The night air was cold as Andrei stepped out of the tavern, his mind heavy with thoughts of Yelena. Her words echoed in his ears, their weight pulling at him like anchors.' I don't let people in. Not like this. Not even you'.
He clenched his fists, frustrated not just with her resistance but with himself. He wasn't used to feeling this powerless, this uncertain. In the palace, everything had its place, its order. But out here, in the city's underbelly, nothing made sense. It was chaotic and cruel, and yet he found himself drawn to it—drawn to her.
The streets were quieter now, the revelry of the taverns giving way to the stillness of the late hours. Andrei's boots echoed against the cobblestones as he walked aimlessly, his thoughts a whirlwind. He couldn't go back to the palace—not yet. The thought of returning to his gilded cage felt unbearable after what he had just experienced.
He turned a corner, finding himself in a narrow alleyway. The shadows here were deeper, the air damp and heavy with the smell of refuse. He paused, leaning against a wall, and closed his eyes. For the first time in his life, he felt truly lost.
"Lost your way, Your Highness?"
The voice startled him, and his eyes snapped open. A figure emerged from the shadows—a young boy, no older than twelve, with a sharp, wiry frame and an even sharper smile. His clothes were tattered, his face smudged with dirt, but his eyes gleamed with a mischievous intelligence.
Andrei straightened, instinctively placing a hand on the hilt of his sword. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice steady despite the surprise.
The boy laughed, a sound that was both mocking and oddly cheerful. "Just a nobody," he said with a shrug. "But I know who you are. Hard not to, with that fancy coat of yours. You stick out like a sore thumb around here."
Andrei frowned, his hand still on his sword. "If you know who I am, then you know it would be unwise to threaten me."
"Threaten you?" The boy laughed again, shaking his head. "Nah, I'm not that stupid. But you should be careful. A prince wandering around these parts... well, let's just say not everyone would be as friendly as me."
Andrei studied the boy for a moment, unsure whether to be amused or wary. There was something about him—his confidence, his sharp tongue—that reminded Andrei of someone. Someone who wasn't afraid to stand their ground, no matter who they were up against.
"Do you have a name?" Andrei asked, his tone softening slightly.
"Depends on who's asking," the boy replied with a smirk. "But you can call me Kolya."
"Kolya," Andrei repeated. "Why are you here?"
Kolya shrugged. "Could ask you the same thing, Your Highness. What's a prince doing in a place like this? Looking for adventure? Or maybe... someone?"
Andrei's expression hardened. "That's none of your business."
"Fair enough," Kolya said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "But if you're looking for her—the dark-haired girl from the tavern—you're going to need help."
Andrei's heart skipped a beat. "You know her?"
"Everyone around here knows her," Kolya said, his tone matter-of-fact. "Yelena's not exactly invisible, you know. But she keeps her distance. Doesn't let anyone get too close. Not that I blame her."
Andrei hesitated, the boy's words hitting closer to home than he expected. "Why are you telling me this?"
Kolya's smirk faded, replaced by something more serious. "Because I think you're different. Most men who come looking for her... they only want one thing. But you? You're not like them. Are you?"
Andrei didn't answer right away. He wasn't sure he could. But Kolya seemed to take his silence as confirmation, nodding to himself as if he had figured out some great mystery.
"Thought so," Kolya said. "Listen, if you really want to find her again, you'll need to know where to look. She doesn't stay in one place for long."
Andrei's brows furrowed. "Why are you helping me?"
Kolya grinned, his mischievous spark returning. "Let's just say I've got a soft spot for hopeless causes. Besides, I figure you're good for a coin or two."
Andrei couldn't help but chuckle, despite himself. He reached into his pocket, pulling out three small gold coins, and handed it to Kolya. The boy's eyes lit up as he took it, holding it up to the dim light.
"Not bad," Kolya said with a nod. "Alright, Your Highness. I'll point you in the right direction. But after that, you're on your own."
Andrei followed Kolya through the winding streets, the boy leading him with a confidence that belied his age. They walked in silence for a while, the only sound the soft scuffle of their footsteps against the cobblestones.
Finally, Kolya stopped in front of a rundown building, its windows cracked and its walls covered in peeling paint. "She stays here sometimes," he said, gesturing to the door. "But don't expect her to be happy to see you."
Andrei nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. He didn't know what he would say to Yelena, didn't know if she would even speak to him. But he had to try.
Kolya stepped back, his sharp grin returning. "Good luck, Your Highness. You're gonna need it."
Andrei watched as the boy disappeared into the shadows, his footsteps fading into the night. Taking a deep breath, Andrei turned to the door. The building loomed before him, its darkened windows like empty eyes staring back at him.
For a moment, he hesitated. But then, with a surge of determination, he stepped forward and knocked.
The sound echoed through the silence, and Andrei waited, his heart in his throat.
Finally, the door creaked open, and Yelena stood there, her dark eyes narrowing as she saw him. "You again," she said, her voice low and guarded. "I told you not to follow me."
Andrei met her gaze, his resolve firm. "I don't follow orders well."
Her lips twitched, as if she were fighting back a smile. But then her expression hardened again, and she stepped aside. "Come in, then," she said. "But don't say I didn't warn you."
Andrei stepped inside, the door closing behind him with a soft click. For better or worse, he had crossed the threshold into her world.
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