That morning, I woke up feeling relieved. For once, there were no strange events or embarrassing situations like last night. At least I was in the right bed, and Abigail was in hers. My inner voice let out a sigh, commenting on the morning's situation casually.

"Thank goodness we woke up normally this time," it murmured.

I nodded slightly, though only in my head. "Yeah, I guess that's a good step forward."

We exchanged a brief thought about Abigail. Despite her calm and confident demeanor, I sensed there was more to her. "It's like she's used to situations like this. She must have been through a lot of weird stuff in her life," I whispered, trying to process Abigail's attitude.

My inner voice replied, "Maybe, but don't forget one thing. In the end, she's still just a regular girl. Don't overestimate her just because she's so alert."

I nodded in agreement, but I couldn't shake off my admiration and slight confusion. How could that girl appear so composed in every situation while I felt lost in a whirlwind of confusion?

My stomach suddenly grumbled, reminding me of basic needs that often got overlooked amid all the pressure. I was hungry. "Alright, looks like we need some food," I said, half-joking.

I got out of bed, tidying up my disheveled clothes a bit, and headed for the door. As I reached for the doorknob to step out and find breakfast in the lobby, I suddenly heard a voice behind me—a soft yet clear voice that sent chills down my spine.

"Where do you think you're going?"

I jumped, instinctively turning around. Standing behind me, almost silently, was Abigail. She was so close that I could nearly feel her presence before she touched me. Just moments ago, I had been sure she was still sound asleep.

"How—" I tried to speak, but my sentence trailed off. My inner voice chimed in, "Just a moment ago, I saw her sleeping peacefully. Now she's fully alert. That's… impressive."

I nodded in agreement in my mind. "You surprised me," I finally managed to say after regaining my composure. "How can you move so quietly?"

Abigail smiled slightly, as if she could read my thoughts. "I told you, I can sense the presence changes of someone nearby. Your movements are easy to read, especially if you're trying to sneak away or do something strange."

I paused for a moment. "I… I'm not trying to sneak away, if that's what you mean," I replied quickly, trying to defend myself. "I'm just hungry and want to eat in the lobby."

Hearing that, Abigail suddenly changed her expression. Her previously alert face relaxed, and she smiled warmly. "Oh, you're hungry? What a coincidence, I'm feeling a bit hungry too."

I could only nod, still amazed by how quickly this girl could shift her demeanor. She then looked at me casually, "Wait a moment, let me get ready. We can go eat together."

Before I could respond, Abigail had turned and headed for the bathroom. I watched the closed bathroom door, then let out a long sigh.

"Did you see that?" I asked myself.

"Well, there's no doubt that girl is incredibly alert. It seems we can't go anywhere without her knowing," my inner voice replied.

I nodded slowly. "Yeah, I guess so. Besides, we don't have much choice. As long as I'm near her, I can't do anything without her noticing."

While waiting for Abigail, I sat on the edge of the bed, reflecting on what had just happened. Abigail's ability to read someone's presence was truly remarkable. Since last night, I hadn't quite grasped just how she always seemed one step ahead of me, especially in terms of awareness.

My thoughts drifted back to last night when she had suddenly appeared on my bed for no clear reason. That incident still left me confused and a little embarrassed. But now, I was increasingly convinced that Abigail was not an ordinary girl. There was something about her that was far more than just a typical bodyguard or a noble girl from a respectable family. The way she moved, the way she spoke—it all felt calculated and calm.

The sound of running water from the bathroom suddenly stopped, signaling that Abigail was almost done. I tried to distract myself from unnecessary thoughts and focus on the plans for the day.

"So, what do you think about this plan?" I asked myself.

"So far, we don't have many options other than to go along with her. Abigail seems trustworthy. At least she hasn't lied or shown any signs of betrayal," my inner voice responded.

I nodded, agreeing. "Neumann also said the chances of her being honest are high. I just hope we can really find answers about what happened to our family."

