"Huh?!" Liliana gasped, her heart hammering against her ribs. "What are you doing?"
"It is a sight you should not have to see," Elias said, his voice unusually soft, almost protective.
"Let me see!" Liliana insisted, gently pulling his hands away.
When Elias finally stepped back, Liliana froze. Beneath the gnarled roots of an ancient tree lay the lifeless body of a large black cat, half-buried in the mud. The tiny kitten they had been following was curled up against the cold fur of its mother's head, let out a weak, heart-wrenching mewl.
"Oh, God..." Liliana whispered. A wave of suffocating empathy washed over her. She saw herself in that kitten—small, defenseless, and suddenly alone in a world that didn't care. "It must be her mother."
"Most likely a victim of yesterday's storm," Elias noted, looking at the fallen branches nearby. "We should bury her. And the kitten..."
"I'm taking her with me," Liliana said firmly, scooping the shivering creature into the folds of her cloak.
Elias looked at her for a moment, seeing a flash of fierce determination in her eyes that didn't belong to a simple merchant's daughter. "Alright."
He used a fallen branch and his own hands to dig a shallow grave beneath the tree. Once the task was done, they rode back to the mansion in a reflective silence.
The Mansion Grounds
"My Lord!" Keiran shouted, running toward them with a look of pure relief. "I was just about to send a search party! Are you alright? Lady Lil?"
"What is that in your hands?" Ria asked, hurrying to Liliana's side.
"We are fine,Lord Keiran," Liliana said, showing them the tiny black face peeking out from her cloak. "We found this little one on the way."
"I see," Ria murmured, her eyes softening. "So... who won the race?"
"No one." Liliana offered a small, tired smile. "We'll finish our race another time, should the chance ever arise."
"Yes," Elias agreed, his gaze lingering on Liliana. "It's late. Let us eat."
"Everything is ready," Keiran added. "You two have been gone nearly the whole day."
The Dining Hall
The dinner was quieter than usual. The tiny kitten, now cleaned and fed, was sleeping soundly in a basket near the hearth.
"Lord Elias," Liliana said, breaking the silence.
"Yes?"
"We are truly thankful for your hospitality, but we must leave. We intend to be on our way tomorrow morning."
Keiran paused with his fork halfway to his mouth, but Elias merely nodded, though a shadow of disappointment crossed his face. "I would have liked you to stay longer, but if you must go, I cannot hold you captive."
"We are deeply grateful for everything," Ria added.
"And where will you go from here?" Keiran asked.
"We plan to explore more of Korellia first," Liliana answered vaguely. "And after that... we shall see where the road takes us."
"I wish you safe travels then," Keiran said.
Elias's Private Office
Late that night, Elias stood by the window, watching the moonlight reflect off the puddles in the garden.
"The King has sent a letter," Keiran said, entering the room and placing a parchment on the desk. "He insists you return to the capital before the festival begins."
"It was already time to go," Elias sighed, turning away from the window.
"Indeed. It's not easy being a Crown Prince," Keiran remarked with a smirk. "I don't envy you the responsibility."
"How many times have you said that today?"
"Many times. And as your aide, I have just as much work to do," Keiran grumbled. "By the way, your mother is still diligently searching for a bride for you. She has a list of princesses a mile long."
"I'll be sure to mock you just as much when your turn comes," Elias retorted. He paused, his expression turning serious. "Where do you think Lady Lil and Ria are headed?"
"I haven't a clue," Keiran shrugged. "They are mysterious women, Your Highness. But something tells me we haven't seen the last of them."