The bustling market was alive with chatter and the vibrant energy of the townsfolk as Elias and his small company made their way back to the palace. Stalls overflowed with colorful goods—fresh produce, bolts of fine fabric, and intricate trinkets.
The mingling scents of baked bread and spiced meats filled the air. Lady Selene, walking beside Prince Aedric, occasionally pointed at items with curiosity, though her mood remained subdued after Aedric's earlier outburst.
Elias followed a few steps behind, his eyes darting around. He had been on edge since they left the clearing, and now, the lively atmosphere of the market only heightened his unease. Something felt off.
The sensation was subtle at first, a creeping discomfort that sent a chill down his spine despite the warmth of the sun. His fingers twitched at his sides, and his heart began to race, though he couldn't pinpoint why.
"Stay close," Elias murmured, his voice barely audible as he took a step closer to the group.
Prince Aedric, walking ahead with his usual air of self-importance, turned slightly to glance at Elias. "What are you mumbling about now?" he asked irritably.
Elias hesitated, unsure how to voice his concerns without sounding ridiculous. "I just... have a bad feeling, Your Highness. Perhaps we should hurry back to the palace."
Aedric rolled his eyes. "You're always worrying about something. It's exhausting."
Lady Selene glanced back at Elias, her brow furrowing slightly. "Is everything alright, Elias?"
Elias forced a smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Yes, my lady. Just... stay close to Prince Aedric."
Master Horace, trailing behind the group and looking thoroughly worn out from the day's events, gave Elias a curious glance. "Bad feeling, you say? Nonsense. The market is perfectly safe. The guards patrol these streets regularly."
Elias wanted to believe him, but the gnawing sensation in his gut wouldn't relent. His eyes scanned the crowd, searching for anything—or anyone—out of place. That was when he saw them: a small group of men, moving with purpose through the throng of people. Their faces were partially obscured by hoods, but their body language was unmistakable. They were heading straight for the group.
Elias's pulse quickened. "Master Horace," he said sharply, his voice low but firm, "stay with the prince and Lady Selene. Keep them close."
The tutor blinked, startled by Elias's sudden urgency. "What are you—"
"Just do it," Elias interrupted, stepping forward to place himself between the group and the approaching strangers. "Something's not right."
Before Horace could respond, chaos erupted.
The hooded men broke into a run, shoving aside startled merchants and bystanders as they closed the distance. Shouts of alarm rose from the crowd, and a fruit stand toppled over in the commotion, spilling apples and pears onto the cobblestones.
"Your Highness, move!" Elias shouted, his voice cutting through the noise.
Prince Aedric froze for a split second, his eyes wide with shock. Lady Selene let out a startled gasp, grabbing at Aedric's sleeve. Horace, though panicked, instinctively stepped in front of the pair, shielding them as best he could.
Elias didn't wait for anyone to react further. Trusting his instincts, he lunged toward Aedric, shoving the young prince out of the path of the attackers. Aedric stumbled and fell back into Horace, who caught him awkwardly.
But Elias's momentum left him vulnerable. Before he could regain his footing, rough hands grabbed him from behind, yanking him away from the group.
"Elias!" Lady Selene cried out, her voice filled with panic.
The assailants dragged Elias several steps before one of them growled, "Wrong one!"
Elias struggled against their grip, his heart pounding as he realized their target had been Aedric all along. "Let me go!" he yelled, twisting and kicking, but the men's grips were ironclad.
One of the attackers glanced toward Aedric, who was now being ushered away by Horace. "Forget him! Go after the prince!" he barked.
"No, you don't," Elias muttered under his breath. Summoning every ounce of strength he had, he threw himself backward, causing the man holding him to lose his balance. They both hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind out of Elias.
The commotion caught the attention of the market guards, who began shouting and running toward the scene. The attackers, realizing they were out of time, exchanged frustrated glances before one of them hissed, "Retreat!"
The group scattered, vanishing into the crowd as quickly as they had appeared. Elias lay on the ground, gasping for breath and wincing at the sharp pain in his shoulder from the fall.
