- "Look, Ria! It's so beautiful," Liliana exclaimed, her eyes bright as she took in the vibrant decorations of the town.
"Yes, it really is," Ria agreed, leading their horses through the bustling streets.
After leaving Elias's mansion, they had reached a larger trading hub. The town was alive with preparations for the upcoming Flower Festival.
"Shall we find something to eat?" Ria suggested. "It feels like a lifetime since breakfast."
"You're right, I'm starving," Liliana laughed. "Let's see if there's a tavern nearby. With the festival coming up, the merchants must have brought the best food to town."
They pushed deeper into the crowd, the air thick with the scent of lilies and roasted sugar. Suddenly, a small figure darted through the throng, slamming into Liliana.
"Ah! Hey!" Liliana stumbled. She quickly checked her waist pouch. "Give it back!"
"Hey! Come here, you little rat!" Ria screamed, instantly on alert. She turned to Liliana. "Check your things! Did he take your coin purse?"
"My necklace..." Liliana's face went pale as she felt her neck. "I took it off to clean it earlier and tucked it into my belt... it's gone. That was my mother's!"
"We're catching him!" Ria growled.
"I'll cut through this alley, you go around the block!" Liliana commanded.
"Your training wasn't just for show, was it?" Ria smirked, already sprinting.
"Of course not!" Liliana shouted back, her boots pounding against the cobblestones.
Liliаna was a skilled fighter. Her years spent preparing to be a perfect Queen had included rigorous training in movement and self-defense. She moved with a grace and speed that the little thief hadn't expected.
"Got you!" Liliana yelled as she emerged from an alleyway, blocking the boy's path just as Ria appeared from the other side.
They circled the small thief. He was no more than nine or ten years old, his face flushed red and his eyes darting around like a trapped animal.
"Give the necklace back," Ria demanded, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword.
"Please! Don't report me to the guards!" the boy cried, his voice cracking. "I'll give it back, just let me go!"
He held out the silver chain, and Ria snatched it away. Liliana stepped closer and knelt so she was eye-level with him.
"What is your name?" she asked, her voice softening. "And why are you stealing from people?"
"Will... my name is Will," he whispered.
"Why do this, Will?" Ria asked, her grip on his shoulder firm but not painful. "You're just a child."
"I... I can't tell you! If I don't bring them something, they'll kill me!"
Liliana and Ria exchanged a sharp, knowing look.
"Korellia is supposed to be the safest kingdom on the continent," Liliana said, her brow furrowed. "Who would dare hurt a child here?"
"You're lying to get away," Ria challenged.
"Easy, Ria," Liliana waved her off. "Will, tell us the truth. We can help you."
Will looked at her for a long time. He saw the kindness in her blue eyes—the same eyes that had faced down a bear—and he broke.
"It started a few months ago," Will began, his voice trembling. "Men came to our village saying they were protecting us. They wear soldier uniforms, but they aren't like the King's men. They force us to give them all our money for 'protection.' My father went far away to find work to pay them, so they took me and told me I had to steal to make up the rest."
"I see," Liliana said, her jaw tightening. "Corruption in the ranks, or common thugs in uniform. Will, take us to your house."
They followed the boy to a modest house near the river. The area was well-kept, proving that the people here weren't naturally poor—they were being bled dry.
"This is it," Will pointed.
"Will! Where have you been?" A woman rushed out of the house, her face etched with worry. "I told you not to go into the crowd alone!"
"Mom... I..." Will looked down at his feet.
"He was with us," Liliana stepped forward, her voice calm and authoritative.
"And who are you?" the woman asked, her eyes darting suspiciously between Liliana's hooded cloak and Ria's sword.
"We met Will in town," Liliana explained. "He helped us with directions, and we got to talking. He told us about the 'soldiers' bothering people around here. We wanted to take a look and see if we could help."
"WE WHAT?" Ria blurted out, her eyes nearly popping out of her head.
Liliana shot Ria a look that silenced her instantly. "We are going to help, Ria. It's what we do."