Leorick and Seraphine's carriage rolls to a stop near the countryside estate, set against the shimmering blue expanse of the ocean and bordered by fields vibrant with wildflowers. The sound of distant waves fills the air as a gentle breeze brings with it the fresh, salty scent of the sea.
Seraphine's eyes widen in awe as she steps down, gazing at the view. "This place... it's incredible, Leorick. Why have I never heard of it?"
He smiles, pleased by her reaction. "It's one of the quieter estates. It's been in my family for years, but few know of it-though I thought it might make a fitting escape for us." His eyes soften, noting the way the sea breeze catches strands of her hair, giving her an ethereal glow in the late afternoon light.
They leave their things at the estate and set out together to explore the local market. The village itself is charming, a maze of cobblestone paths lined with stalls. Each one is filled with curious treasures: small bottles of shimmering sand, freshly caught seafood, and handwoven fabrics. The locals are friendly, eager to showcase their wares to the king and his queen.
As they stroll, Leorick watches Seraphine's childlike delight as she examines each stand. She pauses by one displaying glass vials of multicolored sand. "Look at these!" she exclaims, holding up a vial that sparkles in the light. "It's like a piece of the ocean captured in glass."
Leorick smiles, reaching out to buy it for her. "Then it's only fitting you have it." His tone is light, but his eyes carry a warmth that Seraphine hasn't often seen from him.
They continue on, pausing at a stand selling intricate wooden carvings. An elderly vendor holds up a small carving of a bird with wings outstretched. "For protection, my lady," she says, pressing it into Seraphine's hand. "A gift from the heart brings good luck."
Seraphine accepts the carving with a warm smile, handing the woman a few coins. "Perhaps it'll watch over us," she says, turning to Leorick with a grin. "To ward off any trouble."
But as they move on, Leorick's light-hearted mood falters. He notices a shadow moving a few stalls behind them, staying just within the crowd yet too focused to be another casual passerby. His instincts sharpen, recognizing the subtle, careful movements of a trained stalker.
He leans in close to Seraphine, keeping his tone calm. "Seraphine, there's something I need to handle. I'll only be a moment."
She raises her eyebrows, glancing between him and the stalls. "Alright... but if you're off to do something reckless, at least tell me where to find you afterward."
He chuckles, squeezing her hand. "No need to worry. I'll find you right here."
With that, he slips away, making his way through the market. He circles around, approaching his shadow from behind. The figure-a cloaked man-turns just as Leorick nears, surprise flickering in his eyes before they harden. The assassin's hand moves to his side, reaching for a concealed dagger, but Leorick is faster. He disarms the man, knocking the weapon aside and swiftly slicing across the man's knee to prevent any escape.
The assassin crumples to the ground, hissing in pain as Leorick stands over him, his gaze cold and commanding. "Who sent you?" he demands, his voice dangerously calm.
The assassin's lips part as if to speak, but suddenly, a thick, dark liquid begins to trickle from his mouth. His eyes widen in panic as his body convulses, and a strange purple gas seeps from his lips, curling in the air around him. Leorick steps back, watching in horror as the man's body grows limp, a curse evidently ending his life before he could utter a word.
Nyssa, his secretary, emerges from the shadows nearby, her gaze sharp as she takes in the scene. She'd been following at a distance, aware of the king's suspicions.
"My lord," she says, her tone respectful but firm, awaiting his orders.
Leorick's expression hardens, his jaw tense. "This curse... someone's gone to lengths to keep him silent. I want to know who would send an assassin here and who's powerful enough to place this kind of magic on him."
Nyssa nods, her gaze steely. "I'll find out what I can."
With a final glance at the dead assassin, Leorick turns away, willing himself to push the encounter from his mind as he returns to Seraphine.
He finds her waiting by a stand selling seashell jewelry. She looks up as he approaches, relief and curiosity mingling in her eyes. "Everything alright?" she asks, her tone light but her gaze watchful.
"Handled," he says, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "Just a minor interruption."
She tilts her head, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Minor, is it? You forget I know you, Leorick."
He chuckles, though he can sense her questions hanging unspoken. For now, they resume their walk, letting the tension melt away as they move toward the beach. She links her arm through his, her presence grounding him, even as thoughts of the cursed assassin linger in the back of his mind.
The sun begins to dip below the horizon, casting a warm, golden glow over the sand and sea. They walk along the shore, the waves lapping at their feet, a soothing rhythm that seems to dissolve the weight of the day.
After a long silence, Seraphine glances up at him, her eyes thoughtful. "Leorick... that 'interruption' earlier-it wasn't just a minor problem, was it?"
He lets out a soft sigh, his expression somber. "There was an assassin," he admits, watching her reaction carefully. "But he... didn't survive long enough to tell me anything useful. A curse killed him before he could speak."
Her face softens, her brows knitting as she takes in his words. "A curse? Someone went to those lengths to silence him?" She frowns, gazing out at the ocean. "It's as if someone wanted him silenced more than they wanted you dead."
Leorick nods, a wry smile touching his lips. "Your intuition remains unmatched."
She shrugs, her expression shifting to a wry smile. "I did marry you, didn't I? I'd say that was a clever choice."
His laugh is warm, and together they stroll along the shoreline, deciding to leave the incident behind, at least for the evening. The air grows cooler as the stars begin to appear overhead, and Seraphine's hand finds his, her fingers curling around his as they walk in comfortable silence.
After a few moments, she looks up at him, her tone softer. "Thank you, you know. For bringing me here." She pauses, her gaze tender. "It's easy to forget everything else when we're here like this."
He pulls her close, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Then let's forget," he whispers, wrapping his arms around her as they stand at the water's edge. "Tonight, this is all there is."
The waves lap around their feet, cool and refreshing, and as they stand there, the weight of courtly matters, curses, and shadows feel distant and small. They remain on the shore until the stars are fully scattered across the night sky, their laughter mingling with the sound of the ocean.
Finally, as the moon rises high above, they make their way back, hand in hand. The world feels softer and warmer around them, as though, for one night, they have found a brief reprieve from all the dangers that linger beyond the shores of their quiet escape.