Luna and I left Madam Jane's together after signing the contract, the paperwork sealed and her new collar fitted, a simple silver band engraved with faint runes, symbolizing her new master.
She seemed oddly cheerful about the whole thing, humming softly as her silver tail swayed behind her.
Although the documents called her my slave, I couldn't bring myself to think of her that way. She was, to me, a hired guardian with a very expensive food budget.
As we stepped into the bustling streets of Merlyt, the afternoon sun filtered through the tall stone buildings. Luna turned to me with an almost childlike expression of curiosity.
"Master," she said, tilting her head, "what do we do now? Luna is hungry again."
I chuckled. "Already? You just ate two full plates of roast meat at Madam Jane's."
Her ears twitched. "That was hours ago. Luna needs fuel to fight!"
"Fair enough," I said. "We'll get food, but first, what else do you need? Anything apart from food?"
"Hmm…" She tapped her chin thoughtfully, her tail swishing lazily. "Luna needs new clothes and fighting gear. My old armor was sold off when I became a slave."
"I see," I said, smiling a little. "That won't be a problem. I can make those for you myself."
Her silver eyes widened. "Really? Master can make clothes and gear?"
"I can make almost anything," I said simply. "Weapons, armor, tools, even furniture. I have a production skill that covers a lot."
Her tail began wagging so fast it was almost a blur. "Master is amazing! Then Luna will wear only Master's creations!"
"Good. That'll save us a lot of money."
"Eh? No shopping spree?" she asked with mock disappointment.
"We'll buy only what I can't make, food, toiletries, that sort of thing. Everything else I'll craft myself."
Luna puffed her cheeks in mild protest, then sighed dramatically. "Fine… but Master must promise to make something cute too."
I grinned. "I'll think about it."
The next few hours were surprisingly pleasant.
We wandered through the market streets buying daily necessities, cooking oil, soap, brushes, spices, and, of course, a mountain of food.
Luna drew stares everywhere she went. Not just because of her striking silver hair and tail, but because of how alive she was. She'd dart between stalls sniffing out scents, make delighted noises when she found a new snack, and occasionally stop to watch street performers.
By sunset, I had a full inventory of supplies, enough to last us several weeks. Luna followed close behind, humming happily with a meat skewer in each hand.
When we arrived back at the inn, Luna's expression turned serious.
"Master, Luna will sleep in your room," she said.
I blinked. "You will?"
She nodded. "It's a guard's duty. If someone attacks, Luna must protect Master instantly."
Her logic was sound. "Fine," I said after a moment. "But no jumping into my bed unless you have to fight someone."
"Understood!" she said, a little too cheerfully.
Inside, she immediately claimed the sofa and watched with fascination as I began pulling crafting tools out of my inventory: the crafting stations I'd spent so much time building.
"Wah…" she murmured, eyes wide. "Master's bag really is bottomless!"
"It's a dimensional inventory," I explained while summoning my tailor's kit. "Now, about your clothes and armor, tell me what you need."
"Luna fights close. Fists, elbows, knees. Needs gauntlets, arm guards, and something that doesn't rip when Luna kicks too high."
"I can do that," I said, already sketching ideas in my mind. "How about something fitted for mobility, light leather base, steel reinforcements, and flexible plates along the forearms and legs?"
Her tail swished approvingly. "Yes! And maybe a fluffy cloak for cold nights?"
"Noted," I said with a grin. "You'll have it by morning."
While the crafting stations hummed quietly, I set up my cooking unit next. The room filled with the aroma of roasting meat, simmering sauces, and baked bread.
Luna sat cross-legged on the floor, tail wagging as her stomach growled audibly.
"Patience," I said, amused. "You'll get to try a few things. I want to see what you like best so I can plan your meals properly."
"Luna loves Master's way of thinking," she said solemnly, as if I'd just declared a sacred creed.
I plated a few dishes, grilled silvestre meat on the bone, spicy vegetable stew, roasted potatoes with herbs, and skewers glazed in honey sauce.
Her eyes went wide. "It's beautiful."
"Eat," I said. "And slowly, this time."
"Luna promises nothing!" she declared and immediately dug in.
Within minutes, every plate was empty. She licked her fingers contentedly and leaned back with a sigh. "Master is a god of food."
"Just someone who knows how to cook," I said modestly, though her enthusiasm was infectious.
"Luna wants to eat like this forever," she murmured, eyes half-lidded with bliss.
"As long as I have money and ingredients, you can," I said. "But that means you'll have to guard me well, understood?"
Her expression turned serious again. "Luna swears to protect Master. No one will hurt you while Luna breathes."
The sincerity in her tone made me pause. "Thank you, Luna."
She smiled softly. "It's Luna's purpose now."
As the evening settled, she sniffed the air suddenly, her ears flicking.
"Master," she whispered, "three people followed us from the market. Two turned away, but one stayed nearby."
"Can you tell who?"
"Smells like perfume and metal. Maybe one of that rude apothecary lady's guards."
I sighed. "Figures. We'll keep our guard up, but don't engage unless I say so."
"Luna understands. But if they come too close…" She clenched her fists, her new gauntlets glinting faintly. "…Luna bites."
I couldn't help laughing. "I'll keep that in mind."
Later that night, after crafting her new set of armor and gloves, sleek steel pugilist gauntlets with reinforced knuckles, a tailored outfit of dark leather, and a soft fur-lined cloak, I finally collapsed onto the bed.
Luna, now dressed in her new gear, looked genuinely moved. She flexed her arms, throwing a few mock punches into the air.
"Perfect balance," she said, eyes gleaming. "Light but strong. Master is truly skilled."
"I'm glad you like it," I said, suppressing a yawn.
Then, without hesitation, she crawled onto the bed beside me, tail wrapping around her waist.
"...What are you doing?" I asked.
"Guarding Master," she said simply. "Guards must stay close to their charge."
I raised an eyebrow. "You know, most guards stay outside the bed."
"Outside is cold," she said, already curling up. "And Luna sleeps better when she can hear Master's heartbeat."
I opened my mouth to argue, but stopped. There was nothing seductive in her tone, just the innocent honesty of a beastkin acting on instinct.
"Fine," I murmured, closing my eyes. "But no drooling on the pillow."
"Luna makes no promises," she mumbled sleepily.
Within moments, she was out, soft snores filling the quiet room.