It was a bright, lively afternoon in the capital. The sun poured gold over the cobblestones as Elira, with Luke and Cassian by her side, wandered through the busy streets, selling the delicate bracelets she had crafted by hand. The three moved from one corner to another, their laughter mixing with the hum of the crowd.
Although the Crown Prince was rarely seen outside royal grounds, and most commoners expected him to always be adorned in regal attire, Cassian had blended perfectly among the people — dressed simply, in clothes Sylas himself had given him. To anyone passing by, he was nothing but another handsome young man helping his friends sell trinkets.
"We're selling bracelets here — they're really pretty!" shouted Luke, his small voice bursting with excitement.
Elira couldn't help but chuckle as she watched the boy trying to charm the crowd.
A kind-faced old woman approached the stand, her eyes landing on a blue bracelet lying on the cloth. "Oh, little lad, how much for this one?"
Luke's face lit up like morning sunshine. "Oh, this one? Only four copper coins, Granny!"
The woman smiled, amused by his confidence. "Alright then, I'll take it." She handed over the coins, and Luke quickly placed the bracelet in her wrinkled hands.
The boy nearly bounced with joy. He ran back to Elira, waving the coins as though he had just won a royal prize.
"Auntie Elira! Look! I sold one of your bracelets!"
Elira blinked in surprise, her heart fluttering with pride at the boy's small victory. "Good job, young Luke. How did you catch your first customer's attention?"
Luke puffed his chest, grinning cheekily. "I just drew her in with my cuteness, hehe!"
Elira laughed at the way he bragged, as if his adorable face alone could sell anything in the market.
"Ha! Already proud of that tiny achievement, are you?" a familiar voice teased.
Cassian appeared beside them, hands in his pockets and a smug grin playing across his lips. Both Elira and Luke turned, startled — the bracelets he'd been carrying were gone.
"Hey! Where are the bracelets you were supposed to sell? Don't tell me you threw them away!" Luke crossed his arms, frowning.
Cassian only smiled wider, tapping his chin thoughtfully as if to provoke the boy. "Oh, I sold them all — thanks to my handsome face." He winked at Elira and handed her a small pouch filled with coins.
Elira stood frozen, completely stunned. In less than a few hours, Cassian had sold every bracelet she'd made — something Sylas would take nearly half a day to accomplish.
"You cheater!" Luke cried, his cheeks puffed with frustration.
"Cheater? Or are you just jealous because I'm better-looking than you, hmm?" Cassian teased, sticking his tongue out playfully.
"You crazy monkey!" Luke shouted and — STAMP! — brought his foot down hard on Cassian's boot.
"OUCH! OUCH! OUCH!" Cassian yelped, hopping on one foot as Elira burst into laughter. Luke darted behind her, sticking his tongue out.
"You little rascal! Come back here!" Cassian growled, ready to chase him, but Elira raised a hand and stepped between them like someone calming an angry dog.
"Stop it, Cassian! You're acting like a child — and Luke is a child, you know," she said, laughing softly.
"He stepped on my foot! It hurts!" Cassian whined, pouting like a sulking boy seeking sympathy.
"Well, you teased him first, didn't you?" Elira chuckled, her laughter light and warm.
Cassian sighed, defeated, and crossed his arms again. Elira knelt beside Luke, her tone gentle yet firm. "Luke, you shouldn't do that to someone older, alright? Even if they tease you, hurting them isn't right."
Luke looked up with wide, guilty eyes. "Is Cassian old?" he asked innocently.
Elira hid a giggle behind her hand. "Yes, he's older than you. So, go on — say sorry."
Luke shuffled his feet and faced Cassian, mumbling, "I'm sorry."
Cassian's stern face softened. He reached down and patted the boy's head. "It's fine. How about we sell together, hmm?"
Luke's face brightened instantly. "Sure!" he said, beaming.
Elira smiled as the tension melted away. She watched them — Luke hopping excitedly, Cassian grinning as if nothing had happened — and her heart felt lighter.
As Luke wandered off again to charm potential customers, Elira and Cassian walked side by side behind him. The afternoon air was crisp; birds soared across the blue sky. Elira's brown hair fluttered with the breeze, catching the sunlight like strands of honey. Cassian glanced at her, his hands resting lazily behind his head, a faint smile curving his lips.
