Of Lost Leaves and Found Moments

The morning in the Capital began with a soft, chilly breeze.

Lucain was lying comfortably in his room, on his bed. Gentle sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow. Everything felt calm and peaceful. Just then, a soft knock echoed at the door.

> "Doctor, it's Shopia. Breakfast is ready."

The voice was calm, but carried a subtle authority.

Lucain rolled over, stretched lazily, and replied—

> "Alright, you go ahead. I'll be down in a bit."

---

A while later, he came down to the dining hall, freshly dressed. At the large wooden dining table, Lord Gregory and Clearia were already seated. Surprisingly, Clearia had woken up quite early today.

Lucain sat down in his usual calm manner, a teasing smile playing on his lips.

> "Well now... this is a miracle. Princess up so early? Which direction did the sun rise from today?"

Clearia shot him a 'don't push it' look, but couldn't help smiling.

Lord Gregory chuckled—

> "Alright, alright. Now tell us—how was yesterday's shopping?"

Lucain leaned back with a relaxed tone—

> "Quite interesting. Theo's taste is rather royal, and the boutique had some fine options."

Clearia chimed in—

> "And I almost died in those heels… but that pendant? Totally worth it."

Just then, Shopia entered, carrying a silver tray. On it were rose tea, citrus bread, and berry stew.

> "Today's breakfast is light—but energizing,"

she said in a calm and precise tone.

Everyone enjoyed the meal, then gradually returned to their rooms.

---

Back in his room, Lucain pulled out a parchment list and began comparing his herb sachets.

> "Hmm... Lastleaf is still missing,"

he muttered under his breath.

Then said to himself—

> "One more try. Maybe today luck will favor me."

---

He headed straight to Clearia's room and knocked—but there was no response. He gently pushed the door open—empty.

Back in the hall, he stopped a passing maid and asked—

> "Excuse me, do you know where Clearia is?"

> "She's in the kitchen with Madam Shopia, sir."

Lucain nodded his thanks and walked toward the kitchen.

Upon entering, he saw Shopia in an apron, and Clearia stirring something in a pot.

> "Wait… is this actual cooking I see?"

Lucain asked, genuinely surprised.

Shopia chuckled—

> "Teaching the Princess some basics. If she can handle the battlefield, she can handle a ladle too."

Clearia turned and asked Lucain—

> "You're going out for herbs again, right?"

> "Yeah. Still haven't found Lastleaf. Want to join?"

Clearia spun her neck dramatically—

> "Nah, Doctor. You were made for boring things. You came to the Capital to shop or open an herb museum?"

Lucain laughed—

> "Sometimes the boring things are the most important."

Clearia teased—

> "Indeed, Doctor Lucain the Philosopher!"

Lucain smiled, then quietly walked out.

---

Outside the gate, Lucain boarded his carriage and headed toward the Capital's bustling market. Looking out, he noticed something—

The streets today felt a little different than usual.

The carriage halted, and Lucain stepped out. The energy around felt… off.

> "Hmm… Something feels different today,"

he whispered to himself.

He headed straight to Elderroot Herbs — the same shop he'd visited before.

The shopkeeper greeted him with a smile—

> "Sir, we were expecting you. The Lastleaf arrived just this morning."

Lucain's eyes lit up faintly. He took the herbs and as he stepped outside, thought to himself—

> "Maybe Clearia was right… I should enjoy things a little more."

---

As always, the Capital Market was crowded. The sounds of people, the scent of fruit, the aroma of spices — everything felt routine.

And yet… something was subtly different.

Lucain, herbs in hand, strolled along the side streets. That's when he noticed a little girl — around 5 or 6 — standing alone in a corner. Curly black hair, a pale blue frock, and tear-streaked red eyes.

Beside her stood a young woman — long black braid, an armored tunic, and sharp, alert eyes. She was trying to comfort the child.

> "Shhh… it's alright now. I'm here,"

her voice was soft, but her tone firm and composed.

The child's sobs wouldn't stop. Lucain slowly stepped closer, pulled out a candy from his coat, and offered it with a gentle smile.

> "Hey… look what I have. A sweet treat,"

he said soothingly.

The child hesitantly took the candy. Within seconds, her sobs began to quiet.

The young woman — whose face had been tense — finally sighed in relief.

> "Thanks... I didn't know what else to do,"

her voice now steadier.

Lucain smiled gently—

> "Lucain."

She looked at him for a moment, then replied—

> "Marin Velcrist."

> "The girl was crying alone… must've gotten lost in the crowd. I just happened to walk by."

Lucain knelt slightly, looking at the child—

> "What's your name, little one?"

> "Lyra… I was with mama… but I got lost…"

her voice still trembling.

Lucain spoke softly—

> "It's alright, Lyra. You're safe now."

---

The three of them began walking slowly through the market path. Silence hung for a few minutes, until Marin glanced sideways at Lucain.

