After the close call with the patrol, I busied myself helping Grandmama clean up the remnants of breakfast. Alessio had gone to check the perimeter, leaving me to fend for myself against Grandmama's judgmental stare.
"Do you know how to chop wood, girl?" she asked abruptly, handing me a knife to peel potatoes.
"I know how to watch people chop wood," I replied, earning a snort.
"Useless city folk," she muttered, but it almost sounded fond.
As I worked, my thoughts circled back to a gnawing worry I hadn't dared voice before. Grandmama was clearly capable, and Alessio seemed confident that we were safe here for now—but the knot in my stomach said otherwise.
When Alessio finally returned, I couldn't hold it in any longer. "Can I ask you something?"
He raised an eyebrow, leaning against the doorframe. "Of course."
I hesitated, glancing at Grandmama, who seemed preoccupied but was undoubtedly listening. "Are you sure Marius doesn't know about Clara and her family? About... this place?"
Alessio's expression remained calm. "It's unlikely. Clara's background was carefully forged before she ever entered the Wittelsbach estate. She was registered as a commoner from a small village far from here, and Marius never had reason to doubt it. Her placement as a maid wasn't by chance—it was part of my investigation."
My hands froze mid-peel. "You sent Clara?"
He nodded. "I needed someone trustworthy to observe the manor from the inside. Clara was perfect—discreet, resourceful, and capable of blending in."
Grandmama grunted in agreement. "She's good at keeping her head down. Didn't inherit her father's mouth, thank the gods."
I absorbed that, a thousand new questions swirling. "But if you're that careful... why risk sending her to work for someone as dangerous as Marius?"
Alessio's jaw tightened. "We needed information on Marius' network. At first, it was just rumors—disappearances linked to his territory, merchants who vanished after doing business with him. Clara's presence was supposed to be temporary, just long enough to confirm suspicions. But then Marius took an interest in you."
"Yes. And that changed everything. Clara stayed to keep watch over you when it became clear Marius wasn't going to let you leave."
Grandmama's gaze remained sharp as ever, but she didn't interrupt. I could tell by her silence that she didn't entirely approve of Clara's involvement either, but it was too late for second-guessing.
"So... Clara's family history is hidden?" I ventured.
Alessio nodded. "Her father served my mother's house before the war, but after the family moved to the outskirts, they became practically invisible. Only a few trusted people know about Grandmama's connection to me—and even fewer know that Clara is related. As far as the world's concerned, she's just another maid from a small town."
It made sense, in a way. Still, I couldn't help but feel a chill at how carefully their lives had been constructed—like a chess game played in the shadows.
Grandmama clucked her tongue. "You think that duke's so cunning he can sniff out every secret? Nobles like him get drunk on power. They don't notice the little folk underfoot."
"Unless they're in his way," I whispered.
Silence settled between us, and Alessio's eyes softened, giving me a reassuring nod. "We'll be safe here. Grandmama's cottage is tucked away off the main trails. Even if patrols come through the area, they'd see it as just another old cottage in the woods. No one would suspect it to be linked to anything important."
I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. "Then... I'm putting you all in danger just by being here."
Grandmama shot me a glare. "None of that pitying nonsense. You're here because my stubborn grandson insists on keeping you alive. Might as well make yourself useful while you're at it."
I managed a small smile. "I'll try not to get in the way."
Grandmama huffed. "Too late for that. Now, go make sure the prince hasn't gotten himself killed by a squirrel while poking around the woods."
I glanced at Alessio, whose ears turned a faint shade of red. "I'm not that careless," he muttered.
I bit back a laugh and followed him outside, grateful for a break from Grandmama's brutal honesty.
We took a narrow path behind the cottage, where sunlight trickled through the dense canopy. Alessio moved in easy strides, but I could sense his alertness.
"Do you think it's really safe here?" I asked quietly, once we were far enough from the cottage.
He glanced at me, thoughtful. "As safe as it gets. Grandmama's cottage is tucked far from the main trails and looks unassuming—just an old widow's house in the woods. Even if Marius' men come by, they'd assume it belongs to a harmless old woman and wouldn't think twice about it. It's well-known among the locals as just her place, so they wouldn't link it to us."
"That's... oddly comforting."
Alessio smiled. "She might be rough around the edges, but Grandmama knows how to protect her own."
I took a breath, trying to shake the lingering unease. "I just can't help feeling like we're waiting for something to go wrong."
He stopped, turning to face me fully. "It's natural to feel that way. After what you've been through, it would be strange if you didn't."
His understanding made me feel both comforted and a little embarrassed. I forced a smile. "You're surprisingly good at pep talks for someone who looks like they'd rather face a battle than an awkward conversation."
That earned me a low, genuine laugh—one that did funny things to my heartbeat.
"I'll take that as a compliment," he replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "And I promise, I'm not nearly as intimidating as I look."
I raised an eyebrow. "Says the guy who stares down armed guards without blinking."
His smile grew. "Alright, fair point. But I'll keep the intimidating looks pointed elsewhere. Deal?"
I let out a laugh.
A breeze stirred the leaves around us, and I couldn't help but notice how the sunlight caught in his hair, turning it gold. It was almost unfair—how someone so used to hiding could look so effortlessly radiant.
I cleared my throat, shaking off the thought. "We should head back before Grandmama sends the crossbow after us."
Alessio nodded, though his smile lingered. "Agreed. Wouldn't want to test her aim."
* * *
As we returned, I saw Grandmama setting out bundles of dried herbs on the table. She glanced up, eyes narrowing. "You two look too chipper. What were you plotting out there?"
I couldn't help the laugh that slipped out. "Nothing sinister. I promise."
Alessio looked only mildly offended. "Since when does my presence imply plotting?"
Grandmama raised an eyebrow. "Since you could walk."
I bit my lip to hide a smile, grateful for the unexpected levity. It was a brief reprieve from the constant tension, but I would take what I could get.
Then, as if sensing the mood was too light, Grandmama fixed her sharp gaze on Alessio. "You'll have to decide soon. You can't stay here indefinitely."
Alessio's expression remained steady. "We'll move on to Mellerfen when the roads are clearer. It's our best chance."
Grandmama grunted, stirring the stew on the hearth. "Just make sure your contacts there are still reliable. Marius' influence has a nasty way of creeping where you least expect."
Alessio gave a slight nod. "I trust them. We don't have many options."
I wanted to ask more—about Mellerfen, about Alessio's plan for me once we got there—but the weight of the moment kept me silent.
Instead, I just sat back down at the table, listening to Grandmama hum under her breath as she worked. Despite the tension, there was something almost normal about it—like we were just a mismatched family getting through the morning.
If only the world outside would stay away just a little longer.
To be continued