Jack felt warmth spread through his chest at her words, but underneath lay the growing awareness that expectations were mounting alongside his capabilities. The more powerful he became, the more people expected from him.
"CAWK!"
Corvin's soft call drew Jack's attention back to the immediate concerns. Through their soul link, he could feel the creature's eagerness to accompany him to the shop opening, its curiosity about seeing their various schemes come to fruition.
'You'll have to stay hidden,' Jack thought through their bond. 'A raven in formal settings might raise questions we're not ready to answer.'
The response was understanding tinged with disappointment, but the creature's loyalty overrode any personal desires for adventure.
"The carriages are prepared whenever you're ready, Young Master," Seraphina reported, checking her own timepiece. "Lady Genevieve and your sisters departed an hour ago to oversee the final preparations."
