The deeper they went into Virellion Square, the stranger the world around Rosaline became.

At first, the roads had been crowded but manageable....merchants shouting over one another, children weaving through legs, musicians sitting lazily near fountains while plucking at old string instruments. But now, as Matthew led them farther from the main district, the atmosphere shifted into something rougher, louder, and strangely thrilling.

The lanterns hanging overhead grew dimmer.

The streets narrowed.

And yet, life seemed to bloom even more wildly there.

Rosaline slowed slightly as they entered a darker stretch of the square, her gaze instinctively lifting toward the shadows between buildings. The path ahead flickered with uneven orange light from torches nailed carelessly against wooden beams, while smoke curled into the evening sky from grills and fire pits scattered around.

"This place..." she murmured quietly.

Matthew glanced back at her, noticing the hesitation in her steps almost immediately.

"Don’t worry," he said with an easy grin. "It looks worse than it is."

Lily snorted softly behind them. "That’s exactly what suspicious people say before trouble starts."

Matthew pressed a hand dramatically against his chest. "You wound me."

Rosaline laughed before she could stop herself, the sound soft and light, and for a moment even Lily relaxed slightly.

Then Rosaline looked ahead again.

And her breath caught.

The place before her looked nothing like the polished festivals of Everbloom Kingdom.

There were no noble banners.

No carefully arranged decorations.

No musicians waiting for permission to perform.

This place was chaos.

Beautiful chaos.

People gathered around roaring fires while performers swallowed flames and spat them into the air, creating bright bursts of heat that lit the night in violent flashes of orange and gold.

Men wrestled in circles while crowds screamed encouragement. Dice rolled over wooden tables surrounded by drunk spectators yelling loud enough to shake the walls around them.

Music thundered from somewhere unseen.

Laughter mixed with shouting.

The smell of grilled meat and wine flooded the air heavily enough to make Rosaline’s head spin.

And somehow....

Everyone looked alive.

Not restrained.

Not careful.

Alive.

Her green eyes widened slowly as she turned in place, trying to take in everything at once.

"It’s incredible..." she whispered.

Matthew watched her reaction with obvious satisfaction.

He had known from the start that she would look at this place differently than nobles usually did. Most wealthy people entered districts like this with disgust written plainly across their faces.

But Rosaline?

She looked fascinated.

Like someone who had lived too long trapped behind glass and had suddenly been allowed to breathe real air.

"I knew you’d like it," Matthew said smugly.

Lily folded her arms. "You’re getting too proud of yourself."

"Can you blame me?" he replied. "Look at her face."

Rosaline ignored both of them as another burst of fire exploded into the air nearby, drawing an involuntary gasp from her lips.

The flames reflected brightly in her pale hair, making it glow gold for a moment.

And Matthew blinked.

For a second, she looked less like a sheltered duchess and more like some strange spirit wandering through the night.

"Come," he said quickly, recovering himself. "I’ll show you something more fun."

He led them toward a crowded stall where several people gathered around a line marked on the ground.

At the center stood a wooden target.

Arrows rested nearby.

Rosaline tilted her head slightly.

"A game?"

Matthew nodded immediately. "You shoot the arrow. If you hit the center, you win."

"And if I don’t?"

The grin on his face widened dangerously.

"You drink."

Lily narrowed her eyes instantly. "No."

Matthew blinked innocently. "No?"

"She’s not getting drunk in a place like this."

Rosaline laughed softly. "Lily..."

"No," Lily repeated firmly, stepping closer to whisper to her. "We still have to return before the Duke notices you disappeared."

At the mention of Xandros, Rosaline’s expression shifted faintly.

Then she looked away.

"Why should I worry about that?" she murmured quietly. "He probably won’t even notice how long I’m gone."

Lily frowned immediately.

Rosaline continued before she could interrupt.

"Besides..." Her voice softened slightly. "I spent years trapped in Everbloom like a prisoner everyone forgot existed. If this is the first freedom I’ve gotten in years..." She smiled faintly. "Then I want to enjoy it properly."

Lily’s expression softened almost painfully at those words.

Because she remembered.

She remembered the lonely cottage.

The silent birthdays.

The nights Rosaline pretended not to cry.

And suddenly, Lily found herself unable to refuse her anything.

"...Fine," she muttered finally. "But only one drink if you lose."

Matthew pumped his fist victoriously. "Excellent."

Rosaline shook her head with a laugh as the stall owner handed her the bow.

It was heavier than she expected.

Her fingers adjusted awkwardly around the wood as she stared at the target ahead.

"You’ve never done this before, have you?" Matthew asked.

"Does it show?"

"Painfully."

Rosaline rolled her eyes slightly before positioning the arrow carefully.

The crowd around them watched with amusement.

She pulled the string back.

Too stiffly.

Too uncertain.

And the moment she released it.....

The arrow flew wildly off course.

