As we journeyed back to Eldoria, the landscape shifted subtly, with rolling hills giving way to more rugged terrain. The scent of pine and cedar filled the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the forest floor. Mount Verdura loomed in the distance, its peak shrouded in mist, a silent guardian of the lands below. Our path would soon take us to the small town of Braedon, nestled at the base of the mountain.Alexander rode ahead, his posture rigid with thought. I could tell he was mulling over our next steps, trying to balance the urgency of his quest with the complications my presence had introduced. Despite my earlier pleas, he had remained steadfast in his decision to return to Eldoria. Now, he seemed to be reconsidering, weighing the potential fallout of dragging me into his kingdom against the necessity of dealing with the Astorian envoy."Liam, Gabriel," Alexander called out, slowing his horse to allow his knights to catch up."Yes, Your Highness?" Liam replied, riding up beside him. Gabriel, ever the silent sentinel, flanked Alexander on the other side."We need to send a messenger to Eldoria," Alexander said, his tone decisive. "Inform Duke Lysander and his envoy to meet us in Braedon."Liam nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Do you wish for me to carry the message, Sire?"Alexander shook his head. "No, Liam. I need you here. We can't afford to split our forces more than necessary. Gabriel, you will take the message. Ride with all haste and ensure it reaches Eldoria without delay."Gabriel bowed his head slightly in acknowledgement. "As you command, Your Highness."Alexander handed him a sealed scroll, the royal crest of Eldoria emblazoned on the wax. "Make sure Duke Lysander understands the urgency. We cannot afford any misunderstandings."Gabriel accepted the scroll, tucking it securely into his saddlebag. With a final nod to Alexander, he spurred his horse and took off down the road, followed by two escorting knights, disappearing into the forest like a shadow.The rest of us continued our journey at a more measured pace. The road to Braedon was long and winding, cutting through dense forest and skirting the edge of steep cliffs. The trees here were ancient, their gnarled branches forming a canopy that filtered the sunlight into dappled patterns on the ground. The air was cooler, a reminder that summer was waning and autumn was on the horizon.As we rode, I found myself falling into step beside Lady Evelyn. She glanced at me, her expression unreadable. Since leaving the camp, I have decided to give horse riding a try. I'm glad I have inherited Elysia's competence to easily command the beast. Lady Evelyn decided to join me."Your Highness," she began, her voice low so as not to carry to the others, "do you think it's wise to meet the Astorian envoy here, so far from Eldoria?"I sighed, feeling the weight of her question. "It's not ideal, Eve, but I see no other choice. If we return to Eldoria, it will set a precedent I'm not sure I'm ready to face."Lady Evelyn nodded thoughtfully. "You mean the custom of considering any woman whom the Prince brought and sets foot in the royal palace as a betrothed candidate.""Exactly," I replied. "Alexander claims it won't apply to me because of our circumstances, but I have my doubts. The court is a place of politics and power plays. It's dangerous to assume we can bend centuries-old traditions without consequence."We rode in silence for a while, the only sounds the rhythmic clop of our horses' hooves and the rustle of leaves in the breeze. The sky above was a brilliant blue, unmarred by clouds, but I couldn't shake the sense of impending storm.Eventually, Alexander slowed his horse to ride beside us. "What do you make of our plan, princess?"Lady Evelyn slowed her pace to give us some space. She now rides beside Liam.I met his gaze, noting the determination in his eyes. "Thank you for accepting my proposal, Your Highness. But you need to be prepared for the fallout. Duke Lysander is not one to be easily swayed."Alexander nodded, his jaw set in a hard line. "I'm aware. But we have to try. This quest is too important to be derailed by court politics."I couldn't help but feel a small victory. I managed to avoid disaster. I hope my cousin will follow Alexander's request without much resistance. I'm not sure whether he is aware of the Eldorian 'absurd' custom. If he is, then he will follow the request with an open heart. After the second kidnapping, I am sure the Astorian royals held some grudge towards Eldoria.We continued in companionable silence, each of us lost in our thoughts. The road ahead was uncertain, fraught with danger and intrigue, but we had a plan for now. And in this world of shifting loyalties and hidden agendas, that was more than enough.As the sun began to dip towards the horizon, casting long shadows across the landscape, we finally reached the outskirts of Braedon. The town was a quaint, bustling hub of activity, with cobblestone streets lined with vendors selling everything from fresh produce to handcrafted wares. The scent of baked bread and roasted meats filled the air, making my stomach growl in anticipation.We made our way to the inn, a sturdy stone building with a thatched roof and ivy climbing up the walls. The innkeeper, a pleasant man with a bushy beard, greeted us warmly and showed us to our rooms.After settling in, we gathered in the common room for dinner. The inn was filled with travelers and locals, the air buzzing with laughter and conversation. I spotted a familiar figure sitting at the bar as we sat around the table.Lord Ravencroft? My heart started to thump in sudden excitement!He lifted his glass and toast at me with a small smile. A mischievous hint sparkled from his eyes as if warning me to brace for... something.