Alex

Under the rhythmic swaying of the carriage, I unknowingly fell asleep, apparently affected by the stress of traveling in the chest and the nervous tension. Daniel didn't bother me with empty chatter, and it seemed like I had relaxed a bit.

I woke up when the sun was already nearing the horizon. As I opened my eyes, I noticed that my companion was attentively watching me, which made me slightly flustered. After all, it wasn't the most proper situation for an unmarried girl to ride in a carriage alone with a man.

Noticing my gaze, Rainn smiled and tilted his head, apparently one of his favorite gestures, and it seemed to work on girls, as he looked quite charming. I involuntarily smiled back at him.

Rainn smiled. "I see you've fully woken up, milady," his voice was soothing, and I felt a bit flustered.

But taking a deep breath, I mimicked his gesture and also tilted my head. "Alex," I said in a slightly hoarse voice after waking up.

Rainn raised an eyebrow in surprise. "I beg your pardon?"

"Call me Alex. Considering the circumstances, there's no need to pretend that we're in high society," I gestured with my hand, indicating the ambiguity of our situation.

Rainn laughed. "You're amusing, Alex, and it seems you have character. No wonder Sebastian got involved in this."

At the mention of Sebastian, I tensed up a little, remembering how Rainn had looked at me when I asked about him earlier.

I pretended not to notice Rainn squinting, and in a slightly distant tone, I said, "I'm sure His Highness had his own motives for rescuing me. I have yet to find out what purpose he had in mind. I'm not naive enough to believe in the heartfelt kindness of royalty; they always pursue their own goals, one way or another."

The smile faded from Rainn's face, and he gave me an attentive look. "We all have our own goals and motives, Alex, but the initial motives don't always correspond to the results we achieve in the end. Don't jump to conclusions. Even Sebastian sometimes can't foresee everything."

I looked at Daniel in surprise. What was he talking about? Apparently, he knows a lot about the prince's plans, but from his gaze, it was evident that he had no intention of sharing them with me.

"I apologize if I offended you. I'm grateful to the prince for saving me, whatever his motives may be. Perhaps we could make a stop; I would like to take a walk," I looked at Rainn and fluttered my eyelashes pleadingly. After all, my dear mother tortured me with all these courtly tricks for a reason.

Watching my efforts to pretend to be a shy maiden, Daniel laughed and relaxed a bit. "Bear with it for a little longer, milady. We'll pass through the village, and then we can stop by the lake. This is too open a place with a busy road. They are probably already looking for you, and I wouldn't want to help them in their search."

I nodded, and during the journey to the lake, Rainn and I discussed his studies at the academy and the humorous situations with magic during lectures. Surprisingly, he had an enjoyable conversation, and I don't think I had ever smiled so much before.

The carriage stopped, but the lake was not in sight. I looked at Rainn questioningly, and he smiled with a mischievous squint, asking me to take my purse.

Rainn helped me out of the carriage and, without asking, placed my arm on the crook of his elbow and led me towards the forest.

"Just a little patience, Alex. Let's go," Rainn said as he guided me along a path through dense shrubs. When we emerged, I gasped and stood still.

The lake Rainn had brought me to was surrounded by dense green trees, creating a natural curtain and giving the place a sense of seclusion. The water of the lake shimmered under the sunlight like thousands of diamonds, gently swaying with the light breeze.

On the shore of the lake, Rainn spread a soft blanket and pulled out a picnic basket as if it had appeared out of thin air.

I could only blink in surprise, watching Rainn, who seemed pleased with himself. "But how?"

The man mockingly bowed and smiled, pointing to the blanket. "Please, have a seat, milady. I couldn't allow you to go hungry for a day. It's not a royal feast, but it will keep you sustained until we arrive in Forestsy."

At that moment, I felt as if my entire inner world had frozen. Peace and harmony surrounded us, and I allowed myself to enjoy the beauty of nature around me. After the gray walls of the mansion, it was truly soothing. The unexpected care from Rainn, the simple sandwiches with dried meat and fruits, created a cozy atmosphere and calmed my racing thoughts.

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Sitting on the blanket, I savored the meal and the view of the tranquil lake. Rainn sat next to me, gazing at the lake in silence, as if he knew that a storm was raging in the distance.

___________________________________

While both of them silently enjoyed the picnic under the open sky, a storm was brewing in the capital. Christoph de Seen, upon learning of his niece's escape from the mansion, was consumed by uncontrollable anger. He suspected that Alessandra would not have been able to escape without outside assistance. The king's anger was terrifying even to his closest courtiers. The most powerful mentalists of the kingdom were summoned to the capital, and interrogations of all the staff and girls in the Mansion were ordered.

But the most dangerous thing for Alex was the King's plan to offer a reward for any information about the whereabouts of the runaway duchess. In essence, the king had declared a hunt for Alex, and anyone who knew her location posed a threat.

