Far from the suffocating bustle of the Imperial City, the mountain roads stretched beneath a clear blue sky. The farther they traveled, the quieter the world became. The sounds of the capital gradually disappeared behind them, replaced by the rustling of trees and the distant calls of birds.
Alder guided the carriage steadily along the winding road. Inside, Zion sat beside Callista, the curtains fluttering gently whenever the mountain wind slipped through the window. Beyond them, layers of green peaks rose and fell across the horizon.
After a while, Zion glanced at Callista.
"Now that we've left the Imperial City, you don't need to keep pretending anymore."
Maintaining their carefully constructed image day after day was certainly inconvenient.
Callista's lips curved faintly.
"If we encounter anyone in the mountains, however, my secret could be exposed."
She glanced down at her legs before continuing.
