Letícia slipped through the secret passage, a narrow tunnel known only to her, her brother Laurenn, and Dagmar, her confidante and lady-in-waiting. Upon emerging into the city, she took a deep breath of the fresh morning air. Luck was on her side; few people knew her face, which allowed her to move about freely without attracting attention. After the scare with the flowerpot that had nearly struck her during her last outing, an extra layer of caution now guided her steps.
She decided to visit the fair that enlivened the city—an opportunity to better understand the kingdom she would soon leave behind. She wandered through the stalls with enthusiasm, enchanted by the colors, aromas, and vibrant energy of the place, though her eyes remained alert for any suspicious movements.
Letícia lost track of time. When she realized, night had already fallen. As she walked back toward the castle, a chill ran down her spine. A sharp sense of being followed overwhelmed her—stronger and more sinister than any previous unease. She quickened her pace through the dimly lit streets, the sense of danger growing with every step. Judging by the aura she sensed, it wasn't just one person. But who were they? And why? The closeness of her pursuers drove her to run toward the main street, where she collided with someone.
It was the silver-haired knight.
"Miss? The young lady I assisted near the flower shop, if I'm not mistaken," he said, recognizing her immediately. Concerned by her distressed expression, he asked, "You look frightened. Is everything all right?"
Letícia, still breathless and scanning the surroundings for her pursuers, felt a slight drop in pressure upon seeing him. Had they given up after noticing someone as imposing as him?
"The silver-haired knight..." she managed to say, still using the alias "Ticy." "Yes, I'm being followed. Could you help me get to a more crowded area, please? The city center will do."
"Of course. Allow me to escort you," he offered, subtly positioning himself in a protective stance. "By the way, my name is Aleph."
"You can call me Ticy," Letícia replied, grateful for the escort. "Are you new around here, Sir Aleph? I don't think I saw you in the city before yesterday."
"I arrived recently," Aleph confirmed as they walked. "I work as a city guard, but I hope to get a job at the castle. Prince Laurenn invited me to train here."
"You know each other?" Letícia asked, surprise in her voice.
"Yes, we're friends. We used to train together."
"If you're friends, why didn't you ask him directly for a job at the castle?"
"I'd rather earn it through my own efforts," Aleph answered with a faint smile. "And he doesn't know I'm in the city yet."
"Sometimes, accepting a friend's help is a sign of wisdom," Letícia observed, thinking of her own dilemmas.
"I'll keep that in mind," Aleph replied. "Sorry to interrupt, but we've reached the city center, as you asked. You'll be safe here."
Letícia thanked him for his company and continued toward the castle, her mind now even more troubled. The flowerpot incident the day before, the pursuers tonight... everything seemed far too suspicious, especially after the announcement of her engagement to the Prince of Autumn.
"Could someone in the Kingdom be unhappy with the engagement and trying to eliminate me?" she wondered, uneasy. "But how would they know I'd be at the fair today—or in the street yesterday? Unless... it's someone from the castle. Someone close to me."
In an inn on the outskirts of the city, two men spoke in hushed tones while a third figure, cloaked and hooded, remained silent.
"Sir, the princess seems more alert after the flowerpot incident. Our men had trouble getting close to her today at the fair and lost sight of her when night fell," one of the men said. "But we've already mapped part of her routine. We'll be able to carry out the plan soon."
"I certainly hope so," replied the hooded figure, in a raspy, menacing voice. "I will not tolerate any more failures."