The carriage rumbled to a slow stop at the town gates, joining a line of other carts and travelers waiting their turn to enter.
Hazuki sat up, stretching his arms overhead with a loud yawn.
"Emm... what's this town called?" he asked, scratching his head.
The beastkin father, guiding the front reins, glanced back.
"This is Macia Town," he said politely.
"Still within the Beastkin Kingdom."
"Oh."
Hazuki nodded lazily.
He leaned over the side of the carriage, peering out.
Most of the people crowding the road were beastkin—but unlike Ellyn's family, these ones were full-furred, their ears, tails, and even parts of their faces covered in various shades of thick fur. There were tiger beastkin, wolf beastkin, and even rabbit-eared ones walk lightly between merchant stalls.
Hazuki blinked, realizing again just how unique Ellyn—and her royal bloodline—really were compared to the common beastkin.
Floating lazily near Hazuki's shoulder, Ridan spun a slow, lazy loop in the air.
