LOGINFour more days passed. The road stretched endlessly across kingdoms, forests and rivers.Yet, very little changed. Mornings began before sunrise. The royal entourage packed camp with practiced efficiency.Breakfast was eaten quickly. The horses were harnessed. Then they rode. By midday, they stopped only long enough for lunchnand water before continuing the journey.As evening descended, another Journey House welcomed the Prince.Another chamber. Another meal. Another stack of letters waiting patiently upon Aramisius' carriage desk. Sometimes he rode his stallion under the sun.Messenger doves continued arriving without fail. Every bird was now searched before a single message reached the Prince's hands.The assassination attempt had changed nothing. Except the caution of everyone around him. Spies and pretentious travellers came and went. Captains delivered reports.Kings sent greetings and good wishes. Nobles sent requests. Princesses sent proposals.Aramisius answered them with the
Moments later, she returned carrying half a loaf and a small bowl of vegetable stew and cups of water.Nizelda gasped and Rhea's eyes shimmered with tears of so many emotions at once. She sobbed."You honor us."The woman smiled softly. "No child should go hungry."Rhea thanked her again and again.While they ate, the woman narrowed her eyes and spoke."You're not from around here, omega."Rhea lowered her head and shook her head NO."No, madam.""You're running from someone?"There was silence. Nizelda instinctively sank farther into Rhea's. The old woman's expression softened."Don't stay in this village after dark. Some men came asking questions yesterday."Rhea only smiled and nodded her head, hiding her fear.Only after they had walked far beyond the village did Nizelda notice something."Grandma.... You didn't eat much."Rhea looked down. "I wasn't hungry."Nizelda stopped walking. She quietly broke the last piece of bread in half. Then reached up."Eat, grandmother. You have to
Rhea's pulse thundered. And to worsen the situation, the man didn't move. He didn't blink. He simply watched her. Was this recognition? Suspicion? She couldn't tell. The old woman immediately lowered her eyes and her shoulders sagged further. She leaned heavily upon one leg before breaking into a harsh coughing fit of a sick hag. It echoed through the line of prisoners. And the stranger began walking toward her. Nizelda instinctively reached for Rhea's hand and Rhea squeezed it once. Stay calm. The man's boots stopped before them. "You." Rhea slowly raised her head. "Lift your face." She obeyed slowly, shaking as though even the movement exhausted her. The stranger examined every wrinkle. Every strand of silver hair. "What is your name?" "S-s-Samantha...." She whispered to herself, shivering. Her voice barely carried. "Speak up!" The man yelled and she jumped, startled. "I..." She coughed violently, clutching her chest. "...Forgive me.... These old lungs have nearly given
She stumbled straight into Aramisius and her blanched face buried itself against his chest. Her fingers clutched desperately at his shirt. Infact, she was shaking violently, repulsed. Aramisius remained completely still. His eyes stayed on the body as the soldiers dragged it away. Only then did his gaze lower to the frightened girl pressed against him. For the briefest moment, something tightened inside his chest. Not regret over the rogue. Not hesitation over the execution. Only one thought disturbed him. SHE WASN'T SUPPOSED TO SEE THAT. His jaw hardened and he spoke without looking down. "Captain." "My Prince." "From now on..." His eyes remained fixed on the darkness beyond the gardens. "...Every messenger bird is studied before it enters my sight." "Yes, my Prince." Far above, the remaining innocent doves circled once. Then disappeared into the night. The rogue's body was dragged away through the moonlit gardens. One by one, the soldiers disappeared into the darkness. T
He pulled out a chair. "I wasn't. I observed the nightdress.""There is no difference."Silence settled again. He finally sat opposite her.His plate was already waiting. Without another word, he picked up a knife and Aeryl folded her arms."Well?"He looked up."Well what?""You've been acting strangely. You ignored me.""I was occupied.""Occupied on a stallion. You barely answered my questions. It is called snobbery.""I answered once. That's enough.""And you answered with one word.""It was sufficient."Aeryl's jaw tightened. "It wasn't."She stared at him in disbelief. He calmly cut into the roasted meat before him. Then, without looking up, he said quietly. "You really need sleep.""I need answers.""No. You do need to sleep.""I wasn't tired until you started irritating me.""Hm."That little sound somehow irritated her even more."You seem to enjoy humming these days.""It is necessary."She dropped her spoon with a louder clatter than intended."You are impossible."There w
Tonight, the sun had disappeared entirely. Night spread gently across the countryside as the great carriage rolled beneath rows of silver lanterns.Aeryl looked out of the window.Then, her mouth slowly fell open with a gasp."Oh..."They had reached the First Journey House.It stood upon a gentle rise overlooking the road like a palace forgotten by time. Warm golden lights glowed from hundreds of crystal lanterns suspended among large ancient trees.Stone walkways wound through enormous rose gardens where blossoms of every colour opened beneath the moon.White. Crimson. Golden. Even deep midnight blue. Water shimmered softly through narrow streams crossing polished bridges at the far sides.Somewhere nearby, she heard fountains.The entire estate looked.... dreamlike."It is beautiful."She whispered the words without thinking. The carriage continued through the open gates.Servants already stood waiting in two orderly rows. Every lantern reflected in the polished marble steps leadin
The outer gates of the city rose ahead of her, tall and guarded.The city was alive with movement even at that late hour. Aeryl slowed her steps. She knew that if she walked too fast, she would draw attention and if she walked too hesitant, then she would look suspicious.She forced her steps to ev
Aeryl screamed against the cloth, her body dropping a short distance before her hands caught again. Pain shot up her arms as she clung on, legs slamming against the stone.For a second, she couldn’t breathe. Her eyes flew wide, heart slamming so hard it hurt.No. No, no. She pressed herself against
Meanwhile, Aeryl couldn’t breathe properly.Her inhales were sharp and uneven like her lungs were beginning to not work right.. Her hands shook as she stumbled back into the room, her mind racing too fast to hold onto a single thought.Get out of this place. No one cares about you. RUN! That was t
Meanwhile, Aeryl was being held out of the tub that was filled with roses and warm milk when it hit her.A very strong pull. Her breath caught sharply as pain slammed deep in her chest. The calm the roses had given her shattered all at once. She gasped and pushed herself upright.The room felt wron







