Azrya groaned as she stirred, her head pounding and her eyes blinking against the bright morning light. A wave of nausea rolled over her, remnants of the wine still churning in her stomach. She was no longer in the risqué dress from the night before, but in her nightgown.
The maids must have changed me, she thought, embarassed.
She strained to piece together the hazy memories from last night, and then—like a lightning strike—it hit her. The courtyard. The men. Their hands.
She bolted upright, shuddering at the memory, her stomach turning with disgust.
But as the image of Akio stepping in at the last moment surfaced, her expression softened. He saved me... The confusion in her heart deepened.
I just can't understand him, she thought. One moment he spat venom, the next he was her knight in shining armor.
Azrya reached for the bell beside her bed and rang it. Moments later, two maids entered.
"Come in," she called.
"I'd like to bathe and get dressed, please. And something to drink too."
"Certainly, m'lady. The cook has already prepared a remedy for your hangover—I'll fetch it right away," one of them chirped as they bustled around her.
Later, bathed and dressed in a delicate yellow summer gown with lace frills along the neckline and hem, Azrya opened her door—only to startle at the sight of a knight standing guard.
He bowed as their eyes met. "Good morning, my lady. Sir Akio has instructed that you be chaperoned at all times when outside your chambers. I shall accompany you wherever you go."
Azrya raised an eyebrow. "That won't be necessary. I'm perfectly fine on my own. I don't need a babysitter."
"I must insist, my lady. It's a direct order from Sir Akio," the knight replied firmly.
Knowing she wouldn't win, Azrya let out a sigh and turned to walk, the knight trailing her like a shadow. She had two goals: thank Akio for last night—and tell him in no uncertain terms that she didn't need someone glued to her side.
She scoured the castle—training grounds, stables, food hall—until finally, she heard low voices coming from the slightly ajar door of the meeting room. Curious, she stepped closer and peeked in.
Akio sat inside, surrounded by his knights. His jaw was tense.
"This should never have been allowed to happen!" he shouted, slamming his fist against the table. "Whoever's incompetence put my wife's life in danger will face dire consequences."
"My lord," one knight said carefully, "our investigation shows this wasn't a petty attack. The men who assaulted your wife bore the insignia of the rebel group known as the Bannerless Brothers."
Another added, "There've been other incidents tied to them recently. We suspect they're behind a trafficking ring—targeting young maidens and noblewomen across Magnus."
Akio's face darkened. "They really thought they could target my wife?" he murmured coldly, a slow, murderous smirk spreading across his face. "I will have their heads."
Just then, the door creaked—and Azrya stumbled forward, caught red-handed.
She straightened quickly, but not before the knights turned to stare. Akio's eyes locked onto her like ice.
"Meeting dismissed," he barked, marching over and seizing her by the arm. He pulled her away, back toward their chambers.
"Who are the Bannerless Brothers? Why did they target me? What trafficking ring? Are women going missing across Magnus?" she fired question after question, voice rising.
Akio simply ignored all her questions, answering. "It's got nothing to do with you. Don't poke your nose in it."
"But maybe I could help if you just—"
He stopped abruptly, and she bumped into him.
"Leave," he told the knight behind them. Once the man had gone, Akio turned to face her fully. His voice was low and flat.
"I won't tell you again. This is your first and last warning. Stay out of it."
His tone sent a chill through her. She clenched her jaw and glared back, unwilling to back down.
When they reached her chamber, Akio opened the door and motioned her inside. The second she stepped through, he slammed it shut and turned the key.
"HEY! YOU CAN'T LOCK ME IN HERE LIKE A PRISONER!"
"It's for your safety," he replied. "If you need anything, ring for the maids. They have a key. Until it's safe, you stay in here."
Azrya banged on the door furiously, screaming curses through it, but all she heard was the fading sound of his footsteps.
If Akio thought she'd just roll over, he was sourly mistaken.
She paced the room, mind racing. Now that she was Lady of Magnus, she had a responsibility to it's people. She couldn't ignore the horrors she'd overheard. Women—young girls—were being abducted. She had to do something.
She slipped out of her dress and changed into an old, ragged outfit she'd brought with her from her father's estate. All the dresses Akio gave her were too luxurious—she needed to blend in. She wrapped a grey scarf over her head, concealing her silver locs. A wave of nostalgia hit her. Just like in Toria.
Rummaging through her jewelry box, she found a hairpin and began fiddling with the lock. She'd done this countless times back home. Within seconds, the door clicked open.
Before she left, she stuffed clothes under her covers to imitate a sleeping figure. It should fool anyone who checked in—especially since Akio never returned until late.
Moving quietly through the castle corridors, she slipped to the stables, mounted a horse, and rode off toward the town. She'd memorised the route on the way to Magnus—just in case she ever needed to runaway.
She wasn't planning anything reckless. All she wanted was to listen. To gather information. To blend in with the locals, hear whispers, observe quietly, then return.
That was it.
Simple.