"I won't blame you. Maybe it's time for you to get married. I should tip Mother about Tanya," Winston teased, a sly grin tugging at the corner of his lips.
Easton's eyes widened. "You wouldn't dare," he said, glaring.
"Oh no, I'm terrified," Winston gasped, clutching his chest dramatically as though wounded.
Before Easton could reply, a voice rang out behind them. "Eira!"
Eira turned to see one of her stepsisters approaching.
"Ella," she greeted, bowing politely.
"Congratulations in advance," Ella said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
That's more like 'suffer in advance,' Eira thought, forcing herself not to roll her eyes. "Thank you," she said sweetly.
"Brother Easton. Brother Winston," Ella added with a curtsy. The twins merely nodded in response.
The twin princes didn't associate much with the other royal children—except for Eira. They treated her like their little sister and had often used their bond with her, along with their father's affection for her, to navigate difficult situations.
"I'd like to leave the palace for a bit," Eira said, turning to the twins. "Just to get some fresh air."
Easton's brows furrowed, and Winston didn't look thrilled either.
"I'm a warrior princess, not a helpless maiden locked in a tower," Eira added, making an exaggerated puppy face.
Winston sighed, clearly battling between amusement and concern. "If Easton agrees, I won't stop you."
Eira turned her attention to Easton, clasping her hands together. "Please, Brother Easton," she said in her best baby voice.
He groaned. "What am I going to do with you? Honestly, I'm just glad you're getting married—maybe now I can stop covering for your antics."
A smile broke across her face.
"But," Easton added sternly, "you go only in disguise."
"Of course," she said, eyes sparkling.
Easton glanced at Winston, who nodded reluctantly. Together, they helped Eira prepare and sneak out of the castle, making sure she was armed and disguised. Her sword rested securely at her side.
---
The Border of Elyria and Kyrogha
The wind was crisp and bracing near the border. From where she sat, Eira could see the hazy outline of Kyrogha on the horizon. The quiet solitude was a relief—a brief moment of freedom.
But it didn't last.
From the edges of the path, several hoodlums emerged, grinning with menace. Eira leapt to her feet, sword drawn in an instant.
The clash of steel echoed through the air as she fought them off. She was trained, seasoned, and fearless—but even she knew the odds weren't in her favor. There were too many.
In the distance, a figure watched.
A man on a white horse. His silver hair cascaded down to his hips, glinting in the sunlight. His silver robes gave him an almost ghostly appearance. Eira frowned.
A man with silver hair? Uncommon. And that length... even rarer.
He sat calmly, unmoving, as if merely observing a passing performance.
Furious at his lack of assistance, Eira shouted, "Hey! Silver-head! Help out—I'm outnumbered!"
The man tilted his head, his expression unreadable. "Silver-head?" he echoed in disbelief.
"You seem to be doing fine on your own," he called back lazily. "Why drag me into your problems?"
Her blood boiled. With a frustrated cry, she turned from her enemies and lunged toward him. He raised a brow but didn't flinch.
In one fluid motion, he slid from his horse and met her attack with his own sword. Their blades met with a sharp clang.
"So feisty," he mused. "You attack strangers too?"
"You stood there and watched like a coward!" she hissed.
The silver-haired stranger only smirked. Their duel ignited—quick, elegant, intense. Eira moved with precision and force, and he responded with surprising agility, almost as if he were toying with her.
They danced across the forest edge, steel singing. Then—suddenly—he disarmed her. Her sword flew from her grip and landed a few feet away.
Breathing heavily, Eira stood defiant, eyes full of fire.
The man turned, about to mount his horse again, but paused.
"You're not bad, lady," he said, without facing her. "But don't think this means I'll be saving you again. Most who raise their sword at me don't live long. Let's call this... my way of saying I'm impressed."
And with that, he rode off, leaving her in stunned silence.
Eira blinked. Who just leaves a lady alone after something like that? she thought, still catching her breath.
---
Back at the Palace
By the time Eira returned, dusk had begun to settle. The palace lights flickered warmly against the growing shadows.
She pushed open her chamber door—and froze.
Her father, King Baltimore, stood by the window, arms crossed, his face unreadable.
"Father," she greeted, bowing low.
"Where have you been, Eira?" his voice was firm, though it carried a trace of worry. "You know you're not to leave the castle unguarded. Especially after Tenebria's proposal."
She took a deep breath. "I just needed some air, Father. I didn't mean to cause alarm."
"Fresh air?" He raised a brow. "At the border of Kyrogha?"
She shrugged nonchalantly. "I needed space. I was careful."
The king's eyes narrowed. "Be honest with me, Eira. What really happened?"
She hesitated, then gave a light shrug. "Nothing serious. I just needed to clear my head."
He held her gaze for a moment, then sighed. "Very well. But promise me this—don't go alone again. Not with the weight of a possible alliance on our shoulders."
"I understand, Father. It won't happen again."
He stepped forward, brushing a loose strand of hair from her forehead. "Good. I have a meeting with the officials. We'll discuss Tenebria soon enough."
As he turned to leave, he added, "We'll talk more later, Ava."
Eira smiled gently. "Yes, Father."
"Eira couldn't help but breath a sigh of relief after his departure", glad he hadn't pressed more for answers, less she had no idea how to respond to him". Or what likely to happen if he finds out she had almost been plotted against. Sighing she sat down".