Detective Sora and Mission: Incognito

   Right now, I am at the shopping district in Silverbane City.

   The place is a sea of movement and color, bustling with a life so vivid it’s almost overwhelming. Market stalls spill out onto the wide cobblestone streets, each one packed with goods—crates of ripe fruit glowing in the sunlight, bolts of fabric in every imaginable hue, and rows of gleaming metal trinkets that catch the eye with every turn. Merchants call out their prices with practiced enthusiasm, voices competing with the clatter of hooves on stone and the hum of conversation from the crowd. The smell of freshly baked bread mingles with the aroma of grilled meat, and somewhere nearby, the sweet scent of candied fruit drifts on the wind.

   Musicians play lively tunes at the corners, the plucking of strings and the beat of small drums weaving through the noise of the crowd. Children weave in and out of the throngs with baskets in hand, their laughter echoing between the tall, well-kept buildings that frame the street.

   Looking at that, I have to say, that it’s no wonder the Silverbane family is often called "The Kings of Trading"—this district alone feels like the beating heart of commerce, overflowing with wealth and opportunity.

   Of course, I hadn’t come here to sightsee.

   In order to dig up more information on the Silverbane family, I’d decided to head into their territory, incognito. This time it's a solo mission, a low-profile trip to avoid drawing unwanted attention. The fewer people involved, the better…

   Yeah…

   I glanced over my shoulder. “I can guess more or less why Luna and Bel are here… But why did you join too, Lilith?”

   All three of them were dressed for subtlety, though each in their own way. Luna wore a plain brown cloak with the hood drawn low, the fabric hiding her hair and casting her face in shadow. Bel had traded his usual bright colors for a simple black vest over a cream shirt, his small frame easily blending into the crowd, though his tail twitched faintly under the hem of his coat. Lilith, however, looked the least comfortable in her disguise—her deep green travel cloak was fine enough to hint at wealth despite its simplicity, and though the hood was up, the sharp glint of her crimson eyes was hard to hide.

   Her gaze met mine without a hint of guilt. “I'm not going to be left out. I want to be part of this.”

   I frowned. She had no idea how dangerous this could get, and Rex’s voice echoed in my mind: 

   I don’t know what you’re planning, but please keep her out of this.

   “Lilith—”

   “I know,” she interrupted sharply, stepping closer so her words carried more weight. “My grandfather probably told you something. But I’m not going to give up.”

   Ah…

   The words sparked a flicker of déjà vu—like I had heard them before, in almost the exact same tone. The memory was blurred, but the irritation it stirred was sharp and immediate.

   “I also have the right to decide whether you can come or not, and I don’t want you to go with us.”

   Her lips curved into a stubborn smile. “Then I’ll just follow you. And if you try to run away from me, you’ll be the one responsible for leaving me alone in an unknown place.”

   I clenched my jaw, my irritation deepening. “Listen here—!”

   “Master!” Before I could push back harder, Luna’s voice cut through, calm and steady. “Please don’t worry. We’ll protect her.”

   I looked at Luna, noticing the faint worry on her face. It hit me then, how my sudden anger had shifted the atmosphere. 

   What the hell am I doing?

   I exhaled slowly, letting some of the tension leave my shoulders. “…Fine. You can go.” I said at last. “But stay close to Luna and if anyone asks, you weren't here, okay?”

   “Of course,” Lilith replied, moving to stand by Luna’s side.

   “Also,” I added, “take off those ‘disguises’ you’re wearing. They stand out too much.”

   Lilith’s lips curled into a knowing smile. “Look at them more carefully.”

   "Hm?"

   I stepped closer to Luna, studying the fabric of her cloak. After a short observation, I noticed faint streams of mana flowing through it, almost invisible unless you knew what to look for.

   “Did you notice?” Lilith said, her voice carrying a note of pride. “These clothes have a special spell applied to them. It makes the wearer practically impossible to notice.”

   My eyes widened slightly. “Where did you get something like that?”

   “Aunt Zephyra made them for me.”

   I blinked. No wonder the technique felt familiar.

   “Um... M-master...?” 

   I frowned slightly, tilting my head. “What Luna? Something hap—!”

   The words froze on my tongue the moment I realized just how close I was to her. Our faces were barely a hand’s breadth apart, close enough that I could see the fine details of her eyes—how the light caught in them, turning the usual calm sapphire into something warmer, almost molten. Her breath was faint but quick, brushing against my cheek in the tiniest rhythm.

   Her cheeks were flushed a deep crimson, the color blooming across her face and even tinting the tips of her ears. The sheer vulnerability in her expression made something in my chest tighten unexpectedly.

   Heat rushed to my own face in a wave, and I stepped back so quickly it was almost abrupt. 

   “S-sorry!” 

   I blurted, trying to keep my voice steady, though the awkward edge betrayed me.

   Still slightly embarrassed, Luna shook her head quickly, as if the movement alone could clear the air. 

   “N-No, It’s okay… if it’s Master doing it,” she said softly, her voice almost too quiet to hear over the hum of the street.

   That only made my ears burn hotter. I turned my head away, trying to mask it. 

   “I-I see…” I muttered, though even to me it sounded weak.

   We stood there for a lingering moment, neither of us moving, the noise of the marketplace fading into the background. It was as if the world had narrowed down to just the two of us, caught in this strange, heavy stillness. For some reason, my heart was beating faster than it should have.

   What is this weird feeling…?

   "Oh... I see how it is" Lilith said with a cunning smile as her voice cut through the moment like a blade, sharp and deliberate, shattering the fragile atmosphere.

   “A-Anyway,” I said quickly, clearing my throat and forcing my thoughts back to the task at hand. “I was curious—why did Zephyra make these clothes for you?”

   "Well..." Lilith hesitated, her eyes flicking away for just a fraction of a second. “L-let's just say, that some things happened in the past...”

   “I see…”

   I was tempted to press for details, but I decided to leave it as it is for now. 

   Turning toward the street ahead, I lifted a hand in a casual gesture. “No time to waste. Let’s go!”

   Without another word, everyone fell into step behind me.