A few minutes later, the bathroom door opened, and Abigail stepped out in fresh clothes. She looked more refreshed, although her smile still had a mischievous glint like it had the night before.

"Are you ready?" she asked cheerfully, as if nothing had ever happened.

I simply nodded, trying to appear calm even though my heart was still racing a bit. "Yeah, I'm ready. Let's go."

We walked out of the inn together, Abigail stepping confidently ahead of me. I remained alert, making sure there were no suspicious movements around us. Even though the town of Lilac looked peaceful and quiet, I couldn't shake off the feeling that danger was lurking in the most unexpected places.

As we reached the inn's lobby, the atmosphere seemed quiet. Only a few guests were having breakfast. I noticed Abigail briefly speaking with the innkeeper, ordering breakfast for us. After that, she led me to a table near the window.

I sat facing her, still in silence. I wanted to ask her so many questions, but it didn't feel like the right time. Abigail was gazing out the window, enjoying the view of the small town beginning to bustle with morning activities.

"You know," she suddenly said, breaking the silence, "I've been on journeys like this for a long time. Searching for someone important, watching over them, and making sure they don't go anywhere."

I fell silent, looking at her with curiosity. "Someone important?" I asked, trying to dig deeper.

Abigail looked at me with a faint smile. "Yes, someone important. Just like you are now. You might not realize it, but you're more significant than you think. Not just for your family, but perhaps for others too."

Her words left me speechless, unsure of how to respond. Beneath her casual demeanor, I knew Abigail held many secrets, and perhaps I was only scratching the surface of it all.

Abigail sat across from me, relaxed, her eyes locked onto mine while occasionally glancing out the window beside her. We were waiting for breakfast, and the atmosphere around us felt calm. Yet, inside my head, questions and suspicions swirled, demanding my attention. Despite that, I decided to maintain my composure and wait for Abigail to speak.

"I know you're still unsure," Abigail suddenly said, breaking the silence. Her gaze was steady, sharp but not intimidating. "But you need to trust me. At the very least, my family doesn't mean you any harm."

I furrowed my brow, intrigued. "Your family?" I echoed her words, my tone questioning.

Abigail smiled slightly and nodded. "Yes, my family. We may seem mysterious or even intimidating to some, especially with our reputation, but we don't harbor any bad intentions towards you or your family, Arche."

I wanted to believe her, but too many things still felt unclear, too much remained beyond my grasp. Neumann had mentioned that Abigail was honest, but I couldn't just let my guard down.

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"Why should I trust you?" I finally asked, my voice low but firm. "I don't even know why I should go with you or what your family's true intentions are. How can I be sure you're not just using me?"

Abigail smiled again, this time with a more mischievous glint in her eyes. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small device, placing it on the table. It was no bigger than a coin, but its shape was strange, something I had never seen before.

I frowned, puzzled. "What's this?"

"It's a sound dampening device," Abigail replied casually, her smile widening. "Though its range is limited, it's very effective. From the outside, anyone nearby will only hear a faint glitching sound. We can speak freely now."

I stared at the device, suspicion bubbling inside me. My other self chimed in. "Abigail is cautious. Too cautious. Do you know anyone with skills like this?"

I scoffed quietly. "Who?"

"Assassins."

My blood ran cold. An assassin? Instantly, my alertness skyrocketed. My muscles tensed, and my heart raced. I looked at Abigail more intently, struggling to stay calm despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me. Could it be true? Was Abigail really an assassin?

Seeing my reaction, Abigail chuckled softly, as if relishing the moment. "You guessed right, Arche," she said, her tone teasing. "I'm an assassin from the Einzvil family. My specialties are tracking, killing, and... protecting targets."

My heart stopped for a moment as her confession sank in. An assassin. So I had been near a hired killer all this time? My instincts screamed at me to be wary. A cold sweat trickled down my neck, but I forced myself not to panic.

Abigail watched me, her expression one of amusement at my shock. She smiled again, this time with a more playful tone. "You shouldn't be so tense, Arche. If my mission was to kill you, I would have done it long ago. We wouldn't be sitting here, waiting for breakfast and chatting casually."

