The capital was blanketed in heavy snowfall today, the air thick with the chill of winter. Snowflakes swirled lazily from the gray sky, settling in soft drifts across the streets.
"Crunch, crunch…"
Dahlia trudged through the snow, her boots sinking halfway into the powdery layer with each step. She shook her head, a faint frown creasing her brow. The capital's winter was a stark contrast to Sedona City. Back there, the streets would've been cleared by now, the paths kept tidy even in the worst of storms. Here, the main roads were left untouched, buried under a thick, unyielding blanket of white. The cold bit at her exposed skin, and she pulled her cloak tighter, her breath forming small clouds in the frigid air.
"Phew…" Dahlia exhaled softly, tilting her head to watch the snowflakes drift down. Each one caught the dim light of the overcast sky, glinting like tiny stars before melting into the ground. Her thoughts wandered to Princess Lucy, who had left the capital over ten days ago. "I wonder where she is now," Dahlia murmured to herself, her voice barely audible over the muffled quiet of the snow-covered city. The princess's absence left a strange void, a reminder of how quickly things could change.
Today, Dahlia was on a mission to visit Catherine. She wanted to ask if Catherine would join her on the journey to Sedona City. Dahlia had spent the past few days tying up loose ends, organizing supplies, and preparing for her departure. Tomorrow, she would leave the capital behind, arriving in Sedona City just in time for the first breath of spring. The thought of the warmer climate and blooming fields brought a flicker of warmth to her heart, a stark contrast to the icy streets she now navigated.
"Crunch…"
Dahlia lifted her left foot, shaking off the snow that clung to her boot before taking another laborious step forward. Her long, crimson hair swayed with the motion, and she flicked it back, dislodging the snowflakes that had settled in her locks. A pang of nostalgia hit her—she missed the umbrellas of Sedona City. They were perfect for shielding against rain or snow, and she regretted not bringing one to the capital. The snow was relentless, dusting her shoulders and hair with a fine layer of white.
"Miss Dahlia, someone's following us," Her guard, a young knight, whispered, his voice low and cautious. His eyes darted behind them, scanning the street for any signs of movement.
Dahlia's steps faltered for a moment, but she quickly resumed her steady pace. Her azure eyes flickered with a mix of annoyance and resignation. "Ignore them," She said coolly, her voice steady despite the chill. "Let them follow."
She didn't need to guess who was trailing her. It was the same factions desperate to hitch their wagons to her journey to Sedona City. They watched her every move, suspicious that she might deceive them or leave without notice. Dahlia's lips curled into a wry smile. They weren't wrong to be cautious—she *was* planning to leave tomorrow, and she suspected a fleet of ships would be trailing her across the sea. How many would follow? She couldn't say for sure, but the thought amused her.
"How many ships are at the port right now?" She asked, her tone casual but pointed.
"Over five hundred, my lady," The knight replied respectfully, his breath visible in the cold air.
Dahlia's smile turned colder. "So, they've caught on that I'm leaving." She'd been gathering supplies for days, and anyone paying attention would've noticed her preparations. The capital was a web of spies and informants, and her movements hadn't gone unnoticed. The factions were ready to follow her to Sedona City, chasing the promise of opportunity in a new land.
"Crunch…"
After nearly an hour of trudging through the snow, Dahlia arrived at the imposing gates of the Duke's mansion, Catherine's home. The heavy wooden doors were shut tight, their dark surface dusted with snow. Her knight stepped forward and pounded on the gate, the sound echoing dully in the quiet street.
"Thud, thud, thud!"
A moment later, the gate creaked open with a groan. A guard knight peered out, his brow furrowed until his gaze landed on Dahlia. Recognition softened his expression—after all, she was the woman his master was pursuing.
"Miss Dahlia, are you here to see Miss Catherine?" The guard asked, his tone polite, almost deferential. If it had been anyone else, even an earl, he wouldn't have bothered with such courtesy.
"Yes, please inform her of my arrival," Dahlia replied, her voice calm and courteous despite the cold seeping into her bones.
"Of course, please wait a moment." The guard nodded and closed the gate, leaving Dahlia standing in the snow.
She sighed, her breath misting in the air as she gazed up at the towering walls of the Duke's mansion. "It's nothing more than a gilded cage," She muttered under her breath. The opulence of the mansion couldn't hide its true nature—a prison for Catherine, who had been confined here for weeks. Dahlia had visited a few times since Catherine's confinement, but most of her attempts to see her friend had been rebuffed. She'd only managed two brief visits.
