ENCOUNTERS

While Felix wandered the village streets, quietly observing the people and their simple lives, he suddenly felt something cold and wet splash across his clothes.

Bright blue paint.

"Oh no!" cried a panicked voice.

A girl holding a basket of paintbrushes and small jars stood frozen in front of him, horror spreading across her face. The basket she'd been carrying had tipped, sending streaks of paint splattering across his coat.

"I'm so, so, so sorry, sir!" she apologized frantically, bowing several times. "Let me clean it up for you—"

"It's okay," Felix interrupted gently, brushing some of the paint off his shoulder with a soft smile. "Just be careful next time."

The girl blinked, surprised by his calmness. "Thank you for not scolding me, sir… and," she added with a small grin, "you look quite handsome, too."

Felix raised an eyebrow. "How old are you, saying such things to a stranger?"

"I'm sixteen!" she said proudly, standing up straighter. "I'm old enough. I'm pretty strong too, you know. I want to protect this small village of ours, just like my dad did."

"How interesting," Felix muttered thoughtfully. "A feisty little warrior?"

The girl beamed. "That's right! By the way, my name is Duoduo. And you are...?"

Felix hesitated before smiling back. "My name is Kang Yu… but you can call me Felix."

"Felix, huh?" Duoduo tilted her head, studying him. Then she suddenly grinned playfully.

"From now on, I consider you my husband."

Felix choked on air. "What—"

Before he could finish, her friends shouted her name from across the street.

"Bye, husband! I'm off now!" she called, waving dramatically as she ran toward them, giggling all the way.

Felix stood there, frozen in place, blinking slowly as the paint dried on his coat.

What... just happened?

Felix glanced down at his paint-stained coat and sighed. The splash of blue across the dark fabric irritated him more than he wanted to admit. He asked a nearby fruit vendor, "Is there somewhere I can get this cleaned?"

The woman blinked, startled by his intense gaze, then quickly pointed. "The clothing store down that path — just past the bakery. You can't miss it."

Felix followed her directions and soon arrived at a quaint little shop with a bell above the door. He stepped inside, scanning the empty space. No workers. No customers.

"Hello?" he called out. "Is there anyone here? Shop owner? Worker? Anyone?"

He took a few steps further in when — boom — a figure suddenly popped up from behind the counter, nearly making him reach for his sword out of instinct.

"Good day, sir!" the boy beamed. "My name is Park Ji Young, and I'll be at your service today. How may I help you?"

Felix blinked, stunned by the energy radiating from the boy. He immediately frowned. "I need this stain removed. Immediately."

Ji Young stepped forward and carefully inspected the stain on Felix's coat. His brows furrowed, then he sighed, straightening up.

"Sorry, but that's impossible for me to do."

Felix's eyes narrowed. "Why?"

Ji Young met his cold gaze with a calm, almost amused smile. "Because your coat is made of rare dragon-thread silk. It's delicate and incredibly difficult to clean. Removing that paint without damaging the fabric would take months, maybe more. I suggest you buy a new one."

Felix scoffed. "And where exactly would I find another like this in a village like yours?"

Ji Young crossed his arms. "That's the problem. You probably won't."

There was a long silence between them.

Felix sighed again, his annoyance showing. "Do you at least sell cloaks or robes?"

Ji Young nodded. "That we do. Follow me — though I warn you, nothing will match your current one in quality or... intimidation."

Felix rolled his eyes. "It doesn't need to. It just needs to fit. And be black."

Ji Young chuckled and led him toward the back.