The carriage rocked gently as it rolled down the cobbed streets, the sound of hooves echoing faintly through the narrow stone alleys of the capital. I pressed my small hands against the glass window, eyes wide with curiosity as I eagerly watched the world outside pass by in a blue of color and motion.
Shops lined the streets, each more fascinating than the last, some with beautiful dresses on display, others with glittering jewelry, racks of books, baskets of bread, and stalls filled with fruit. People bustled about, nobles dressed in fine silks walked gracefully while commoners carried bundles and children laughed, running freely in the open. The air was alive with motion, with life. everything was so loud, so vibrant.
But I wasn't just admiring it for fun.
I was memorizing every street, every corner, every alleyway.
I watched carefully for landmarks, an oddly shaped tree, a blue rooftop, a cracked wall with ivy growing out of it. these things would matter someday. Because someday… I might need to escape. and when that day came, I could not afford to be lost.
My thoughts were interrupted when the prince leaned forward and gently fixed the ribbon on my coat. His fingers worked silently, tying the bow with surprising delicacy.
"Don't get too excited," he said softly, his voice quiet but firm. "If something happens, father will be furious. You know how he worries."
I blinked and looked at him, surprised by how close he was. His face was calm as always, but there was a small smile tugging at his lips.
"I'll be in my best behavior," I replied obediently, nodding solemnly. "Alright, big brother."
He let out a quiet chuckle at my response, his shoulders shaking slightly as he rested one gloved hand on the top of my head. His touch was gentle, like he was handling something precious.
"Oh, how I remember that day we spent time in my garden," he murmured, almost to himself. "I had told you the same thing back then, to be on your best behavior. But instead, you crawled away from me, covered in dirt, and laughing. You were so small, and so… adorable."
He paused, his smile dimming just a little. "I really do wish we had more time like that together," he added, his hand still resting on my hair. "But then… something unfortunate happened."
My eyes met his.
He noticed the question forming in them, he always did, but instead of answering, he simply winked at me.
"Father said you are still too young to know."
That again…
My smile faded, just a little.
Too young to know.
I bit my lip and looked away, my gaze returning to the window. We passed a plaza where a fountain bubbled in the center, surrounded by children playing tag. A woman sold flowers at the edge of the square. A man played a lute by the steps of a chapel, his hat turned upside down for coins.
"Will papa and big brother tell me when I grow up?" I whispered, not looking at him.
The prince didn't answer right away. I glance sideways and saw that he was watching the streets too, a quiet look on his face, like he was remembering something far away.
"When you're ready," he said eventually. "We will tell you everything."
I nodded slowly, even though the words did not comfort me the way I wished they would.
After a while, the prince had excused himself to deal with the matters he'd spoken of earlier. I remained inside the carriage, sitting quietly on the cushioned seat, legs dangling as I hummed softly to myself. Outside, two royal guards stood on either side of the door like silent statues, alert, unmoving, and ever watchful.
The carriage felt warm and safe, but curiosity tugged at me like a playful breeze.
I carefully reached toward the curtain and slid it aside just enough to peek through. Golden sunlight streamed in, casting warm hues over my face as my eyes scanned the scene beyond. Just a short distance away, I saw my brother speaking with a man in dark green suit. He looked like a merchant, polished shoes, a scroll case tucked under his arm, and a jeweled ring that glittered whenever his gestured.
They exchanged words I couldn't hear, but I could tell from the way the man bowed deeply and respectfully that my brother was someone important. Of course, he is the heir of the empire after all.
Began to imitate them under my breath, voice exaggerated like I was performing a royal play. Out of boredom.
"oh~ my prince, you are sooo kind and sooo handsome," I whispered in high-pitched tone. "Please give me more money for praising you ~!"
Then I switched to soft yet deep voice when the prince spoke, mocking but playful.
"Oh haha, I know I am," I said, puffing out my cheeks like I was the prince himself. "You don't have to tell me, I already know I am!"
I tried not to laugh too loud, but I wasn't exactly subtle.