I swallowed hard, trying to calm myself. My other self immediately agreed with Abigail. "She's right. A true assassin wouldn't play games like this. If she wanted you dead, she wouldn't have bothered bringing you this far."

I sighed, feeling a bit relieved. "You have another motive, don't you?" I asked, more to reassure myself. "If not, you wouldn't have gone to all this trouble just to have a meal with me."

Abigail nodded, her expression turning serious this time. "That's right. My family has grand plans for you, Arche. And I'm just a part of that plan."

"You mean your family wants me alive?" I asked, still not fully convinced.

"Not just alive," Abigail replied, her voice calm but heavy with meaning. "They want you to lead."

Her words left me speechless for a moment. Lead? What was really happening here? I was just a fugitive. For years, I had been trying to survive, running from those who wanted to capture or kill me. Yet now, someone was telling me I had to lead?

I looked at Abigail, confusion etched on my face. "Lead what? My kingdom has fallen, my family is broken. What could I possibly lead?"

Abigail didn't answer immediately. She studied me with a gaze that was hard to decipher, as if weighing something. Then she spoke slowly but firmly, "The future."

"The future?" I repeated her words, feeling increasingly bewildered.

"Yes," Abigail nodded. "You're not just the heir to a fallen kingdom, Arche. You are more than that. You're part of something much bigger, something you may not fully realize yet. And my family knows it. They understand the important role you'll play in the future."

I fell silent, trying to process her words. Inside my head, my other self was also thinking hard, searching for logic behind it all. But everything still felt hazy, as if I were standing in thick fog without a clear direction.

"Do you expect me to just believe this story?" I finally asked, still skeptical about the truth behind Abigail's claims.

Abigail smiled faintly, appearing to understand my doubts. "I don't expect you to believe me right now, Arche. I just want you to open your mind. This world is more complex than you think, and your role in all of this is far more significant than you've ever imagined."

Before I could respond, the waiter arrived with our breakfast. The food was neatly arranged on the table, and the delicious aroma filled the air. Abigail casually thanked the waiter as if we hadn't just had a serious conversation. Once the waiter left, she looked at me again, this time with a softer smile.

"Eat up," she said. "We have a long journey ahead. There will be plenty of time to discuss everything further."

I glanced at the food in front of me, then back at Abigail, who began to eat calmly. Although my mind was filled with questions and doubts, I knew it was pointless to probe further right now. At least, not until I had more information.

Reluctantly, I started eating, trying to calm my tumultuous thoughts. Deep down, I knew this journey was just beginning, and there would likely be more unexpected twists ahead. Abigail might have her own truth, but I wasn't sure if it aligned with mine.

***

In a dark room illuminated only by the soft blue glow of electronic devices, a man dressed in full military gear sat at a small metal table, completely focused on his preparations. Various advanced technological devices were scattered around him—thermal sensors, tracking devices, modified weapons, and holographic screens displaying mission data. His face was taut, devoid of emotion, as if he were accustomed to such conditions. Slowly, he tested each device in front of him, ensuring everything was functioning perfectly.

He began with the thermal sensor. A quiet electronic beep sounded as the device powered on, and he carefully directed it towards a narrow window at the far end of the room. No movement was detected outside—just cold, still air. Then he glanced at a holographic device next to him, and after confirming everything was in order, he pressed a small button in the corner of the screen. Instantly, an image appeared in the air—a photo of a 12-year-old boy with dark hair, dressed in elegant royal attire.

"Archemidas Evernoir," the man murmured, his eyes studying the clear old photo taken years ago when the prince was still within the now-fallen Evernoir kingdom. Beside the photo, a newer image appeared—of the same boy, but now looking vastly different: worn, tired, clad in ragged clothes that looked like they had been salvaged from ruins. His hair was unkempt, his face dirty, but those eyes—those same sharp, determined eyes—remained unchanged.

