Shadow Slave

Effie slowly turned around, just in time to notice the unreasonably gorgeous proprietor of the Brilliant Emporium falling. Three cups of coffee that he had been carrying on a tray were flying into the air in slow motion.

It seemed that he had tripped.

Without missing a bit, the enigmatic shopkeeper regained his balance with a graceful half-step, extended his hand unhurriedly, and caught all three cups on the tray without spilling a single drop.

A moment later, he smoothly approached the table and placed the cups down, acting as if nothing had happened. Then, the nonchalant young man smiled pleasantly and gave her a respectful bow.

"Saint Athena. Welcome."

Effie found herself unable to speak for a moment.

'D—damn. So cool!'

At the same time, Sunny was nothing short of panicking on the inside. 'What the hell?! No, what the actual hell?! I mean... what the hell?!' How could she go and say something like that?!

And right in front of her husband, too!

Did that woman have no tact?!

Glancing at Ling's Dad covertly, Sunny noticed that the young man was looking at him apologetically. He seemed more embarrassed than anything, with no signs of anger or insecurity written on his handsome face.

It seemed that the nameless guy was used to his wife's antics... well, it made sense.

'Why wouldn't he be?'

Sunny had been teased relentlessly by Effie. What made him think that the poor bastard would have had it any easier? If anything, as her husband, he probably had it way worse...

Effie, meanwhile, smiled and said in a reserved tone:

Master Sunless. You were

The fact Effie used his name instead of a nickname, like she did with her close friends, stung. The fact that she made an effort to act with decorum

teased by her caused a dull ache in his heart.

was nothing but a dull, unassuming merchant in her eyes. A passing acquaintance not deserving of a second thought, unremarkable and easily forgotten. Someone not worthy of her time, let alone

for her to even remember his name. But that

For now.

He nodded politely.

I took the liberty of making some coffee for you to enjoy while the food is being prepared. Aiko, you

was being uncharacteristically taciturn, probably because she felt uncomfortable around a stranger. She was also looking at him strangely.

that

again, Sunny turned around and fled

make his

walking away, though, he couldn't help but

are itchy! Can mommy undress Ling

Sunny dove

'Damnation!'

He had to concentrate on cooking... knowing Effie's appetite, nothing less than

and several pairs of shadow hands. Slicing, dicing, washing, roasting, boiling, simmering, stirring... he had to do a lot of things at the same time just to distract himself from thinking

other two avatars were busy at the moment, as

a restless mind! So,

but hear bits and pieces

I have someone in mind to set him up

he's double... I

"Huh?"

alone! Every time you people show up, my career takes a nosedive! First in the Bright Castle, then in NQSC... I swear to the dead gods, Effie, if another of my employers

he asked me to pass a message

to keep his messages to himself. Unless he wants to help me sue himself for