The streets of Sorriso were silent, lit only by the yellow glow of lanterns and the cold silver of the moon. Lukas walked beside Aika, who clutched tightly at the white scarf — the same one with his name embroidered in silver.

  Mercy of the Sun… it’s not my imagination, it really does say “Lukas Fernandes” here.

  “So…” he tried to start a conversation, “…this scarf… is it… new?”

  Aika pressed the fabric closer against her face.

  “Mm… I got it… as a gift.”

  In his mind, Morgana stretched like she had just woken up in paradise:

  “A gift? With YOUR NAME embroidered? That’s a declaration of possession, chocolatinho.”

  César, serious:

  “That means nothing. It could be a clan custom.”

  “Oh, sure. And I’m the Virgin of the Snows,” Morgana shot back. “That little fox wants the skinny one all to herself, and she’s not even shy about warning the whole neighborhood.”

  “She’s just being polite,” César insisted. “Don’t create malice where none exists.”

  “Polite? My shield, you don’t understand the languages of love… this is the cute version of stabbing any rival in the jugular.”

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Lukas coughed, trying to cut the inner bickering:

  “Do you… usually walk alone at night?”

  Aika shook her head.

  “No… but… tonight… I wanted to.” She glanced at him, ears twitching. “You… don’t mind… walking me back?”

  “No.” The answer came too quickly.

  Morgana chuckled.

  “Of course not, he’s melting.”

  César:

  “He’s simply being a gentleman.”

  They turned a corner, passing a bakery that still carried the warm smell of sweet bread. A group of youths chatted across the street. When they spotted Lukas and Aika together, one whistled, and the fox girl’s ears shot up in nervous reflex. She stepped closer to him, almost brushing his arm.

  Morgana, in his ear:

  “Soldier boy, do you smell her? It’s cinnamon and honey. That’s chemical warfare.”

  “Morgana…” Lukas thought.

  “What? Want me to teach you how to counterattack?”

  César, dry:

  “If she teaches, I’ll raise a wall of shields to the sky.”

  The girls’ dormitory was already in sight when Aika stopped, holding the scarf by the tip.

  “Thank you…” she said softly, not meeting his eyes. “I… don’t usually…” She bit her lip. “…feel safe like this.”

  Lukas blinked, surprised.

  “Whenever you need… you can call me.”

  She blushed so hard the tips of her ears turned pink.

  “Good night, Lukas.”

  The door closed behind her.

  Morgana sighed like she had just watched a romantic play.

  “Chocolate, that fox wants you.”

  “Don’t make things up.” Lukas adjusted his cloak.

  “Make up? Please. I already told you — a name embroidered is the herald of the apocalypse.”

  César:

  “And I already said there’s nothing wrong with that.”

  “Of course not, little shield… until the day she embroiders the surname,” Morgana teased. “Then I’ll love to see you keep ‘chastity and honor.’”

  Lukas shook his head, walking back toward his dormitory. Tomorrow would be trial day — and he was already tired just thinking about the Copas squad.

  End of Chapter 26