> "You don't seem like you're from the Capital…"

Lucain smiled faintly—

> "Sort of. Been here a while for research… but yeah, not Capital-blood."

> "Thought so. You walk with this raw kind of calm… People here are either overconfident or overly cautious."

Lucain chuckled—

> "Do you psycho-analyze all visitors, or just judge them by their candy?"

> "Only the ones who hand out sweets to crying children in the middle of a crowd,"

Marin replied, her tone lightly teasing.

> "You're a knight, aren't you?"

> "Capital Combat Academy. Training under Sir Alden,"

she answered, matter-of-fact.

> "Ah. That explains the controlled stance and alert eyes. You're calm... but hiding something inside,"

Lucain observed.

Marin's smile faded briefly, then she changed the tone—

> "Is it your burned herbs talking or are you a therapist too?"

> "Sometimes… both,"

Lucain smiled.

Just then, Lyra said softly—

> "I'm hungry..."

Marin looked at the child, then to Lucain—

> "There's a stall nearby… shall we go? Until we find her mother?"

Lucain nodded without hesitation—

> "Let's go. I happen to enjoy grilled bread with herbs."

---

The three reached a small food stall — wooden benches, the scent of grilled flatbread and tangy broth filled the air. As they sat, Marin seemed to relax for the first time.

> "What kind of herbs do you study?"

she asked, curious.

> "Rare and mostly forgotten ones. Ones that heal… but can also curse."

> "Curse?"

she raised an eyebrow.

> "Yeah. Some things are dangerous… and yet valuable — if understood."

Marin paused for a moment… then said—

> "Sometimes things aren't cursed… just found at the wrong time."

Lucain glanced at her — her eyes seemed lost in some memory, surfacing briefly.

> "Your words carry weight. Just knight training, or something more?"

> "Knight training… and a bit of life training,"

she replied.

Lucain smiled—

> "Are you married?"

Marin laughed—

> "Haven't met a soldier type I like yet. You?"

> "Not married. But I love herbs… that's enough."

Meanwhile, Lyra was enjoying her soup, now smiling slowly — clearly enjoying their banter.

---

Suddenly, a well-dressed noblewoman came running from the far end of the market—

> "Lyra!"

Lyra jumped up and ran into her mother's arms. The woman looked at Marin and Lucain — genuine gratitude in her eyes.

> "Thank you… if it weren't for you..."

Lucain gently bowed his head—

> "It was nothing, madam."

Marin was silent for a moment, then looked at Lucain.

> "Today… was unexpected. But not bad at all."

Lucain smiled—

> "If mornings like this happen more often… I won't mind."

Marin laughed—

> "Next time bring spicier candy. The mild one was boring."

> "Noted,"

Lucain replied in a playful tone.

> "If I miss training now, Sir Alden will make me a live target,"

Marin said, getting up.

> "Then I'll bring knight armor next time?"

Lucain offered.

Marin smiled, gave a small wave, and vanished into the crowd.

Lucain stood there for a while. The bench near the food stall was now empty, but the air still carried a quiet peace.

> "Maybe the Capital still has its surprises."

He walked on quietly — a rare smile on his face, the kind that only comes…

when a stranger starts to feel a little familiar.

---

Marin left the bustling Capital Market behind and walked briskly toward the academy. As she neared the grand bronze gates, the inscription above gleamed in the sun:

> "Royal Capital Combat Academy — Honor Before Blood."

Two cadets standing at the gate exchanged whispers—

> "Hey… isn't that Marin Velcrist?"

"Yeah… the last warrior of House Velcrist. Trains under Sir Alden..."

"No wonder she walks like she owns the place."

Marin didn't respond. Her walk was steady — confident, but carrying the faint exhaustion of the day. She entered the training hall, where weapons were neatly lined up — polished wooden swords, shields, and practice dummies.

She removed her armor and closed her eyes for a moment.

Lyra's innocent smile…

Lucain's calm voice…

The curiosity in his gaze — free of judgment.

Marin smiled faintly to herself.

> "Weird guy… but strangely comforting."

Then she picked up her sword, took her stance, and resumed her training —

but there was a strange softness in her strikes today.

---

Lucain sat in his carriage. The market was long behind him now. The roads were quiet, the day fading.

As the mansion gates opened, the carriage rolled smoothly inside.

Lucain stepped down, clutching the herb pouch, and walked into the hall.

He met Shopia in the hallway. She asked—

> "Did you find what you were looking for, Doctor?"

Lucain replied plainly—

> "Yes. Got the Lastleaf."

Shopia nodded and walked away.

Lucain went to his room, spread out his parchment and herbs, and began working in silence — fully focused, as always.

---

On the high balcony of the Combat Academy, Marin stood, looking out over the training grounds. Her fingers rested lightly on the railing.

Her mind was elsewhere.

Sometimes, strangers leave behind a momentary pause —

without many words, without asking for anything.

She shook her head lightly and brought herself back into training mode.

---

To Be Continued…