The Next Day
Liana tied her sash with practiced hands and stepped out into the corridor. Lord Wei was already there, speaking quietly with two guards. His posture was crisp, like always. Controlled. Unreadable.
Liana walked up, trying to keep her expression neutral.
"His Majesty."
He glanced at her. "You look... better."
"Disappointed I didn't collapse again?" she muttered, brushing past him. "Sorry to let you down."
That earned a small pause.
"I meant you look rested," he said flatly.
"Well, I'm good at pretending."
That made one corner of his mouth twitch, barely noticeable, but there.
"I need to go out," she said, more serious now. "Just for a little while."
He frowned. "Out?"
"Yes. I'm not asking to escape the country. Just the gates. Air. People. The smell of something that isn't boiled herbs and wet stone."
"Do you think this is wise?" he asked. "After last night?"
She looked up at him, crossing her arms. "If Kieran wanted me gone, he'd do it inside the palace. You think I'm safer here?"
Silence.
Then he called over one of his guards.
"She's going out. Don't leave her side."
The guard nodded. Liana raised an eyebrow.
"Oh. So now I get a tail? Cute."
"You get protection," he corrected. "Don't push it."
"I wasn't pushing," she said airily, already turning. "If I were pushing, you'd know."
"Liana."
His voice stopped her.
She looked back.
He stepped closer, eyes steady. "If anything feels wrong, anything, you come back. You understand?"
For a moment, something strange passed between them. Not command. Not warning. Worry.
Liana blinked, slightly thrown. Then smiled, just a bit.
"Don't worry. I'm not planning on dying yet."
Then she turned and walked away, her sandals slapping lightly against stone, the guard trailing behind her.
In the Town
The streets bustled with morning noise, vendors calling out deals, kids chasing one another, the scent of fried dumplings and wet earth filling the air.
Liana moved through it easily, blending in with the commoners like she belonged there.Which, to be fair, she kinda did.
Then.
Her heart skipped.
Him.
The old man. Bent, walking slowly along the edge of the crowd. The same one she'd seen before the one who had stared at her just a little too long.
Her pace faltered.
Was it fate? Or was he waiting for her?
"Just a moment," she said to the guard behind her, who looked ready to argue.
But before he could say a word, Liana was already weaving through the crowd, eyes locked on the old man's tattered robe.
She picked up speed, slipping between stalls and behind carts. He turned a corner up ahead.
She followed fast.
But when she turned that same corner…
Empty.
No old man. No one.
She blinked in confusion. Her breath caught. Where did he...
Poof.
Something burst in front of her. A fine, strange smelling powder hit her face.
"Ack—!" She stumbled back, coughing, her eyes stinging.
The world spun.
Her limbs turned to jelly.
Her vision dimmed.
And then...
Darkness.