The intruding guard's voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, his eyes darting toward the shadows.
"You two are planning to escape, aren't you? Let me join. I have had enough of Seraphina's chains. I can't breathe here anymore."
Romeo's jaw tightened, his gaze sharp. Beside him, Bianca's pulse quickened, her palms damp against her dress.
For a long moment, Romeo said nothing.
Then, fast and low, he replied, "Fine. But you follow my lead. No mistakes."
The trio slipped out with calculated ease, their footsteps blending with the silence of the early hour.
By the time they reached the outer gate, the morning sun had begun to blaze across the compound, drawing out the guards already stationed at their posts.
"Walk as if you're on duty," Romeo instructed in a clipped tone.
His eyes scanned the perimeter, hawk-like. "No sudden moves, no nervous glances... Just breathe."
One by one, they split into separate directions, slipping into the cracks of the shifting crowd.
