Lumielle found herself leading the way back to the enchanted cottage of their benefactor. For Daisuke, the pace was slow and cautious. In stark contrast, Lumielle moved with an almost giddy lightness, her steps fluid and carefree as though the weight of her title and the perils of the day had momentarily lifted.
Her eyes danced with wonder as she scurried from one marvel to the next, like a child enraptured by a magical world. She paused by a cluster of glowing fungi that emitted a soft, amber hue, marveling at how their light pulsed in rhythm with the faint hum of the forest.
Nearby, a flock of tiny, translucent creatures with wings like shards of glass flitted about, leaving shimmering trails in their wake that glimmered like stardust. Lumielle clapped her hands together in delight, her rosy cheeks glowing as she tilted her head to follow their path. The air around her seemed alive, her joy infectious as she crouched to inspect a curious flower that bloomed in response to her touch, its petals unfurling in a spiral of radiant blues and purples.
When exactly had she begun to loosen her usual stern and guarded demeanor? When had she allowed herself to feel so free? She couldn't quite place the moment, but she knew it had something to do with Haxks Starfrost. Despite being labeled a rank-E adventurer, he had proven himself to be anything but ordinary. His mysterious abilities and unwavering determination had a strange effect on her.
For the first time in years, she felt reassured, as though the suffocating veil of her burdens had begun to lift, allowing her to truly see the beauty of the forest for the very first time. It was breathtaking, a kaleidoscope of colors and life that she had never appreciated before. For a fleeting moment, she felt free.
But the peace was short-lived. A sinister sloshing noise, wet and unnatural, broke the tranquility, sending a chill down her spine. Daisuke's sharp gaze snapped to the source, his expression darkening. "I don't like the sound of that," he muttered, quickening his pace.
The source of the sound emerged—Slimes, grotesque and bloated, oozed forward with malicious intent. Their gelatinous forms pulsed, releasing dark, poisonous spores into the air. Lumielle froze, her breath catching in her throat as the foul creatures closed in. Before she could react, Daisuke moved past her, his hand brushing hers before clasping it firmly. She felt a jolt of warmth at his touch, but there was no time to linger on the sensation.
"Run!" he commanded, his voice cutting through the rising tension. But their speed wasn't enough to escape the encroaching creatures.
Without hesitation, Daisuke scooped her into his arms, the princess's startled gasp quickly replaced by his swift strides as he bolted through the forest. The mana surging through his feet triggered a breathtaking ripple effect among the flora. Bioluminescent lights spread like waves, illuminating the path ahead in dazzling bursts of color. Lumielle's wide eyes took in the spectacle, tears tipping the edges of her lashes as she laughed merrily, her heart alight with a hope she hadn't felt in years.
In Daisuke's arms, with the radiant forest as their backdrop, she felt for the first time that maybe—just maybe—they had the strength to make a difference in her broken kingdom. The future no longer seemed as daunting. Instead, it shimmered with possibilities.
***
The moon draped Lunarel in a luminous glow, the soft light casting long shadows across the sprawling city. The occasional mournful howl of a distant Kobold echoed beyond the outer walls, breaking the stillness. Hidden beneath a tattered, charcoal-gray cloak, a petite figure crouched in the shadows of the western district's outer threshold, her sharp gaze locked onto a manor's main gate.
Two guards stood lazily by the entrance, their helmets askew and postures slouched as they exchanged quiet jokes. Their negligence was her opportunity. Waiting for a fevered pitch in their conversation, the cloaked woman darted forward, nimble as a shadow. With a graceful leap, she scaled the tall wall, landing softly on the other side like a leaf.
The front garden stretched before her—a maze of trimmed hedges, flowering shrubs, and perfectly maintained paths. She crouched low, weaving deftly through the brush, her small frame a perfect fit for the dense greenery. Nearby, a pair of guards patrolled with lanterns, their steps heavy against the gravel. She held her breath as they passed, her fingers brushing the cold dew on the leaves for balance.
At the heart of the courtyard stood a grand stone fountain, water cascading in rhythmic splashes. Two men sat at its edge, their voices low as they cautiously passed a pipe back and forth. The courtyard was too exposed, offering no cover for her to move undetected. Instead, she clung to the shadows of the outer walls, her light steps carrying her toward the main structure.
The manor was a testament to opulence—its soaring spires and intricate stonework gleamed under the moonlight. But her destination lay elsewhere. To the west, an additional structure disrupted the symmetry that the manor's subsidiary buildings offered, its new construction glaringly evident. The increased security around this area confirmed its importance.
From her perch on the roof, she took in the sprawling vineyard that stretched behind the manor. Its orderly rows of grapevines were a façade, a cover for the sinister operations she had come to uncover. She steadied herself, a sharp exhale dissipating the lingering doubt in her mind.
With a flick of her fingers, a concentrated gust of wind emanated from her palm, billowing her hood to reveal a glimpse of silky white skin, warm cheeks, and beautifully lashed eyelids.
CLINK!
The elemental tool cut cleanly through the metallic bars of a small window. Scanning her surroundings, she slipped inside, her feet landing silently on the cold stone floor. The arched corridors were dimly lit, the faint scent of aged wood and iron in the air. Pressing herself into the shadows, she made her way toward a distant and familiar door, her heart pounding with each cautious step.
The door was formidable as it was imposing, its intricate deadbolt a challenge she had anticipated. Pulling out a custom-designed lockpick, she knelt before it, her hands steady despite the rising tension. She worked swiftly, each click of the mechanism pushing her closer to her goal. But as the lock gave way, a pulse of energy erupted from the door.
A blazing magic circle ignited, its symbols illuminating the walls, ceiling, and floor around her. Pain surged through her head, dulling her senses and turning her stomach. Her knees buckled, and the lockpick clattered to the ground as an earsplitting alarm shattered the silence.
Shouts echoed down the corridor, and the pounding of boots grew louder. Fighting the nausea, the girl clenched her fists and summoned the remnants of her strength. "Not here. Not now," she muttered, her voice trembling but resolute.
At her silent command, a surge of wind magic exploded around her, propelling her to her feet. The world blurred as she darted through the halls, her body moving faster than the eye could track. Guards flooded into the building, their swords gleaming under flickering torchlight, but she was already a step ahead.
The corridors twisted and turned, each corner bringing her closer to freedom—or a dead end. She leapt over obstacles, her cloak billowing like a shadowy specter. Her chest burned, her breaths shallow, but she didn't falter.
Finally, she spotted an open window at the end of a corridor. With a burst of wind magic, she propelled herself forward, crashing through the opening and landing in the vineyard below. The impact jarred her knees, but she didn't stop.
"He's in the vineyard!" one man bellowed.
"Don't let the bastard escape this time!"
"You fucking insect! We'll make you regret setting foot in this place!"
Lanterns bobbed in the distance as the guards pursued her, their shouts growing fainter with every passing second. The vineyard's dense rows of grapevines became her cover, and the wind carried her steps further, faster, until the manor was nothing but a distant silhouette against the moonlit horizon.
When she finally stumbled to a halt beneath the shelter of a tree far beyond the estate's borders, her knees gave way and she sank to the ground. Her chest heaved, but not from relief. Tears stung her eyes—not from the terror of her escape, but from the bitter weight of failure pressing down on her.
She clenched the edges of her cloak tightly, her nails digging into the fabric as frustration coursed through her. Another night wasted. Another chance gone. Her mission remained unfulfilled, and the gnawing certainty that she'd have to endure this all over again twisted her insides far worse than any danger she had faced.