The border city felt different after nightfall.
Lights stayed on longer. Guards changed posts more often. Doors that were once open now closed early. Everyone could feel it, something was off.
Lunara felt it most.
She was not alone anymore. Wherever she went, someone followed. Not close enough to seem rude, but close enough to remind her she was being watched.
Prince Caelum noticed it too.
"They're only doing their duty," he said as they walked through the inner hall. "You've become important."
"Important people are rarely free," Lunara replied.
He smiled. "Freedom is overrated."
She said nothing.
Later that night, Lunara stood on the balcony outside her assigned room. The air was cool, the city quiet below. From here, she could see the edge of the forest and the faint line where the land changed.
She wondered how long she would still be allowed to stand alone.
On the other side of the city, Kael was learning the same lesson.
Two soldiers now walked behind him wherever he went. Officially, they were escorts. In truth, they were watchers.
"You don't need guards," Kael said after the third turn.
One of them replied carefully, "Orders, my prince."
Kael stopped walking. "From who?"
The man hesitated. "Prince Rhaegor."
That answered enough.
Kael continued on without another word.
Later, while inspecting storage rooms, Kael noticed something missing. Supplies moved. Records altered. Someone was preparing for something bigger than inspection.
That night, Kael stepped outside, pretending to check the perimeter. He looked up at the same sky Lunara was watching.
Too many eyes. Too many plans.
Elsewhere in the city, Lord Vaelis sat alone in a guarded room.
His weapons had been taken. His men separated.
But his mind was still sharp.
"They think this will stop me," he muttered. "It won't."
A guard shifted uncomfortably.
Vaelis smiled to himself. "Pressure always breaks something. They just don't know what yet."
By the time dawn came, three things were clear.
Lunara was being shaped into a symbol.
Kael was being pushed out of the way.
And the city was holding its breath.
Someone was about to make a move.
And when they did, no one would be able to pretend anymore.