[Haldor's POV—The Lodge—The Next Day]
Dawn never truly reached the road we followed.
Mist clung low to the ground as the two Astreon riders moved ahead of us, their cloaks blending into the grey light. They rode with confidence—too much confidence for men who believed they were being hunted.
Zerith stayed close behind me.
Silent and waiting, the road curved away from the capital, then narrowed into something unnamed—no markers, no travelers, only the sound of hooves and the quiet certainty that this was no accident.
Then—one of them slowed.
He did not turn, but...
"Looks like the Crown Princess has already found out about us," he said calmly, almost amused.
The other laughed softly. "Of course she has. Monsters have sharp instincts."
I pulled my reins and stopped.
"So," the first continued, finally turning his head slightly, "you must be Crown Prince Haldor."
I lifted my gaze and met his eyes, astreon eyes. Cold. Knowing. Curious.
I smirked.
