Shattered Innocence: Transmigrated Into a Novel as an Extra

Chapter 526: A date ? (2)

The streets of Stormhaven stretched before them, bathed in the golden hues of the late afternoon sun. The city’s familiar rhythm pulsed around Aeliana—the steady hum of merchants calling out their wares, the rhythmic clatter of carriage wheels against cobblestone, the occasional laughter of children weaving through the crowd.

And yet…

This felt different.

It had been a long time since she had walked like this.

Freely.

Without carriages. Without attendants trailing behind her. Without the ever-present presence of the Duchy’s guards shadowing her every step.

Even before her illness, she had never truly walked the streets of Stormhaven alone.

There had always been someone—a reminder of the status she carried, of the life she was bound to.

But now…

Now, she was here, moving at her own pace, with no one dictating her steps.

No expectations. No watchful eyes monitoring her every movement.

Just the steady rhythm of her boots against the stone, the cool evening breeze curling through the streets, and—

Lucavion.

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.

He walked beside her, hands in his pockets, his usual smirk softened into something almost lazy, almost natural. There was no teasing remark waiting on his lips, no immediate attempt to turn the silence into something playful.

He was just… walking.

It was strangely calming.

Stormhaven itself had not changed much.

The shops were the same, their signs worn from time but still standing. The people bustled about with the same energy, the same familiarity.

Aeliana let her eyes wander, taking it all in.

And yet, even though the city remained largely unchanged—

She had.

She wasn’t the same girl who had once watched these streets from the window of a carriage, who had only ever glimpsed them from a distance.

The quiet rhythm of their walk stretched between them, neither rushing nor hesitating. The moment felt strangely… undisturbed.

But, of course, Lucavion never let anything stay undisturbed for long.

”Can you feel it?” he asked, his voice light, casual—yet carrying that distinct undertone that suggested he already knew the answer.

Aeliana blinked, glancing at him. ”Feel what?”

Lucavion tilted his head slightly, smirking. ”The gazes.”

Aeliana frowned.

And then, almost instinctively, she lifted her head.

The moment she did, she noticed it.

People were looking at her.

No—staring.

Not everyone, but enough. Some were subtle, stealing glances as they passed, whispering to each other. Others weren’t nearly as discreet, their gazes lingering too long, their expressions shifting between curiosity, wariness, and something else she couldn’t quite place.

”What?” she muttered, her brows furrowing.

Lucavion exhaled a quiet chuckle. ”Well,” he mused, ”right now, you’re not exactly dressed like someone people see walking through these streets every day.”

Aeliana opened her mouth to protest—then stopped.

And then—realization.

Her dress.

She had overlooked it entirely.

When she had prepared herself this morning, it had been for a formal meeting—to stand before her father, to reflect the image of House Thaddeus.

And now…

Now she was walking through Stormhaven’s streets in the same attire.

The expensive fabrics, the delicate embroidery, the unmistakable quality of noble craftsmanship—she wasn’t wearing the kind of dress one casually wore in the city.

She was wearing something meant for grand halls, for meetings with aristocrats, for representing the Duchy itself.

Aeliana slowly exhaled.

And then she understood.

Why the adventurers at the guild had seemed so wary when she stood waiting outside.

Why people here were watching her, whispering among themselves.

Lucavion was, of course, enjoying this far too much.

His smirk deepened, and with a light, knowing tone, he said, ”If you’re fine with it, I don’t mind. I just wanted to make sure you wouldn’t find this out at a crucial time.”

Aeliana wanted to curse him.

Because the worst part?

He was right.

If he hadn’t said anything, she would have still noticed. Just… a little later. And then it would have been the same, only worse—realizing it at the wrong moment, in the middle of some unavoidable situation, when the whispers would have already grown too loud to ignore.

She clenched her jaw, inhaling slowly through her nose.

Lucavion, meanwhile, looked utterly pleased with himself.

And then—

”My lady…”

His voice took on a dramatically exaggerated politeness as he turned to her, dark eyes gleaming with mischief.

”How about this gentleman here buys you some clothes?”

Aeliana turned to him slowly.

And just stared.

Lucavion grinned. ”What? You don’t like the offer?”

Aeliana exhaled through her nose. ”I have plenty of clothes.”

”Mm, yes, noble clothes.” Lucavion gestured at her attire with an amused flick of his wrist. ”Not exactly fit for blending in, wouldn’t you say?”

Aeliana narrowed her eyes.

Lucavion raised a brow, looking entirely unbothered.

For a brief moment, Aeliana considered rejecting him outright.

But then, she glanced down at her dress again.

At the pristine embroidery. At the rich fabric. At how completely out of place it was here.

She hated that he had a point.

She crossed her arms. ”Fine.”

Lucavion’s smirk widened. ”Oh? Just like that?”

Aeliana shot him a look. ”Before I change my mind.”

Lucavion chuckled, then extended a hand toward her, palm up. ”Then, my lady, shall we?”

Aeliana rolled her eyes, ignoring the offered hand as she walked ahead.

Lucavion let out a dramatic sigh, shaking his head as he followed after her. ”Isn’t it a bit rude for a lady to ignore a gentleman’s hand like that?” He placed a hand over his chest, his voice dripping with mock pain. ”I am really hurt…”

Aeliana didn’t even glance back. ”If you’re hurt from this much, guess how much I was hurt when you said those things to me.”

Lucavion immediately cleared his throat. ”Ahem… will you bring this up every time?”

”Yes.”

”Never forget?”

”I will not.”

At that, Aeliana turned on her heel to face him, her expression composed—except for the unmistakable mischief gleaming in her amber eyes.

”And you will never be forgiven,” she declared, her voice smooth, her lips curving into something sharp and playful.

Lucavion blinked, tilting his head as if considering.

Then—

”So…” Aeliana continued, the amusement in her tone unmistakable, ”you’d better spend the rest of your life making it up to me.”

Lucavion exhaled through his nose, laughing softly. ”Ahaha… How terrifying.”