Mav leaned back in the carriage, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "I should've worn my disguise before coming inside," he thought, regretting his choice. It was scorching outside, and he'd planned to put on his disguise only when heading to the slums. That way, he’d minimize how much heat he’d have to endure. "I really need to pick a new one. Maybe something similar to my yellow disguise." He remembered the new outfit he'd used up during his sessions in the Xiros Desert, marveling at how much cooler and more comfortable it was compared to his old one. The tailor's craftsmanship had truly been impressive.

  The carriage rattled beneath him, the wheels crunching over cobblestone in a rhythmic beat, accompanied by the steady clopping of the horse's hooves. Across from him, Adelfi sat, still nibbling on the homemade snack she’d gotten from Ana. She caught his gaze and smiled, her innocence shining through her grin. Her smile offered a brief moment of calm, but it did little to quiet the dread gnawing at him. What if he embarrassed himself? What if he said something stupid? His heart pounded harder. Sure, his last meeting with the King had gone fine, but this was different. Surrounded by nobility in their element, he was bound to mess something up.

  Next to Adelfi, Voithos sat rigidly, his back straight and legs crossed. He stared out of the window, his eyes distant as though lost in thought. A single knight manned the horse up front, guiding the carriage through the bustling streets.

  Mav sighed, turning his attention to the world outside. The streets bustled with life—vendors calling out to passersby, children darting between stalls, laughter and voices blending into a single hum. Mav watched with a pang of envy. These people had no idea of the danger that loomed over them. And yet, here he was, more concerned about facing the King than the Daimoniki.

  Suddenly, his gaze locked onto a familiar figure in the crowd. A girl with hair gleaming under the sun, her posture casual as she meandered through the street, her arms behind her back. Her head turned, sniffing the air like she’d caught a scent. Mav followed her line of sight to a vendor grilling meat over an open flame. An idea sparked.

  "Can we stop the carriage for a moment?" Mav asked, snapping Voithos out of his reverie.

  Voithos gave him a quizzical look but nodded. He slid open a small window beside him and gave the instruction to the coachman. The carriage came to a halt with a jolt, and Voithos steadied Adelfi before she could tip over.

  Mav leaned out of the carriage door, gripping the side to keep his balance. "Lia!" he called, waving with his free hand.

  The girl, about to approach the grilled meat vendor, turned at the sound of his voice. Her brow furrowed as she searched for the source, finally spotting him.

  "Mav?" she asked, tilting her head in confusion.

  Mav beckoned her over, his arm waving enthusiastically. Lia hesitated, casting a wistful glance back at the vendor, but eventually sighed and began walking toward him.

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  As she approached, Mav ducked back inside the carriage. He turned to Voithos. "There’s going to be food at the castle, right?"

  "Yes," Voithos confirmed. "Our chefs have prepared a feast for your arrival."

  Mav's face brightened with a mischievous grin. "Is there any chance I could bring someone else with me?"

  Voithos raised an eyebrow, pausing for a moment before replying, "No, I don't have that kind of authority."

  Mav sighed in defeat. "Figures."

  Before he could dwell on it, Lia's voice interrupted from outside. "Mav?"

  At the sound of her voice, Adelfi perked up, her face lighting up as if she'd just heard the arrival of an ice cream truck. "Do they even have ice cream in this world?" Mav wondered briefly. Adelfi would love it if they did.

  Adelfi jumped to her feet before Voithos could stop her, her youthful energy too quick for him. She flung the door open. "Big sis, Lia!" she shouted.

  "Adelfi!" Lia responded with equal enthusiasm.

  Mav blinked in surprise, looking between the two girls. "Wait... You two know each other?"

  "Come with us!" Adelfi exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over.

  Lia hesitated, rubbing her stomach. "I don’t know…"

  Adelfi’s eyes lit up with sudden realization. "There’s food at the castle!" she exclaimed, as if she'd uncovered the perfect solution.

  Lia paused, her eyes flicking toward the grilled meat she’d been eyeing earlier, but the temptation of a full meal clearly won out. "Really? Can I come then?" she asked, her resolve finally breaking.

  Adelfi giggled. "Of course! The more friends visiting, the better it gets!"

  Mav glanced at Voithos, who sighed in resignation. "If the princess insists, who am I to object?"

  Mav couldn't help but fist-pump in triumph. "Mission success," he thought. "At least I won't have to face the King alone now."

  "Come on in," Mav said, helping Lia up into the carriage.

  "Thanks," Lia said, settling inside, sitting besides Adelfi. She shot him a curious look. "Wait… Why are you riding in the royal carriage?"

  Mav grinned. "Come in and I’ll explain- Well, actually, Adelfi will explain on our way to the castle." He shot a playful glance at the princess.

  Adelfi’s eyes sparkled again, as though she'd been given a secret mission. Mav sighed in relief, glad to pass the responsibility to her. As he watched her eagerly prepare to explain, it dawned on him just how much more at ease he'd become about letting others in on his secrets. It wasn’t like him to share so freely. His hand clenched slightly. "I just hope this doesn’t come back to bite me later," he thought.

  The journey continued, and as Adelfi narrated the story of their royal visit to Lia, the two girls quickly bonded over idle chatter and laughter. Adelfi, her eyes shining with excitement, began sharing stories from the castle.

  "I once tried to bake a cake with the royal chef," she began, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. "It turned out… well, not so much a cake as a squishy pile of flour and eggs!" She giggled, recalling the mess. "The chef said he'd never seen such a disaster, but he still let me decorate it with berries. Papa said it tasted... 'interesting,' but he ate the whole thing!"

  Lia snickered, imagining the royal chef’s horror. Then, she decided to share her own tales. "Well, I don’t have any tales about baking mishaps, but once on the battlefield…" She launched into one of her stories, describing a skirmish with a Ogres that nearly outflanked her group. As she spoke, her body took over, her fists punching the air as she demonstrated how she’d fought off an enemy with swift movements. Her voice grew more animated as she reenacted how she ducked under a swing and countered with a quick jab, her arms mimicking the fight.

  Adelfi watched in awe, leaning forward with rapt attention. "Wow!" she breathed, captivated by Lia’s energy.

  Mav admired Lia’s easygoing nature, especially the way she spoke and listened to Adelfi as if every word was of utmost importance, never talking down to her despite the age difference. Meanwhile, Voithos remained his usual stoic self, gazing out of the window in silence.

  The carriage soon slowed to a stop, and Voithos straightened, alert. "Have we arrived already?" Mav wondered.