The man scrutinized both images carefully, searching for similarities. His eyes blinked once, and he murmured, "Yes, it's him. No doubt."

Suddenly, the communication device on the table crackled to life, followed by a cold, professional voice. "Sierra One, the latest report has been received. Are you ready for this mission?"

Sierra One picked up the communication device and replied briefly, "Ready. I've prepared all the equipment. What are the final details?"

"The target you're seeking, Archemidas Evernoir, has been tracked around the city of Lilac," the voice continued in a calm but serious tone. "He's likely there, but there are new developments you should be aware of."

Sierra One leaned forward slightly, listening intently. "New developments?"

"Yes," the voice responded. "He's not alone. There's someone helping him—a girl. However, we have no data on who she is. Her identity remains unknown, and her face has not been detected by any surveillance cameras. She could be a threat or just an innocent bystander."

Sierra One furrowed his brow. "Her face hasn't been detected?"

"Correct. No camera has been able to capture her face clearly. There's a chance she's using advanced camouflage technology. Still, we managed to detect her presence through other sensors. This girl is very skilled, possibly even more dangerous than we anticipated."

The man pondered this for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he considered this new detail. An undetectable girl? Such camouflage technology wasn't easily acquired. Perhaps this wasn't just about a runaway royal child; there was likely another force at play behind the scenes.

"If this girl is more than just an ordinary passerby, we might be facing a bigger problem than expected," Sierra One continued calmly. "Whoever she is, I'll be ready for any possibilities. Is there any additional information?"

The voice from the communication device sounded sharper as it spoke next. "We still don't know who the girl is, but given her skill in hiding her identity, it's possible she comes from one of the families with access to high-end technology. This may also be related to the family of an ancient hero. We're processing this further, but in the meantime, prepare for the possibility of resistance. The primary target remains Archemidas Evernoir, but this girl must not be overlooked."

Sierra One nodded, even though he knew the person on the other end couldn't see him. "Understood. How many additional personnel have been prepared?"

"Four additional agents are ready. They will join you in Lilac. If the situation deteriorates, a backup team will be called in, but for now, a small team is more effective for tracking and capturing the target without causing panic."

Sierra One paused for a moment, reflecting on all the new information provided. "Lilac isn't a large city, but it's enough to complicate tracking. If they move quickly or have a plan to escape, we could lose the trail. Is there any estimate on specific locations?"

"Latest data suggests they might be staying at a local inn or hiding in the ruins. We've set up several detectors at the city exits and expanded our monitoring range. You need to be vigilant for any anomalies. Don't let them slip away."

Sierra One responded calmly. "Understood. I will move as soon as I arrive in Lilac."

"There's one more thing you should be wary of, Sierra One," the voice on the device took on a slightly heavier tone, as if conveying something important. "Archemidas Evernoir is no longer just an ordinary child. Something has changed in him. We don't know exactly what, but make sure not to underestimate him. You know what's at stake."

Sierra One gazed at the hologram of Archemidas, observing the boy's expression—tired yet resilient. "I never underestimate my targets," he replied coolly. "He may just be a child, but I know he's important. I'll capture him. And the girl too."

"Alright. Good luck. We'll monitor the situation from here."

The voice on the communication device cut off, leaving the room once again shrouded in silence, filled only with the faint sounds of electronic devices. Sierra One stared at the hologram screen one last time, ensuring all his gear was ready. He picked up his helmet, equipped with thermal sensors and various advanced gadgets. Once he donned it, he rose, his movements efficient and precise.

He knew this mission was crucial. Archemidas Evernoir was not just a lost child; he was part of something bigger, something that even those chasing him might not fully understand. Sierra One had been trained to handle difficult targets, and his instincts told him that this boy was no exception.

However, the presence of the mysterious girl added an unexpected layer to this mission. Nevertheless, Sierra One was always prepared for the unforeseen. With his advanced equipment and the sharp instincts of a hunter, he would find them—and ensure that no one escaped his mission.

***