After an amazing breakfast, albeit one that started awkwardly and tense, I now found myself standing just outside the palace gates, deciding where to go. The grandeur of the palace loomed behind me, its towering spires gleaming in the morning sunlight. The finely paved walkway that led from the gates down to the bustling streets below was lined with perfectly manicured hedges and statues of past kings and queens, their stone faces carved with expressions of wisdom and authority.
The morning air was cool and crisp, carrying the faint scents of blooming flowers from the palace gardens. I watched as noble carriages rolled up to the gates, their polished exteriors reflecting the light like mirrors. Knights in golden armor stood at attention, their eyes scanning every passerby with disciplined precision. Beyond the gates, the city of Eryndal awaited—a sprawling expanse of life, color, and opportunity.
I couldn't help but smile as I recalled Elara's valiant protest from earlier. Her tutors, with looks of patient resignation, had practically dragged her away to fulfill her royal duties for the day—specifically, overseeing the charity fund allocations for the city's poorer districts. I could still hear her frustrated voice ringing in my ears: "I don't need to count coins when I could be out exploring with Caelan!" It had taken a significant amount of convincing on my part for her to reluctantly let go of my arm and focus on her responsibilities.
"Don't wander too far!" she had shouted as her tutors finally whisked her away.
Shaking off the memory, I turned to take in the bustling world beyond the palace. The cobbled streets below were alive with merchants, travelers, and common folk going about their day. The city seemed to pulse with energy—a stark contrast to the quiet, somber atmosphere of the palace grounds.
As I descended from the gates and entered the streets, I let my feet guide me, my curiosity pulling me deeper into the heart of the capital. It wasn't long before I found myself at Silver Steps Plaza, one of Eryndal's most famous landmarks.
The plaza was a wonder to behold. It stretched wide and open, with the Silver Fountain at its center—a towering masterpiece of marble and silver that caught the sunlight and cast dazzling reflections onto the surrounding cobblestones. The plaza was a kaleidoscope of life. Merchants peddled their wares from colorful stalls, their voices calling out to potential buyers. Children darted through the crowds, laughing as they chased each other. Performers stood at every corner, juggling, dancing, and playing instruments that filled the air with lively tunes.
I moved through the plaza, marveling at the sights. One stall displayed enchanted trinkets—rings that glowed faintly, necklaces adorned with stones that shimmered like the night sky. Another offered exotic foods from faraway lands. The scent of roasted meats, spiced pastries, and sweetened nuts filled the air, making my mouth water despite my recent meal. A woman with a kind smile handed me a small, honey-glazed pastry, insisting I try it. I thanked her, biting into it as I continued to wander.
It was easy to lose myself in the wonder of the plaza, but as I lingered, snippets of hushed conversations began to reach my ears.
"...The crown prince is losing favor with some of the old houses. They say his policies are too... lenient."
"The second prince, though—he has the backing of the traditionalists. If he plays his cards right, he could win the throne."
"I heard the attack on the mansion wasn't random. Some say it's tied to the second prince's supporters, though no one can prove it..."
The words sent a chill down my spine. I pretended to examine a stall selling intricately carved figurines while listening closely. It seemed the city was alive with whispers of political tension, and the events of the past days had only added fuel to the fire.
I turned back to the Silver Fountain, letting the sound of its cascading water calm my nerves. For now, I decided to focus on exploring the city, but I couldn't shake the feeling that trouble was brewing just beneath the surface.
**
While I was walking through the bustling streets, still dazed by the grandeur of the city's architecture and distracted by the endless rows of shops, I caught a flash of unmistakably fiery red hair. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized Cerys, standing in front of a shop that displayed rows of elegant dresses.
She looked effortlessly striking, even out of her usual armor. Today, she was dressed in a simple yet fitted dark green tunic that complemented her fiery hair and brought out the vivid green of her eyes. Brown leather pants and well-worn boots hinted at her practical side, and despite the casual look, she carried herself with the confidence of someone who knew her worth. Her hair was loosely tied back, stray strands catching the sunlight and glowing like embers. She had an air of beauty about her, but it was the kind that came with strength—rugged, untamed, and powerful.
I froze, unsure what to do. Part of me wanted to approach her, strike up a conversation, maybe even spend some time together. But as the idea sank in, so did a wave of nervousness. What would I even say? Besides, I had told myself to get over this silly infatuation—there was no future in it, and I was just some farm boy with no idea how to court a woman like her.
Still, my eyes lingered on her for far too long. Long enough for her to notice. When her piercing green eyes met mine, I felt my stomach drop. Her gaze was so intense it felt like she could see straight into my thoughts, unraveling every flustered, embarrassing notion running through my head. My knees felt weak under her stare, and all I could manage was an awkward wave, trying to hide my nervousness.
Her expression softened as recognition dawned. The intensity of her gaze eased, and to my surprise, she smiled. A real smile. She walked toward me, carrying several bags in her hands—probably supplies or other essentials, judging by their practical look.
"Elara let you out for a walk?" she teased, her voice carrying that easy confidence I admired.
