"Late-night trade, my lady. The roads are quieter, though not always safer."
"Not safer?" Salviana tilted her head, genuine concern in her voice.
"Bandits, mostly," another merchant chimed in, his hand resting protectively on his cart. "But we've been lucky so far. No trouble tonight."
Alaric's eyes narrowed slightly, scanning the horizon. "Be vigilant. Luck can change quickly."
Salviana shot him a look, her lips curving into a playful smirk. "Don't scare them, my prince. They've had a peaceful night so far."
The merchants exchanged amused glances. "You two must be newlyweds," the first merchant observed with a grin.
Salviana laughed softly, her cheeks warming. "Is it that obvious?"
"Only a little," the merchant replied. "The way you bicker is quite endearing."
Alaric shook his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "We should let you be on your way. Safe travels."
"And to you," the merchant said, tipping his hat.
As they rode off, Salviana glanced over her shoulder, waving at the group. Alaric couldn't help but notice how easily she engaged with strangers, her warmth drawing people in effortlessly.
"You have a way with people," he remarked once they were out of earshot.
She shrugged, a soft smile on her lips. "I just enjoy talking to them. Everyone has a story, and sometimes all they need is someone to listen."
"It's more than that," he said, his voice thoughtful. "You make them feel seen. Even in passing, you care."
Her smile widened, and she rested her cheek against his back. "You're not so bad with people yourself, you know. A little broody, maybe, but charming in your own way."
"Charming, am I?" he teased, glancing back at her.
"Don't let it go to your head, my prince," she quipped, her laughter light and melodic.
They rode on, encountering more travelers along the way—farmers with carts of produce, a bard strumming a lute, and even a group of children chasing fireflies under the moonlight.
Each interaction was brief but meaningful, and Alaric found himself marveling at Salviana's ability to connect with everyone they met.
At one point, they stopped to rest near a small brook. Manni tended to the horses while Salviana crouched by the water, her reflection rippling in the gentle current.
"Do you think they knew who we were?" she asked, her voice soft.
Alaric leaned against a tree, his arms crossed. "Doubtful. Most people wouldn't expect royals to be wandering the countryside at night."
"I like it that way," she admitted, glancing up at him. "It's nice to just be… normal for a while."
He walked over to her, crouching beside her at the water's edge. "You'll always be more than normal, Fiery."
She met his gaze, her eyes shining in the moonlight. "And you'll always be broody, won't you?"
"Only when you give me reason to be," he replied with a smirk.
They shared a quiet laugh before mounting the horse once more. The night deepened, and the travelers they encountered grew fewer until the road was empty again.
As they rode through a dense thicket, the trees casting long shadows in the moonlight, Salviana tightened her hold around Alaric's waist.
"It's so quiet now," she murmured.
"Too quiet," he agreed, his senses on high alert.
Manni, who had been riding behind them, slowed his horse. "Your Grace, something feels off."
Alaric nodded, his eyes scanning the darkness. "Stay close."
The air grew heavy, the silence oppressive. Even the sounds of the forest seemed to have stilled, as if holding its breath.
Salviana's grip on Alaric tightened. "Do you think it's… whatever we sensed earlier?"
"Perhaps," he said, his voice low. "But whatever it is, we'll face it together."
They continued cautiously, the horses' hooves muffled by the soft earth. The tension was palpable, each shadow seeming to shift and stretch unnaturally.
Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the trees. Salviana's breath hitched, and Alaric immediately drew his sword, its blade glinting in the moonlight.
"Stay behind me," he ordered, his tone firm.
Salviana nodded, her heart pounding as she slid off the horse and took a step back. Manni dismounted as well, his staff glowing faintly with magical energy.
From the shadows emerged a figure cloaked in darkness, its eyes glowing an unnatural crimson. It let out another growl, its form shifting as it stepped into the moonlight.
"A shadowbeast," Manni whispered, his grip on his staff tightening.
Alaric positioned himself between Salviana and the creature, his stance steady and unyielding. "Stay calm, Fiery," he said without looking back.
Salviana's voice was steady, though her hands trembled. "I trust you."
The shadowbeast lunged, and the night erupted into chaos.
The shadowbeast didn't fight. Just as Alaric raised his sword to strike, the creature dissolved into the wind, its crimson eyes fading into the darkness as though it had never been there.
Alaric stood frozen for a moment, his weapon still raised. He let out a slow breath, lowering the blade.
Relief coursed through him as he turned to Salviana, who remained rooted to her spot. Her wide eyes met his, and he could see the questions swirling within them.
"It's gone," he said softly, stepping closer to her.
"Why didn't it attack?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I don't know," Alaric admitted, his brow furrowed. "But I'm grateful it didn't."
He reached for her hand, his grip firm and reassuring. "Let's not linger. We need to keep moving."
Salviana nodded, her trust in him unwavering despite the strange events. They mounted the horse once more, Alaric pulling her close as they rode deeper into the night.
Manni followed silently, his expression thoughtful as he pondered the creature's sudden disappearance.
The horse's hooves beat a steady rhythm against the dirt road, the night air crisp and biting. Salviana's cloak swayed with the motion, her arms wrapped tightly around Alaric's waist.
She rested her cheek against his back, her exhaustion from the evening's ordeal catching up with her.
"Are we close yet?" she asked, her voice soft, almost childlike.