Shattered Innocence: Transmigrated Into a Novel as an Extra

RUMBLE.

Silence.

Aeliana and Lucavion both turned to each other at the same time, their expressions unreadable, cold, perfectly composed.

For a long moment, neither said a word.

Then—

Lucavion smirked. "If you're hungry, you could've just said so."

Aeliana's eye twitched. "The sound didn't come from my stomach."

Lucavion let out a slow hum, crossing his arms. "Oh? Then did it come from mine? No way."

Aeliana exhaled through her nose, unimpressed. "If you're that desperate to blame someone, why not the cat?"

Lucavion chuckled, shaking his head. "Vitaliara is far too dignified for such things."

Aeliana smirked slightly. "Unlike you?"

Lucavion gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his chest. "How cruel."

Aeliana scoffed, crossing her arms. "If you're hungry, say it."

Lucavion shrugged. "I would—if I were."

Aeliana gave him a flat look, unconvinced.

Lucavion held her gaze, entirely at ease.

Then—

RUMBLE.

A pause.

A long, painfully obvious pause.

Lucavion blinked.

Aeliana blinked.

Slowly—deliberately—Aeliana tilted her head.

"…Interesting."

Lucavion exhaled through his nose, straightening. "That was nothing."

Aeliana hummed, clearly enjoying this. "Was it?"

"Yes."

RUMBLE.

Aeliana arched a single brow, her smirk curling just slightly.

Lucavion sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Fine."

Aeliana smirked. "So, what was that about me being hungry?"

Lucavion waved a hand dismissively. "Let's not dwell on the past."

Aeliana let out a quiet chuckle. "So, what now? Should we address the fact that the mighty Lucavion has been bested by hunger?"

Lucavion sighed dramatically. "Hah… It seems my suffering will never end."

Aeliana chuckled. "Correct."

Lucavion glanced around before stretching slightly. "Well, then. I suppose we should find something to eat."

Aeliana smirked. "Now that's an idea."

Lucavion scanned the market, his smirk returning as his eyes landed on a small diner tucked just between two busy stalls. Lanterns hung along its wooden frame, casting a warm glow against the stone pavement, and the scent of freshly grilled meat and simmering spices lingered in the air.

"There," he said, nodding toward it. "Since we're in the market, we might as well try some local food."

Aeliana followed his gaze, taking in the sight. It was nothing grand—not a noble's feast, not a carefully curated meal served on fine porcelain. But it smelled rich, inviting, real.

"…That sounds good," she admitted. "It's been a while since I've eaten outside of my room."

Lucavion grinned. "Then allow me."

With an exaggerated flourish, he stepped ahead, offering his arm as if they were about to enter a grand banquet hall instead of a modest little eatery. "Shall we, my lady?"

Aeliana rolled her eyes but accepted, letting him escort her toward the diner.

As they reached the entrance, she glanced up at him. "You do remember that you're the one who's hungry, don't you?"

Lucavion gasped, utterly scandalized. "My lady, what do you mean?"

Aeliana arched a brow, unimpressed.

Lucavion chuckled, lowering his voice into something far too smooth, far too practiced. "It is definitely for me, indeed—"

Aeliana smirked.

"—for dining with such a beauty as yourself is the best reward."

Aeliana let out a quiet chuckle, shaking her head.

For some reason, his ridiculous antics really did bring her mood up.

As they stepped toward the warmly lit diner, the scent of roasted spices growing stronger, Lucavion's smirk had just settled comfortably on his face—when a low, unmistakable sound stopped him mid-step.

Grrr…

Aeliana raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Lucavion barely had time to turn before a blur of white fur leaped onto his shoulder with practiced ease. Vitaliara. Her tail flicked once, wrapping loosely around the back of his neck as her eyes—brilliant and sharp—locked onto Aeliana.

And then—

Grrr…

This time, it was direct. A distinct, pointed little growl, meant just for her.

Aeliana blinked, momentarily caught off guard. 'Did she just—?'

Lucavion, to his credit, sighed with all the weight of a man used to far too many absurdities. 'Vitalia—'

[Two hours,] Vitaliara said, her voice smooth, but there was an edge to it. [I was gone for two hours, and this is what I return to?]

Lucavion exhaled, long and slow, his mind already shifting gears.

'Alright, then. Let's hear it.'

