Serene's eyes widened in alarm—
"Young… Young Master! You can't say that out loud!"
"Ahaha!" Luka simply laughed, a sound that seemed to cut through the tension like a blade.
"…" Serene couldn't help but smile a little, the tension in her shoulders easing just a fraction.
The line shuffled forward—
Luka rubbed his hands together as they grew closer to the stall.
The fruit gleamed under the sunlight.
His stomach growled again, this time louder, drawing a few snickers from the nearby elves.
"Any idea what you want?" Luka asked as they neared the front of the line.
Serene blinked, glancing over the fruit.
"Oh, um… I'm not sure."
As they reached the front of the line—
Luka was the one who stepped forward.
The elven merchant manning the stall was busy stacking shimmering blue pears when he heard the footsteps approach.
He glanced up with a professional smile—
One that immediately faltered the moment he laid eyes on the human.