"It's quite nice living like this," he said softly. "No rules, no politics… just freedom."
Elira turned to him, curious. "Are you not happy in the mansion, Cassian?"
He chuckled, his tone light yet edged with truth. "Well… it's rather dull. Too many rules. Too much formality. I can't even sneeze without someone bowing."
Elira laughed gently but sensed the weight behind his words. His eyes — that deep, ocean blue — held a longing for simplicity. At Mrs Joana's house, Cassian could breathe. He could laugh without titles, smile without expectation.
"How can you be bored when you're always with Sylas?" she teased.
Cassian groaned dramatically. "That old man? He's already thirty and acts like the world will crumble if I breathe wrong. It's exhausting."
Elira burst out laughing, shaking her head. "You only say that when he's not around. The moment he's gone, you start looking for him again."
Cassian smirked but didn't deny it. "Maybe," he muttered.
Their laughter faded into a peaceful silence. Then, his tone shifted — softer, curious. "Elira, what will you do when Sylas and I return to the mansion?"
The question caught her off guard. For a moment, she didn't answer. The thought of them leaving tugged painfully at her heart. Cassian and Sylas had become part of her daily joy — Cassian, with his mischievous humour; Sylas, with his calm and protective warmth. Life without them would feel emptier.
Elira smiled faintly. "I don't know… But I'd like to stay with you and Sylas. You two bring light into my days. I want us to remain friends, always."
Her voice trembled slightly with sincerity. Cassian blinked, startled. He hadn't expected that answer. Something in his chest stirred — warmth mixed with ache. Friends.
Yet deep inside, he wished for more than that. Since meeting Elira, she had lingered in his mind like a song he couldn't forget. Her laughter, her kindness — she made his world brighter. I don't just want to be her friend, he thought silently, watching the sunlight dance on her face.
Before he could say another word—
"Auntie! I'm hungry!" Luke called out from ahead.
Cassian and Elira exchanged a glance before bursting into laughter. Together, the three headed to a nearby tavern to eat, the smell of warm bread and roasted meat guiding their steps.
It was an ordinary day in the capital — yet for Cassian, it was a day he would remember far longer than he ever meant to.
As Sylas walked beside Mrs. Joana and Lucien — who had kindly offered to escort her while she bought food from the nearby stalls — they happened to pass close to where Cassian and Elira were. The two of them, along with Luke, were still busy selling Elira's handmade bracelets. Meanwhile, Sylas stayed close to his mother, carrying the basket filled with the ingredients Mrs. Joana had just bought for that evening's dinner.
They strolled leisurely through the busy marketplace, weaving between stalls overflowing with fruits, fabrics, and trinkets. Then, something caught Sylas's eye — a familiar little shop selling chocolates. His steps slowed. He remembered that place vividly. It was the very shop where he had once bought a chocolate for Elira — that same day he'd met her at the library, when she had been riding his horse and laughing under the sunlight.
Drawn by the memory, Sylas stepped closer to the display. Lucien and Mrs. Joana were preoccupied, discussing spices and vegetables, while Sylas's gaze lingered over the sweets. One particular piece caught his attention — a mix of white and milk chocolate, beautifully arranged with sprinkles, tiny red candies, and a star-shaped swirl on top, each piece resting in a delicate paper cup.
He couldn't help but smile faintly. He remembered how Elira had smiled so brightly — so daringly — when he had handed her a piece of chocolate just like this before.
"Can I have one of those?" Sylas asked softly, pointing at the chocolate he wanted.
"Aye! Coming right up," replied the merchant cheerfully, wrapping the treat with careful hands.
As Sylas accepted it, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He wasn't quite sure why — perhaps he simply wanted to see Elira's smile again.
"Oh, chocolate?" Mrs. Joana's voice startled him slightly as she stepped beside him, a knowing smile on her face. "Is that for Elira, dear?"
"Yes, Mother," Sylas replied simply, his tone quiet but sincere.
Mrs. Joana said nothing more. Instead, she turned toward the direction of the bracelet stall where Elira and the others were still busy. The afternoon sun was already beginning to soften, its light golden on the cobblestones. It was nearly three o'clock — time to head home, especially since Elira and Luke had been out walking and selling for nearly five hours now.
