Ashford brimmed with noise. Merchants shouting prices, adventurers boasting of feats, guards marching in disciplined lines, etc.
Beneath that noise, however, something else stirred. Yumina could feel it as she walked: a faint pressure, like a hand resting on the city's spine.
She adjusted her pace, Alice's small hand wrapped around her own.
"So," Yumina said casually, not looking back, "you said Damon is already here."
Kurena nodded, walking half a step behind. "Yes. He arrived quietly. No banners, no spectacle. He rented an estate near the noble quarter."
"Of course he did," Yumina muttered. "Men like him love pretending they're civilized."
"And what are you planning to do?" Kurena asked. "If you attack him head-on..."
"I won't," Yumina interrupted. "Not yet."
She stopped in the middle of a crowded street, forcing Kurena to halt as well.
"I don't know this city. I don't know its balance of power. And I don't know how deep Damon's claws are sunk into it," Yumina said, eyes half-lidded. "Charging in would be… inelegant."
Alice tugged on her sleeve. "Then what will you do?"
Yumina smiled down at her. "Observe. Learn. And make sure no one important gets hurt in the meantime."
Kurena swallowed. "You mean the princess."
Yumina's smile widened just a little. "Exactly."
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High above the bustling streets, within a luxurious residence, Princess Kiana Valliere stood before a mirror, adjusting her noble clothes.
"…It still feels like armor," she said with a sigh.
Aris stood a short distance away, arms crossed, expression impassive. "It is designed to project dignity, Your Highness."
"That's just a polite way of saying it's restrictive."
Kiana turned away from the mirror, pacing the room. "Ashford is larger than Eldara. Louder. Messier. Yet I'm still confined to rooms like this."
"You are protected," Aris replied calmly.
Kiana stopped and faced her. "Protected from what? Living?"
Aris did not answer immediately.
Kiana exhaled slowly. "Aris. You swore to follow my orders."
"Yes."
"And you advise against reckless actions."
"Yes."
"Then advise me now," Kiana said. "Because I refuse to spend my life staring out of windows."
Aris hesitated. "Walking freely through the city increases risk. Adventurers, foreign factions, criminals..."
"And citizens," Kiana interrupted. "The people I'm supposed to care for."
Aris sighed. "Very well. A short walk. I will remain close."
Kiana smiled. "That's good enough."
They did not go far.
Near the artisan district, raised voices spilled into the street. A demihuman shopkeeper was being harassed by two adventurers.
"I warned you the item was fragile!" the shopkeeper pleaded.
"Then don't sell junk!" one of the adventurers snapped, shoving him backward.
Kiana stopped.
Aris moved to stop the commotion, but Kiana raised a finger.
"Wait."
She stepped forward, her voice steady. "Is this how adventurers resolve disputes? With threats?"
The men turned, irritated, then paused at her refined attire.
"Mind your business, lady," one scoffed. "This doesn't concern you."
At this moment, Kiana was using a concealing spell on her face, preventing commoners from spotting her in the wild. That being said, a skilled enough mage would still be able to see through the disguise. Despite not many people knowing how the princess actually looks like, it was still a safe method.
Kiana's eyes hardened.
She raised her hand deliberately. The air around her palm distorted, mana gathering with clear intent.
"It does," she said. "Because this city's law forbids assault. And because power used without restraint is nothing but cowardice."
The pressure descended instantly.
The adventurers' bodies grew heavy, their knees bending as if gravity itself had doubled.
"W-What is this?!" one gasped.
"Enough," Kiana said calmly.
She closed her hand.
The pressure vanished.
The two men staggered backward, fear overtaking anger. Without another word, they fled into the crowd.
The shopkeeper stared in disbelief. "Th-Thank you, miss…"
Kiana bowed her head slightly. "Please… take care."
As they walked away, Aris glanced at her. "Stepping up for yourself at last?"
"Yes," Kiana replied.
A small smile tugged at her lips. "And I don't regret it."
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Elsewhere in Ashford, behind tall iron gates and immaculate gardens, Damon Bowers sat at a polished table, drinking wine in a crystal glass.
Reports were laid neatly before him.
"Public sentiment remains stable," a subordinate said. "No major disturbances."
"Good," Damon replied. "Stability breeds complacency."
"And the princess?"
"Still within noble quarters. Limited exposure."
Damon smiled faintly. "That will correct itself eventually."
A knock echoed through the room.
"Enter."
A man bowed. "Kai is missing. Kurena has not reported back."
Damon's expression remained calm. "I see."
He turned back to the window. "Then a new variable has entered play."
A soft chuckle escaped him. "How refreshing."
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Back in the lower districts, Yumina paused atop a stone bridge, gazing toward the noble quarter.
"She's here," she murmured.
Alice tilted her head. "The princess?"
"Yes," Yumina replied. "And she's already causing a commotion."
Kurena shifted uneasily. "You haven't even seen her."
Yumina smirked. "You don't need eyes to feel intent."
She stretched lazily. "If Damon wants her, then she's either dangerous for him or potentially an important ally...Guess I'll introduce myself properly and find out."