Sunny's lightless eyes met gorgeous dark ones, and a beautiful, confused face stared at him.
Sunny coughed.
"Ah, Lady Eunbin, my apologies. It's been a long day, and I thought you were someone else."
"It's… alright. It happens to the best of us. What are you doing out so late, Master Sunless? And did they try to order something when you were already closed? Do I need to find the person who caused such a strong reaction from you?" She slightly teased him.
"I was thinking about ways to keep myself busy, and decided to take a walk, which is one of the ways I get the gears to start turning whenever I'm bored. And yes! It was something like that! And no, you don't need to do that, I can handle it." Sunny grinned.
"Well, mind joining me for a walk?" She asked, looking at the moon.
"Not at all." He smiled and started to walk with her.
"When I last visited, I had meant to apologize for Hel's behavior toward you; that was unacceptable. My sister can be quite forward, much like Howl." Eunbin sighed.
"No, there's no need to apologize. I'm used to it. I had an old friend who was like that." Sunny shook his head.
"Oh? I'll let Hel know that you don't mind being aggressively courted." She smiled wickedly.
Sunny looked mortified. "Well, I-uh, it would be greatly appreciated if you um didn't say that. Please." He stammered out.
Eunbin laughed, throwing her head back. "Calm yourself, Sunless, I'm only joking. Besides, I'm sure you already deal with that more than enough with your women customers. And this has nothing to do with the topic at hand, but since we are alone walking together at night, rumors will surely spread about us. Not that I care about them; I just can't be bothered hearing them daily."
"Not to mention, Howl would probably be— never mind." She stopped herself midway.
"May I ask why you're out here so late?" Sunny asked, trying to switch subjects.
"I love the night, it's quite pretty, much like myself, don't you think?" Sending a smile his way.
"Hm? Oh yes, very lovely." Sunny nodded absentmindedly.
"I'm glad you agree." Out of his peripheral vision, Sunny saw her smile, then she frowned for whatever reason, causing Sunny to turn his head to look at her.
"Agree with what?" He tilted his head, entirely focused on the conversation now.
"Nothing, nothing at all." Rolling her eyes, but the mirth was apparent, she sighed.
"No, wait! I just spaced out for a moment."
"Oh, I understand you completely, Master Sunless." She fixed the jewelry on her wrist.
Well, that was good! Sunny was glad they were on the same page. Taking the silence as an opportunity to ponder, he recalled his conversation with Mordret, most importantly about the mission the Queen supposedly tasked them with. For all Sunny knew, the psychopath could've been lying just to find an excuse to kill.
Sunny scoffed at the thought.
As if Mordret ever needed an excuse to kill.
Sunny couldn't ask Eunbin or any of the Song sisters without raising suspicion as to why a harmless master like him would want to know what a powerhouse like the Lord of Shadows planned to do soon.
So, unfortunately, Sunny would have to trust the words of the Pretender.
His thoughts were interrupted when he heard Eunbin sigh
"I understand that I'm too boring for you. And I was certain we could bond over memories. What a shame." She sulked.
It was easy to see that her expression was intentionally crestfallen. Indicating that she wasn't really annoyed.
"Well, you could have just said Princess Eunbin! Yes, memories! I'm glad to see that you are using mine well!"
"Yes, the 'Silent treatment' is very convenient and comfortable. But the name alone is simply revolting to look at, so I cannot rank it as one of my most used memories." She shook her head in mock disappointment.
"It took many days to name that memory, and I'm quite proud of it! Any slander upon its name is punishable by being banned from my Brilliant Emporium." Sunny said with a frown.
"Did I say revolting? You must have misheard me, Master Sunless. I said it was pleasing to speak of, smooth as melted butter on a piece of toast, and one of my best memories." She smiled sweetly.
Sunny nodded, pleased with the backpedaling.
"You're too kind, Lady Eunbin, but I'm afraid consequences are still due."
"Really? Even if I were to commission another memory?"
"My doors are always open to you, then." He opened his arms wide.
"You're shameless, you know that?" She wagged her finger side to side.
