After securing a ride on a carriage bound for the Luminastra estate lands, I arrived at the bustling city Elysia’s maid had directed me to. The streets teemed with life: vendors shouted their wares, children darted between carts, and travelers navigated the chaotic energy with purpose. Towering above it all stood the Clocktower, an unmistakable landmark gleaming faintly in the morning sun.

I glanced at its face. 9:15. My stomach tightened—I had only five minutes to find the bakery.

Without hesitation, I plunged into the crowd, weaving through the maze of cobbled streets and colorful shopfronts. The air buzzed with the chatter of merchants and the clatter of hooves, but I forced myself to ignore the distractions. The scent of freshly baked bread drifted through the air, acting as my compass.

“Almost there,” I muttered, my pulse racing as I scanned the signs ahead.

Finally, at the corner of a quieter street, I spotted it: Misane Bakery. Its wooden sign swung gently in the breeze, understated but welcoming. I hurried up the short steps, the doorbell chiming softly as I entered.

Warmth enveloped me, along with the intoxicating aroma of baked goods. Behind the counter, a young employee handed off a parcel to a customer before offering me a polite nod. As the patron exited, my gaze landed on someone who matched Elysia’s description perfectly: vibrant green hair and pale blue eyes that were striking even in the modest light of the bakery.

This was her maid.

“Excuse me,” I said, stepping closer. “I have a message to pass on.”

She paused mid-step, arching a curious eyebrow. “A message? Go on.”

“Ellie would like a rematch at chess,” I said quietly, ensuring my voice didn’t carry.

Her expression softened into a knowing smile. “Would she now? Very well. Let’s discuss this further as we walk. Follow me.”

I nodded and followed her outside. The city unfurled around us with its banners fluttering in the breeze, cobblestones glowing under the sunlight, and the ever-present hum of life. For the first time since I’d arrived, I noticed the beauty amidst the chaos.

The maid broke the silence as we approached the Clocktower. “I don’t believe I caught your name.”

“Tokei,” I replied, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face.

She repeated it, a thoughtful tilt to her voice. “An elegant name. I’m Emilia. If it’s alright, I’ll call you Tokei?”

“That’s fine,” I said.

“Good. From here, we’ll head to my residence,” she said, her tone light yet deliberate. “It’s not far, and we’ll have privacy there.”

We moved eastward, leaving the bustling heart of the city behind. The houses became more spaced out, each separated by stretches of pasture and gardens. Eventually, we arrived at a modest home nestled among the greenery. Emilia led me inside, the cozy interior radiating a sense of care and warmth. Every detail seemed deliberate, from the well-worn rug to the neatly arranged flowers on the windowsill.

Emilia set down her bag of baked goods on the kitchen island, turning back to me with an air of quiet efficiency. “Make yourself comfortable. We have much to discuss.”

I pulled out a chair and sat at the small dining table as she joined me, her pale blue eyes sharp with curiosity. “Why did Ellie send you to me?” she asked.

“She asked for my help in aiding her escape,” I replied.

“Truly?” Her gaze searched mine for any sign of hesitation.

“Yes,” I confirmed.

She seemed to sink into thought, her fingers tapping lightly on the table's surface. After a moment, she resumed speaking. “If she sent you to me, she must trust your abilities. Very well. We shouldn’t dilly dally. We need to prepare for her secretive departure. That means gathering supplies and mapping out a viable escape route. Perchance, did Lady Elysia tell you where she plans to go?”

“No, she didn’t mention any specific destination,” I admitted.

Emilia sighed, her expression pensive. “Then planning the route will have to wait. For now, our task is clear—we need to secure the supplies she’ll require for the journey. Follow me.”

----------------------------------------

Later that day, I finished tending to the woman lying unconscious in the village infirmary. The man who accompanied her, introducing himself as Riftel, inclined his head in gratitude.

“I do not know how I can repay my debt to you,” he said earnestly. “You have our sincere thanks.”

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

“I haven’t done all that much,” I replied, stepping back from the bed. “There’s no need to thank me. However, your companion, Elizabeth, needs to be monitored closely. I can’t stay much longer—I have to return to my estate. If you wish for me to continue treating her, you’ll need to come with me. The decision is yours.”

He hesitated, his gaze flickering between me and the woman on the bed. Finally, he spoke. “Would you allow me some time to think it over? I’ll give you my answer soon.”

“I’ll be leaving tonight,” I said. “Please let me know before then.”

“Once again, thank you.”

With a nod, I left the infirmary, stepping outside to take in the crisp air and the calm atmosphere. It might be my last chance to enjoy the village’s tranquility before returning to the estate.

The quiet, however, felt unusual. At this time of day, the village was typically bustling with activity, but now the streets seemed eerily empty. Where was everyone? Were they staying indoors?

As if in answer, Mary, one of the villagers, came sprinting around a corner, her face pale with worry.

