THE SHADOW BOUND CROWN

Lysara strode into Marienne's courtyard with confidence, her sharp eyes scanning the small but well-kept garden that surrounded the modest home. It had been too long since she last visited, but the familiarity of the place soothed her. She had spent much of her childhood here, away from the suffocating pressures of the palace. Her presence did not go unnoticed for long.

A voice, sweet but laced with playful accusation, called out from behind them. "Well, well, if it isn't Lysara Ravenshade, finally remembering that I exist."

Lysara turned just in time to see a young woman approaching, arms laden with baskets filled with fresh produce. Her dark auburn hair was tied back, and her bright hazel eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Calla," Lysara exhaled in relief, a genuine smile breaking across her usually serious face.

Calla dropped her baskets onto a nearby table and rushed forward, throwing her arms around Lysara. "You absolute wretch! You haven't visited in ages! Did the great Lysara get too important for me?"

Lysara huffed a laugh, shaking her head. "The royal banquet kept me occupied. You know how these things go."

"Excuses," Calla teased, pulling back. "But I'll forgive you—just this once."

Laurien and Aurelia, who had been standing slightly behind Lysara, watched the exchange with different reactions. Laurien, ever the observer, simply arched an eyebrow, surprised at this playful side of Lysara. Aurelia, however, frowned slightly, her arms crossing as her gaze flickered between Lysara and Calla's close proximity. She cleared her throat, breaking the moment between them.

Lysara, catching the shift in atmosphere, turned and gestured toward her companions. "Calla, these are Prince Laurien of Icevire and his sister, Princess Aurelia. And this—" she turned to them, "—is Calla, Marienne's youngest daughter. We grew up together."

Laurien gave a polite nod, while Aurelia, to Lysara's amusement, barely acknowledged Calla with a curt dip of her head.

"Pleasure," Calla said, tilting her head as she looked at Aurelia with mild curiosity before turning back to Lysara. "So, what brings you all here?"

Lysara crossed her arms. "I need a favor. We plan to explore the streets today, and it would be unwise to do so in these clothes. Would your mother mind if we borrowed something less… regal?"

Calla grinned. "Oh, she'll love that. She always said you looked better without all those stiff royal garments. Follow me."

She led them inside the house, where the smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air. Marienne, quickly agreeing to help, disappeared to fetch some of her children's simpler clothes.

While waiting, Laurien leaned against the wooden beam of the house, arms crossed. "You seem at ease here."

Lysara glanced at him. "I grew up running through these halls when I wasn't locked up learning how to be a noble."

Aurelia, still irked by something, finally spoke up, her tone edged with something unreadable. "Must be nice to have people so familiar with you."

Lysara caught the pointed tone but chose not to respond, watching instead as Calla returned with their new attire.

"Here you go," Calla said, handing them each a bundle of folded clothes. "They should fit."

Lysara took hers and headed into a separate room to change. The simple brown tunic and trousers felt far more natural than the heavy gowns and corsets she was usually forced to wear. When she stepped out, she caught sight of Aurelia adjusting the hem of her borrowed dress, the cream-colored fabric doing little to dull her striking features.

Lysara found herself staring for just a second too long before snapping her gaze away.

Aurelia, however, caught it. With a small smirk, she huffed, "Something wrong?"

Lysara scoffed. "Nothing at all. You still look like a royal, even in peasant attire."

Aurelia feigned surprise. "Oh? And here I thought you enjoyed this commoner look."

Laurien, now dressed in a simple tunic and dark pants, stepped forward, glancing down at himself before rolling his eyes. "I still feel like a prince."

Calla chuckled. "You'll get used to it. Just don't act too princely, and no one will notice."

Lysara nodded approvingly. "Good. Now let's go."

As they stepped out onto the streets, Lysara made sure her guards, now also disguised in common attire, followed at a distance. The streets were lively, with vendors calling out their wares and children weaving through the crowds with infectious laughter. The trio strolled at a relaxed pace, taking in the sights.

Aurelia reached out to touch the petals of a flower at a nearby stall. "It's different here. The air, the people… it's nothing like home."

Lysara glanced at her. "Icevire is colder, isn't it?"

"Not just in weather," Aurelia replied, giving a small, distant smile. "Back home, everything is structured. Even joy feels planned."

Lysara was about to respond when a voice interrupted them. "Ah, if it isn't the half-blood and her new little group."

Lysara tensed immediately, her body instinctively shifting in front of Aurelia as she turned to find none other than Hadrian standing a few feet away, arms crossed over his chest with that ever-infuriating smirk on his face.

Aurelia's expression instantly turned cold. "What do you want?"

Hadrian placed a hand over his chest mockingly. "Why so hostile, Princess? I merely wanted to greet you."

Laurien exhaled heavily. "We do not have time for whatever this is."

Hadrian ignored him, focusing on Aurelia instead. "You've been rather difficult to find. I was hoping we could talk."

Aurelia gave him a withering look. "I have nothing to say to you."

Lysara, growing more agitated by the second, stepped between them. "Then take a hint and leave."

Hadrian's gaze flickered to her, his smirk faltering for a second before returning. "You're awfully protective of her. I wonder why?"

Lysara clenched her jaw, but before she could retort, Aurelia did something unexpected—she reached for Lysara's hand, intertwining their fingers.

Hadrian's face darkened instantly. "I see. So that's how it is."

Aurelia smirked, her cold tone laced with amusement. "Jealous, are we?"

Hadrian's lips curled in irritation, but he said nothing. Lysara, though surprised at the sudden hand-holding, played along, tightening her grip just slightly.

"Stay out of my way, Lysara," Hadrian finally said before turning and stalking off.

Aurelia waited until he was out of earshot before grinning up at Lysara. "That was fun."

Lysara sighed heavily, pulling her hand away. "You really enjoy provoking people, don't you?"

Aurelia tilted her head playfully. "Only the ones worth provoking."

Laurien, who had watched the entire ordeal with a mix of amusement and irritation, exhaled loudly. "Let's just continue the tour before we attract more trouble."

Lysara shot one final glance in Hadrian's direction before nodding. "Agreed."

Aurelia, however, was still smirking as she fell into step beside Lysara. The day had just begun, and she was already thoroughly entertained.