Darcien was dressed, standing near the door with perfect posture. His expression remained unreadable, as always, but Maya noticed the way the morning light brushed the sharp planes of his face, making him seem almost unreal. She took a deep breath and slid off the bed. Okay… let's do this.
The innkeeper appeared at the doorway, bowing nervously. "Your Highness. Your… lady. The carriage is ready, and breakfast has been prepared if you wish to eat before departing."
Maya glanced at Darcien. He didn't move, didn't acknowledge the man. After a tense pause, the innkeeper muttered something about leaving the food and hurried out of the room.
"Ready?" Maya asked quietly, testing the waters.
Darcien's eyes were closed for a fraction of a second, and then he gave the smallest nod. No words, no emotion. Just… approval.
Maya swallowed a smile and made her way outside. The forest stretched on either side of the road, alive with the scent of wet leaves and damp earth. The path was muddy, rutted with the marks of carts and horses, unfamiliar to her eyes but somehow simple in its clarity compared to the endless buildings and smog of her old city.
The carriage waited—a sturdy, wooden construct with dark leather drapes that flapped lightly in the breeze. Maya climbed inside first, settling against the cushioned bench. She hugged her cloak closer, taking in the forest around her, the soft hum of the carriage wheels rolling over the uneven road, the faint creak of leather straps. Darcien followed, climbing in with deliberate grace. He seated himself opposite her, still silent, still perfectly composed. Maya stole a glance at him, noting the sharp lines of his face, the way his posture seemed to command the entire carriage. Fear and awe would have struck anyone else, but she felt only curiosity.
The carriage started moving, and Maya leaned back, letting the motion relax her slightly. The forest passed in streaks of green and brown, the occasional flash of bird or fox in the underbrush. It was beautiful, peaceful, and completely unlike anything she had ever seen. She breathed in the fresh air, letting it fill her lungs.
After a few moments of silence, she tried speaking. "So… four days, huh? That's… a long ride."
Darcien didn't answer. He simply leaned back, eyes closing, letting the quiet of the forest and the rhythm of the carriage fill the space.
Maya tilted her head, watching the trees. "I guess… I'll just… look at the scenery, then," she said softly. "It's… nice. Calming."
Still no response, but she didn't mind. Somehow, she felt that his silence wasn't hostility. It was just… him. And she could handle him. She could observe, learn, and maybe, in time, understand the man everyone else called a monster.
The carriage rolled on, deeper into the forest, deeper into the unknown. And Maya let herself relax, even a little, knowing that these days ahead would test her, challenge her… but also, perhaps, change her.
⸻
The carriage rolled to a slow stop under the shade of a large oak tree, its branches bending slightly under the remnants of rain. The driver jumped down immediately, bowing low to Darcien.
"Your Highness, we've reached the next stop. There is an inn ahead where you may rest and eat," he said, voice trembling slightly.
Darcien simply inclined his head once. Maya unlatched the carriage door and stepped out, stretching her legs. The forest air was crisp, the sun finally cutting through the clouds, and she took a deep breath, savoring it.
Inside the inn, the small dining room smelled of roasted meats and herbs. Long wooden tables were set with plates and utensils that looked unfamiliar but sturdy. Servants bustled around, whispering and glancing at Darcien as if he were a storm cloud come to life.
Maya took her seat, glancing down at the food in front of her. A thick stew, oily bread, and something that looked like boiled roots. She poked at it with her fork, her face carefully neutral.
Ugh… this is going to be a long trip, she thought. She barely touched the stew, picking at a small piece of bread, sipping water from the wooden cup.
Darcien's dark eyes swept over her. He raised an eyebrow. "You eat very little," he said flatly.
Maya shrugged, trying to look indifferent. "Yeah… just watching my… diet," she muttered. In truth, she loved food—she just didn't want to draw attention or make a fuss in this world that clearly observed everything.
Darcien studied her quietly, his expression unreadable. The silence stretched, and Maya took a bite of bread, chewing slowly. He might think she was delicate, restrained, and proper—one of those princesses who ate little to maintain appearances—but inside, she was thinking about how hungry she really was and how strange it was that this "princess" body came with all these rules.
Finally, she leaned back, folding her hands in her lap. "Well… that's done," she said lightly, forcing a smile. "Let's get going again before it rains more."
Darcien nodded slightly, eyes still fixed on her. Interesting, he thought, though he said nothing aloud. He had expected another dainty, timid princess who would tremble at every movement or glance. This one… this one was quiet, yes, but she wasn't afraid. Not even in his presence. And that intrigued him, though he didn't yet understand why.
Maya caught the hint of scrutiny but didn't care. She picked up her cloak and followed him back to the carriage, feeling a little thrill in knowing that, even in silence, she had already disrupted his expectations.
⸻
The carriage rumbled along the cobbled streets, the walls of the city growing taller with every turn. Maya shifted slightly, trying not to squirm too obviously, but the tightness of the corset pressed into her ribs, making it hard to breathe fully. She had never imagined a ride like this—four days in a rigid, stiff outfit—and the modern ease of t-shirts and loose pants was a distant memory.
She let out a quiet, frustrated sigh. How did people even move like this every day? She thought, tugging lightly at the laces under her gown. Her discomfort wasn't just physical—it was a constant reminder that she was far from her world, trapped in someone else's body, someone else's expectations.
Darcien, sitting opposite her, noticed the subtle movements of her hands at her waist, but said nothing. His dark eyes were fixed ahead, cold and unreadable, like he could see everything yet chose to acknowledge nothing. Most people would have been trembling under his gaze, but Maya merely clenched her teeth for a moment and straightened her back, letting the corset remind her she would survive here.