After a long walk, the three finally decided to rest on a public bench by the park, where a small fountain rippled quietly in the centre.
"Glad we sold a lot of bracelets today," the young boy said with a tired grin, leaning back against the bench.
"Good job, Luke," Elira chuckled softly, her voice warm as she watched the boy's face glow with pride. Though the long walk had worn them out, Luke's joy made it all worth it — and Cassian, seated beside them, couldn't seem to tear his gaze away from Elira.
As Luke leaned back, he spotted a familiar figure walking their way. He squinted, then suddenly his eyes lit up.
"Oh! Father!" Luke shouted, jumping to his feet and running towards Lucien.
Elira blinked in surprise, wondering why only Lucien had appeared — where were Mrs. Joana and Sylas? They had all gone to the capital together earlier that day but split into two groups: Cassian, Elira, and Luke were tasked with selling bracelets, while Sylas, Lucien, and Mrs. Joana went to buy household goods.
Lucien smiled as his son rushed into his arms.How are you, my boy? he signed gently.
"I'm fine, Father! I sold lots of bracelets today — the ones Aunt Grace made!" Luke beamed proudly.
Lucien ruffled his son's hair with a proud grin, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of parchment. He wrote a quick message for Cassian and Elira to read.
— Mrs. Joana is looking for all of you. It's time to head home. —
Elira nodded after reading the note, and Cassian rose from the bench, dusting off his cloak. Luke eagerly clung to his father's hand as they began their walk back.
The market had grown quieter now; the shadows stretched long across the cobblestones, and a cool wind brushed past. But fate had already begun to shift — and the peace they felt would not last.
Unseen by them, twelve men dressed in dark coats lurked in the narrow alleyways nearby. Hidden in the gloom, they waited — patient as predators — for the perfect moment to strike. Their target wasn't Cassian or Lucien. It was Elira.
Lucien's steps slowed. A strange unease crawled up his spine. His hand instinctively tightened around Luke's small fingers. His sharp eyes caught a glimpse of movement — a man cloaked in black, trailing them silently. Lucien's brows furrowed deeply. Something wasn't right.
Cassian, walking a few paces ahead, sensed nothing. And Elira — always curious, always gentle — had fallen slightly behind.
"Oh… apples!" she murmured, her eyes lighting up at a nearby vendor's stall. She approached it eagerly. "I'll buy some — Sylas loves apples," she whispered, smiling as she chose a few to bring home.
When Cassian turned to check on her, she was no longer at his side. His pulse quickened. He spun around—
"ELIRA!" he shouted.
His voice tore through the market.
Cassian's heart dropped as he saw her — Elira's wrists bound tightly by a man in a black coat. The man's gloved hand clamped over her mouth, dragging her back. Her eyes widened in terror as she struggled, muffled cries spilling from her throat.
Cassian sprinted towards her, swordless, panic pounding in his chest. But before he could reach her—
A hiss — then a thick plume of smoke exploded through the street. Grey clouds swallowed the air. Cassian coughed, covering his mouth. Through the haze, figures emerged — men in black, their faces hidden beneath hoods. They surrounded Lucien and Luke as well, blades drawn.
"Cassian!— Agh!" Elira's cry was strangled as her captor tightened his grip. She thrashed, but his arms locked her in place.
Cassian snatched a fallen sword from one of the men and swung it fiercely, deflecting blow after blow. His movements were sharp, desperate — he needed to reach her. But there were too many of them.
"Elira!" he roared again, his voice raw with fury.
The men were coordinated — this was no random ambush. Cassian realised with a cold shock: they wanted Elira.
"Let me go! Let me go!" she screamed as the man forced her towards a dark carriage that had just pulled up. Her heels scraped the ground.
"Move!" the man barked. He shoved her inside and slammed the door shut.
The carriage jerked violently as the horses bolted.
"Elira!" Cassian broke free from another attacker and sprinted after it, his boots pounding against the cobblestones. Smoke still clung to the air, and shouts echoed behind him.
He ran faster — but the carriage was already vanishing into the mist. His chest tightened with dread.
If he lost her now… he might never see her again.
And in the distance, the only sound that lingered was the fading thunder of the carriage wheels — carrying Elira away into the night.