I cannot attack Duthane. I cannot attack Duthane. I wanted to. She was a taskmaster. Now that I didn’t have lightning field training to eat up my time, my dance lessons increased. The practice song was beginning to haunt my dreams. The stupid dance. I shouldn’t have tried dodging the Imperial Hunting Festival. Luna clearly chose this dance as payback. The other thing that plagued me was Duthane’s stupid stick of corrections. I relentlessly practiced in my free time; her stupid stick of corrections was always ready for my mistakes. I will get to a point where I won’t even feel it. It’s definitely possible. only made the first few not sting before she gradually found the point it stung again. Duthane even joined us for dinner now so I would eat with more refinement. She was always watching to make sure I was eating properly. Her stupid stick was lightning quick for correcting my mistakes. It never hurt for more than a few seconds after each swing, but it definitely got the point across. I will take that blasted stick and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine. Granted, the other stick up her butt might block it. I swear if she yawned, I’d be able to see it. Duthane seemed to have the ability to sense when I was swearing at her mentally which was rewarded with another application of the stick of corrections.

Tomorrow I’m going shopping with Luna. I still hadn’t decided what I wanted to hunt for her. Not that my archery is getting anything spectacular. It was slowly improving thanks to Uncle Nox. I read the book several times, trying to think of what to do. Luna is a good friend. She was able to keep up with me better than Julius. It’s weird. It feels like she’s similar to me when she talks. It nagged at part of my brain. Do I confront her about my suspicions? When we initially met, she played dumb. We’ve known each other for two years now. Why did it bug me so much? Does it bug me that much a kid can follow my thought process? That I feel like I’m talking to someone my own age? How talking to her is oddly nice? I assumed it was because it was novel to me at first, but the feeling never subsided. Am I just looking for an issue where there isn’t one? It kept me up later than I would’ve liked to admit. Luna arrived the next morning, looking excited for we were spending the day shopping. My uncles were to protect us while we went shopping. Now that I think about it, this is the first time I get to really see outside the castle. I got glimpses and saw the buildings, but today I could actually walk in the streets. It definitely excited me. I get to see parts of the capital! It was likely a limited part, but I was still excited. Lux was also thrilled at being able to see outside the castle.

“You look happy.” Luna observed, smiling ear to ear.

“I actually get to see outside the castle!” I cheered. Today might be pretty fun!

“Never thought you’d be so excited to take me dress shopping.” Luna teased. My uncles were chuckling.

“Seeing outside the castle is exciting.” I retorted. Luna was still smiling at me.

“Sure. Sure. That’s the exciting part.” Luna added on. She seems in a playful mood today.

It is! Lux chimed, nodding in agreement with me.

We walked through the front of the castle until we reached a section with the carriage. Uncle Nox helped Uncle Nez into the carriage. Lux hopped up behind them as Luna and I both kind of stood there. What? My uncles both looked at me. Oh. I’m supposed to help her up. Luna definitely waited to make sure I did. I gave her my hand, mimicking what Uncle Nox did before. After a few guards got into position, we were off. The road into town was surprisingly smooth. Unlike when I was a baby, I was actually able to see my surroundings in the carriage. My eyes were glued outside, admiring getting to see actual groups of people outside of a ball. I didn’t realize how elevated the castle was. There was a decently winding road down into the rest of the capital. Lux was trying to muscle me out of the way, rather than try to share the view. Come on, we can both look at it you blasted furball. Our small convoy made its way more into the capital. It was oddly enthralling getting to ride through the streets. These aren’t the actual streets yet, but I am actually outside! Lux and I were trying to pivot around, looking at several massive estates we were riding passed. Luna probably lives in one of these. I could ask her about it later.

The convoy reached the actual capital. There were numerous smells in the air I couldn’t even begin to describe. Wow! The streets didn’t seem to have a lot of people in it currently. Is it because we’re near where all the nobles live or because my family cleared them for the most part? It didn’t matter, it was interesting getting to see the buildings. The streets looked astonishingly clean and well kept. The carriage ride is surprisingly smooth. I’m guessing it’s of some sort. I wonder how the street was so well made. Technology has evolved quite differently thanks to . The structures I thought were originally a bit closer to the early Renaissance turned out to be more advanced than I realized. Maybe closer to the Reformation period? History was never my strongest subject. We reached a street full of boutiques, with mostly demons walking around dressed quite lavishly. Now that I look, there are no humans. There were a few beastkin, and a few races I didn’t recognize. I’ve gathered humans and demons don’t get along. Maybe they just aren’t common in this section of the capital? As I debated it, the carriage came to a stop. My uncles got out, followed by Lux and me. I helped Luna down. You better follow the etiquette Nil because Luna is going to make sure I do. Small concession. Luna was smirking as I helped her out. The boutiques were all displaying lavish dresses, jewelry, and other expensive accessories. All of them had expensive glass storefronts, with magical lighting to make them shine. This is cool!