“Elli!” she called, her voice urgent. “There’s a group of strangers coming through, asking if anyone’s seen a purple-haired woman in town. Wasn’t she one of your patients? No one’s said anything, and most people are hiding inside. What should we do?”

Elysia folded her hands calmly in front of her, her mind racing even as she maintained a serene expression. “Did you notice what they looked like?” she asked Mary.

“There was a lady with short purple hair and violet eyes,” Mary replied, her voice tinged with apprehension. “And a tall man with black hair and orange eyes. Those were the only two I noticed before I ran.”

“I see.” Elysia’s voice was measured, her demeanor giving no hint of alarm. “Thank you for letting me know. Leave this to me—I’ll handle it. It shouldn’t be a problem.”

Mary nodded, her shoulders relaxing slightly before she darted off down the road.

Elysia waited until Mary was out of sight, taking a steadying breath. It wasn’t long before she spotted the individuals Mary had described approaching from the same direction. Sure enough, the purple-haired woman was unmistakably Tokei’s sister, Otome. Beside her walked a man with an intense presence—his black hair streaked faintly with red, and his blazing orange eyes locked on her as they closed the distance.

As soon as Otome’s gaze landed on Elysia, recognition flickered across her face. “You’re the woman who healed me, aren’t you? Elli, if I’m not mistaken?”

Elysia inclined her head slightly, keeping her voice neutral. “That is correct.”

Otome stepped forward, her tone firm but polite. “Then you must have seen my sister, Tokei. She was with me the last time we crossed paths. Has she come through here?”

Elysia hesitated, her mind calculating the best response. “In fact, she has,” she said carefully.

Otome’s face lit up with hope. “Really? Where is she, then?”

Elysia took a moment to glance between Otome and the imposing man at her side, reading their postures and expressions. While Otome appeared genuinely concerned, the man radiated quiet intensity, his sharp eyes missing nothing.

I swallowed hard, my hand trembling as I brushed it against my wig. My thoughts raced, and I could feel their eyes boring into me, demanding an answer.

“I… I won’t take it off,” I stammered, trying to steady my voice. “But I promise, I mean no harm to your sister.”

Otome narrowed her eyes at me. “Then why the disguise? You’re clearly hiding something. And now you’ve mentioned my sister. What are you not telling us?”

I hesitated, caught between fear and my sense of duty to be truthful. My heart pounded, and I knew I had no choice but to come clean. “Fine. You’re right. I am hiding something. But I only did it because I had to! I... I’m Elysia Luminastra, daughter of Marquess Luminastra.”

Their reactions were immediate. Otome’s eyes widened in shock, while the tall man with her—his piercing orange eyes practically glowing—remained impassive, though his gaze felt heavier somehow.

“The Marquess’s daughter?” Otome echoed, her tone disbelieving. “What are you doing here, dressed like that?”

I drew in a shaky breath. “I’ve been trying to get away from my father. He’s... making plans I can’t agree with, and I couldn’t just stand by and let it happen. Your sister, Tokei, has been helping me. She’s helping me gather supplies and figure out a way to leave safely.”

Otome blinked, her surprise giving way to something softer. “Tokei is helping you escape? That doesn’t sound like her. Are you telling the truth?”

“Yes,” I said earnestly, my voice trembling slightly. “She agreed to help me if I helped her find you and got her a way back to Tekuno. Please don’t hold this against her. If anything, it’s my fault. I involved her in my problems.”

“And where is she now?” the man asked, his voice sharp and commanding, cutting through the tension like a blade.

I hesitated, my mind racing. Should I reveal this? My nervousness got the better of me, and I blurted out the truth. “She’s in the city… where my family’s estate is. I asked her to meet with my personal maid and assist her with preparations.”

Otome turned her gaze to the man, who nodded slightly, his expression unreadable. Her violet eyes softened further, but her tone remained firm. “You’ve put her in a risky position. Helping you means she’s drawn into noble politics and all the dangers that come with it.”

“I know,” I whispered, guilt twisting in my stomach. “But she chose to help me out of mutual cooperation. I didn’t force her.”

“Alright then,” the man interjected, his voice steady and deliberate. “If that’s the case, then you wouldn’t mind our company, would you?”

I blinked, caught off guard. “O-Of course not. It’s completely fine.”

“Then it’s settled. The two of us and our group will follow you to the city while maintaining some distance.” He started to continue but was interrupted by the sharp ringing of a device in his pocket. Frowning slightly, he pulled out a sleek black phone and glanced at the screen before answering.

“Ah, it’s you,” he said, his tone shifting to something more familiar. He turned slightly away from us, his words growing brisk and efficient. “Mhm. I’m glad I provided you with a satellite phone. …Ah, okay, go on. …What? Really! In that case, I’m already here in Arden. We were planning to leave, but this takes priority. Don’t worry, I’ll find a way. Yeah. Alright. Take care.”

He ended the call and slipped the phone back into his pocket, his expression a mix of concern and determination. Turning back to Otome, he spoke in a lower voice. “There’s been a development. We might need to adjust our plans.”