The cold night air bit into my skin as I slipped out of the castle, my cloak pulled tight around my shoulders to guard against the chill. It wasn't the first time I'd done this—sneaking out like a misbehaving child to escape the weight of responsibilities that seemed to press heavier on my shoulders each day. I moved quickly and quietly, the guards stationed at the castle's entrance none the wiser as I made my way through the side passage, careful to keep in the shadows. It wasn't that I didn't trust them, but I needed a break from being "His Majesty" and the unending formalities that came with the title.
The streets of Eldoria at night were quiet, almost peaceful. Lanterns hung on iron hooks, casting a dim glow across the cobbled roads, the faint light shimmering in the pools of water left from a recent rain. The scent of damp earth and faint smoke hung in the air, and I found myself inhaling deeply, savoring the scent that seemed to belong only to the kingdom I called home.
