Yunxi had not tried to remember the beauty before him even a little. That was the least of his problems right now. He wanted to believe she was indeed mistaken. And even if he had once knew her, he was in no mood to remember.
His lips pressed into a thin line. He bowed stiffly, acknowledging her royal gown, the soldiers at her side, the power she carried. Then, without a word, he turned his horse and spurred it forward.
That was furthest he could go.
Perhaps he had already decided to head back to the hospital. Whatever the case, he didn't spare the young lady a second glance. His figure grew smaller and smaller until it vanished from sight.
"Broth—" The princess's voice faltered, catching in her throat. She stopped, staring at the empty narrow passway where Yunxi had disappeared. For a moment, despair clouded her features.
But then, slowly, she turned to her maid. Determination burned in her eyes.
"Get the horse," she said firmly. Her lips curved into a smile as she looked once more in the direction Yunxi had gone.
"I like chasing… just as you like being chased."
Her smile widened, her face alight with resolve.
The forest air was sharp and cool, filled with the rhythmic pounding of hooves against the earth. A royal racing horse darted through the trees like a streak of silver, carrying upon its back a young princess whose laughter echoed among the branches.
"Cha… cha… hurry, so we can catch up to my brother!" the young lady commanded, her voice bright with excitement. Her speed increased as though her smile itself urged the horse on. Her eyes glittered with the thrill of pursuit, her cheeks flushed with joy.
"Young miss! If you continue at this pace, we might lose you!" one of the soldiers shouted from behind, his horse lagging far behind the swift royal steed.
The young lady—Princess Yura—was not alone. Her maid, Hanying, clung tightly to her waist on the same horse. Both of them laughed, their voices blending into the music of hooves and wind.
The soldiers tried to keep up, but they quickly realized the futility of their efforts. Their horses were nothing more than ordinary beasts, purchased hastily along the way after the princess had sold the royal mounts to buy food for the starving villagers they encountered. The men's loyalty burned, but their steeds faltered.
"Young miss?" one of the soldiers called again, desperation in his tone.
"Princess!" another cried before his comrade silenced him with a harsh hiss.
"Don't call her that," the man warned. His eyes darted anxiously around the forest. "If spies hear you, you'll put her in danger. You know there are those in this empire who would harm her if they knew she was back. I don't even know why the queen allowed her return."
Yura either did not hear or simply ignored them. Her laughter rang louder than the warnings.
"Young miss," Hanying said softly, her voice quivering as the wind whipped past them, "Are you sure we're going the right way?"
"Of course," Yura replied without hesitation, her eyes fixed ahead with childlike certainty. "I'm following a trail only I can see."
"A trail you only see?" Hanying echoed, her unease deepening."Wait." Yura suddenly pulled the reins, bringing the horse to a halt. Dust rose as the animal snorted, tossing its head. She slid gracefully to the ground and gestured for her maid to dismount as well. Kneeling, Yura brushed her fingers against the imprints in the soil. Her eyes narrowed, studying the overlapping hoof marks with the focus of a hunter.
"Tell me, Hanying," she said, scoffing lightly as she touched her chin with her free hand. "Do you think someone is following my brother, Yunxi?"
The soldiers arrived just as she was crouched there, their faces damp with sweat. They exchanged uneasy glances, watching her trace the marks as if deciphering a secret language.
"Jing," Yura called, addressing one of them directly. "These footsteps are different. Why do you think that is?"
The soldier hurried forward, wringing her hands. He was the one in charge. "Young miss… perhaps you are mistaken. Maybe—"
Yura's head snapped up, her eyes blazing. "Ying. Do you doubt my skills?" she asked without looking at the other commander soldier besides them.
"N-no, young miss!" Hanying stammered, she playfully bowed quickly. "It's not like that. I only wanted to make sure you weren't mistaken."
"It's the same thing," Yura pressed, her voice sharp, though her lips curved with playful pride.
The commander finally stepped forward, his brow furrowed.he looked at the prints and finally spoke. "Miss, I believe you're right. The one you follow is indeed being shadowed. If we continue along the same path, we might fall into his trap instead."
Yura straightened, brushing the dirt from her palms. Her gaze hardened as she stared down the soldier. "So you're saying I should turn the other way, leave him to fend for himself, and risk his death if the one following him means to kill him?"
"Miss Yura, we are not even certain the tracks belong to a pursuer," Hanying tried again, her voice gentle but urgent. "Perhaps they merely travel in the same direction."
Yura turned on her heel, facing the commander with sharp defiance. "And you? Do you think like her?"
The man hesitated only a moment before shaking his head. "No, miss."
"Good." She cast her maid a triumphant smile. "This is why you can't survive without me, Ying."
Hanying lowered her head, lips pressed into a thin line.
"I can't leave my brother to danger," Yura declared, mounting her horse once again with swift determination. "If you believe otherwise, ride with them."
Hanying hesitated, torn between fear and loyalty. Then, with an apologetic glance at the soldiers, she mounted behind Yura. The princess spurred the horse forward, leaving the men behind in a cloud of dust.
The commander cursed under his breath and urged the others after her. "We don't even know where the brat is heading, for the God's sake_he didn't treat you with well." he muttered darkly. "And here we are, rushing to save him from dying."