The tea party came to an end shortly before sunset.
One by one, the young ladies departed in their family carriages, exchanging warm farewells and promises to meet again.
Marbella stepped into her own carriage.
"Back to the mansion, My Lady?" Mia asked.
Marbella glanced outside.
The streets were still lively with merchants and townspeople enjoying the pleasant afternoon.
She shook her head.
"Not yet."
"I'd like to stop by the central market."
Mia looked surprised but nodded.
"As you wish."
The Imperial Capital's central market was as bustling as ever.
Street performers entertained laughing children while merchants loudly advertised their finest goods.
Marbella slowly walked through the crowded streets with Mia following closely behind.
She had not visited this place in years.
After becoming Empress in her previous life, every outing had required dozens of guards and servants.
Simple walks like this had become impossible.
"My Lady."
Mia pointed toward a nearby bakery.
"Would you like to try their honey bread?"
Marbella smiled faintly.
"I remember Father bringing some home when I was little."
"It was your favorite."
"It still is."
Mia laughed softly.
"I'll buy some."
As Mia joined the queue, Marbella continued walking at a leisurely pace.
Then…
A loud commotion erupted nearby.
"Move!"
"Make way!"
Several people hurried aside as a frightened horse charged through the street, dragging an empty carriage behind it.
Merchants abandoned their stalls.
Parents pulled their children to safety.
Marbella instinctively stepped back.
A little girl, no older than six, stood frozen in the middle of the road.
She couldn't move.
Her terrified eyes were fixed on the approaching horse.
Without thinking, Marbella ran.
She reached the child just as the horse came within a few steps.
Wrapping both arms around the little girl, Marbella threw them toward the side of the street.
The carriage thundered past.
Only inches away.
A collective gasp rose from the crowd.
"My Lady!"
Mia rushed over, her face pale.
"Are you hurt?"
Marbella slowly sat up.
"I'm fine."
The little girl clung tightly to her dress, sobbing uncontrollably.
"It's alright."
Marbella gently stroked her hair.
"You're safe now."
A woman hurried through the crowd before falling to her knees.
"My daughter!"
She embraced the little girl before repeatedly bowing to Marbella.
"Thank you!"
"Thank you so much!"
Marbella simply smiled.
"I'm glad she's unharmed."
The crowd gradually relaxed.
Many praised the young lady of House Petrovic for her bravery.
Some even applauded.
Marbella paid little attention.
She was brushing the dust from her dress when she noticed something.
Someone was watching her.
Standing across the street.
A tall man dressed in a dark traveling cloak.
Unlike the surrounding merchants and nobles, he wore no family crest.
His face was partially hidden beneath the shadow of his hood.
Yet even from a distance…
She could feel his piercing gaze.
For a brief moment…
Their eyes met.
Marbella frowned.
There was something unusual about him.
Before she could take another look, the man turned and disappeared into the crowd.
"…Strange."
"My Lady?"
"Nothing."
Perhaps she had imagined it.
Several streets away.
The hooded man entered a quiet alley where another figure was already waiting.
"Well?"
The newcomer asked.
The man removed his hood.
Silver hair shimmered beneath the fading sunlight.
His sharp steel-blue eyes remained fixed in the direction of the market.
"So?"
His companion smiled knowingly.
"You've been standing there for quite some time."
The silver-haired man answered calmly.
"I found something interesting."
"Oh?"
"A noble lady."
His companion laughed.
"That hardly sounds unusual."
"It is."
The silver-haired man looked toward the bustling streets once more.
"She moved without hesitation."
"There was no calculation."
"No concern for her own safety."
His companion raised an eyebrow.
"And who might this remarkable lady be?"
The silver-haired man recalled the cheers of the crowd.
A single name echoed in his mind.
"Marbella Petrovic."
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"It seems…"
"My journey to Terraina won't be as boring as I expected."
Neither man noticed…
Far behind them…
A pair of watchful eyes silently disappeared into the gathering dusk.