"Something like that," I said, managing a smile in return. Her teasing didn't bother me—it was part of her charm.
"And what about you?" I asked, nodding toward the shop she'd been standing in front of. "Thinking about getting a dress?"
Her cheeks reddened slightly, a rare sight that made my chest tighten. She shifted the bags in her hands, looking almost sheepish.
"Ah, you saw that, huh?" she said, a bit awkwardly. "I mean, I was just looking. It's not really my thing, you know? Dresses like that don't suit someone like me. I'm not exactly... graceful. I'm better off in a suit of armor than in something that flows and sparkles."
She rambled a bit, her voice uncharacteristically unsure, and I couldn't help but smile. "You're wrong," I said earnestly, my words coming out without much thought. "A dress would suit you. You'd look good in any dress."
Her eyes widened slightly at my words, and I realized what I'd just said. My face grew warm, but it was the truth—I wasn't trying to flirt, just being honest. Cerys, however, recovered quickly, her expression shifting into something teasing yet unreadable.
"Oh, would I now?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Her voice was light, but there was a flicker of something deeper behind it.
"Yeah," I said, scratching the back of my neck and avoiding her gaze. "I mean, you're... you're Cerys. You'd make anything look good."
Her lips twitched like she was holding back a laugh. "You're trouble, Caelan," she said finally, shaking her head. "Big trouble."
And just like that, my heart threatened to leap out of my chest.
**
I found myself glancing repeatedly at the woman walking beside me. Despite her reputation—the "Crimson Blade" and the "Unyielding Vanguard" of the kingdom—I realized how little I truly knew about her. Titles and battlefield stories from the knights didn't reveal the person beneath, and for some reason, I wanted to know her.
"So... do you come here often?" I asked, cringing inwardly at how awkward I sounded.
Cerys turned her piercing green eyes toward me, a faint smile curling her lips. "When I get the chance. I'm not in the capital much. Most of my time is spent out in the field—leading the Scarlet Sentinels, defending against attacks, clearing monster nests, or putting down trouble in the borderlands."
She shrugged casually, but there was pride in her tone, and I could tell she loved her work.
"I guess I'll be here for a while, though. My orders are to train you in the basics first. After that, maybe you'll even join my team for a few missions so you can learn how to handle team dynamics."
She said it so matter-of-factly that it almost made me choke. Fighting alongside her? That felt like a lifetime away.
"Ah... but, um..." I stammered, trying to shift the topic. "What do you like to do here? You know, when you're not being a fearsome warrior or saving the kingdom?"
Cerys raised an eyebrow at the question. "Haven't given it much thought, really. When I do get some downtime in the capital, I like to shop. There's so much here you can't find anywhere else—armories, rare artifacts, books, even some luxury items I'd never actually use." She smirked, glancing at the bags in her hand. "It's a nice change of pace."
I smiled, feeling bolder. "Would you like to go somewhere with me now? Show me around a bit? I mean... if you're free."
Her green eyes flicked toward me, her expression unreadable at first. Then, she laughed—a melodic, genuine sound that warmed the air between us.
"Sure," she said. "But let me drop these off at my place first, if you don't mind."
"I don't mind!" I replied far too quickly.
Cerys burst into another laugh, the sound teasing but light. "Careful, Caelan. Someone might think you're interested in me or something."
"Umm..." I scratched the back of my neck, trying to avoid her gaze. "I am."
Her laughter stopped, and her hands loosened on her shopping bags. She turned to look at me, her face suddenly bright red, her green eyes wide with shock.
"What...?" she said, almost breathless, as if my words had knocked the wind out of her.
I swallowed hard, trying to find my courage. "I mean... I want to get to know you. Not just the warrior everyone talks about, but you. What you like, what makes you happy."
"I-I... I wasn't expecting that." She looked flustered, tucking a loose strand of fiery red hair behind her ear as her gaze darted everywhere but at me. "No one's ever... been that forward with me before. I'm not exactly the 'delicate flower' type. Most men... well, they usually don't see me that way."
"I do," I said softly, almost without thinking. And then, before I could stop myself, I reached out and gently took her hand, stepping closer until I could see the faint freckles on her cheeks. "I'm interested."
Her lips parted slightly, her eyes dropping to where our hands met before flicking back to my face. "Caelan, I—"
A low murmur broke the moment. It was then we both realized the crowd gathering around us, their faces alight with scandalous curiosity. Cerys dropped her shopping bags, her entire face burning as she stiffened like a cornered animal.
I could hear snippets of whispers.
"Isn't that Lady Cerys? The Crimson Blade?"
"And who's that boy with her? He doesn't look like anyone important..."
"They're holding hands! In public! Scandalous!"
"Doesn't he work for the princess?"
Cerys sighed deeply, running a hand down her face. "Fantastic. My reputation as a terrifying warrior is officially ruined."
I scratched the back of my neck, my face no less red than hers. "Sorry... I didn't think anyone was watching."
"Oh, they're always watching," she said dryly, her eyes darting to the crowd.