I limped in the opposite direction, away from the guard. But I barely managed five steps before he caught up, grabbing my arm and yanking me back. I stumbled, crashing to the ground, the cold cobblestone slamming against the back of my head. I blinked up at the night sky, feeling the weight of it all—first the goblins, then that bizarre flower, then Suzan and her crazed attack. And now this. It was as if this world was determined to keep me on the ground.

The guard pulled me upright, sheathing his sword with a shake of his head. "What in the hells are you doing, boy?" he barked. "Why are you running off?"

I fumbled for an excuse, still dazed. "I... just... needed some air?"

Normally, a lie would slip off my tongue effortlessly, but in my battered state, my mind felt sluggish, the words sticking in my throat.

He let out a rough chuckle, nudging me forward. "You're a strange one, aren’t you? The Queen herself comes all the way here to see you, and you're out here ‘getting some air.’ Right."

I muttered an apology, feeling his grip tighten as he steered me back toward the Vailhouse. For a moment, I considered breaking away, slipping into an alley, disappearing. But as we neared the building, the sight of countless guards stationed outside killed that idea instantly. There was no escaping this. No place to hide.

We stepped inside, and he led me up the narrow stairs, stopping at my room. He rapped on the door, and a firm, familiar voice responded. "Come in."

The guard gestured with a tilt of his head. I swallowed, steeling myself, then stepped inside. The Queen was waiting, standing by the window, her figure framed by the moonlight. I bowed low, eyes fixed on the floor, mimicking the guard beside me.

The guard spoke first. "Your Highness, I found him outside."

The Queen’s voice was cold, unamused. "Outside? There's only one staircase, I would’ve seen you.”

I stammered, feeling her scrutiny like a weight on my shoulders. "I… I was already outside, Your Highness."

"And what, exactly, were you doing?" She arched an eyebrow, watching me with narrowed eyes.

"Just… getting some air, Your Highness."

Her tone dropped, icy. "Lying to a royal? Try again, Axel."

There was no point hiding the truth now. I exhaled, resigned. "I was trying to run."

"Run? From whom?"

"You, Your Highness," I admitted, feeling the blood drain from my face. "I… I lost the dagger. I was attacked by a woman named Su—"

"Suzan," she interrupted, her tone clipped. "Yes, I’ve heard the name. So, my dagger is gone?"

I nodded. "Yes..."

"How?" Her voice was deceptively calm as she leaned a hand against the window.

I swallowed, trying to piece it together as clearly as I could. "Phobe---the tavern keeper asked me to look for her dog, Gentle Gerald. I followed up some leads and I ran into Suzan. She said the elves were responsible for the lost animals. She told me there was a cabin in the forest, and that the elves were putting the dogs they kidnapped there. When we reached there---she tricked me, knocked me out, and stole everything. She... she strapped me down, tried to… cut me up."

The Queen studied me, her expression unreadable. Then she spoke, her voice low. "And you chose to delay delivering my dagger to Mortan… to look for a dog?”

“I…”

I couldn’t answer, couldn’t find words that would justify it. She stepped closer, tilting my chin up with a single, cold finger, her gaze unwavering. "You will find that dagger. Or I will have you hanged. And I am not joking this time, Axel."

“Yes, Your Highness.” My voice came out as a whisper.

"Good." She gave my cheek a light, almost mocking tap. "I’m glad we understand each other."

The guard next to me stepped forward. "Ms. Mearta is waiting, Your Highness. We’re behind schedule."

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She nodded, her gaze never leaving mine. "You have until tomorrow evening to bring me that dagger."

“But tomorrow—" I started, but thought better of it, nodding instead. "Yes, Your Highness."

"Good." She smirked as she turned toward the door, her voice almost too calm. "There will be a reward if you succeed."

With a last glance, she swept out of the room, the guard closing the door quietly behind them. I stayed rooted, feeling the weight of her words settle on me. Finding that dagger in less than a day was impossible. But if I wanted to survive, I had to try.

I felt the cool outline of my phone in my pocket, and walked back to the window, watching as the Queen entered her carriage, her presence as imposing as ever even from a distance.

“No rest for the wicked, huh?" I murmured to myself, already dreading the journey back to the forest, to the cabin.

