That evening, Lucian did something uncharacteristic—he went for a walk.

  Not because he particularly wanted to, but because Dorian had confiscated all his blankets in retaliation for Lucian ignoring his paperwork.

  So now, wrapped in his coat and grumbling about bureaucratic tyranny, he wandered through the streets of Duskwatch.

  It had changed.

  The once-empty marketplace was alive with merchants selling fresh produce, traders haggling, and craftspeople displaying their wares. The streets, once cracked and deserted, were full of energy, laughter, and people who didn’t look like they wanted to pack up and leave forever.

  Lucian rubbed his eyes. Was he hallucinating?

  His thoughts were interrupted by a small tug on his sleeve. He looked down to find a young girl with bright eyes and a wide grin, clutching a loaf of fresh bread.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  "Thank you, my lord!" she chirped.

  Lucian blinked. "For what?"

  "My mother says we have food now because of you!"

  He frowned. "I… I just cancelled taxes."

  "You made it so we could keep what we worked for!" she beamed, hugging the bread to her chest before scampering off.

  Lucian stood there, watching the bustling town that was somehow, impossibly, thriving.

  For the first time, a flicker of something unfamiliar settled in his chest.

  He wasn’t sure what it was, but he didn’t like it.

  "Starting to feel like a real lord yet?"

  Lucian turned to see Elaine leaning against a post, smirking.

  He exhaled. "I don’t know what I’m doing."

  Elaine shrugged. "Maybe. But it’s working."

  Lucian studied her for a moment. "You were a knight. Why didn’t you try to get reinstated?"

  Elaine chuckled. "I like it here. Chaos suits me. Besides, I don’t need a fancy title to make a difference."

  Lucian scoffed. "So you’re saying you enjoy the madness?"

  She grinned. "Let’s just say I’m not interested in boring leadership. And you, my lord, are anything but boring."

  Nearby, Dorian watched the exchange with a contemplative look. He adjusted his glasses, exhaling slowly.

  "Maybe I’m starting to believe in this place after all," he muttered under his breath.