordering, we took our food and drinks and settled at one of the outdoor tables shaded by a large umbrella. The sun bathed the city street in a pleasant glow, and the bustling sound of pedestrians provided a lively backdrop. It seemed like the perfect spot to have some good conversation.

   Luna, however, wasn’t entirely convinced. “Master, If I may... When you said we’d go somewhere quiet to talk, this isn’t what I expected,” she said as she gracefully sipped her tea.

   I took a bite of my cheesecake and shrugged. “I hadn’t had a chance to try anything here last time, and running around the city worked up my appetite.” I gestured to the hooded figure seated across from us, who remained eerily silent. “Besides, if this person turns out to be some kind of paid assassin, a public place in broad daylight makes their job a lot harder, right?”

   Luna sighed softly, clearly unconvinced, but didn’t argue further.

   Turning my attention to the hooded figure, I started the conversation. “So, why don’t we start with something simple? What’s your name?”

   The figure hesitated for a moment before speaking, their voice surprisingly refined. “My deepest apologies.” 

   Slowly, the figure pulled back the hood, revealing a stunning young woman. Her skin was snow-white, her crimson eyes piercing, and her light pink hair fell in soft waves. Everything about her radiated an aura of nobility. Even Luna and Bel seemed momentarily captivated by her appearance. As for me? There was something nostalgic about her that I couldn’t quite place yet.

   “My name is Elizabeth Vermillion. I am the first daughter of the current head of the Vermillion clan, Theodore Vermillion,” she said with perfect poise. Then, with a faint smile, she added, “But you can call me Lilith.”

   I calmly took a sip of tea, processing this information. “I see. Then the second question: Why were you spying on us?”

   Lilith folded her hands neatly in her lap and prepared to respond. “That’s a very good question. Well—”

   I interrupted, raising a hand slightly. “Sorry to cut you off, but could you drop the overly formal tone? It feels forced, and honestly, I think it’s uncomfortable for both of us.”

   Lilith blinked in surprise, then broke into a more genuine smile. “Thanks. I’m much more comfortable this way.” Her voice shifted to a more casual tone, and her previously intimidating aura softened significantly. “How did you know?”

   I leaned back in my chair. “Just a guess, I think.” I had a feeling that she resembles someone I know, but no matter how much I tried to remember, It was futile.

   “Then, back to the question...”

   “Right.” Lilith leaned forward slightly, her hands clasped on the table. “Well, the answer is... I have no idea.”

   “…”

   “…Huh? What do you mean you have no idea?”

   Lilith, still looking as if her behavior was completely justified, replied, “Since I saw you guys in the park, I just had a feeling that by staying with you, I’d be able to solve my problem.”

   “You’ve been following us since we left the park... because of a feeling?” I asked, incredulous.

   “Yes,” she answered plainly, her face showing no hint of shame.

   I sighed and relented. “Alright then, what problem are we talking about?”

   “Well—” 

   “Lady Elizabeth!”

   Lilith groaned, pressing her hand to her forehead in visible frustration. “Damn, he found me.”

   I turned to see who was calling. A boy about my age with ginger hair and sharp golden eyes was approaching. Walking beside him was a delicate-looking butler. Both were heading directly toward us.

   The boy stopped in front of Lilith. “Here you are, Lady Elizabeth. I searched the entire park for you, but you were nowhere to be found. I was worried.”

   Lilith’s annoyance deepened. “It’s none of your business where I go.”

   The boy’s face took on a disapproving frown. “That’s not how it works. As your fiancé, I can’t let you roam the city alone.”

   Lilith’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t recall accepting your proposal.”

   “Maybe true, but—” the boy began, but the butler stepped in, bowing politely.

   “Forgive me, Master,” he interrupted, before addressing Lilith. “Lady Elizabeth, considering the current economic situation, it’s only a matter of time before your parents approve of the marriage.”

   Lilith smirked coldly. “Even so, I’ve decided to meet with someone else today.”

   The boy’s gaze turned to us—me, Luna, and Bel. His expression shifted from surprise to disgust. “With all due respect, Lady Elizabeth, someone of your status should not associate with such people. A dirty peasant out of the blue, a mutt without a leash, and a filthy—”

   Before he could finish his sentence, a glowing magic circle appeared under his feet. A sharp crackle of energy followed, and the boy’s body jerked as an electric shock coursed through him. He collapsed to the ground.

   “What is happening, Master?!” the butler cried, alarmed.

   The boy tried to push himself up, but as soon as he did, another magic circle flared beneath him, sending another jolt through his body. He fell back down with a pained groan. The pattern continued, keeping him stuck in an endless cycle of shocks.

   I leaned back in my chair, holding my tea calmly. “What’s wrong, man? Can’t manage to stand on your own two feet?” I asked, amused.

   The boy glared at me, his teeth clenched. “You! Ouch! Stop this! Ouch! Immediately! Ouch!”

   I took another sip of my tea, savoring the flavor, and replied nonchalantly, “Oh, come on. You were just saying how dirty we are. And now you’re the one kissing the ground.”

   “You’ll regret! Ouch! This!” he spat between shocks.

   I finished my tea, sighed with satisfaction, and looked at him with mock sympathy. “Alright, fine. Have fun playing here for a bit. We’ve got places to be.”

   Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a sleek black card. A faint, glowing white magic circle appeared on its surface. The card shattered into fragments, and the glowing shards began to spin rapidly around our table, forming a vortex of light. The magic swirled around us, blocking the view of everything else.

   “Bye-bye,” I said cheerfully. I gave the boy a parting wave.

   The shards spun faster, enveloping me, Luna, Bel, and Lilith in brilliant white light. With a final flash, we disappeared.