Vitaliara's tail flicked once, her golden eyes narrowing. She was still curled around his shoulder, her small yet imposing form pressing against him like a physical accusation.

[You really can't be left alone for even a few hours, can you?]

Lucavion smirked slightly, keeping his expression unreadable to the outside world. 'You make it sound like a disaster happened.'

[It did,] she replied flatly. [This happens every time. First, that knight woman. Now, this arrogant girl.]

Lucavion nearly chuckled. 'Ahaha… Why do you think she's arrogant?'

[Is she not?]

Lucavion tilted his head, considering. 'She may be… a little…'

And then—

Aeliana's sharp gaze flickered toward him, eyes narrowing.

"You just thought something rude, didn't you?"

Lucavion blinked, the timing almost supernatural. "What? Me? Perish the thought, Little Ember."

Aeliana hummed suspiciously. "…Hmm."

But she didn't press further. Instead, she turned, stepping inside the diner with easy grace.

Lucavion exhaled, amusement curling at the edges of his smirk. 'Saved by timing, as always.'

[One day, your luck will run out,] Vitaliara muttered, though she made no move to leave his shoulder.

Lucavion only chuckled under his breath.

With smooth confidence, he stepped ahead of Aeliana, weaving effortlessly through the dimly lit, warmly buzzing interior of the diner. The scent of seared meat, roasted spices, and freshly baked bread wrapped around them. The place was modest—wooden beams, candlelit chandeliers, simple yet well-kept furnishings—but it carried the kind of charm that only places filled with real people did.

As they reached a table near the window, Lucavion moved before Aeliana could sit, smoothly pulling out her chair with an easy flick of his wrist.

"After you," he said, his voice laced with its usual teasing warmth.

Aeliana arched a brow before stepping forward, settling into the seat with a faint, skeptical hum.

"Hmph. At least you know basic etiquette."

Lucavion leaned slightly against the back of the chair, smirking down at her. "I do try to meet the bare minimum expectations of civilization."

Aeliana gave him a long, unimpressed look.

Lucavion only grinned.

And with that, the night continued.

As soon as Aeliana settled into her seat, Vitaliara moved as well—graceful, effortless. She leapt from Lucavion's shoulder to the windowsill, her small frame curling into a comfortable position where the last remnants of the setting sun painted her fur in hues of soft gold and white.

The contrast was striking. Against the dim glow of the diner, her presence was almost ethereal, the way her bright fur caught the light, her piercing eyes surveying the world with quiet wisdom. She looked less like a mere familiar and more like a creature out of legend, something untouchable yet undeniably real.

Aeliana tilted her head slightly, watching the way the light played against Vitaliara's form.

"…Your familiar looks really good," she mused. "It suits you."

Lucavion arched a brow at that. "Oh?"

Aeliana nodded, her gaze still on Vitaliara. "How did you two meet? After all, finding a familiar isn't an easy task."

Lucavion exhaled, leaning back slightly, his arms resting casually on the table. "Ah… That's a long story."

Aeliana smirked. "I'm all ears."

Lucavion's gaze flickered toward her, his expression unreadable for a beat. Then, with an almost lazy smile, he replied, "Maybe… but it's not the time for that."

Aeliana's amber eyes narrowed slightly at him, studying his expression, but she didn't push further. "Hmm…"

She could sense it—that subtle shift in the air, the way his tone carried something just beneath the surface, a weight he wasn't letting her see. 'Interesting…'

Still, before she could consider pressing further, she felt it.

A gaze.

Sharp, unwavering.

She turned, locking eyes with Vitaliara.

The cat—no, the familiar—was staring at her. And not in a casual way. It was deliberate, assessing, a gaze that carried something almost possessive.

Aeliana arched a brow. 'Oh? So that's how it is.'

But she didn't look away.

If the cat wanted a battle of stares, then fine. She wasn't the type to back down.

For a long moment, the two of them simply… stared. Silent, unmoving, the tension unspoken but palpable.

Then—

Lucavion laughed.

A rich, warm chuckle, unhurried and laced with amusement as he took in the scene before him.

"Well, this is fantastic," he mused, smirking. "I don't even have to say anything. You two are already at war."

Aeliana scoffed, leaning back slightly but keeping her smirk. "I don't know what you mean."

Vitaliara, tail flicking once, exhaled softly. [Neither do I.]