"So, what is going on in that head of yours?" Ria asked, approaching Liliana as they stood in the quiet garden. Liliana didn't answer right away, her gaze fixed on the moonlit river.
"What's on your mind?" Ria pressed. "You just left your own country, your own people, and their problems behind. Now you're jumping into the troubles of a foreign land? I thought the plan was to start a new life, far away from your past."
"When I was in my country," Liliana said softly, finally turning to her friend, "I cared for my people with everything I had. I looked after their every need. I loved them... but in return, I was always alone. I left because I knew they were happy and their King would provide for them. Yes, I want a new life, Ria. But how can I start it by turning my back on someone in need? If you have the power to help, why wouldn't you?"
Ria sighed, but a small smile played on her lips. "This is exactly why adapting to a peasant's life will be so hard for you. You can't stop being a Queen. This is why I don't recommend Queens go and live with commoners—you'll end up running the whole village by next week."
Liliana laughed, the sound bright in the night air. "If you wanted to lighten the mood, you succeeded. It's getting dark; let's go inside. We will take turns guarding the house tonight."
"I can do it myself," Ria argued. "I've survived much worse training than one night on sentry duty."
"No," Liliana said firmly. "We are a team. We take turns."
Midnight
Ria was on duty when a faint scuffing sound came from the backyard, near the small storage shed. She moved like a shadow, her hand instinctively gripping the hilt of her sword. In the dim light, she spotted a tall man with a ponytail rummaging through Jemma's supplies.
"I've seen him somewhere before," she muttered to herself.
Liliana appeared silently beside her. "I heard a noise," she whispered. "Is it the thief?"
"Probably. We have to catch him. I'll go in; you find a rope so we can bind him," Ria commanded.
"Alright. Be careful."
Liliana slipped away to find a rope while Ria stepped into the shed. "You know, stealing from a struggling family is a particularly low thing to do," she said, her voice cutting through the dark.
The man spun around. He already had a heavy bag in one hand and his sword drawn in the other. "It's none of your business, little girl. Get out of the way if you don't want to get hurt."
"Put the bag back, then we'll talk about who's getting hurt."
"I warned you!"
The man lunged. Ria didn't flinch; she drew her blade in a flash, and the sound of steel clashing against steel rang out through the yard.
"So, the girl knows how to use a sword? Not bad," the man grunted, feeling the strength in Ria's parry. He glanced at her weapon. "That's no ordinary blade. When I'm done with you, I'll take that as well."
"I don't think you'll live long enough to touch it," Ria retorted.
The fight moved out of the shed. The constant ring of clashing swords woke the household; Jemma and Will appeared at the back door, huddled together in terror. Liliana returned with the rope, her own sword drawn and ready.
Seeing he was outnumbered and outmatched, the man growled, "Damn it! You'll pay for this!"
He dropped the stolen bag and bolted toward the fence. Liliana and Ria gave chase immediately. Ria was faster; she gained on him and lunged. The man slipped on the damp grass as he tried to dodge, and the tip of Ria's sword caught the edge of his mask, tearing it clean off his face.
The man stumbled back, his face fully revealed in the moonlight. Ria froze, her eyes widening in disbelief.
"Hey... I know you!" she shouted.