Shattered Innocence: Transmigrated Into a Novel as an Extra-Chapter 528: Pay attention

"Let's go."

Aeliana arched a brow, her smirk still lingering. "To where?"

Lucavion exhaled, rolling his shoulders with exaggerated laziness. "I don't know."

Aeliana let out a quiet chuckle. "Heh…"

And that was when she knew—

She had won.

But as she watched him, something else caught her attention.

Lucavion had always dressed simply. She had noticed it before, but now, after all the time they had spent in the clothing vendor, it became even clearer. His current outfit was well-made, but it was plain—functional, easy to move in, but lacking any thought for style.

It made sense. He was an adventurer, always on the move, and practicality would naturally come first.

But at the same time—

Would it really be so bad if he put in just a little effort?

Aeliana's gaze flickered across the market, and then—

She saw it.

A vendor a short distance away, displaying finely tailored coats and structured tunics, a stark contrast to the rugged, travel-worn attire Lucavion usually wore.

Perfect.

Without another word, Aeliana turned on her heel.

Lucavion blinked, watching her sudden shift in direction. "And where are you going?"

Aeliana glanced over her shoulder, her expression unreadable. "Fixing something."

Lucavion narrowed his eyes slightly. "Should I be concerned?"

Aeliana didn't answer.

Instead, she reached out, grabbed his wrist, and dragged him toward the stall.

Lucavion barely had time to react before he found himself standing in front of a row of finely crafted shirts and coats, the merchant already perking up at the sight of them.

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"A pleasure to serve you both! What are you looking for?"

Aeliana released his wrist, crossing her arms as she inspected the selection with sharp eyes. "Him," she said simply, nodding toward Lucavion.

Lucavion blinked. "Me?"

"Yes. You."

He tilted his head slightly, his smirk creeping back. "I wasn't aware my fashion sense was offensive."

Aeliana shot him a pointed look. "It isn't offensive. It's just… lacking."

Lucavion gasped dramatically. "You wound me, Little Ember."

Aeliana ignored him, already sifting through the fabrics. "Your outfit this morning wasn't bad, but it didn't suit you."

Lucavion sighed, shaking his head. "And you care about this because…?"

Aeliana hummed. "Because I feel like it."

Lucavion narrowed his eyes playfully. "That's not an answer."

Aeliana smirked. "Yes, it is."

And with that, she began pulling clothes for him to try.

A structured black coat, sleek and tailored, lined with deep emerald fabric on the inside—rich without being overbearing. A well-fitted dark gray shirt, subtly embroidered at the cuffs, paired with a matching waistcoat. A navy overcoat with silver buttons, striking but understated.

Lucavion, despite his initial reluctance, found himself caught in the momentum of it.

And then—

Somehow, he was enjoying himself.

Aeliana watched as his amusement shifted into something genuine.

The way he appraised the fit of the coats with a glint of interest. The way he tested the movement in the shirts, smirking slightly as he ran a hand down the lapels.

She had seen him in many moods—teasing, arrogant, reckless.

But this?

This was just… fun.

And for some reason—

That made her smile.

****

By the time they finished, Aeliana stood with her arms crossed, surveying Lucavion with an unmistakable sense of satisfaction.

Finally. Finally, he looked presentable.

The black coat she had picked for him fit perfectly, structured just enough to sharpen his already striking presence without making him look stiff. The deep emerald lining gave a subtle richness to the otherwise dark ensemble, while the crisp gray shirt underneath added just enough contrast to keep it from looking too severe. Paired with the fitted waistcoat and sleek leather gloves, he looked—

Well.

Not bad.

Aeliana gave a slow, approving nod. "Hmph. Finally in some good clothing."

Lucavion let out a long, long sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Appeasing you," he muttered, "is harder than some of the battles I've fought."

Aeliana smirked. "Are you saying I'm difficult?"

Lucavion met her gaze, deadpan. "Yes."

Aeliana hummed, tapping her chin in mock thought. "But isn't it worth it?"

Lucavion sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "Debatable."

Aeliana chuckled, looking him over once more. "At least now you don't look like a reckless wanderer."

Lucavion raised a brow. "And what if I have good fashion sense?"

Aeliana blinked. Then—

She laughed.