"Elias!" Lady Selene's voice cut through the haze. She broke free from Horace's protective grasp and ran to him, kneeling at his side. "Are you alright?"
Elias tried to sit up, wincing as he did. "I'm fine, my lady," he said weakly. "Are you and the prince safe?"
Lady Selene nodded, her eyes wide with concern. "Thanks to you. But... why did they do that? Why did they come after us?"
Elias shook his head, his expression grim. "I don't know. But they were after Prince Aedric. That much is certain."
By now, the market guards had arrived, and one of them helped Elias to his feet. "Are you hurt, young man?" the guard asked.
"I'm fine," Elias insisted, though his knees wobbled slightly.
Prince Aedric approached then, his face pale but his expression guarded. "What... what were you thinking, Elias?" he demanded, though his voice lacked its usual bite. "You could have been killed."
Elias met the prince's gaze, his tone calm but firm. "Protecting you, Your Highness. That's my duty."
For a moment, Aedric said nothing, his lips pressed into a thin line. Then he turned away, muttering, "Idiot."
Horace, still visibly shaken, cleared his throat. "We should return to the palace immediately. This... this is far too dangerous."
Elias nodded, glancing once more at the dispersing crowd. The memory of the attackers' eyes—cold and calculating—was burned into his mind. Whoever they were, this wasn't the last he'd see of them.
As the group began their hurried journey back to the palace, Elias couldn't shake the feeling that this attack was just the beginning of something far more sinister. And he feared that, somehow, he was now a part of it.
______
The journey back to the palace was quiet, the earlier excitement from the market attack now replaced with a subdued and tense atmosphere. Lady Selene clung to Elias's arm, her small hands trembling as she walked beside him.
Prince Aedric, uncharacteristically silent, maintained a firm grip on Elias's other arm, his expression unreadable. Master Horace, trailing behind them, glanced back occasionally as if afraid they were still being followed.
When they finally reached the palace gates, a wave of relief swept over the group. Guards rushed to meet them, their concerned gazes darting from Elias's disheveled appearance to the somber expressions of the young royals.
The tutor quickly recounted the attack, emphasizing Elias's role in protecting the prince and Lady Selene.
Elias's cheeks flushed faintly at the prince's declaration. He opened his mouth to respond, but the system's voice interrupted him.
"Possessive much? Someone's getting territorial," the system teased, its tone dripping with amusement. "Should we start calling him 'Your Jealous Highness' now?"
Elias mentally sighed, choosing to ignore the system's antics. Despite its taunts, he couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth at Aedric's words. The prince's concern, though clumsily expressed, was genuine, and it touched Elias more than he cared to admit.
"Thank you, Your Highness," Elias said quietly, bowing his head. "I'll do my best to ensure you won't have to worry about me."
Aedric frowned, his lips pressing into a thin line. "You're always saying that. But you don't have to do everything alone, Elias. That's what I'm here for."
The sincerity in Aedric's voice caught Elias off guard, and for a moment, he didn't know how to respond. He settled for a small, grateful smile, hoping it would convey what words couldn't.
The prince huffed, turning away as if embarrassed. "Good. Just remember that," he muttered, making his way to the door. "Now go get some rest. You look terrible."
Elias chuckled softly despite himself, bowing again as the prince left the room. Once he was alone, he sank into one of the chairs, exhaustion finally catching up to him. His mind replayed the events of the day—the market attack, Selene's determination, and Aedric's unexpected display of care.
"You've got quite the fan club, don't you?" the system chimed in. "A stubborn little princess and a prickly prince both fighting for your attention. Lucky you!"
Elias sighed, resting his head against the back of the chair. "It's not like that," he murmured under his breath. "They're just kids. They don't know any better."
"Keep telling yourself that, buddy," the system replied with a laugh. "But you've got to admit, it's kind of nice having people care about you, isn't it?"
Elias didn't respond, but he couldn't deny the truth in the system's words. For all the chaos and confusion that surrounded his life, moments like these reminded him that he wasn't entirely alone. And for now, that was enough.