Lily stood up immediately, rushing to the bath chamber, and Marian followed her with a smile. Lily was used to having nothing to do and sleeping in her past, so she had forgotten she was supposed to be awake early, but luckily, Marian helped her quickly. For her hair, she put it in one braid. For clothing, she chose a dark blue dress, fitted at the waist with loose-fitting arms, and wore flat leather shoes. Then, with her maids on her heels, she practically flew out the door, and although it was a short distance, she was gasping and puffing as she rushed into the dining hall.

Just like the previous evening, brother, the Archduke, and Liora were seated waiting for her "Apologies for being late," Lily said with a small bow. She looked up to find all three staring at her in silence. She touched her face, wondering if something was wrong, and sat down. She heard Liora giggle. "You look so good in that dress, and how you put your hair", she started putting her thumbs up, and Lily's already red cheeks turned redder.

"How was your sleep, Lily?" Evander asked with a smile.

"My night was great, Brother. Thank you for asking. How was your night?"" Mine was great as well," replied Evander.

"How about you, Archduke?" Lily asked, turning to Lucien, and he looked surprised as it seemed like the question caught him off guard, and he was quiet for a moment." My night was good too, your highness. Thank you for asking," he said.

Liora laughed. "He likes it. Look at his ears are turning red." She announced.

Lily looked but caught herself just in time and looked down instead as she sat down, and the butler brought out the breakfast, and everyone ate quietly; only the clinking of utensils was heard through the big dining hall.

After breakfast Lily boarded the carriage and they started moving and Lily learnt in the worst way possible that she wasn't good with carriages as he had never gone on one in a long distance she never though she will have carriage sickness immedietly they left Drushik, she began to feel nauseous and vomited several times and tiring to hide of from her worrywart brother and noisy maids she tried to catch her breath as she sat pale and exhausted, half-leaning against the cushions, while Liora sat beside her, chirping endlessly, trying to distract her from the misery she was experiencing.

Suddenly, the carriage came to a halt, screeching, throwing Lily forward from the force. She struck her side against the wood and gasped in pain. The sudden jolt of the carriage worsened her nausea she moaned from the pain as she tried to ease herself back onto the seat.

Sorry, I couldn't hold you back. Liora and Lily nodded, and then she urged her firmly, "Stay inside, no matter what happens. I am going to check out what is wrong." Liora said and disappeared without another word.

Lily remained seated in pain, her jaws clenched. She wanted to try to look outside, but decided against it, remembering Liora's advice, and instead, she pressed her trembling hands together and waited as her heartbeat grew louder by every minute.

She listened as the sounds of clashing swords grew with each passing moment, as she rubbed her palms against her dress, trying to dry them from the sweat and to calm herself.

Then swish! A sword pierced through the carriage wall and blood spattered all over the carriage coating her face Her heart stopped for a moment and she bit her lip trying to swallow the scream that was threatening to escape her throat The sword was withdrawn and Lily heard a heavy thud outside the carriage

Lily sat frozen in shock, trying to hold her breath in, and the curtain was pulled aside. A muscular hand drew the curtain back Lily looked as Lucien's concerned face appeared.

"Are you okay, Your Highness? Are you hurt? He asked, pointing to the blood on her face.

"I am doing very well, Archduke. Will you join me for a cup of tea?" she replied with a small smile trying to humour him.

And it worked Lucien's lips curved into a smile. "No, thank you, Your Highness. I am rather occupied at the moment. You could perhaps extend the invite for another day," He asked, returning her banter effortlessly.

"I came to check on you, and it seems you are holding up much better than I expected. We are currently dealing with a small matter outside. Please stay in, and I will return to check on you later," he said reassuringly.

Before she responded, she heard a swish and Lucien's other arm with a sword moved, and then she realised, with horror, that he had stabbed and assassinated all while looking at her smiling, and he put down the curtain left as if all that didn't happen.

Once Lucien left, Lily's smile disappeared as she exhaled sharply. Her hands were still trembling as she closed them tightly together. The Archduke had struck down someone while looking at her, but what shocked her more than that was the brief look of concern that flashed through his eyes and the relief when he saw she was okay.

The sounds of sword clashing faded after some time, replaced by dead silence, and the only thing Lily could hear now was the beating of her own heart and the neighs of horses' hooves.

Lily exhaled deeply as the danger seemed to have passed and steadied herself, her nausea now completely forgotten.

Lily was starting to get worried when Liora drifted back inside the carriage.

"Why do you look paler than me?" she asked, pointing at Lily and then to her face. "And why are you covered in blood?" she added

Lily gave a small smile. "I do not know why I am paler than you. But Lucien stabbed someone against the carriage, and the blood, his blood, splashed everywhere." She gestured toward the hole left by the sword.

"I see," Liora replied, next to Lily. "There were several assassins who attacked, but your brother, Lucien, and the managed to kill them all."

Her expression suddenly brightened as she fanned her cheeks. "You should have seen them fighting! Especially your brother so brave and handsome." She said looking dreamily. "We never get to witness something like this where I come from. Most of the men there are on microphones, making podcasts about women's business."

Lily blinked as Liora continued her chatter, not fully understanding half of what she was saying, but she was deeply grateful her brother and Lucien had fought off the assassins unharmed; otherwise, she would have died again, only a day after being reborn, and that would have been a most pitiful fate.

"Oh, sorry," she said quickly. "Don't mind my rambling, it's the misogynoir in me talking," she said.

Lily frowned slightly. In the short time she had known Liora, she realised she understood very little of what she was saying, especially during such rants. Misogynoir? What strange word was that?

"Were there any losses on our side?" Lily asked, bringing Liora back to the present matter.

"Yes. Some guards," she answered quietly.

"Lily! Lily!" They both heard Evander's hurried footsteps and his loud voice calling outside, and they both turned toward the door at the same time.