Elara’s POV:

An hour had passed, and we arrived at the capital. But instead of stopping here, we continued into the capital. At the top of a small hill, there is the castle. Are they taking me to the castle?!

“Why aren’t you stopping the carriage? Where are we going?” I asked Evren. For some reason, both Evren and his friend are sitting across from me in the carriage, with a coachman outside. 

“To the castle,” Evren simply responded. My eyes widened, and a chill ran down my back. 

What?! That is the number one danger zone for me!

“You told me that you would take me to the capital, not the castle.” 

“Yeah, the castle is in the capital!” Evren smiled as he said that.

This sly fox! He is dragging my feet straight to the death zone.

I huffed out in frustration. “So why do you want me to work with you as an herbalist? Do you get injured a lot as a knight that your prince can’t even send you a physician?” 

Both men stayed quiet at that. Evren pulled a picture from his chest pocket under his coat and handed it to me.

“Have you seen this man before?” He asked.

I examined the picture in my hand; a man appears to be in his fifties, with black hair and white streaks as proof of his age. He has a few wrinkles around his blue eyes. No, I’m seeing this guy for the first time.

I shook my head as my answer.

“Well, memorize his face, as you need to avoid this man at all costs.”

I chuckled. “What do you mean, avoid him? Then why bring me to a place where there is a high chance that I will run into him again?”

“He prosecutes anyone suspected of doing magic,” Evren responded in a serious tone. My blood ran cold when I heard that. “You can imagine what else happens after that.” He finished. 

“Anyway, let’s at least introduce ourselves just to get to know each other a little more. We will be working together for a while.” Evren said.

“As you already know, I am Evren; right here is Jake, my friend since childhood.” He said, pointing at ‘Jake’. 

Childhood friends… No wonder he was so devoted to him and defended him when I gave Evren attitude. 

Jake coughed awkwardly into his fist. “Nice to meet you, Ms. Elara. As you probably already know, I am a knight as well.” I nodded in greeting to him. 

“Can I ask you a question?” Evren asked.

“Go ahead.” 

“Is your grandmother your only family member?” He asked. 

Yes… I only have her as my family member. According to her, I lost my parents in an accident. But she never said what accident it was. I was an only child as well and miraculously survived. 

I nodded in response.

“I see… We will make sure to pay you well so you can also send money to your grandmother back home.” Evren said.

“So what will I do as an herbalist in the castle?” I finally asked.

“As I said, it would be a waste to waste such talent in herbalism. I’ve arranged for you to assist the royal physician while you’re here.”

“What do you mean by talent? I only saved you that night by stopping your bleeding.”

He only smiled in response and didn’t say anything else.

We stayed quiet for a few minutes until the carriage stopped in front of the castle’s entrance. My hands shook from nervousness at the realization that I would be living in the castle under Evren’s watch and having to hide the fact that I am a mage.

“Looks like we are here,” Jake said as he was the first to walk out of the carriage, then waited right by its door.

Evren followed after and held out his hand for me to hold as I stepped out of the carriage. 

There, the huge castle greeted us. Servants lined up in front of the carriage for some reason. Aren’t they royal guards? Why are the servants greeting them?

“Welcome back, Your Highness!” The servants said in unison.

Your Highness?! I whipped my head to look back at Evren.

He stood beside me as though nothing unusual had happened, wearing the same annoying, amused smile. 

My stomach dropped.

I dug my own grave when I saved that man on my doorstep. 

“You-” I started at him. “You’re the Crown Prince?”

Evren’s smile widened. “I was wondering when you would figure it out.”