The sun was just about to begin its descent when Leo packed the last of his belongings. 

His lavish room in the Bastion Royal Castle seemed unusually silent, with only the rustle of his clothes breaking the stillness. 

He packed with purpose, tucking away the bags of coins needed to reward those who followed him, along with a few changes of clothes. 

The thought of leaving everything behind, the luxuries of royalty and the familiarity of his home, weighed heavily on his heart. Yet, he couldn't ignore the pull of Amanara, the place where he hoped to start anew.

As he made his way through the castle halls, the eyes of maids, butlers, and knights followed him, their gazes filled with curiosity and suspicion. 

Leo met each stare with a calm, steady look, determined not to let their doubts sway him. 

He knew what they were thinking—what would make a prince abandon his kingdom and his birthright? But the answer was one they could never understand. 

Not yet, at least.

By the time he reached Silverton, the fishing town was bustling with more activity than usual. 

Leo couldn't help but smile as he noticed the crowds, a mixture of locals and out-of-towners, all drawn by the rumors he’d spread through the information guild. 

His heart swelled with hope. 

The turnout was good—better than he had expected.

After securing a room at the local inn, Leo left his things and wandered the streets of Silverton. 

The familiar sounds of fishermen returning from the sea, children playing in the narrow streets before returning home for dinner, and merchants hawking their wares before turning in for the night filled the air, but there was an underlying excitement today, a buzz that hadn't been there before.

His stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn’t eaten since he left the capital. Just then, he noticed that The Mermaid’s Tail bar was just up ahead. 

As he stepped inside, the scent of grilled fish and warm bread greeted him. 

The woman from the information guild, who had passed along his message, was tending the bar. When she saw him, her face lit up, and she waved him over enthusiastically.

"Hello. It's good to see you again," Leo greeted her, offering a kind smile.

The woman's cheeks flushed slightly at his words. 

"I was just thinking the same thing, dear customer. By the way, have you noticed all the out-of-towners in Silverton today?" she asked in a hushed, excited tone, clearly hoping for his approval.

"I did notice, actually. Thank you for assisting me with spreading the word," Leo replied, his voice warm with gratitude.

The woman beamed, clearly proud of herself and the guild’s efforts. "It was our pleasure. We're happy to help." 

She seemed lost in her thoughts for a moment before Leo gently brought her back to the present.

“So, can I order some food now?" he asked, chuckling softly.

"Oh yes, of course! Here's a menu!" she said, quickly reaching beneath the bar and handing him one.

The food was more excellent than Leo had expected, since a bar is typically known for its drinks. 

The flavors were rich, the portions generous, and before he knew it, his plate was empty. He left payment beside it and stood to leave.

"Thank you for the meal," Leo said, offering a final smile.

"Thank you for enjoying it! Do come again!" The woman’s voice was eager, though a tinge of sadness crept in as she realized he might not return.

Leo nodded, waving goodbye before stepping out into the cool night air. 

Exhaustion pulled at his limbs, and he headed back to the inn, ready to sleep away the day’s troubles. But sleep was not the escape he had hoped for.

The nightmares returned with a vengeance. Auriella, lifeless in his arms, her body cold as the grave. 

His father’s laughter echoed around them, a cruel, heartless sound that cut through Leo like a blade. 

The nobles jeered, their voices full of mockery, and their hands full of stones. They pelted her with them, her body jerking with each impact, even in death.

"Stop!" Leo screamed in his nightmare, his voice hoarse with despair. "Leave her alone!"

But the nobles only laughed harder, their stones striking him as well now. One hit his forehead with a sickening thud, and the pain jolted him awake. 

Leo shot up in bed, his body drenched in sweat, his heart racing. He pressed a trembling hand to his forehead, trying to steady himself.

Dawn had just begun to break. The soft light of morning filtered through the small window, and Leo knew he wouldn’t find rest again. 

He got up, splashed cold water on his face, and dressed before heading to the docks with his things.

The docks were crowded, as he expected, but there was a tension in the air that hadn’t been there the day before. 

