The game began in earnest.
The children stalked rooftops, alleyways, and wagon routes like tiny predators — whispering to one another, signaling hand gestures, splitting formation to confuse imaginary pursuers.
Occasionally an onlooker would notice 5 kids running around acting strangely.
The kids whispered urgently.
"They're onto us!"
"Circle around!"
"Flank them!"
It was chaos.
It was strategy.
It was joy.
And it was the first time in a long time they'd played a game that didn't end with being chased away.
Brannic answered his door with crossed arms and a scowl.
"What's this, then?"
The children said nothing.
They simply presented the sealed package.
The dwarf stared at the ticket inside.
Brows rising.
Mouth twitching.
He sealed his response with unnecessary drama, stuffed in a receipt for Jax's rental schedule — and added…
a crude iron paperweight.
"Don't lose it," he growled. "And don't ye dare say who sent you, if you get caught."
The children bowed as if accepting royal treasure.
Next — Merriweather.
She squealed mid-air.
She thought to herself, "A theater suite!? Oh, how scandalous!"
She twirled like a dizzy lantern bug, then rummaged through a cabinet and grabbed the first thing within arm's reach —
A small enchanted amulet.
She pressed it into a sealed envelope along with a handwritten note of thanks.
"Fly, my little agents of mystery! And remember — secrecy is everything!"
The kids left feeling like legends.
By the time the sun dipped toward the rooftops, the city was alive with their hunt.
They were whispering.
Prowling.
Coordinating.
"Now the game begins," Jax thought.
Jax and Bunny ducked, pivoted, hid behind vendor carts, cut through shop rows, and laughed breathlessly between turns.
The kids would spot the couple, only for them to seemingly disappear moments later.
Jax and Bunny let the chase stretch on — long enough to feel real.
They pretended they didn't see them and when they would it a corner, they would dash away and duck into a side door to a shop and hide.
Bunny hadn't smiled this much in years.
After about fifteen minutes of being seen and then disappearing, they decided to end the game.
Jax finally stepped into view. He walked down an alleyway.
The children swarmed. No escape from them now.
Footsteps closed in.
They grinned.
They were proud.
They had earned this.
A voice appeared behind them.
"Good," Jax said calmly. "You didn't get followed."
They spun around.
He stood there — arms folded — approving.
"Did anyone see you?"
"No!"
"Were you tracked?"
"Never!"
He nodded.
"Show me."
They presented the sealed replies.
Jax took them one at a time, cracking the wax in private — keeping the illusion sacred.
Brannic's receipt.
Merriweather's amulet.
Both concealed behind mystery.
He closed the packages.
Satisfied.
Then he placed one silver coin into each kid's hand.
They froze.
Eyes wide.
Mouths trembling.
That was more money than they had ever held.
Ever.
"Payment," Jax said. "For professionals."
They burst into cheers —
They kept their excitement to as much of a minimum as seven-to-ten-year-olds can. Trying to live up to that compliment of professionals.
"Now run along before someone sees you with us."
They quickly scurry off.
As they reached the end of the alleyway and turned the corner to the street, Bunny could hear giggles and laughter.
"BEST DAY EVER!"
"That was amazing!"
"Let's do it again someday!"
Their laughter could still be heard by Bunny.
Bunny stood very still.
Her ears quivered.
Jax looked at her. "Do you think they had fun today?" he asked honestly.
Her eyes watered. "I know they did."
Jax looked satisfied and was lost in thought on the day, while facing Bunny.
Clarity hit Aurabelle in this moment.
Because now…
she understood.
He didn't deny them charity out of coldness.
He refused to pity them because he wanted to give them dignity.
Work.
Hope.
A reason to hold their heads up.
She looked at him differently.
Warmer.
Fuller.
Softer.
She stepped closer, close enough to feel his warmth.
Their foreheads brushed.
Their lips met.
And Bunny melted into him — not from surprise, or shyness, or flustered infatuation…
…but because now she knew why she loved him.
Not just the strength.
Not just the mystery.
But the heart that hid behind it.