I decided Rixton was an unlikely candidate for the rebellion. He didn't seem to have enough motive for a full-scale coup, and his nature was one of loyalty and honor. If anything, the only thing that would motivate him to join a rebellion was if I were the one leading it.

It worried me, the almost reckless abandon with which he followed me. It was almost as if he had no will of his own. His wishes, his dreams, his desires all seemed to be subjugated to my own.

I suppose I could understand it. My own will was subjugated to the will of my father, King Galath.

In that way, becoming Lady Raine was like shedding my own image as "Prince Vel." Ironically, the me now was probably a truer form of me than my past self.

The thought made me chuckle as I strolled the cobblestone streets of the town marketplace. Rixton followed, huffing and puffing under the weight of several boxes of historical tomes I had purchased.

Looking around at all the colorful sights and sounds of the city, I wondered if Camellia had ever made the trip. She was a sheltered young lady who probably didn't get to experience the local scene often.

I could imagine her ogling the iridescent bubbles blossoming from the glassblower's tools, trailing a hand along the swathes of gaudy fabric hanging from dressmaker's stalls, eyes sparkling as she gazed upon a pendant with an inset stone the same ruby color as her eyes…

I stopped when my own eyes fixed upon that pendant. Rixton almost collided into me.

"My lady!! I'm so sorry, the packages- they blocked my vision–"

I cut his flustered explanations short with a wave of the hand.

"It's fine, I'm the one who was distracted." I locked eyes with the woman at the jewelry stall and beckoned her over, lifting the purse that hung at my side. I wanted to use my own money, not Earl Hydrangea’s, to purchase a gift. Thankfully it was just a trinket, meaning that the price was probably manageable. "How much for that necklace with the red pendant?" 

After purchasing the piece, I decided to take a break from shopping at my favorite cafe on the town square. It was a refined establishment, with a good enough reputation that it was often frequented by nobles.

I hoped I didn't see anyone from the academy.

My hopes were dashed when I arrived at the cafe, but in such a way that new hopes hastily replaced them.

Sitting at one of the outside cafe tables, shaded by its maroon umbrella, was Camellia Cultivar.

My fiancée was sipping a glass of what looked like iced orange juice, and looking around furtively. It was probably her first trip to the city. She might even have snuck out, since I didn't see any guards stationed around her.

I felt curiously happy, and at the same time, violently concerned. 

If she had snuck out and had no protection, some ruffian could spot her as an easy mark and attempt to kidnap or rob her. She looked so small, hunched over in her seat. Camellia has never taken any combat lessons to my knowledge. Despite her temper and strength of character, she was oddly vulnerable.

I started over. I could see the moment she recognized me. Her eyes lifted at my approach, she squinted, and then abruptly looked down at her plate.

That was unusual. I thought she would glare at me. She had been treating me as her "rival," the heroine, but ever since I had defended her in our interaction with Luce I felt like she had softened a little.

"Lady Camellia." 

"Lady Raine." She pushed a leaf of salad lettuce around her plate, still looking down.

"I was just shopping around with Rixton and enjoying the sunny weather. Are you also on a shopping trip? Where is your escort?"

She flinched, shoulders tightening up. I glanced over at Rixton. Perhaps she would be more forthcoming without an audience.

"Rixton, those look rather heavy. Why don't you go back to the bookstore and have them delivered to the manor ahead of us?"

Rixton's face filled with consternation. He had been carrying the books around the better part of the day. It was a bit unfair of me to suggest this only now, but I admit watching him lug them around was quite amusing.

"But Lady Raine, I am your guard!"

Oh, he was worried for me. Quite sweet, after all that. 

"We'll be fine. If you recall, I bested the swordmaster at the academy only recently." I patted the blade at my hip and attempted to give him a reassuring smile. Even in this body I was not good at smiling, so it came out more like an aggressive grimace.

Rixton paled, hesitated, and finally conceded. "Fine, but please stay right there until I come back, the both of you!"

He dashed off, boxes wobbling in his arms.

I slid into the seat across from Camellia. "Alone at last."

Camellia sat bolt upright.

I covered my mouth. I had not meant to say that.

I swiftly recovered myself. "I mean, as noble ladies we are constantly hounded by our family's security, yes? How did you manage to evade yours?"

Camellia gulped some of her orange juice before responding. "I…tied some bedsheets together this morning and climbed out. I also stole one of my family's horses." 

I stared at her. Was this the same girl who had stood shaking behind her father's back at her first meeting with another noble? 

I was relieved to see a chestnut horse tied nearby wearing her family's coat of arms. Although her escapade would be obvious, she still had a way to get back home.

"Why did you want to come to the city so badly you had to sneak out?"

Her shoulders drooped. "I was upset. I acted rashly. I just wanted to get out of there. Now that I'm here, I'm definitely regretting it. Although…" She looked up and around, and some of the sparkle came back into her eyes. "It's so lively here. I've always wanted to come into the city."

I settled into my seat and prepared to call a waiter over.

It looked like she was ready to make conversation, so I started talking about some of the things I had seen that day. She responded excitedly, the usual undercurrent of resentment forgotten.

I wanted to ask why she had been upset, but I didn't want to spoil the mood.

It was almost like a date.