The first was ten days ago, when Catherine had clung to her, sobbing uncontrollably. The carrier pigeon Lucas had entrusted to Catherine—a lifeline to the outside world—had been killed by her older brother. The memory of Catherine's tear-streaked face still lingered in Dahlia's mind, a sharp reminder of the cruelty within these walls.
The second visit, five days ago, had been bittersweet. Dahlia had smuggled one of her own carrier pigeons to Catherine, hoping to lift her spirits. The sight of Catherine's face lighting up with a rare smile had warmed Dahlia's heart, but it was clear her friend was deeply unhappy, trapped in a life she didn't choose.
The gate creaked open again, snapping Dahlia out of her thoughts. The guard knight reappeared, a smile on his face. "Miss Dahlia, the Duke has granted permission for you to see Miss Catherine. Please follow me."
"Thank you," Dahlia said, accepting the small gift the knight handed her—a token of courtesy, perhaps. She followed him inside, her boots leaving wet tracks on the stone floor.
"No need to thank me," The guard said softly, his voice warm. "Miss Catherine will be thrilled to see you."
Dahlia nodded silently, her azure eyes scanning the Duke's mansion as they walked. The interior was eerily quiet, the vast halls cold and empty save for the occasional patrol of knights. Their armored footsteps echoed faintly, a stark contrast to the lively bustle of Sedona City. The air smelled faintly of polished wood and wax, but there was no warmth here, no life.
After several turns through the sprawling mansion, they reached Catherine's quarters. The guard gave a respectful salute and retreated, leaving Dahlia alone. She took a moment to steady herself, adjusting the gift in her hands and forcing a gentle smile onto her lips. She stepped forward and knocked lightly on the door, but before she could speak, a hoarse, anguished voice rang out from within.
"Go away! I don't want to see anyone! Leave me alone!" Catherine's voice was raw, trembling with emotion.
Dahlia's brow furrowed. She could guess what had happened—the Duke, or perhaps Catherine's brother, had forced her into something she despised. With a sigh, Dahlia knocked again, her voice soft and soothing. "Catherine, it's me. Dahlia."
The sound of hurried footsteps came from inside, and the door flew open. Catherine stood there, her eyes red and swollen, her hair disheveled. Gone was the playful, spirited girl Dahlia knew. In her place was someone broken, her face streaked with tears.
"Catherine, what's wrong?" Dahlia asked, her voice laced with concern. She stepped forward, gently taking her friend's trembling hands.
Catherine let out a choked sob and threw herself into Dahlia's arms, her body shaking as she cried. "The pigeon… it's gone again," She mumbled, her words muffled against Dahlia's shoulder.
Dahlia's eyes widened in shock. "What? He killed it again?"
Catherine nodded, a small, pitiful sound escaping her throat.
"Come on, let's go inside." Dahlia guided Catherine into the room, closing the door behind them. The room was dimly lit, the air heavy with the scent of lavender and sorrow. "Tell me what happened. Did he know it was a carrier pigeon?"
"He knew," Catherine said, her voice breaking as fresh tears welled up. She looked so fragile, her tear-streaked face tugging at Dahlia's heart.
"Shh, it's okay. Don't cry," Dahlia said softly, wiping the tears from Catherine's cheeks. "Tell me everything. How did he find out?"
"He bribed one of my maids," Catherine said, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and betrayal. "She told him everything."
Dahlia's frown deepened. The loss of the pigeon was devastating, but the betrayal of a trusted maid—one who had served Catherine for years—cut even deeper. Catherine had always been kind to her servants, treating them like family. To have one turn against her must have shattered her trust.
Catherine's lip quivered as she looked up at Dahlia, her eyes wide and fearful. "The pigeons are all gone now. What if Lord Lucas blames me?"
Dahlia blinked, almost rolling her eyes. She'd thought Catherine's tears were for the maid's betrayal, but it was Lucas's opinion that weighed on her mind. The carrier pigeons were Catherine's only connection to Sedona City, to the life she dreamed of beyond these walls. Losing them felt like losing hope itself.
"Will he be angry with me?" Catherine asked, her voice small and desperate. Tears welled up again, threatening to spill over. The pigeons were more than just birds—they were her lifeline, her tether to a world where she wasn't a prisoner. Without them, she felt adrift, cut off from the one person who represented freedom.
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