The crowd burst into laughter.

Rosaline stared in disbelief. "That cannot be right."

Matthew nearly doubled over laughing. "That was terrible."

Lily covered her mouth, clearly trying not to laugh too.

Rosaline turned toward them with betrayal written plainly across her face.

"You’re both horrible."

The stall owner handed her a cup of wine immediately.

"A deal is a deal."

Rosaline narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the drink before taking it carefully.

The taste burned slightly going down.

Her face scrunched instantly.

Matthew laughed harder.

"Oh, you really are sheltered."

"I hate you," she muttered.

"No you don’t."

And annoyingly.....

He was right.

The second attempt was different.

Rosaline stood straighter this time.

More focused.

The laughter around her faded as she narrowed her gaze toward the target ahead.

She could feel the rough texture of the bow beneath her fingers. Could feel the tension of the string pressing against her hand as she slowly pulled it back again.

The world seemed to quiet.

Her breathing steadied.

The firelight flickered against the arrowhead.

And then.....

She released.

The arrow sliced cleanly through the air.

And struck directly near the center.

The crowd erupted.

Rosaline blinked in shock.

Then slowly smiled.

"I did it."

Matthew stared dramatically. "waaaw....what a wonder!!."

Lily clapped immediately. "That’s my lady."

Rosaline turned toward the stall owner proudly.

"What do I win?"

The man gestured toward several prizes scattered behind him.

Rosaline’s eyes moved over them slowly before landing on a small wooden box carved delicately with strange black patterns.

"That one."

The man handed it to her.

And just as her fingers closed around it....

Everything changed.

A scream tore through the air.

Then....

Fire exploded nearby.

The flames rose violently across one side of the square, spreading unnaturally fast as people scattered in panic.

Rosaline jerked backward instinctively as another burst of fire crashed against the stall she had just stood beside moments ago.

"What is happening?!" Lily shouted.

Matthew’s expression darkened instantly.

"That’s not part of the show."

Another explosion sounded.

This time closer.

People were running now.

Screaming.

Pushing against one another desperately.

Rosaline barely had time to react before Lily grabbed her wrist tightly.

"We need to leave now!"

Matthew moved immediately to shield them from the rushing crowd. "This way!"

The three of them ran through the chaos together, smoke beginning to choke the air around them as flames spread wildly across nearby tents.

Rosaline’s heart pounded violently in her chest.

The noise was overwhelming.

Shouts.

Cries.

The sound of metal clashing somewhere deeper in the square.

And then Matthew cursed suddenly.

"Rogiths."

Rosaline froze for half a second. "What?"

"They attack during crowded nights!" he shouted back. "Keep moving!"

Lily tightened her grip on Rosaline’s hand painfully as they turned sharply into a darker corner hidden behind stacked crates and barrels.

All three of them crouched low.

Breathing hard.

The sounds outside seemed distant for one dangerous moment.

Then....

Footsteps.

Heavy.

Slow.

Approaching.

Rosaline’s entire body stiffened.

Several shadows appeared against the wall ahead.

Men.

Armed.

She could hear metal scraping softly.

Could hear rough voices speaking low enough to make her stomach twist.

Lily slowly covered her mouth to stop herself from breathing too loudly.

Matthew’s face had gone pale.

Rosaline’s fingers trembled against her sleeve as panic flooded her chest.

They’re going to find us.

The footsteps stopped.

Right outside.

Silence fell.

A horrible silence.

Rosaline held her breath so hard her lungs burned painfully.

Then.....

Movement.

One of them was turning toward their hiding place.

Rosaline saw the edge of a blade first.

Then boots.

And before she could even scream.....

Something warm splashed against her.

Her eyes widened.

The metallic scent hit her immediately.

Blood.

Rosaline froze.

Her hands shook as she slowly touched the liquid staining her sleeve.

Red.

Bright red.

For one terrifying second, she thought it was hers.

Then the body before her collapsed heavily onto the ground.

And she looked up.

Straight into furious gray eyes.

Xandros.

He stood there like something carved from violence itself.

Blood stained the sleeve of his black coat, splattered lightly across his jaw and gloves, while the sword in his hand dripped steadily onto the stone floor beneath him.

Behind him, chaos still echoed faintly through the square.

But around him...

Everything felt terrifyingly still.

Rosaline stared.

Unable to move and unable to breathe the same time.

The fury in his eyes was unlike anything she had ever seen before.

Not cold.

Not amused.

Furious.

As though the mere sight of this situation had awakened something brutal inside him.

Behind her, Lily and Matthew slowly stood as well, both visibly shaken.

Outside the alley, more sounds of fighting echoed briefly before fading.

Retreat.

The bandits were retreating.

And judging by the blood staining Xandros’ blade...

It was because of him.

Silence stretched heavily between them.

Then finally.....

He spoke.

"Rosaline."