Lucavion narrowed his eyes. "Why are you laughing?"

Aeliana lifted a hand to her mouth, trying to suppress her amusement. "Oh, no. No reason. It's just…" She exhaled, composing herself. "That was funny."

Lucavion clicked his tongue, shaking his head. "I don't like that reaction."

Aeliana smirked. "You should get used to it."

Lucavion watched her for a moment before letting out a chuckle of his own—low and warm, the kind that slipped out before he could stop it.

Aeliana caught it.

And, strangely enough—

She liked it.

Lucavion stretched slightly, rolling his shoulders as if adjusting to the new outfit. "So," he mused, "are we finally done, Little Ember?"

Aeliana smirked. "For now."

Lucavion exhaled, shaking his head. "A dangerous woman, you are."

Aeliana hummed. "And you just realized that now?"

Lucavion laughed again—really laughed this time.

Following that, he let out a slow breath, shaking his head with an amused smirk. "I should have realized it sooner."

Aeliana gave him an approving nod. "That's right."

He chuckled again, slipping his hands into his pockets as they stepped out of the vendor's stall and back into the streets of Stormhaven. The evening air had grown even cooler now, the remnants of the sun casting a golden glow along the rooftops, fading into the encroaching dusk.

The city had begun its transition into night—lanterns flickering to life, shopkeepers closing up, while others prepared for the liveliness that only emerged after sundown.

And so, they walked.

Neither of them rushed, neither of them spoke immediately.

Then—

"This city," Aeliana began, her voice smooth, measured, "was founded by my great-great-great-grandfather."

Lucavion glanced at her, his smirk easing into something quieter. "Oh?"

Aeliana nodded, her gaze drifting across the streets as if seeing something beyond the present. "Back then, this land was little more than rough terrain—mountains to the north, rivers carving through the landscape, scattered settlements barely surviving."

She gestured slightly as they walked, as if mapping out the past with her words. "He saw potential here. He built Stormhaven from the ground up, securing trade routes, forming alliances. The walls surrounding the city? His design."

Lucavion listened, silent but attentive.

Aeliana continued, "What was once unstable became a hub of commerce, a city protected against the storms that ravaged the coastline—hence, Stormhaven."

She exhaled softly. "Generations passed, the city flourished, and my family remained at its center. The Duchy of Thaddeus."

Aeliana's steps slowed.

Her amber eyes flickered toward something—a small display at the edge of a vendor's stall.

Lucavion caught the shift immediately. "Aeliana?"

She didn't answer at first, her gaze lingering for just a second too long before she looked away.

Lucavion followed her line of sight—and saw it.

But before he could comment, Aeliana had already turned her head, resuming their walk as if nothing had caught her attention at all.

"Sometimes," she said smoothly, voice slipping back into its usual controlled rhythm, "I just wonder…"

Lucavion tilted his head slightly, watching her carefully. "Wonder what?"

Aeliana exhaled softly, the flickering lantern lights casting shifting shadows across her face.

"If things had been different," she murmured, "would I have ever walked these streets like this? Without guards, without expectations. Without feeling as if every step I take is being measured against something greater?"

Lucavion didn't respond right away.

Instead, he let the weight of her words settle.

The Aeliana that people whispered about—the noble daughter of House Thaddeus, the heir to Stormhaven, the once-fragile girl confined behind grand estate walls—would never have been here, dressed like this, speaking like this.

And yet, here she was.

Lucavion smirked slightly, his voice low, casual. "Maybe not."

Aeliana glanced at him.

He continued, "But if things had been different… then you wouldn't be you."

Aeliana arched a brow, intrigued despite herself. "And who exactly am I, then?"

Lucavion exhaled in amusement. "A dangerous woman who takes far too much joy in emptying my wallet."

Aeliana let out a soft scoff, shaking her head. "And yet you let it happen."

Lucavion chuckled. "What can I say? I enjoy watching your smile."

Aeliana blinked.

Something in his tone—light, teasing, yet carrying an almost too-easy honesty—made her pause.

But Lucavion had already turned his gaze back to the street ahead, his smirk still in place, as if the words meant nothing at all.

RUMBLE!

Until a sound came.

"Ah…."

From someone's stomach.