I walked throughout a city. It was calm, with the faint howls of the cool winds whistling. The night sky shone brightly, and the moon flowed in the horizon.

Looking at my hands, I realized that I wasn't in my own body. The hands were much tanner, and the dress I was wearing was unlike any I've ever worm; dark brown, slightly too loose at my waist. A dress a poor citizen would wear.

"Garbade jewels! Buy your Garbade jewels here!" a street vendor called out. "You! You look like you'd like some nice rubies. Five hundred talents!"

Garbade? Garbade was ruins now, I thought.

I ignored the vendor and kept walking around, spotting children, horses, pigs, and citizens. Most were walking around, shopping.

"Hey! You look like you could use a watermelon!" a vendor called out to me.

"No! Mine!" People gathered around the vendor with food, throwing their satchels at the vendor.

"I'll take the grapes!"

"No, I paid for those! Take your hands off that—"

"Mother, that woman just bit me!"

A woman ran out of the crowd, her arms around a watermelon. Her children ran behind her, holding onto her dress.

"Hey, don't touch me! That's my chicken!" a woman screamed.

A man grabbed the food from her hands and pushed her back.

"You!" The woman got up and chased after the man, tackling him to the ground.

"Get off me—"

The entire street went silent.

I looked around, watching a boy, around seventeen, run in playing the trumpet and yelling, "Fire! Fire!"

"Run!"

The woman and man let go of the chicken and quickly pulled each other up, running with the crowd.

I found myself going the opposite direction of the crowd, wanting to see it.

The Garbade fire. Was this... This was it.

I picked my dress up and ran faster, pushing past the crowds and children. It get like I was running for hours, but in the sky, I could see the smoke.

Finally, after minutes of running, I saw the fires.

And I heard the faint sound of screaming.

*~⚜️~*

My head shot up, sweat dripping off my forehead.

Through the cracks of my tent, I could see that it was just barely morning. I turned to the basin and splashed water on my face.

Nausea crept through my body, and I hurled into the corner of the tent. Normally, I would hate it, but this time it was different. It didn't feel as severe as before.

Maybe... Was it possible that I was pregnant?

Surely not. Ilias and I were responsible. Wild, but always responsible. If I didn't take a tonic, we had other means, or we held off.

I held onto my stomach. How could I be pregnant? There was no way I could possibly be remotely pregnant.

Besides, Ilias would find me. He would find me and take me back. I'll talk to Irene, maybe get a private nurse, and have her examine me.

I carefully went out of the tent and saw Henneh sitting there, staring at me. "I heard you vomiting. We have medication for such things."

"I don't need...," I trailed off, then stopped. "Medication?"

She nodded and got up from her chair. "Let's get you some. How often have you been like this?"

"Why would you care?" I snapped.

"Valarya, come on," the voice warned.

"Apologies," I grumbled. "The entire time I've been here."

She lifted a brow, her pointed ears going up slightly. "And before your wedding, you didn't decide on procreating, right?"

"Procreating?"

"Intercourse, Princess. Surely they tell you about such things in your little palace." Henneh clenched her fists, an annoyed look passing over her face. "Are you mentally slow?"

"Of course not! I'm just... I'm a little shocked you would ask something like that," I retorted.

She shrugged and brought me next to her as we walked. "Did you or didn't you?"

I paused. Why trust someone like her? She was one of his goons, so would I tell her?

"I hope someone knocks my head with a hatchet already," Henneh moaned. "Did a male stick his—"

"I understand!" I hurled back. "Yes, I did. I mean, yes. Intercourse I've had—I mean, I've had intercourse."

"Let me laugh a little," the voice in my head giggled.

Henneh chuckled lightly and stopped in front of a stone building. "You're a little reckless for a 'obedient' princess. Your father does a good job of convincing everyone that you're innocent."

"What's that supposed to me?"

"I mean," Henneh paused, looking back at me, "his little speeches around Thaeleck paint you in a picture of innocence."

"You can be innocent and not be—"

"I'm aware, but your father has a different viewpoint on it. I guess it just depends on how religious you are." Henneh opened the door. "After you, Princess."

I went inside. Tubes and vials were set around, and there were plants hung from the ceiling.

Henneh tapped a silver bell on a desk. After a few seconds, she pressed it again. "Zeena, we're in need of assistance." She kept tapping the bell, eventually banging it.

"Yes, yes, I heard the second time, you moron!" A woman with cinnamon hair and brown eyes emerged from a door behind the desk. "Oh, it's you," she said, almost disappointed.

