Daniel, dagger in hand, walked toward Leticia. His steps were so light and silent that even Aleph was surprised by the grim look in his eyes. The hand holding the dagger trembled slightly, and his voice, when he spoke to Leticia, carried a tone of regret.
"Aren't you going to order your knight to defend you?" he asked, his voice almost a whisper.
Aleph, attentive, looked for an opportunity to disarm the young man. Leticia, sensing Aleph's intention, held out her arm, stopping him from acting. Keeping her gaze fixed on Daniel, she spoke with calm authority:
"Knight Daniel, show me your loyalty."
In a swift and unexpected move, Daniel spun around, throwing the dagger directly into the chest of the mercenary leader, killing him instantly. One of the mercenaries, enraged, charged at Daniel. The young man, with surprising agility, leaped and, in mid-air, drew a small blade hidden in his boot, striking the man in the head.
Aleph, without hesitation, pulled Leticia close, shielding her from the horror of the scene. He embraced her, hiding her face in his chest while Daniel, with lethal efficiency, eliminated the remaining mercenaries.
The fight ended as quickly as it had begun. Daniel, dropping his weapons to the ground, fell to his knees before Leticia, his body trembling and tears streaming down his face.
Immediately, Aleph retrieved his sword through a discreet portal and pointed the blade at Daniel, ready to protect Leticia. But before he could advance, Leticia raised her hand:
"Aleph, wait!"
Aleph hesitated, sheathing his sword, but remained on alert. Daniel, on his knees, wept copiously, his gaze fixed on his blood-stained hands. Leticia approached, touching his shoulder with a gesture of compassion.
"Stand up, Daniel," she said, offering him her hand.
Daniel, however, did not accept her help.
"I'm dirty..." he whispered, his voice choked with pain. "I tried to kill you... How can you trust me?"
"It is up to you to decide whether to accept the hand I offer," Leticia replied with compassion. "I trust in your will to learn."
Tears streamed from Daniel's eyes. In that moment, he understood that Leticia was the first person, in all his years of life, to treat him as a human being and not as a mere weapon. Vulnerability and relief mixed on his face as, hesitantly, he reached out his hand for hers.
Leaving Leticia in a safe place, Aleph returned with Daniel to the scene of the confrontation. When they arrived, Aleph, with an icy gaze, pushed Daniel against a tree, holding him firmly by the shoulder.
"I don't know why Leticia trusts you," he said, his voice low and threatening. "But don't you dare betray her. Don't become a mangy dog that bites the hand that feeds it. Understand?"
Aleph released him abruptly. Daniel, humiliated, but understanding that winning everyone's trust would be a difficult journey. He picked up a shovel, preparing for the grim task of burying the bodies. Aleph, however, stopped him with a gesture. He held out his hand, and a portal opened in the ground. In an instant, the bodies disappeared, buried with precision and without effort.
Daniel, dumbfounded, stared at Aleph, disbelief stamped on his face.
"Who... who are you, anyway?"
"Someone who is trying to earn the trust of an assassin."
"That was... awesome!" Daniel exclaimed, his eyes shining with admiration.
...
At the inn, Daniel revealed to Leticia that he had known her true identity from the beginning and informed her that several mercenaries, from different regions, had been hired to pursue them.
"Do you know who is after my life?" Leticia asked, apprehensive.
"I investigated a little before... accepting the mission," Daniel replied. "I found out it's a certain General Shineid, a man with a lot of influence in the Winter Kingdom. But something intrigued me... Why would he hire mercenaries instead of ordering the shineideas to handle it?"
Daniel was unaware of the magical barrier that protected the Spring Kingdom, making it impossible for the shineideas to enter its territory.
"Giving us this information, you almost seem like an allied spy," Leticia commented, smiling.
"That's quite a compliment!" Daniel laughed, pleased. "I've always wanted to be a spy."
Leticia observed him for a moment, assessing his determination.
"In that case..." Leticia began, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Would you accept a mission in my name?"