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I then discovered a new agony: dress shopping. WHY?! I was so bored I wanted to cry. Luna would come out, do a few twirls, and I was obligated to say something nice. Nez made it abundantly clear that at minimum I was to give two compliments on each dress. I swear to the Lords Luna is intentionally trying on more dresses than necessary. Lux enjoyed my suffering as I was forced to smile. How can you try on so many dresses? We went to boutique after boutique. JUST PICK ONE FOR FORL’S SAKE! We took a break for lunch at a small café. We still haven’t picked a dress. I wanted to cry.

“This café is nice.” Luna quipped, smiling wide. She looks so pleased with herself.

“It’s actually where we met.” Uncle Nez informed Luna with a content smile.

“That’s amazing!” Luna chimed. Now that I think about it, I never heard the story of my uncle’s first meeting.

“How did you two meet?” I asked. Uncle Nox immediately turned red and looked away.

“I won’t share that story, yet.” Uncle Nez stated, smirking at Uncle Nox.

“It was an accident.” Uncle Nox mumbled. Now I’m more curious.

“Is it embarrassing?” Luna inquired, looking thrilled.

“I don’t know.” Uncle Nez lied with a shrug. It is. Just for Uncle Nox though.

“How much longer can we stay out?” Luna checked, seeming content.

“About seven hours. You’ll need to stop teasing Nil.” Uncle Nez informed her with a smile.

“I knew it!” I snapped. She is dragging it out!

“Whatever do you mean?” Luna taunted with a smirk.

I’ve been having fun. Lux teased. You are a well of support Lux.

“You knew which dress you liked hours ago!” I declared. Luna was giving me the most shiza eating grin.

“Do I?” Luna inquired. I shall remember this.

“The dark green dress that wasn’t as puffy as the others with the silver trim.” I retorted. The others looked a bit stunned at me. Wait, how did I know that?

“Pay up Nez!” Uncle Nox roared excitedly, doing a minor celebration.

“Wow.” Uncle Nez quipped, taking the bill. Wait, did they bet on me?

“What?” I probed, trying not to feel embarrassed.

“I had complete faith my nephew wasn’t hopeless on certain topics, and someone was like, ‘the Crowthornes are as subtle and dense as bricks’ when it comes to those topics.” Uncle Nox cheered. Uncle Nox is acting like I ended a thousand-year curse.

“I was wrong.” Uncle Nez admitted. Luna shook her head as she overcame her surprise.

“I don’t know, someone did ask who was taking me.” Luna informed them with a smirk.

“Not relevant. I got the dress right.” I defended myself. I can use this for a while.

“I’m trying to figure out how.” Luna teased. I’m not completely hopeless.

“It’s called skill.” I retorted, feeling victorious.

“Fine, we can go get the dress so we can find matching boots.” Luna conceded. Great. Boots.

The rest of lunch was Uncle Nox gloating. From what I understand, Uncle Nox and Dad were terrible at dating. Uncle Nez was giving Uncle Nox a look I didn’t understand the entire time. After lunch, we purchased the dress Luna wanted. Then. Came. The. Boots. Forling Lords, I thought the dresses were bad. I honestly couldn’t tell the difference between some of them. I don’t know, these are a slightly better shade of black? Unlike the dresses though, Luna decided fairly quickly on which pair of boots. Almost done shopping. Lux and I were then expected to find matching outfits. Thankfully Uncle Nez swiftly found an answer for us. Lux was grumbling about having to wear things on all her paws yet again. I’d feel bad if she didn’t enjoy laughing at my misfortunes. Today was decent, considering I didn’t have to deal with Duthane’s harsh lessons. I think we’re getting dinner before we head back. I was still mulling confronting Luna about my suspicions. There are moments like today where she acts more like a child than I expect.

We stopped at an actual restaurant. This is cool. I never dreamed I’d find going to a restaurant so exciting. I have never been to one in this life. It’s so mundane, but I never have been allowed to. I pulled out Luna’s chair for her as we reached our table. This place looks fancy. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a restaurant this nice. The food was absolutely delectable. I want to come here again. Even as I ate, I realized I was remembering Duthane’s lessons. I guess it wasn’t all for naught. After dinner, we began walking back. Those are cool! Instead of streetlights, there were floating orbs of . What are those? They were attached to strings that crisscrossed over the road, cascading soft yellow light for visibility. Today has been a good day so far. We reached our carriage, where I helped Luna into it. I reached my hand out, which she took as she stepped up inside. Then the trap activated.