Santiago was leaning against the shoe store, his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes closing at the intensity of the afternoon sun. His sisters and cousin had already picked their dresses, and although he had helped them out, he wasn't keen on helping them pick out shoes too, knowing Rocío, they would be there for a couple hours at the very least.

Instead he told them he'd wait for them outside, however, the more time he spent leaning against the stone wall, the more he thought it best to go and run his own errands. He also needed a suit for the party, and if he went to the store he'd spotted down the street then he'd definitely be back before the women ever noticed. 

Thus, he walked down the street, his chocolate eyes drifting over storefronts and peering into what they offered. A faint memory of walking down that very street with Renata clinging to his arm and fawning over dresses and hats she saw displayed on the store windows. She'd been going on about what her wedding dress would be like and what sort of veil she'd wear, what she would make him wear as the best man. He smiled.

He reached the tailor store he'd seen, it had probably been the one Renata had stopped in front of and gone on and on about what suit was best. He pulled open the door, being greeted by a bell above him and an attendant. 

“Hello sir, how can I help you?” It was a young man, probably around Elena's age, dressed in a nice suit and carefully groomed.

“Hello,” Santiago greeted. “I know it's short notice, but I would need a full suit for the masquerade ball at the princess’ palace in two weeks. Could that be arranged?”

The young man's eyebrows knitted. “I can't say, the master is fully booked as per my knowledge and his apprentice as well.”

Santiago frowned. He could very well wear something he'd brought along, but he'd still need a mask. “Thank you,” he smiled before turning to leave.

“Wait a moment,” a deeper voice called.

Santiago turned to see an older man with graying hair by a staircase. He held onto a cane to support himself, and his wrinkled face was lit with a smile. He was dressed impeccably, with a beautiful corduroy grey suit and a golden pocket watch chain hanging from the vest.

“You look like Ignacio's boy.” The man’s wobbly voice was uncharacteristically loud.

Santiago hesitantly nodded, “Yes, my father is the Duke of Estella,” he answered.

“Carlo, this boy is an honoured guest,” the older man chided. “He's welcome to order at any time.” Carlo nodded, cheeks dusting pink in embarrassment.

“How do you know my father?” Santiago tilted his head and furrowed his brows.

“Well, I dressed the man for half his life!” The man chuckled. “He was so rebellious when he was young, but he used to tell me you were quite the opposite.”

Santiago raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, where are my manners!” The man shook his head. “My name is Pedro, I'm the master tailor, and I was your father's attendant when he was a child up until you were three.”

“Really?” Santiago's eyebrows raised in curiosity. 

Pedro nodded. He coughed before clearing his throat. “Then I came here and opened my shop. Been operating for twenty-five years now! And now you're all grown up.”

“My father never mentioned you,” Santiago mumbled.

“Of course he wouldn't! He was so upset when I left,” he laughed and slowly his hearty laugh faded. “But I saw him before the war and I was sad to see him… he'd changed into a broken man.”

The war had only begun two years after Renata’s death, those two years had been the most brutal to get through as a family, it was when everything had fallen apart, when his parents fought over everything, when Rocío barely left her room and Elena spent most of the time outdoors reading to get away from the reality. It was when he had to hold his family together, making sure Rocío was eating, checking if Elena was attending her classes, constantly taking his father's criticism and snide remarks with his head held high, and telling himself that his mother would talk to him again one day. Those wretched years.

“Anyway, let's get you measured. Do you have an idea of what you're looking for?” Pedro asked, leading Santiago up the stairs and into a room with mirrors and all types of fabrics. 

Santiago shrugged. “I only heard it was a masquerade ball, and because I haven't been to the capital for a while, I'm not certain what styles are popular anymore.”

“No need to worry, son,” Pedro smiled as he picked up a measuring tape and a few fabric samples. “It is a costume themed party as well. Most men are planning to dress as dragons, or even pirates. I think a bear would suit you best.”

Santiago furrowed his brows. “A bear?” He questioned. “What makes you think that?” 

Pedro shrugged. “From what your father said ten years ago, you're dependable and protective. A brown coat with fur trims, a fur hat and a brown leather mask. What do you say?”

Santiago's mind mulled over what Pedro had said his father told him. He wanted to scoff, but he couldn't. He knew Pedro gained nothing from lying, but he couldn't fathom how he'd praised him, especially at that time. 

“You don't like the idea, boy?” Pedro frowned.

Santiago shook his head. “No, I… I think it's great. I like it. A bear is unique.”

“Perfect!” The older man began to take Santiago's measurements and jotted everything down, instructing him to move every so often. “I should have it done in about a week.”

There were some pleasantries exchanged before he left the store. The sun's rays had lost their intensity throughout the afternoon, and after he'd checked his pocket watch he realized it had taken him less time than he'd anticipated. 