The source of it quickly became apparent. 

Royal knights, their armor gleaming with the crest of his father’s house, blocked the path to the ships. They stood as an impenetrable wall, keeping the townspeople from their boats.

"You can’t do this! People depend on the fish we catch! This is clearly an abuse of pow—" a fisherman’s protest was cut short as a knight drew his sword, pointing it at the man’s throat.

The fisherman raised his hands, backing away slowly. "Alright! Please, there’s no need for violence!"

The knight’s glare was cold, but he sheathed his sword. The crowd murmured uneasily, the tension thickening with each passing moment. 

And then a familiar voice cut through the noise.

"Citizens of Silverton, I promise we will let you resume your duties once we have what we came here for!" Boris’ voice was smug, almost playful, as he appeared from behind the knights.

"Damn him," Leo muttered under his breath. "He’s getting in my way here as well?"

He pushed his way through the crowd, his heart pounding with a mix of anger and dread. When he reached the front, he locked eyes with the knight who had threatened the fisherman. 

The knight’s expression hardened, but before he could say anything, Boris shoved him aside, stepping forward with a twisted smirk.

"What a surprise! It’s just who we were looking for: Prince Leo!" Boris’ voice dripped with false cheer, and it took all of Leo’s willpower not to react.

"Why are you blocking these people from an honest day’s work?" Leo asked, his voice calm but firm, the crowd behind him echoing his demand.

Boris didn’t answer immediately. 

Instead, he pulled out a scroll, the royal seal gleaming in the early morning light. He unfurled it slowly, savoring the moment.

‘I, King Silvio Miravia IV, do proclaim to my dear son, Leo Miravia I, that if he should leave the borders of Miravia for any reason, he shall be henceforth banned from ever setting foot on this land forevermore. 

If he should return to the royal castle and beg for forgiveness, however, I shall welcome him back with open arms and reinstate his status as our country’s Prince.’

Boris folded the letter back up with a flourish, his eyes gleaming with malicious satisfaction. Leo felt his hands shake ever so slightly as the words sank in. 

‘Beg for forgiveness? Banned forever from returning home?’ 

The absurdity of the situation almost made him puke, but the reality of it hit him like a ton of bricks.

‘Will he really never let me return home after I leave?’ Leo’s thoughts raced, doubt clawing at him. 

But then, the nightmare of Auriella’s lifeless body in his arms flashed before his eyes, and he remembered his father’s laughter, and the nobles’ cruelty. 

His resolve hardened.

"I refuse to submit, Boris," Leo said, his voice steady and strong. "You can tell that to the king yourself."

Boris’ smirk widened, almost as if he was pleased by Leo’s defiance. "I see… I shall deliver your words to His Majesty. Safe travels then."

The knights, although visibly confused by Leo’s refusal to return, followed Boris without a word. 

As they left, Leo turned to face the crowd. Their eyes were full of confusion and expectation, waiting to hear what he would say next.

"Everyone," Leo began, his voice carrying across the docks, "you should know that I am the one who orchestrated this voyage. And please, don’t worry. I may no longer be a prince, but I have more than enough money for everyone who came. So, will you still follow me to a new world?"

For a moment, there was silence. Leo held his breath, fearing they would all turn their backs on him now that he was no longer a prince. 

But then, one by one, the people began to nod, murmuring their agreement. The crowd slowly moved toward the ships, their belongings in hand, ready to board.

Leo’s heart swelled with relief and gratitude. He had feared the worst, but they were still with him. 

As he climbed aboard one of the ships, he looked out over the crowd, now bustling with activity as they prepared to set sail.

This wasn’t just a voyage to Amanara. 

It was a chance at a new beginning, a place where he could build something meaningful, where his love for Auriella could come to fruition.

As the ship set sail, leaving the shores of Miravia behind, Leo took one last look at the land that had been his home. 

The weight of his decision settled in his chest, but there was no turning back now. Ahead lay Amanara, a new world, and with it, the hope of a future free from the shadows of the past.