The first town we entered was small. Quiet. Ordinary. The kind of place where no one knew our names or the burdens we carried.
Cassian laughed at the bakery, chose bread carelessly, and I realized how long it had been since I had allowed myself to smile without fear.
I leaned against him, feeling the warmth of life again. No crown. No curse. No whispers.
"Do you think they'll ever forget me?" I asked softly.
"They might," he said. "But they'll never forget the woman you are."
And that was enough.