As Kisha neared the edge of the forest, she took a deep breath to calm her racing heart before stepping out into the open, far from Villa #1. She emerged on the other side of the villa, near an empty lot beside a northern wall. This secluded spot had been their hidden backdoor, used by Kisha and Duke whenever they wanted to slip outside for some fresh air without alerting their people of their disappearance.
She chose this path to ensure her origins remained unknown, though it hardly mattered in the end.
As she had done yesterday, she returned to the marketplace bustling with people searching for useful items. Her clean, beautiful face drew attention from all directions, with some men following her like bees to flowers. A few even took the initiative to purchase gifts for her from the market, trailing her like eager servants.
