“Do as I told you.” I applied pressure to the blade, and she went quiet. “Got it?”
A knock came at the carriage door, followed by Sir Regis’s voice. “Lady Leya! Is everything alright? I was told you called for me.”
I turned to her, pointing at the cloak draped over the chair. “Put it on. Now. And don’t try anything.”
Leya’s hands shook as she grabbed the cloak, fastening it around her neck while glaring at me. The knock on the door grew louder, Sir Regis calling her name once more. Her eyes briefly flicked past me, and without warning, she darted toward the door. But before she could open it, I drew a shimmering length of silk from beneath my cloak.
My voice was cold as I asked, “Is this really the choice you want to make, Leya?”
She stopped dead, her eyes darting over the fabric in my hand.
“I’m disappointed,” I said flatly. “I expected more from you.”
Her words came out in a hesitant breath. “How… how do you have that?”
“You only have the one, don’t you?” I said quietly, my eyes lingering on the delicate silk. “I’d almost forgotten that the prince gave you just a single one, while I was given thirteen.” My blade traced slowly over one of the crystalline beads woven into the robe’s emerald threads. “I must admit, he never gave me one in this color before.”
“My lady! If you do not respond, I will be forced to enter!” Sir Regis echoed from outside.
“The choice is yours,” I said, voice lowering. “Such a shame to ruin something so rare.” I clicked my tongue. “But I’m curious to see how cleanly it cuts.”
Leya hesitated, her mouth opening and closing, caught between defiance and defeat. My patience wore thin, and with a flick of my wrist, the blade sliced through a single bead. It skittered across the floor, the sharp clink shattering the silence.
At the sound, Leya’s face twisted with anguish.
“I’m coming in!” Sir Regis bellowed.
I tilted my head, raising an eyebrow. Leya exhaled sharply, then her shoulders slumped in surrender.
“Sir Regis!” she called, her tone now commanding. “Stand down! I’ll be out shortly.”
As Leya moved to open the door and step out of the coach, I quickly ducked behind a large chest, covering myself with a fur pelt. The coach was lined with at least a dozen, undoubtedly arranged by Leya herself. I held my breath, staying as still and silent as I could, straining to listen to the voices outside.
“Is this how you believe a royal courtesan of the prince should be treated?” Leya demanded. “As I mentioned earlier, I wasn’t feeling well and stepped out of the coach for some air. Now that Sir Regis is here, I’ve identified myself. Forcing me to remove my hood, or anything else, is an insult to my station and beyond your authority. His Highness will hear of this behavior.”
“My lady, please,” Hamon replied. “Our only concern was your safety.”
“Safety?” Leya scoffed. “You accuse me of treason and brand me a stowaway. What kind of safety is there in such humiliation?”
“Allow me to handle this, my lady,” Sir Regis interjected, his tone stern. “I will deal with these men and correct their misconduct.” He then softened his voice. “Please, rest. The road to Torhiel will be long and unforgiving.”
Without waiting for a response, the knight turned to the three men, launching into a speech about propriety and the disgrace of their actions. Leya let out a sharp humph before stepping back into the carriage and slamming the door with more force than necessary.
We remained silent, waiting as Sir Regis escorted the men away. Only once I was sure they had gone did I slip out from beneath the pelt, and as I straightened, Leya spun around to face me.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she snapped, barely holding back her anger. “I did what you asked. Now give it back.”
I raised the blade to the silk robe again, and she stilled.
“I’ll return it once you’ve listened,” I said steadily. “I’ll make it brief, and I expect no interruptions. Is that clear?”
Her jaw tightened, but after a moment, she gave a slow, reluctant nod.
“I have no intention of going to Torhiel with you, nor do I want to stand in your way with the prince. Hyrall means nothing to me,” I started. “I’m leaving this castle, and I won’t be coming back. You won’t say a word to the guards, the prince, or anyone else, because my absence will only benefit you. Once we reach the outskirts, I’ll disappear, and you’ll never have to deal with me again. The prince will favor you, just as you wanted, and everything will be as it should.”
Leya’s expression remained hesitant, but I could see her considering my words carefully.
“If you turn me in, I’ll make sure you’re blamed too,” I added. “I’ll tell the prince you helped me escape, that you were jealous and wanted me gone. I’ll say you plotted with Rosette and Imogen to get me out. Maybe he’ll believe me, maybe he won’t. But either way, we’d all be accused of treason and discarded. He’d just replace us with new girls in the end.”
