The next morning, Ximing woke up unusually early.
He stared at the ceiling.
Then suddenly sat upright.
"Today is the day."
Kael, who was preparing breakfast downstairs, heard him.
"The day for what?"
Ximing appeared at the kitchen entrance, still wearing his sleep clothes.
"The first Levon outfit."
Kael smiled.
"So that's what you're excited about?"
"Yes!"
Ximing sat down and began eating.
"Today, Levon stops being drawings and becomes actual clothing."
After breakfast, Ximing returned to his studio.
He had already chosen the first design.
A deep green formal jacket.
The fabric was soft but strong, with subtle gold embroidery around the cuffs and collar. The design was elegant without being overly complicated.
Ximing carefully measured the fabric.
Kael watched him.
"You look serious."
"I am serious."
"You're holding scissors."
"Exactly."
Kael laughed.
Ximing began cutting the fabric.
Piece by piece, the jacket slowly took shape.
The enchanted sewing machine made the work much faster than an ordinary machine would have.
By midday, Ximing finally finished.
He held the jacket up.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Kael stepped closer.
"It looks good."
Ximing smiled.
"No."
Kael looked at him.
"No?"
"It looks Levon."
Kael laughed.
"I don't know what that means."
"Neither do I."
They both laughed.
Ximing placed the finished jacket on a mannequin.
Then he stepped back. Read this novel at g.com for the best experience.
The little golden flower emblem sat neatly near the chest.
He had chosen the symbol carefully.
Simple.
Elegant.
Easy to recognize.
Underneath it, he had written:
LEVON
Ximing stared at the name.
It felt right.
"This is the name."
Kael nodded.
"Levon."
"Levon."
Ximing smiled.
He suddenly imagined people wearing his designs in cities across the beast world.
Merchants.
Teachers.
Officials.
Artists.
Parents.
Young people.
Maybe even members of royal families.
But he wasn't thinking about becoming famous.
He simply wanted to make beautiful things.
Things people would enjoy wearing.
That was enough.
Later that afternoon, Ximing decided to show the jacket to a few people from the village.
He invited several villagers into his studio.
The first was the baker from the restaurant.
She looked at the jacket.
"Oh, this is beautiful!"
A rabbit beastwoman beside her touched the sleeve carefully.
"The stitching is so neat."
An older human merchant examined the fabric.
"This could sell very well in the city."
Ximing's eyes brightened.
"Really?"
The merchant nodded.
"Especially if you create different styles."
Ximing immediately reached for his notebook.
"Different styles…" This story is hosted at g.com.
He began writing.
Kael looked at him.
"You're planning again."
"I can't help it."
"You're supposed to be retired."
"I am retired."
"You're working."
"Retirement is flexible."
Kael shook his head.
That evening, Ximing returned home with his notebook full of new ideas.
He added:
Levon Formalwear
Levon Everyday Wear
Levon Children's Wear
Levon Travel Wear
Then he stopped.
Children's wear.
He smiled.
One day, perhaps, he would make clothes for his own children.
Tiny jackets.
Little shirts.
Comfortable clothes for playing outside.
He imagined a child running through the garden wearing something he had made.
The thought warmed his heart.
Kael noticed his expression.
"What are you thinking about?"
Ximing closed the notebook.
"Family."
Kael became quiet.
Ximing smiled softly.
"Someday."
Kael nodded.
"Someday."
Outside, the chickens were making noise again.
Ximing sighed.
"Actually, before someday, I need to feed those chickens."
Kael laughed.
"And there goes your peaceful evening."
Ximing stood up.
"My retirement has chickens."
He walked outside.
And somehow, he couldn't imagine having it any other way.