══════✦══════

With my phone in hand, I hopped over a large puddle, pausing on the other side to catch my breath. My legs were aching, and every step sent a sharp throb through the claw marks across my back. The tattered remains of my clothes did nothing to keep out the cold, each gust of wind chilling me to the bone. But at least I was alive—a small victory I hadn’t expected to feel so grateful for.

Sighing, I switched on my phone’s flashlight, casting a beam across the dark, thick trees until I found my way to the cabin. The door was ajar, and several guards were stationed nearby, ready and alert. As soon as they noticed me, hands went to the hilts of their swords. Two stood by the front entrance, two more at the side, and a handful gathered around a campfire, roasting meat. It looked like they were waiting for Suzan to return.

“Who goes there?” one guard barked.

“Axel,” I replied, stepping forward. “The Queen sent me to find her dagger. Thought I’d take another look around here.”

The guard eyed the phone in my hand. “What’s that you’re holding?”

“It’s a torch,” I said, quickly switching it off. “Just a device from my country.” I moved closer, letting the firelight illuminate my empty sheath. “I don’t have any weapons on me.”

One guard raised an eyebrow. “You came here without any way to defend yourself? Must be a strong magic caster, then.”

I gave a half-hearted nod, avoiding his gaze. “Something like that.”

“Alright,” he said, a hint of scepticism in his voice. “Search away.”

“Thanks.” I turned my flashlight back on and began combing the area, carefully scanning the wet ground.

I circled around the cabin, even crawled beneath it, but came up with nothing. After a while, I scratched my head in frustration, my eyes narrowing as I studied the dirt.

Realising I’d have to search inside, I walked over to the entrance, peering into the dim room. The chains and animals that had been tied up before were gone, though the table where Suzan had bound me was cluttered with the guards’ spare swords and shields. Blood stained the floor in streaks and pools, and I could tell which ones were mine—the crimson looked fresher, glistening faintly in the light.

“Nothing,” I muttered, clenching my fists. “Damn it.”

“You find that dagger yet, kid?” a guard called from outside.

“No.” I forced the word out, “Suzan must’ve taken it with her.”

“Too bad.” He shook his head. “That was the Queen’s favorite.”

I exhaled sharply and left the cabin, heading toward the spot where I’d killed the bear. Its carcass lay just where I’d left it, charred fur still smouldering, its head mangled beyond recognition. My stomach churned, and I turned away, covering my mouth with my hand. But I knew I had to keep looking.

After a couple of minutes of searching around the bear, I still came up empty-handed. I slumped onto a nearby rock, switching off my phone’s flashlight.

“Nothing…” I mumbled, feeling the weight of failure settle in.

“No luck?” the guard yelled over, his voice laced with amusement.

I called back, “No. Can’t find it anywhere.”

The guard and his companions laughed. “You’re in trouble, my friend. I wouldn’t want to be in your boots.”

“Yeah… great.”

Thinking that maybe I’d dropped the dagger when Kenneth had laid me down on a rock for Jane to stitch me up, I quickly got to my feet and headed in that direction. After a few minutes of pushing through the trees, I found the spot. The rock was still stained with my blood… a lot of blood.

But, just like everywhere else, there was no dagger. I exhaled sharply, frustration bubbling up as I turned and made my way back toward the cabin.

My phone’s flashlight had switched off again, but I didn’t bother turning it back on, figuring the guards’ torches would light the way once I got close. However, an uneasy feeling crept over me as I approached; the usual torchlights were missing. The cabin and the surrounding area were blanketed in darkness. It didn’t sit right—maybe they’d left, or had gone to sleep?

Quietly, I slipped through the last line of bushes and peeked out. My breath caught in my throat.

“Shit…”

All the guards lay sprawled across the ground, unconscious, their half-eaten bowls of chicken soup scattered beside them. Suzan was crouched over them, rummaging through their belongings with her usual wicked grin.

I ducked behind a large rock, peering out from the shadows. My mind raced, weighing my options as I watched her pull out pouches and valuables, seemingly oblivious to my presence. And… I could see it. The Queen’s dagger on hand.

“Damn it…” I whispered, gripping my hands into fists. “What to do now?”