"oh my, yes, the prince!" I continued.
Soon the man bowed again, clutching his hat to his chest.
Then, the carriage door clicked open with a soft metallic sound. The prince stood there, sunlight behind him like a halo, and offered me his hand with a small smile.
"All good," he said, his tone light as the breeze. "Shall we go walk around the city? The day is still long."
My heart leapt.
"Really?!" I gasped, and immediately placed my small hand onto his gloved one.
He helped me down gently from the carriage, and as my boots touched the stone street, I felt dozens of eyes shift toward us. People had noticed. The street quieted ever so slight. I looked up and saw noblewomen, merchants, and passersby staring, some with curiosity, others with awe, and a few with whispers on their lips I couldn't catch. Their eyes trailed my hair, my dress, and especially my eyes.
The attention made me shrink a little.
The prince must have noticed. His hand gave mine a gentle squeeze, steadying me, grounding me.
"Why don't we go to a pastry shop?" he said, voice soft and deliberate. I could tell he was trying to distract me, to offer comfort in his own quiet way.
"Yes, big brother!" I beamed. "Can we buy some too? To take home?"
He chuckled under his breath, the sound barely louder than the breeze. "We can buy the whole shop if you want."
My eyes went wide. "That's too extreme!" I exclaimed. "I just want some to share with everyone in the palace!"
His lips curled into a smile, rare and tender. "My sister is really kind."
We continued down the street, past rows of flower carts and musicians playing near fountains. The scent of baked goods led us straight to a cozy little pastry ship with golden trim on its windows and the sweet smell of sugar hanging in the air like a dream. Through the glass, I saw rows and rows of sweets, delicate tarts, cream puffs, eclairs, and macarons.
The owner, a woman in a frilled apron, immediately bowed her head when she recognized us. She moved with flustered reverence as she boxed up our choices. I picked a mix of colors, pink, lavender, lemon yellow, and hugged the box to my chest like it was a treasure chest.
But we didn't stop there.
The prince led me down another street and into a toy shop. I wasn't particularly fond of toys, but I knew I had to keep up appearance. A normal little girl wouldn't ignore such a place.
Inside, wooden horses, plush dolls, and tiny knights lined the shelves. I wandered quietly, pretending to browse, when something caught my eye, a soft bunny plush, snow-white with vibrant green eyes.
"That one," I pointed. "Can I have that, big brother?"
He reached for it without hesitation and handed it to me.
"a bunny? Why that one?" he asked, though his tone was playful, like he was indulging a child.
I stared at the bunny's green eyes. "Because it has big brother's eyes," I said softly. "Big brother's eyes are very… pretty."
He froze for a moment. I saw the faintest flush creep up his cheeks before he chuckled quietly and place a hand gently atop my head.
"I'm glad something reminded you of me enough to pick it," he said quietly. He turned to the shop owner and handed him a few gold coins. The man shook his head repeatedly, insisting he could not accept payment, but the prince's expression left no room for argument.
With the box of sweets in my arms and the bunny nestled beside it, we stepped outside once again.
But the street had changed.
More people had filled the area, vendors shouting, wheels clattering, the chaos of the crowd swelling like a tide. i kept close to the prince, watching his back as he moved with practiced grace, easily navigating through the shift crowd.
And then it happened. A sudden, firm grip closed around my arm.
I froze. I thought it was one of the knights.
I turned my head sharply, and saw a man cloaked in black, his hood pulled low to hide his face. His gloved hand tightened on me. the knights are nowhere. I tried to scream, but a white cloth was pressed over my mouth.
My eyes widened; panic surged.
I tried to twist, to scream, to call for him, the prince, who was just a few steps ahead.
But my voice was smothered. The scent of the cloth hit me, sharp and sweet, and suddenly the world tilted.
Everything blurred, colors bleeding into one another, people becoming shadows, my body too heavy to move.
The last thing I saw… was the back of the prince, his white hair, walking away, unaware and then…
Darkness…