"Hello again." Henneh gave her a forced smile.

"Get out." The woman rolled her eyes. "After the last stunt you pulled, I'm surprised you'd show your face here again."

"I apologized for it."

"You completely did not! In fact, I specifically remember Rysdan coming in here apologizing for your sake." Zeena came around the desk and poked her finger at Henneh's chest.

"I was drunk! And it wasn't completely my fault. Those stupid pigs followed me in here, and you know how I feel about pigs—"

"I don't care if a damned demon chased you in here! You broke my precious statues!"

Henneh opened her mouth, but slowly shut it. "That's what you're mad about?"

"Yes! They were my family's heirloom, you moronic girl!"

I heard Henneh slightly choke, but she cleared her throat. "Ah. Yes, just the statues. Ashe will build you new ones."

Zeena pursed her lips, then said, "I want him to come in here himself and build them. Without a shirt on, please."

I couldn't believe I was seriously having a morning like this. Couldn't you just have a bit of mercy in your heart and help me?

"Well, I don't know about the last part..."

"Then I won't help you," Zeena stated.

Like hell you won't.

"You're not going to help her," I cut in. "You're going to be helping me."

Zeena slowly turned to look at me. "And who's this brat?"

"Are you asking me, or Henneh?" I replied coolly.

"Watch your attitude with me—"

"Or what? You'll refuse us service? How will Ashe feel if I tell of this ridiculousness?" Henneh let go of my arm and crossed hers together as she listened to me.

"Ashe would agree with me on this one, dearie. This little rodent,"—Zeena pointed at Henneh—"and her sniveling snake of a friend broke into the pig pen for some reason, and charged through here! They broke my statues!"

"It was one time. And no one died! It was a genuine drunken mistake," Henneh said innocently.

"I almost died!" Zeena hissed. "I rode that pig into a a tree, and nearly broke my back."

"You broke the tree, Zeena. No need to be dramatic." Henneh flipped her braid to her other shoulder. "The theatrics would be a well-suited profession for you."

"Henneh, leave," I muttered. "You're not helping this situation."

"All right, Zeena, look. Thank you for not dying. It would've been really..."—Henneh paused and smirked—"unfortunate if you did. Are you happy?"

Zeena shook her head, disgusted. "What kind of apology was that!"

"Seriously, though. That was the dumbest apology I've ever heard," I said.

"Who the hell said I had to apologize?" Henneh grabbed my arm. "Zeena, I'm sorry you're a bitch. And I'm sorry you didn't get demolished by that tree. I should've ran that pig right at you," Henneh mumbled.

"You little brat!" Zeena charged at Henneh, and Henneh quickly dodged, causing Zeena to run right into a hanging plant.

"Can we go one day without you two bickering?" I turned toward the entry and saw Nylas standing there. "Zeena, what are you doing in the plant?"

Henneh looked bored as she stepped toward Nylas. "Oh, Nylas! You should've seen it. Zeena practically begged me to hug her, and when she charged at me, I moved away, and then she hugged the plant."

"Brat," Zeena said, her voice muffled as she pulled away from the plant. "I'll show you—"

"Control yourself, Zeena," Nylas warned. "Don't make me suspend you for the month."

"Oh, whatever. Henneh can stick her daggers up her nostrils." Zeena walked behind the desk and disappeared behind the door.

Nylas had an expressionless face while he walked toward me. "Why are you here?" he asked.

"Medication. Clearly I wouldn't be in an infirmary for horseback lesson," I said.

"Or pig-back lessons." Henneh snorted a bit at her own little joke.

Nylas's mouth turned into a straight line. "So why are you here, Princess Valarya?"

"I was vomiting."

"Did anyone give you poison water?" Nylas asked.

"If I knew I was poisoned, why would I be here?"

"Good point." Nylas shrugged and tightened the buttons on his jacket. "You're aware you're sister is very skilled in this subject?"

I glared at him. He was spending too much time with her. Next time I'm in a room with him, I'll lock him in and starve him. "I know. I even asked her to research the topic before your little brigade kidnapped me."

"Ah." Nylas adjusted the high collar of his embroidered tuxedo. "I'll consult her about it. She didn't tell me."

"She obviously wouldn't. She's too secretive when it comes to her family." I poked him in his chest. "I swear, if I found out you've been manipulating Irene, I'll beat you with your stupid cane."

"Thanks for the advice," Nylas mumbled. "Now, let's get your medicine."