Duncan, Lord William, Lord Matthew, Lucas, and several palace guards spent the next morning preparing for their mission. To avoid revealing their identities, they dressed as ordinary merchants. Their expensive robes were replaced with simple tunics, plain trousers, and worn leather boots. Even their horses and weapons were disguised to avoid attracting attention.
Before long, they boarded a merchant's carriage bound for the commoners' district.
The moment they arrived, Duncan silently observed his surroundings, the streets were crowded and dusty, children ran barefoot through the narrow roads while hardworking men and women struggled to earn enough for the day. Even elderly people carried heavy baskets or sold goods beneath the scorching sun, it was nothing like the noble district.
Back home, servants attended to every need, and guards stood ready to protect them. A single scratch on a lord could cost a guard his life.
Here...
Life was different.
Duncan had visited the district before, but this time he truly looked around, their temporary lodging was a small rented room.
Compared to the palace, it was tiny, still, their mission came first.
Lord William frowned the moment he entered. "I'm not sleeping here," he complained. "This place is filthy."
Without another word, he returned to the palace each night, leaving Duncan and Lord Matthew to continue the investigation alone.
Matthew simply laughed.
"Let him go. It only means more work for us."
By noon, Duncan's stomach growled.
"I'm hungry," he admitted.
Lucas grinned.
"There's only one place I can think of."
"The bakery?"
Lucas nodded.
Soon, the three of them walked into Mr. Benjamin's bakery, the familiar aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries filled the air. Unlike the palace, they had to wait their turn.
For the first time in years, Duncan found himself standing in a queue.
Oddly...
He didn't mind.
A few moments later, someone approached with a tray.
"Your order."
Duncan looked up.
It was Alora.
She placed the pastries on the table with a polite smile, for a brief moment, Duncan hoped she would recognize him.
She didn't, his simple merchant's clothing had completely hidden his identity.
He smiled to himself.
Perhaps the disguise was better than he had expected, as Alora returned to work, Duncan noticed something else, people kept whispering whenever she walked past, some stared, others laughed quietly.
His smile slowly faded, something wasn't right. After finishing their meal, the investigation continued.
Lucas blended effortlessly with the townspeople, chatting with merchants and charming the women into sharing whatever information they knew.
Lord Matthew questioned traders and travellers passing through the district.
Meanwhile, Duncan listened carefully for any mention of Chief Zion.
Unfortunately...
Nothing.
That evening, Duncan returned to the bakery, he watched from a distance as Alora and Irene finished work and began walking home together, without revealing himself, he quietly followed them.
Irene suddenly stopped.
"...Do you feel like someone is watching us?" she asked.
Alora looked around.
"I don't see anyone."
Hidden behind a nearby building, Duncan smiled faintly, years of military training had made him nearly impossible to detect, he continued following them until they reached home.
When Alora stepped inside, Duncan finally looked at the small house before him.
His heart sank, the entire home was barely half the size of his bedroom.
Yet...
Three people lived there.
For the first time, Duncan truly understood the hardships commoners endured.
He quietly turned around and left.
Several days passed.
The investigation continued without success, yet Duncan always found himself returning to the bakery, sometimes he simply watched from afar, other times he followed Alora home to ensure she arrived safely, he told himself it was because of the rumors...
But deep down...
He knew that wasn't the only reason.
On a quiet Saturday morning, Alora carried two empty buckets toward the village well.
The streets were unusually peaceful.
Halfway there, she suddenly stopped.
She felt as though someone was following her, she slowly turned around.
No one.
Shaking her head, she continued walking until she reached the well, after filling both buckets, she bent down to lift one, just as she did...
Another hand grasped the handle, startled, Alora looked up, at first, she frowned in confusion.
The man looked like an ordinary merchant, then she looked closer, her eyes widened.
"My Lord..."
A gentle smile spread across Duncan's face.
"Good morning, Alora."