"My first mission as a knight?!" Daniel asked, his eyes shining with enthusiasm.
"Certainly, Sir Daniel," Leticia confirmed with a smile.
Daniel's joy was visible, and he responded with a clumsy bow:
"Tell me what you wish, Your Highness! It will be an honor to carry out your orders!" he exclaimed, imitating the dialogues of the heroes from his favorite books. "I've always wanted to say that!" he thought, satisfied.
Leticia requested that Daniel investigate General Shineid thoroughly, find out who the true mastermind behind the attacks was, and if Laurenn was also in danger.
Aleph, observing the scene with incredulity, questioned whether they were being serious or if it was some strange performance. Daniel, anxious to begin, announced that he would leave immediately. Aleph turned to Leticia:
"With your permission, Your Highness, I would like to offer the knight some instructions before his departure."
Leticia nodded, making it clear that she trusted Aleph's experience to guide Daniel.
Behind the inn, in an isolated spot where only the neighing of horses broke the silence. One of them, of simple appearance, belonged to Daniel, who would use it to head toward the Winter Kingdom.
Daniel, visibly aware of the distrust Aleph had for him, spoke firmly:
"I know you don't trust me. But I will prove you wrong. I will never betray Princess Leticia."
Aleph, without a word, threw a small object in Daniel's direction. It was a silver metal key, intricately crafted.
"What is this?" Daniel asked, examining the key with curiosity.
He looked at Aleph with a doubtful expression, and the knight, his expression unchanged, explained:
"This key can open hidden portals. Upon contact with a synchronized portal, the magic is activated, allowing passage."
Aleph handed Daniel a scroll with the location of some portals along the way to the Winter Kingdom.
"These portals..." Daniel exclaimed, surprised. "They'll help me on the mission? You're actually a nice person!"
"I'll take that as a compliment," Aleph replied with a slight smile.
Aleph explained to Daniel how to activate the portals correctly, and Daniel was gobsmacked by the speed with which he could cross into the Winter Kingdom. He had imagined the journey would be long and full of obstacles, but now, with this new ability, the mission seemed more attainable.
Aleph returned to the inn, finding Leticia on the balcony, her gaze lost in the garden landscape. The inn, larger and more elegant than the last, offered a more peaceful and welcoming environment.
Leticia, however, remained absorbed in her thoughts, but her gaze showed a growing restlessness. He approached and stood beside her, but Leticia remained silent. Aleph could feel the tension in the air. She was consumed by doubts, fear stamped on her face, but she didn't know how to express it.
"Why do they want to kill me? What have I done wrong? Could Laurenn be in danger too?"—these were the thoughts running through her mind, and the uncertainty made her tremble, even if subtly.
Aleph, noticing her state, and without saying anything, took the coat he was carrying and draped it over her, placing a comforting hand on Leticia's shoulder in a silent gesture of comfort.
"We will leave for the Spring Kingdom tomorrow," he said, his voice calm and reassuring. "There, your safety will be guaranteed."
Leticia faced him, her eyes welling with uncertainty. Aleph felt a strong urge to hug her, to protect her from all the dangers that surrounded her, but he held back. Leticia, however, took the initiative. She touched his arm, and he, without hesitation, slid his hand over her head in a gentle gesture. But then, to his surprise, Leticia moved closer, her arms wrapping around him in a shy and trembling manner. Aleph stood still for a moment, surprised by her action, but soon felt the warmth of the hug and the lightness of her hands holding his clothes firmly, as if anchoring herself to him.
"I will be by your side, Leticia," Aleph whispered, returning the hug. "She is so strong, but deep down, she is just a young woman who has always lived protected by the castle walls. This whole situation must be terrifying for her," he thought.
"Thank you, Aleph," Leticia murmured, her voice muffled. "Right now, you are the only one I can trust."
Aleph, touched by her sincerity, placed his hand gently on her head, stroking her hair with a soft, protective gesture.
"You can be sure that I will protect you," he promised with conviction.