Leticia slipped through the secret passage, a narrow tunnel known only to her, her brother Laurenn, and Dagmar, her confidante and lady-in-waiting. Emerging into the city, she breathed deeply the fresh morning air. Fortune smiled upon her; few knew her face, allowing her to move freely without attracting attention.
Leticia decided to visit the bustling city fair, an opportunity to better know the kingdom she would soon leave behind. She wandered through the stalls with enthusiasm, enchanted by the colors, the aromas, and the vibrant energy of the place.
After buying a snack at one of the stalls, she sat down to enjoy it. She spotted a juice stand, which seemed the perfect complement to her meal. The instant she stood up, a flowerpot fell from the top of a building, shattering on the ground exactly where she had been sitting seconds before. The crowd around her expressed concern and relief, and Leticia, still dazed, thanked her luck for escaping unharmed.
Absorbed by the festive atmosphere, Leticia lost track of time. When she realized it, night had already fallen. As she walked back to the castle, a shiver ran down her spine. The distinct feeling of being followed washed over her. She quickened her pace through the dimly lit streets, the sense of danger growing with each moment. From the aura she felt, it wasn't just one person. But who were they? And why? The proximity of her pursuers made her run towards the main street, bumping into someone along the way.
It was the silver-haired knight.
He recognized her immediately. Concerned by her distressed expression, he asked if she was alright.
Leticia, still looking around for her pursuers, felt the pressure lessen. Had they given up?
"Would you like me to accompany you home?" offered the knight.
"If you could take me to a more crowded area, I would appreciate it," she replied, relieved. "The city center is enough."
As they walked, the conversation unfolded naturally.
"By the way, I haven't introduced myself," said the knight. "My name is Aleph."
"You can call me Ticy," replied Leticia. "Are you new around here? I've never seen you in the city."
"I arrived recently. I work as a city guard, but I intend to get a job at the castle. Prince Laurenn invited me to train here."
"You know each other?"
"Yes, we are friends. We used to train together."
"If you're friends, why didn't you ask him directly for a job at the castle?"
"I would like to get there through my own efforts," replied Aleph, with a smile. "And he doesn't know I'm in town yet."
"Sometimes, accepting a friend's help is a sign of wisdom," observed Leticia.
"I'll think about it," replied Aleph. "Sorry to interrupt the conversation, but we've arrived at our destination."
Leticia thanked him for his company and continued towards the castle. The incidents of that night, however, disturbed her. The flowerpot, the pursuers... everything seemed too suspicious. Especially after the announcement of her marriage to the Prince of Autumn.
"Could someone in the Kingdom be dissatisfied with the marriage and trying to eliminate me?" she thought apprehensively. "But how would they know I would be at the fair? Unless… it's someone from the castle. Someone close to me."
In an inn on the outskirts of the city, two men conversed in hushed tones, while a third figure, cloaked in a dark hooded mantle, remained silent.
"Sir, we have mapped the princess's routine. Soon, we can execute the plan," said one of the men.
"I hope so," replied the hooded figure, the voice raspy and menacing.