Hours Earlier…
"I beg your pardon, Your Highness?" Darian asked, turning his head as the carriage rumbled beneath them.
"You heard me, Sir Darian," Princess Sylteena said, her tone firm. "We must detour to the deeper parts of the Domestic Forest. We need to find the Vairlinthas flower."
Philip blinked, carefully steadying the swirling black potion bottle in his lap.
The carriage jolted over a crooked stone path, its gold-trimmed interior glowing dimly beneath the overhead lantern. Thick red curtains bounced lightly against the sliver of the open window, letting in the cool breath of evening.
"But… Why?" Philip asked slowly.
