CHAPTER 7

Chapter-7-Lisha

Carefully, I tiptoed back from the door and slipped through the narrow back entrance of the clinic. I pressed myself against the wall at an angle, just far enough that anyone who opened the main door would not see me. I forced myself to hold my breath, every muscle in my body was stiff with tension.

The door creaked open. A soldier stepped inside, sword unsheathed, his sharp gaze sweeping the space I had just been standing in moments ago. He frowned, lowering his blade slightly as confusion spread across his face. “I thought someone was here,” he said.

The others came out of the clinic. Prince Lucan himself came out, His eyes followed the direction of the soldier’s blade before drifting toward where I hid in the shadows.

For one moment, I thought his gaze stayed too long.

Then he said calmly, “Maybe not.”

The soldier stepped back uncertainly, sheathing his sword.

Lucan turned to Leon, who had followed them into the corridor, and spoke with casual authority. “Tomorrow,” he said, giving Leon’s shoulder two light taps before making his way toward the outer hall.

As he walked away, I noticed him remove the small bandage Leon had tied around his arm. He unwrapped it carelessly threw it away.

A scoff escaped me before I could stop it. So it had only been an excuse, an elaborate ruse to come here under the guise of an injury, a way to speak to Leon without suspicion.

But as I remembered their conversation, the weight of reality struck again. The raid would be tomorrow.

I waited until Leon went back into the clinic, then quietly slipped away, moving quickly but silently down the long corridors.

There was no time to lose.

I had already prepared for such  emergency, a secret way to reach Perrone if something like this ever happened. I wrote a letter in the coded language we had agreed upon. Each stroke of ink felt urgent, as I warned him of the attack and urged him to evacuate the windborn immediately. I ended with the small sign we had arranged a hidden sketch of a star, so he would know it was truly from me.

When I finished writing the letter, I folded it neatly and wrapped it in a plain piece of cloth. To anyone else, it would look like an ordinary merchant’s note, nothing important. I slid it carefully up my sleeve, hiding it close against my arm, then left for the market.

The streets were alive with noise traders shouting prices, donkeys braying, and the smell of spice and smoke drifting through the air. I moved quickly, weaving through the crowd until I spotted the man I was looking for. He was a quiet fellow, one who owed me a favor. He never asked questions, which made him perfect for this.

I pressed the small note into his hand and leaned close, giving him quiet instructions. He gave a short nod, tucked the bundle away, and disappeared into the crowd without another word.

By the time I turned back toward the palace, the letter was already on its journey. My heart was heavy with hope and fear. All I could do now was wait and pray Perrone received it before it was too late.

When I returned to the palace, it struck me that I had only told Leon I was stepping out to use the washroom. Hours had passed since then. I felt unease, this was not the kind of impression I wanted to leave on my very first day of work.

I made my way back to the clinic slowly, it was already evening. Leon looked up the moment I entered.

“Where have you been?” he asked.

“I was at... I...” I stuttered but he cut me off.

“You must have been nervous. The prince can be intimidating. But he’s harmless, as long as you don’t stand in his way.”

“Oh,” I answered. Though in my mind, I will stand in his way, and nothing will happen to me. He will be the dead one before he even realizes it.

Leon gave a small nod. “Keep your cool. Many high profile visitors visit here often. Sometimes we even go to their quarters. That’s part of the work.”

“Okay, sir. Thank you,” I replied softly.

I offered to help him finish up, but he waved me off. “No, you can go. We’re done for today.”

I tried to insist, but he repeated. “It’s fine.”

So I bowed lightly and went out of the room. As I walked back toward my quarters. I felt footsteps trailing behind me. I knelt down to readjust my sandals. Then I saw the guy hide immediately as my movement caught him surprised.

They already put someone on me? Wow, I felt cold in my body. My mission here was going to be far more difficult than I had imagined.