"Yes, that's why I'm still alive."
"But moving on from that. That scary Lord Shadow guy. If you don't mind me asking, Lady Eunbin, I would like to know what it's like to work with someone like him."
A scowl replaced the previous smile on her enchanting face.
"Well, you've met him before and already see that he is arrogant, blunt, and, dare I say, downright disrespectful! Nothing like the charming young man I'm walking with. He could learn a thing or two from you." She scoffed.
"No matter how strong he is, I do not know why Mother would tolerate such a man allied with us." Huffing, she stopped and stared at Sunny.
"I wanted us to walk together to learn more about the mysterious shopkeeper who is also our purveyor and an excellent cook, but I ended up talking about myself. That's pretty self-absorbed of me."
"Are you trying to butter me up, Lady Eunbin? If so, I'm afraid I can't give you free waffles." Sunny chided.
That's awful, was it that obvious?" She held her hand to
her head
"Very, like a jackhammer." Sunny nodded
"But never mind that, Sunless, you have to. They're too delicious, at least give me the recipe. Do you hate me?" She absent-mindedly braided her hair together.
"No, Lady Eunbin, I very much enjoy your company."
"Well, actions speak louder than words, do they not? Show that you do and give me the recipe." Eunbin smiled brightly but frowned when Sunny shook his head.
"I'm afraid it's a business secret. I can't give it to my associates."
"Fine, be that way. But what do you mean by associates? I like to think we are friends now."
"Really?" Sunny asked, stunned.
"Yes, indeed." She nodded with a grin.
"Well, I'm pretty hungry right now. Let's return to my shop, and I'll cook something for us." He stopped walking and turned around.
"You know how to treat a lady well." She smiled at him and moved closer.
"Hold on." She smiled widely.
"Hold on to what?" Sunny raised an eyebrow.
"Me, I want at least three waffles." She grabbed his arm and sprinted towards the emporium at blinding speeds.
***
A dark figure holding an odachi is seen standing motionlessly on a hill of freshly killed nightmare creatures, the figure wearing a featureless black mask. They sighed, looking as if they were expecting someone or something.
Two weeks had passed since his conversation with Mordret and Eunbin, and just days before they departed, Sunny had gone to the Queen to "go over" the mission one final time. It was to confirm that Mordret's words were valid, and fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how someone looked at it, his words were valid.
It was time to prepare for the ambush with which the Queen Song had tasked the Lord of Shadows and Mordret. At least they were supposed to, but the bastard had yet to show up! Sunny took off his mask with an annoyed huff and pulled out the glass shard, holding it to his face.
Sunny let out a long sigh. "Mordret."
Nothing happened briefly until he noticed his reflection smiling at him. "Sunless! My sincerest apologies, I was busy with something. Would you like to know what?"
"No."
"My, my! Since you're so curious, I waited for you to call me!" Suddenly, Mordret was in front of him, sending a friendly smile his way.
"What?" Sunny's eye twitched.
"Valor's supply wagons should be here within a few hours, so get comfortable, Lord Shadow." Mordret blatantly ignored his question.
"We aren't going to kill anyone, so be sure to hold back your strength, and just so we're clear, you don't take a soul Mordret, not one. Just destroy the supplies and incapacitate the soldiers, they're only doing their job." Sunny stared at him, making sure he took in every word.
"Sunless, the only one who gives orders to me is Ki Song, and it's only because we have a mutual goal, but since I like you and we are friends, I will play by your rules just this once. Do not expect me to do it again." His smile was easygoing, and his words were friendly, but his tone was devoid of emotion.
It was a start, and Sunny would take whatever he could get.
Three hours had passed, and Mordret was currently looking at his taken bodies, each wearing a simple suit in various colors. He was probably forming a plan to use them at the right time.
'Damn weirdo.'
Sunny, on the other hand, was weaving something until they both stopped, hearing a wagon approaching.
Sunny summoned Weaver's Mask, and Mordret dismissed his vessels, moving to stand beside Sunny.
"It's time to have some fun." Mordret smiled with dark glee.