The silence lingered longer than I expected.

I stood just inside the doorway, eyes scanning the shop from corner to corner, waiting for something to move, but nothing did.

The air was still, undisturbed, carrying only the faint scent of ink, paper, and old wood.

Fenrir shifted beside me, claws clicking softly against the floor.

"…It's empty."

He said, unnecessarily.

"I can see that."

I replied.

For a moment, unease crept up my spine. Where was everyone else? That question lingered in the back of my mind with no clear answer.

I took a step forward, then another, testing the space. The shop welcomed me back and I immediately did a check around the shop to see its condition.

Nothing had been damaged. At least that was a relief.

"If something bad had happened, this place would've shown it."

I murmured,

Fenrir tilted his head.

"You can tell?"

"Yes. I have a connection with this place, so I can tell that nothing happened here."

I ran a hand along the counter, feeling the faint hum beneath my palm.

He seemed to accept that, though he still looked around warily.

I set my coat down and began moving through the space, opening windows, straightening chairs, grounding myself in familiar motions. The longer I stayed, the more the tension ebbed away.

Whatever had happened during my absence, it hadn't been violent.

That was when the bell above the door chimed.

Both Fenrir and I froze.

The door creaked open, letting in the soft hum of the street outside-and with it, a familiar voice.

"Well, I'll be… I was starting to think I'd imagined this place."

I turned.

Madam Shelly stood in the doorway, bundled in her usual shawl, and the twinkle in her eyes present.

She blinked once, then twice, before her expression shifted into something between relief and disbelief.

"So it is you. I was told the shop lights were on again, but I didn't quite believe it."

She said.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

"Hello, Madam Shelly. It's… good to see you."

I said.

She walked in slowly, eyes sweeping over me as if making sure I was real.

"You've got some nerve disappearing like that. Do you have any idea how long it's been?"

She muttered.

"I had urgent business. I didn't expect to be gone that long."

I replied.

Her brows rose sharply.

"Oh, I'm sure it was important. You vanished for an entire year, without a single trace. People started wondering if the shop had finally chosen to close its doors for good."

She said dryly.

I paused.

"…A year?"

She nodded.

"Just about. Maybe a little more."

That… explained a lot.

Time had flowed differently where I'd been. I'd known that, of course…but hearing it stated so plainly still unsettled me.

Madam Shelly studied my face, then sighed.

"Well, whatever it was, I suppose you had your reasons. Things didn't fall apart while you were gone, if that's what you're worried about."

"That's good to hear."

I said quietly.

She hesitated, then added,

"Though there is something you should know."

I looked at her.

"What is it?"

"The children. They're not here anymore."

She said.

Fenrir stiffened beside me.

"…They are not here?"

I asked, even though I could see that.

"They're safe. Don't look at me like that. Duchess Isabella took them in. Said it wasn't right for them to be here without you around."

She quickly added, seeing my expression.

I closed my eyes for a brief moment.

Of course she had.

"And she said that whenever you returned, you were to come see her. She seemed… confident you would."

Madam Shelly continued, I exhaled slowly.

"So she's been holding onto them."

"Yes. And from what I've heard, she's treated them well enough. Still, I imagine they'd rather be back here with you."

Shelly tilted her head.

Fenrir's tail flicked.

"Then we should go get them,"

He said immediately.

I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips.

"Yeah, we should."

I agreed. "Madam Shelly watched us for a moment, then nodded.

"I figured as much. I'll leave you to it, then. Welcome back, Shopkeeper."

"Thank you."

I said sincerely.

She gave me one last look before turning and heading out, the door closing softly behind her.

The shop fell quiet once more.

I turned to Fenrir.

"Well, looks like we're not done traveling yet."

I said, rolling my shoulders.

He grinned-actually grinned.

"I was hoping you'd say that."

I reached for my coat, already feeling the familiar pull of purpose returning.

"Come on. Let's go see the duchess."

I said.

Fenrir was already at the door by the time I finished speaking.

And just like that, our next journey began.

__________

When the shopkeeper disappeared, the shop did not fall apart.

Not immediately, at least.

For the first few days, everything carried on as if he might walk back through the door at any moment.

The shelves stayed stocked. The bell still rang when customers entered. The air still held that familiar warmth that made people linger longer than they intended.

Leo took over the counter without being asked. He memorized prices, kept track of inventory, and handled customers with a seriousness that felt far too big for him.

Luna managed the back, organizing supplies and making sure nothing went missing.

Erebus lingered near the entrance, silent and watchful, while Nyx floated between them all, restless but trying her best to help.

At first, it almost felt… normal….at first.

By the end of the week, the shop felt too big.

"…When do you think he's coming back?"

Nyx asked quietly.

Luna looked up from where she was sorting through a crate of supplies. The question made her pause.

"I don't know."

she admitted after a moment.

Nyx frowned, her hands clenched at his sides.

"He said he'd be back. Do you think the shopkeeper needs more time?"

"He might. We don't know where he is or what he's doing."

Luna said gently.

"But it's been days….And now it's getting longer."

Nyx muttered.

Luna hesitated, then walked over and placed a hand on his head, ruffling his hair softly.

"I'm sure he'll return soon. Let's just wait."

She said.

Nyx didn't look convinced, but he nodded anyway.

"…I just miss him."

The words came out small.

Luna didn't say anything after that. She didn't need to.

Days turned into weeks.

The shop continued to function, but the absence grew heavier.

Even Leo, who tried to stay focused and composed, found himself staring at the door more often than he liked.

Erebus became quieter, his presence looming but subdued. Nyx asked fewer questions, but the ones he did ask carried more weight.

Then, one afternoon, the bell rang.

All four of them looked up at once.

The woman who entered was tall, composed, and unmistakably important. Duchess Isabella had come to visit and that surprised everyone.

"This is… unexpected."

She murmured.

Luna stepped forward first.

"Welcome, Duchess. How can we help you?"

The woman's gaze shifted to her, then to the others. A flicker of surprise crossed her face.

"Where is the shopkeeper?"

She asked.

The question landed heavily.

"He's not here right now. He had something to take care of."

Leo replied after a beat.

The woman raised an eyebrow.

"And who, exactly, is running the shop in his absence?"

"We are."

Luna said calmly.

The woman studied them all, which caused the people working the shop to shift on their feet…not sure about what to do.

"I see. You've been managing all this on your own?"

She said slowly.

"Yes. Everything's been fine."

Leo answered.

For a moment, the woman said nothing. Then she exhaled softly, as if coming to a decision.

"So he's truly gone…At least for now."

She murmured.

Nyx's fingers curled into her sleeve.

"He'll come back."

"I don't doubt that…But until then…how about you come live with me. I made a promise with your brother that I would look after you all."

She asked Nyx and Erebus, but extended her invitation toward Leo and Luna as well.

Luna stiffened.

"We're fine here."

"I don't doubt your capability. But the world is not kind to unattended things of value. And make no mistake-you are valuable."

Isabella said gently.

She straightened.

"Come with me for now. Just until he returns."

The room fell silent.

Nyx looked up at Luna, uncertain. Leo's jaw tightened. Erebus shifted slightly, eyes narrowing.

"And if we say no?"

Leo asked.

Isabella met his gaze evenly.

"Then I'll respect your decision. But I'd rather ensure your safety than regret not trying."

A long moment passed.

Finally, Luna exhaled.

"…If it's only until he comes back."

She said carefully.

"That's all."

Isabella promised.

Nyx hesitated, then nodded.

"Okay."

One by one, they agreed.

The shop remained quiet as they stepped outside, the bell chiming softly behind them. They would leave and come back…once the shopkeeper was back as well. This was a promise.

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