The carriage slowly came to a stop, and sitting on the soft cushion, I anxiously watched the passing scenery. The final moments of the carriage ride were filled with anticipation and impatience. And finally, we arrived in the picturesque town of Forestsy.

I breathed a sigh of relief, feeling the tension gradually dissipate. I knew that a new chapter of my adventures was about to begin, and Forestsy became the first stop on this journey.

Looking out the window, I took in the surroundings. The air was filled with freshness and the scent of trees. The narrow streets of Forestsy stretched out before us, and the houses with red-brick roofs adorned the horizon. People strolled along the streets, smiling and greeting each other.

Rainn observed me while simultaneously assessing the surroundings. He appeared confident and unwavering, as if he knew that their arrival in Forestsy hadn't gone unnoticed.

Sebastian's foster home stood cozily on the outskirts of the town of Forestsy. Despite its modesty, it exuded warmth and hospitality. The red-tiled roof added charm to the picturesque view, and the two floors gave the mansion a certain grandeur.

A small veranda, surrounded by blooming pots of vibrant flowers, warmly welcomed guests. From there, a view of a small garden opened up, with well-tended flower beds and a path leading further inside.

Not far from the house, just a few dozen meters away, lay the expanse of the forest. Dense trees provided shade and tranquility.

The most remarkable feature was on the second floor, where a balcony was located. Steps led up to it, and standing on the balcony, one could enjoy a view of the sea. The boundless waters and swaying waves created a sense of freedom and the incredible grandeur of nature.

I sincerely hoped that this simple house, surrounded by nature, would become a place of hope and tranquility for me.

As we approached the house, I saw that someone was waiting for us on the veranda. A tall and handsome young man stood there, his posture revealing some tension as he eagerly watched the approaching carriage – Sebastian. Next to him stood a petite middle-aged woman, despite her gray hair, which was carefully gathered into a bun at the nape of her neck, her face looked quite youthful, and her straight back and proud posture betrayed her aristocratic origin. Only in her eyes could one guess her age and rich life experience.

The carriage stopped, and my heart skipped a beat. I felt a slight tremor in my hands as I looked in Sebastian's direction. The trembling in my hands intensified as I examined his perfect appearance. The partially unbuttoned white shirt revealed an impressive chest, while the rolled-up sleeves exposed muscular arms and allowed a glimpse of a tattoo that added masculinity. The black, fitted trousers and tall boots added an air of casual sensuality. Images that I had previously encountered only in novels came to life in my mind, creating indecent scenes, and my cheeks betrayed me by turning red with embarrassment.

Enchanted by Sebastian, I became momentarily lost and didn't immediately notice Rainn extending his hand. It was only after a discreet cough from Deniel that I seemed to blush even more. It dawned on me that, like the girls from the boarding school, I had openly stared at Sebastian right in front of everyone. Avoiding eye contact with Rainn, and especially with Sebastian, who undoubtedly couldn't have missed my wandering gaze over his well-built figure, I felt embarrassed and awkward, unsure of how to behave or what to say.

Silently, I stepped out of the carriage, pretending to examine the ground, and, together with Rainn, headed towards the foster home. We had barely covered half the distance from the carriage when Sebastian abruptly took hold of my hand and instructed Rainn to go inside. The act happened so unexpectedly that, in surprise, I found myself unable to say anything or resist. I looked at Sebastian with some concern, not understanding the reason behind his strange actions. Rainn, though appearing slightly puzzled by the prince's reaction, didn't object and obediently went inside.

A mix of worry and relief was evident in the prince's eyes. I waited for him to comment on his actions and explain what was happening. However, as if reading my thoughts, Sebastian merely shrugged and gave me a mysterious smile. Then, more gently, he took my hand and silently led me towards the house, leaving me in a state of confusion, excitement, and incomprehension.

Sebastian approached the foster mother and said, "Nena, allow me to introduce to you my beloved and fiancee, Alessandra de Savoyar. Alex, my love, meet the woman who has been like a mother to me, Poppy Price, my foster mother."

After such an introduction, if Sebastian hadn't been holding me by the waist, I would have fallen. Shocked, I couldn't find anything to object to.

Managing only a curtsey and a soft whisper, I replied, "Pleasure to meet you, Lady Price. It is an honor for me."

Poppy Price smiled and nodded approvingly. "Welcome, Lady de Savoyar. I hope you will enjoy your stay with me. Sebastian has already informed me of the reasons behind this hasty journey. Here, you will be safe and can wait for your coming of age and the approval of your union by the king."

After those words, Lady Price looked at Sebastian and said, "Show your bride her room, let her rest from the journey and freshen up. Then, come downstairs before Deniel empties my kitchen."

Lady Price smiled at us once more and went inside.

Whispering to me, "Not now," Sebastian squeezed my hand tighter and led the way.