Shakky's eyes were closed as she lay on the bed. Her eyelids twitched, then slowly opened. For a moment she didn't understand what had happened. She turned her head and saw Ameria sleeping on the chair beside her, still holding onto the edge of the blanket.
Shakky pushed herself up with some effort and leaned back against the headboard. The movement pulled the blanket, causing Ameria to stir.
Ameria rubbed her eyes and yawned.
"You're awa…ke, Princess…"
Shakky looked at her and could tell it was still night.
"How long was I asleep?"
Ameria stood up and walked to the window. After checking outside, she replied,
"There's still a long time before morning."
When she turned back, she noticed Shakky's gaze was lowered, as if something was weighing on her. Ameria walked closer.
"Princess, should I prepare some warm water so you can freshen up?"
Shakky only nodded.
A short while later, both of them were standing in the same place where Shakky had spoken with Nill earlier. This time both were wearing sweaters. The darkness had lessened a little. Below them, knights could be seen guarding the gate.
Ameria could clearly see the quiet sadness on Shakky's face, though she didn't know the reason. She couldn't ignore it.
"Princess… why do you look so down?"
Shakky turned her eyes toward her. The dark circles and tired look made Ameria realize she was frustrated.
Shakky didn't answer right away.
"(Last night's collapse… rejecting Nill… and still no real answers. This curse keeps taking things from me, little by little. Even when I try to move forward, it feels like I'm only standing still.)"
She lowered her gaze and started walking without giving Ameria a reply.
As she moved forward, a knight coming from the opposite direction failed to notice her. He was walking quickly with his head down and suddenly collided with what felt like an invisible wall, falling to the ground.
"Augh—!"
When he looked up, he found Shakky standing in front of him. He hurriedly scrambled to his feet.
"Forgive me, Princess! I wasn't paying attention! Please forgive me, I'll leave right away!"
He looked genuinely distressed. Just as he turned to go, Shakky stopped him.
"Wait. Come back."
The knight froze. Sweat had already formed on his forehead despite the cold. He walked back with his eyes lowered, clearly nervous.
Shakky observed him for a moment.
"You're on the night shift?"
"Yes, Princess."
"Where is your post?"
The knight glanced around before answering.
"My duty is mainly at the town tower. I only came here to document everything that happened during the night… but somehow I lost my way."
Shakky's eyes showed a faint interest.
"So your post is at the tower."
He nodded quickly, clearly wanting to leave.
"Then you must notice the things that happen at night," she said. "Have you seen anything strange?"
The knight's body stiffened slightly.
"Strange? No, Princess. Everything has been quiet."
He gave an awkward laugh. Shakky could tell he was lying.
"You can tell me," she said calmly.
The knight still hesitated.
"Princess, you shouldn't be walking around like this. Lord Keld could punish us for it. Please return to your room."
Shakky's voice turned cold.
"I won't say this a second time. This is an order. You're lying to me, and anyone can see it. Don't change the subject. Tell me the truth."
The knight's face tensed. After a moment, he gave in.
"Alright, Princess… but please don't get angry, and don't make fun of what I say."
Shakky nodded.
"Just tell me."
He looked around once more to make sure no one else was nearby, then spoke in a lower voice.
"Five days ago, I was on watch at the tower like every other night. Then I heard a roar from the forest… a terrifying one. It made every hair on my body stand up."
Both Shakky and Ameria looked at him more carefully.
"I thought I was imagining it, so I woke my partner. He laughed at me… until the same roar came again. That time he got scared too. And then I saw something large rising from the forest into the sky."
Shakky's curiosity sharpened.
"I saw it clearly," the knight continued. "It was a dragon."
Shakky fell silent for a moment. She hadn't sensed any dragon's presence nearby. Ameria spoke up.
"A dragon? Here? But dragons don't leave the North Continent."
The knight looked at her.
"You're right, my lady. But I saw it with my own eyes. I even reported it to Lord Keld. He thought I was just tired and imagining things."
Shakky raised a hand, stopping him.
"That's enough. You may go."
The knight bowed quickly.
"As you command, Princess."
After he left, Shakky rested her hand against her jaw, thinking.
"Something is definitely wrong. We need to reach Lord Manice soon. That should give us more answers."
Ameria looked confused.
"What exactly are you hoping to find there?"
Shakky glanced at her and gave a small, tired smirk, but didn't answer.
They stood in silence for a while. The sky was still dark, and the cold wind moved through the courtyard. Even after getting new information, the heaviness in Shakky's chest hadn't gone away.
Eventually Ameria spoke quietly.
"Princess… you should rest a little more. It's still a long time until morning."
Shakky didn't argue. She turned and walked back toward her room, Ameria following behind her.
**Morning.**
Ameria stood near the carriage with the bags. In front of her, Lord Keld was speaking with Shakky.
"Thank you for inviting us here, Lord Keld," Shakky said.
Keld gave a satisfied smile.
"It's my honor that you accepted the invitation. I would have been truly happy if you had stayed a few more days. You didn't even come for dinner last night."
Shakky smiled politely.
"Please forgive me for that. I was too exhausted and fell asleep. Next time I visit, I'll make sure to stay longer."
She then requested permission to leave.
"I should be going now."
She turned toward the carriage, then looked back at the Lancer family. When her eyes met Kimiya's, she raised a hand and waved.
"We'll meet again soon, Kimiya."
Kimiya waved back.
Shakky's gaze moved to Nill, who stood formally watching her. She gave him a small, gentle smile.
"Lord Nill, if you ever come to the capital, don't leave without meeting us."
Nill smiled and nodded.
Shakky said her final goodbyes and entered the carriage. Ameria followed.
The carriage began moving, followed by four knights on horseback. They passed through the castle gates, left the town, and continued along the snow-covered road. After a while they were traveling near the edge of the forest.
Ameria looked outside, then turned to Shakky.
"What did you talk about with Lord Keld while I was with Lady Simiya?"
"I spoke with him," Shakky replied. "He said he had already sent a letter about this matter to the king."
Ameria looked relieved.
"That's good to hear."
Shakky was quiet for a moment.
"Yes… but I didn't find any mention of it in Horminzor's reports. That's what's bothering me. Why didn't he tell me?"
Ameria smiled lightly.
"Maybe he didn't think it was important enough to mention."
Shakky shook her head slightly.
"Maybe. But when I looked at the letters from our kingdom that Lord Keld received… something felt wrong."
Ameria frowned.
"Wrong how?"
Shakky's expression turned serious.
"The replies given to Lord Keld were positive. They carried the royal seal… but the signature was different."