Aria had loved the candied haws. To her, it was the most delicious thing she had ever tasted—so tart, yet so tempting that she wished to taste it again and again. So, when she spotted someone selling them on the far side of the street, her mouth watered on its own.
She had already eaten dinner, but the craving tugged at her still. She glanced at Rayan, who seemed engrossed in conversation with Maxim. She couldn't make out the words, but their intense focus made it clear that something important was being discussed. After all, Rayan hadn't seen his friends in days—they must have much to share.
Not wanting to interrupt them, Aria bit her lip in hesitation and nervously twisted the hem of the new dress Rayan had gifted her just the day before. Finally, she decided to go quietly, have a small taste, and return before they even noticed.
They were walking slowly, and Aria was confident she could return before Rayan realized she was gone. She would certainly find her way back to him. It all seemed perfectly harmless.
If only she had known...
. . .
Aria reached the stall where the candied haws glistened on sticks. The sugary syrup glimmered on the sour fruits, and her mouth watered again. She didn't know what kind of fruit it was—only that it was divine.
She looked at the vendor, silently admiring both his craft and generosity. He was kind, or so she thought, offering such delightful treats to passersby.
Aria smiled at him with all her heart, momentarily forgetting her fear of strangers brought on by recent horrors.
The vendor, mildly puzzled, returned a polite smile. Encouraged, Aria picked up a stick from the display. After a moment's thought, she took a second. Rayan might enjoy one as well.
But as she thought of Rayan, she remembered his friends. Magnus had even brought her one earlier that morning. Though she still feared them, it didn't seem right not to return the gesture.
She hesitated, then picked up several more. Her arms now full, she struggled to hold them all, careful not to drop any. Hurrying, she turned to head back.
The vendor, silent until now, finally moved. His eyes widened slightly as she turned to leave.
He had let her take the sticks without comment at first, noting the quality of her clothes. They weren't lavish, but neither were they poor. The yellow fabric looked like it had cost a fair sum. Women in his village dressed far more humbly. Her smooth hands and gentle face could even suggest she came from some noble house.
He had even considered raising the price. He was the only one selling candied haws in the market, after all.
But he never expected her to walk off without so much as asking the price—without even offering payment.
Quickly, he stepped out from behind the stall and blocked her path. Aria stopped abruptly, confused, and looked up at him.
Though displeased, he tried to keep his tone respectful. "Good lady, you forget coin for what you have taken."
How could Aria have any understanding of currency! Raised in the forests of Ulrik, her world had no use for money. Her grandmother would sometimes leave the hill and return with new things, but Aria had never been told how.
She believed the vendor shared his creation out of pride in his skill, and she thought he deserved nothing but praise. She wished she could offer him that—if only she knew his language.
But now, unable to understand his words, she simply stared at him in silence.
Her blank look made him more frustrated.
Finally, he snapped. "Can you not hear? Pay coin, or I shall call the cops to have you arrested!"
His voice rose suddenly. Aria flinched, and the sticks tumbled from her hands to the ground.
She stared at them, now covered in dust—but had no time to mourn.
The vendor had lost all patience. A crowd gathered at the scene.
"What's the matter here?" someone asked.
Guards were always stationed in crowded parts of the Empire, and several arrived swiftly.
The vendor wasted no time reporting what had happened. One of the guards looked down at the candied sticks near Aria's feet, then met her eyes with stern judgment.
Panic surged through Aria, icy and overwhelming. She clutched her dress, struggling to breathe.
She couldn't look at the soldier as he addressed her.
"My lady, do you confirm what this man says? Is there any word you wish to offer in your defense?"
Aria heard his voice but understood nothing but the word "lady." He was talking to her.
"My lady?" he repeated, seeing her unresponsive.
Her throat ran dry. She should never have left Rayan's side.
Her heart pounded as she remembered the one name that gave her hope. "Rayan."
She searched the crowd, trying to glimpse the place she had last seen him. But there were only unfamiliar faces.
Panic rising, she tried to push through the people to return to him.
But to the soldiers, it looked like she was fleeing.
They quickly stepped in her path, all formality gone.
"You will not walk away. Pay now, or you will be taken into custody."
The guard studied her face again. She didn't look like someone who couldn't afford a few sticks. But there were all kinds of thieves. Maybe she had stolen those clothes too.
His face hardened, and he reached for the shackles.
Aria's eyes widened when she saw the unfamiliar object in his hand. She stepped back instinctively, fear taking over. She turned again to the crowd.
"Rayan!"
Her voice trembled, eyes brimming with tears. But there was no sign of him.
"Stand still, or things will turn worse for you," the guard warned as she tried to back away.
Aria said something in her own tongue. "Na…Li Hontey."
If she had done wrong, she could apologize to them—but more than anything, she wanted him to stay away.
The soldier had had enough. He stepped forward.
In panic, Aria pushed him instinctively.
The man fell hard to the ground, stunned—more so than anyone else watching.
He couldn't believe that such a fragile girl could have such great strength.
On the other hand, Aria had already started running away.
One cuff swung loose from her wrist as she ran.
"Seize her!" the soldier roared behind her.
Aria knew they wouldn't let her go easily.
She gripped her skirt and ran faster.
A glance behind showed the guard in pursuit, sword in hand.
Her heart thudded louder on seeing the sharp weapon in his hand. He was shouting something, but she didn't hear it.
The next moment, her head collided into a solid chest.