The town of Windmere felt like it belonged in a storybook. Cobblestone streets, flowers blooming along the sidewalks, and the soft jingling of wind chimes hanging from shop awnings made everything feel calm and... simple.
Zane walked beside Sera, hands shoved deep in his pockets, stealing glances at little details—the bakery with fresh bread smells, the colorful signs swinging in the breeze, and a llama tied to a post wearing sunglasses.
"That's your town?" Zane asked, raising an eyebrow at the llama.
Sera laughed, her eyes lighting up. "Yeah, that's Mister Luffles. He's like the unofficial mayor around here."
"Does he at least collect taxes or something?"
She snorted. "Nope. He spits at anyone who breaks the rules. Close enough, right?"
As they walked, two girls passing by stopped and whispered loudly enough for Zane to hear, "Isn't that the dark and broody guy from the academy?"
Zane blinked, caught off guard. "Wait, what?"
Sera smirked. "Congrats. You've got a fan club now. Posters might be next."
"Do I at least look mysterious?" Zane asked, half-joking.
She rolled her eyes with a grin. "You look like you just wandered off the path to buy milk."
They turned a corner and found a small ice cream cart manned by an older woman with pink hair and a monocle. She raised one eyebrow at them.
"Couple's scoop or split?" she asked.
Before Zane could answer, Sera shot back, "Couple's scoop. Extra chocolate, please."
Zane blinked at her. "We're—?"
"Shh," she said, grinning. "You're paying."
They sat down on a bench under a leafy tree with a ridiculously large ice cream piled high in a single waffle bowl between them.
Zane couldn't resist stealing a bite from her side.
Sera narrowed her eyes and said playfully, "That's war now."
He shrugged with a smile. "I just walked right into enemy territory."
They shared the ice cream and tossed light teasing back and forth, watching the people strolling past. A group of kids ran by pretending to be adventurers, one shouting, "I'm the Shadow King!" while doing a dramatic spin.
Zane squinted at them. "Yeah, that feels a little personal."
Sera leaned her shoulder lightly against his. "You know, this... this is nice."
"Yeah," Zane said softly. "It really is."
She glanced up at him. "Wanna cause some chaos at the market later?"
He smiled. "You know I'm always up for that."