He was now walking back to the shoe store he'd left his sisters at, hoping they hadn't noticed his absence. 

As he neared the store he heard a commotion coming from the direction he'd been walking from. Turning around, he noted people running in every direction. He paused not only to get a better look, but also to single out any strange sounds. 

The distinct clicking of hoofs on stone pierced through the gasps and screams of people. A white horse emerged, galloping wildly.

“My lady, please don't wander far!” A woman called out to his immediate left. He followed her gaze and saw a young woman who'd been holding unto her hat. She turned and pouted.

“Oh, Julia, you’re such a bore, let me enjoy myself,” the young woman groaned.

Santiago looked back at the horse, only a few meters away, the young woman unaware it was heading straight towards her. Santiago didn't waste another second, jumping towards the woman and pushing her out of the way just in time. They crashed to the floor on their sides, Santiago taking the harder hit as he shielded her. The horse galloped inches away, terrorizing more folk before a loud thud resonated through the street. Santiago looked up, beyond the woman in his arms, only to see the horse on the floor against a brick building it had crashed head on to.  

“Are you alright, my lady?” Santiago finally looked back down at the woman in his arms after he was assured that the horse was being tended to by the crowd.

The woman’s light brown eyes stared at him in both awe and confusion.  Her mouth was agape, long rich light brown hair that had been neatly up was now fanned around her like a halo. Her hat had flown off in the mess of things.

“I, I…” she stammered. “I think I’m alright.” Her voice was soft but rich, eyelashes long against her freckled cheeks when she blinked. “Thanks to you.”

He smiled down at her and pushed himself off her, sitting up and dusting his arm off, noting the scrape on his knuckles. He got to his feet and offered his hand to the lady. She took it without hesitation and he brought her to her feet. 

She wobbled a little and he held her arms to stabilize her. 

“Are you certain you aren’t hurt?” His brows furrowed in concern.

She laughed shyly as she nodded. “Yes, I’m simply a bit shaken, is all.” She looked up at him, eyes round and trusting. 

To Santiago she looked much akin to a puppy, with those wide round eyes and thin brows knitted. “I’m glad to hear that.” His eyes caught sight of a twig in her hair. “May I?” He reached for it, giving her time to pull away. She nodded enthusiastically. Slowly, he pulled the twig from her hair and showed it to her. Although her hair was a mess, it was still soft under his touch.

“Thank you, you saved my life,” she smiled. Her soft almond coloured eyes landed on his hand and she gasped. “You’re injured!” Her face twisted in concern and she grasped his hand, analyzing the torn skin and beads of blood. 

He chuckled so as to ease her concern. “It’s nothing serious.”

She looked back up at him and pouted her lips. “Of course it’s serious. You’re bleeding.” She blew onto his hand, trying to get the small pebbles out. 

“My lady—” He winced, finally feeling the burn. “You really needn’t do that.”

“It’s the least I could do,” she mumbled as she pulled the loose hair scarf that had held her hair up but was now clinging to a part of it. He barely got to say a word before she wrapped it around his hand. “There.”

 He could feel his cheeks warm up and he looked away as he cleared his throat.

“To whom do I owe my life to?” She asked.

He turned back to her. “Santiago de Estella,” he answered her.

She bowed her head to him. “It’s an honour to meet you, Sir Santiago.”

“Might I have your name as well, my lady?”

“Of course, I—“

“My lady!” The screeching of the young lady’s maid interrupted them. “You almost died!” She was crying, tears were streaming down her face and snot dripped from her nose. “You aren’t injured, are you?”

“Julia, I’m fine.”

The woman threw herself unto the lady causing her to let go of Santiago’s hand, making him realize she hadn’t let go until that moment.

“I told you, Julia, I’m okay, thanks to this man,” the young lady pushed her maid away.

Julia, her maid, seemed to pat down the woman, checking here and there. “We ought to get you to a doctor, less something happened to you.”

“Julia,” she whined. “I don’t need a doctor.”

“We need to be certain, your father will have my head if there’s even a scratch on you! I told you we shouldn’t have left home today, look what happened! You nearly died!”

"Juliaaa,” she huffed. “You’re embarrassing me,” she mumbled.

Santiago smiled at that comment but remained silent.

“Let’s hurry!” Julia pulled the young woman down the street.

The woman turned her head and smiled back at Santiago, waving him goodbye just before she was scolded and pulled away from him once more.

Santiago watched as she disappeared into the crowd, a smile on his lips and his uninjured hand circling over the headscarf she’d wrapped around him subconsciously. It was a few moments before his sisters had come running towards him, bombarding him with questions and checking him over a couple of times to ensure he was fine after they’d heard his story. Still, even as they went home, he couldn’t get the image of the young woman with big brown eyes and freckled cheeks looking up at him. He hoped she was fine.