Lyria woke before sunrise—far earlier than usual.
For a moment she lay still, staring up at the canopy of her bed, listening to the soft hum of the palace awakening. Normally she would drift back to sleep or summon her maids for a slow, lazy morning.
But today her heart was beating too fast for that.
I'll see her today.
The thought slipped in before she could block it.
She pushed herself up, brushing a hand through her hair as warmth crept into her cheeks. It was ridiculous—she saw Raven often enough. They trained together sometimes, crossed paths in the halls, talked briefly between lessons and duties. This shouldn't feel different.
Except now Raven was…
protecting her.
By choice.
Lyria pressed a hand lightly against her chest, trying to calm the fluttering there.
A knock sounded at her door.
"Your Highness? Shall we prepare your bath?" a maid called.
"Yes," Lyria answered quickly. "And… something light for breakfast."
They entered to assist her, but Lyria found herself brushing them off more than usual.
"No—no need to braid it like that. Just tie it simply… yes, that's fine."
"No, the blue dress isn't necessary, something more… comfortable."
"That one. Yes. The simple one."
Kara, if she were here, would definitely tease her for it.
As Lyria stood before her mirror, smoothing the soft cream-colored dress over her waist, she took a long breath.
You're acting ridiculous, she told herself.
She's a friend. A friend who saved your life. A friend you want to understand more. That's all.
And yet…
Her hands were slightly trembling.
When she finished dressing, she grabbed a cloak and headed to meet Kara in the courtyard—she and Raven were supposed to explore the market together today, after all.
Kara was already waiting by the fountain, casually tossing pebbles into the water. She looked up when she heard footsteps.
"Oh?" Kara smirked. "You're early. That's new."
Lyria stiffened. "I'm simply… prepared."
"Prepared," Kara repeated, tapping her chin dramatically. "Not excited? Not eager? Not hopelessly—"
"Kara," Lyria warned.
"Alright, alright," Kara laughed, raising her hands. "But you look very pretty for someone who specifically said this was 'just a casual outing.'"
Lyria flushed. "This is my normal look. Completely normal. Absolutely normal."
"Mhm," Kara hummed skeptically.
Before Lyria could argue, she sensed a shift in the air—a faint ripple of mana, subtle but unmistakable. It was cold, controlled, and strangely familiar.
Lyria's heart skipped.
She turned just as Raven stepped through the palace gates.
Dressed simply—dark trousers, fitted shirt, short hair brushing the wind—walking with that steady, quiet confidence that made every guard along the wall stiffen without knowing why.
Raven's eyes found Lyria almost instantly.
And Lyria… forgot how to breathe for a moment.
Raven approached, expression calm, voice soft.
"Good morning."
Lyria smiled—bright, involuntary. "Good morning."
Kara leaned in and whispered, "Normal, huh?"
Lyria elbowed her.
Raven looked between them, puzzled. "Did I… interrupt something?"
"No!" Lyria said too quickly. "Nothing at all."
Raven's eyes lingered on her for a second longer than usual, unreadable.
Then she shifted her gaze toward the road.
"Shall we go?"
"Yes," Lyria answered, trying to ignore the warmth flooding her cheeks. "Let's… let's go."
As the three of them began walking toward the city, Lyria's steps felt lighter than they had in weeks.
Today, she told herself, she would learn a little more about Raven.
Not the warrior, not the mysterious girl with dark mana—
but the person.
And maybe…
Raven would learn something about her too.
The sun hung low, warm and golden, when the three of them finally stepped into the busy heart of the capital's market. Voices overlapped in the air—merchants shouting prices, children running past with sticky hands, spices drifting in colorful clouds.
Kara led the way with enthusiasm, practically vibrating.
"Come on, you two! If we're late, the fruit sellers will run out of the sweet pears!"
Lyria laughed softly, following close behind. "Kara, we're not racing."
Raven walked a step behind them, quiet as always, but her eyes were everywhere—sharp, calculating, watching for danger hidden between cheerful faces.
It made Lyria smile to herself.
Always guarding. Even when she doesn't realize she's doing it.
They passed a row of fabric stalls, where silk banners fluttered like colored flames. One bright scarf blew loose on the wind, landing right on Raven's shoulder.
The vendor gasped. "Oh! It suits you perfectly!"
Before Raven could remove it, Lyria reached forward, fingers brushing Raven's collarbone as she gently lifted the scarf away.
"It does look good on you," Lyria said—too casually, yet her heart thumped.
Raven blinked down at her, expression unreadable. "I don't wear silk."
"I know," Lyria whispered, smiling. "But I wanted to see it anyway."
Raven looked away quickly—just a small movement, but enough to show she felt something.
Kara noticed and smirked. "Why don't you two just—"
"Kara."
Lyria said her name sharply.
Kara raised her hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. I'll shut up."
They continued through the market.
A vendor selling candied almonds waved Kara over.
"Favorite troublemaker! Want another sample?"
Kara eagerly accepted, talking with the vendor about prices.
Lyria leaned toward Raven. "Do you like sweets?"
Raven shook her head. "Not really."
"You've said that before," Lyria said, tilting her head. "But you've never told me what you do like."
Raven hesitated.
Lyria's smile softened.
"It's alright. You don't have to tell me yet. I'll figure it out."
Something flickered in Raven's eyes—something fragile, almost frightened.
Lyria felt her chest tighten.
Why does she look like she expects the world to abandon her?
They passed a stall selling hair ornaments—crystal pins, silver combs, small charms carved from stone.
Lyria slowed, her gaze drawn to a midnight-black charm shaped like a wing. The vendor noticed.
"A beautiful choice, Your Highness. For yourself?"
Lyria opened her mouth—
But Raven suddenly stepped closer behind her.
"It suits you," Raven said calmly .
Lyria's heart jolted.
The vendor beamed. "Then should I wrap it for the princess?"
Before Lyria could speak, Raven shook her head.
"Yes please , I will buy it for you.
The vendor looked happy .
Lyria looked confused and said, No, you don't have to do that , I didn't really want it ."
But the truth was—
Lyria suddenly did want that charm.
Because Raven had noticed it.
"It's a gift," Raven said with a small smile, "for defending me before the councillors and nobles that day , I know it's not much, but I hope you'll accept it."
She said shyly , It may be a simple and inexpensive gift, but it will be my most precious possession ,Thank you, I loved it so much ."
Kara watching them silently with smirk.
lyria smiled softly to herself and she hugged the gift to her heart as they walked away.
A group of nobles passed by—whispering when they recognized Lyria.
Their gazes slid to Raven.
Their expressions twisted with fear or disgust.
Raven's posture stiffened, shadows gathering around her like instinctive armor.
Lyria immediately stepped closer to her, close enough that their shoulders brushed.
"You don't have to look at them," she murmured.
Raven didn't respond, but the tension in her shoulders eased—just a little.
Kara noticed and frowned.
"They really don't deserve to breathe the same air as us."
"Let it go," Raven said. But her voice had that cold bite Lyria recognized—pain sharpened into indifference.
Lyria's hand almost reached for Raven's—
but she stopped herself at the last moment.
Still, she whispered, "You're not alone."
The noise of the market swallowed the words—
But Raven heard them.
Her breath caught, barely noticeable.
And Lyria smiled.