Elara’s POV

Morning came, and I waited in the village to be picked up by Evren, as we agreed yesterday. Today is my last day here in this village, my last time seeing the smiles on the villagers’ faces and their kindness. My eyes hurt from how much I cried last night and on my way here. 

I hope my eyes are not swollen…

I am carrying a small bag containing five daytime dresses, one nice dress, two nightgowns, and a coat. I also brought my one nice dress in case I might need it for a formal occasion; however, it probably got small on me. I never saw the point in owning more clothes than needed. If what I had was in good condition, why replace it? 

My grandmother never agreed with that mentality. She always encouraged me to spend more money on myself, insisting that other ladies my age do the same. Perhaps they did, but I never cared much for keeping up with them. I was a mage living quietly in the forest. There was little reason to dress as if I were going to court or on a date. 

I shifted my bag higher onto my shoulder as I walked around the village instead of standing still for long.  

Then, through the people gathered farther down the road, a familiar figure caught my eye - Evren. And what seemed to be his friend from yesterday was standing next to him.

Evren was wearing a long black coat over his green fitted overvest, with a white linen shirt underneath. Gold embroidery wound across the fabric like flowering vines, catching the sunlight whenever he moved. The coat was long enough to reach his feet. He wore black pants, brown boots, and a sword at his hip. The clothes were far too finely made for a commoner. 

His friend beside him also wore a long black coat over his white shirt, and it reached his feet, covering his dark green pants and brown boots. He also carried a sword at his hip. 

The men walked up to me then Evren greeted me. However, the knight next to him scowled at me, and I frowned back at him.

“Did you tell your grandmother, Elara?” Evren asked.

Grandmother…

It was hard to lie to her; I felt like I was choking on a rock when I had to tell her that I got a job offer from an excellent herbalist I met by chance. My grandmother didn’t say anything, only smiled at me and said, “Go… Leave this forest and learn what the world has for you.” 

“But make sure no one knows our secret.” Her expression turned blank as she said that while putting her hands on my shoulders. At that time, I saw an expression that I had never seen on her. I wasn’t sure if she was angry at me. But she let me go regardless. 

But oh, Grandma, our secret is already discovered. By the two men standing in front of me. 

“Let’s go,” Evren said as he tried to grab my bag from me.

I pulled away from him and glared at him. 

What, is he acting nice as if he didn’t threaten me yesterday?

The other man beside him wanted to say something, but Evren stopped him with a glance.

“Let’s go. I brought a carriage with us on our way here. It’ll only take us an hour to get to the capital.” Evren walked ahead of us, and his friend followed him right away. I stood still for a moment, staring at his large back. 

To the capital… Only an hour to the capital… It’s as if he’s saying, ‘One more hour until you get executed.’

“Let’s go, Ms. Elara.” Evren pulled me from my thoughts with a hint of irritation in his voice.