THE SHADOW BOUND CROWN

The streets of the middle district bustled with life as the trio wandered through its winding paths. Merchants called out their wares, children ran between stalls, and the scent of freshly baked bread and spiced meats filled the air. Aurelia's face was alight with wonder as she flitted from one vendor to another, her hands brushing over colorful fabrics, intricately carved trinkets, and fragrant flowers. Laurien followed at a slower pace, watching his sister with an amused expression, while Lysara kept a wary eye on their surroundings.

Aurelia picked up a beautifully woven scarf, running the soft fabric between her fingers before turning to Laurien. "This would suit you," she mused, draping it over his shoulders with a teasing smile.

Laurien sighed but didn't protest, adjusting the scarf properly as if resigning himself to his sister's whims. "If it pleases you, dear sister."

Aurelia beamed, pleased with her handiwork, before moving on to admire a selection of polished stones. Without hesitation, she began selecting small trinkets and handing them to Laurien, who accepted them with an exasperated but patient expression. When his hands were full, she turned to Lysara.

"Here, hold this," Aurelia ordered, placing a bundle of small wrapped packages into Lysara's arms.

Lysara blinked at the sudden weight in her grasp. "I am not your pack mule," she grumbled but made no move to drop them.

Aurelia only smiled sweetly. "You carry a sword all the time; surely this isn't much heavier."

Lysara sighed, but a small warmth settled in her chest. It was rare to see Aurelia so animated, so openly delighted by something as simple as exploring the market. The Icevire princess, who often carried herself with an air of cool detachment, was now glowing with happiness. Lysara found herself watching her more than she intended, captivated by how expressive she was in these moments.

Laurien, still dutifully holding onto several purchases, gave his sister an amused glance. "Are you buying out the entire market, Aurelia?"

"Perhaps," she replied airily. "Everything is so different here. So warm, so lively. I want to take a piece of it with me."

Lysara's smile faltered slightly. A piece of it with her? Would that mean one day, Aurelia would leave and return to Icevire, carrying only memories of Ravenshade? The thought unsettled her, but she quickly pushed it aside.

As they continued through the marketplace, Lysara's sharp eyes scanned their surroundings. Something felt off. Her instincts, honed through years of training and combat, told her they were being watched. She turned her head slightly, her gaze flickering through the crowd until she caught sight of a familiar figure—a member of the royal guard, one of those assigned to discreetly follow them. However, his posture was too rigid, his eyes too focused. Something wasn't right.

Calla, walking beside Lysara, noticed her change in demeanor. "Something wrong?" she asked, her voice low.

Lysara hesitated before responding, her voice equally quiet. "We're being followed. One of my guards."

Calla frowned. "That's expected, isn't it?"

"It's not just that," Lysara murmured. "One of them betrayed my trust. Someone told my brother about this trip before we even left."

Calla's brows furrowed, but before she could say more, Lysara shook her head. "It's nothing. The weight of these packages is just bothering me."

Calla gave her a skeptical look but said nothing more. Lysara made a mental note to deal with the potential traitor later. For now, she had to focus on the present.

Unaware of the conversation happening behind her, Aurelia was still lost in her own enjoyment of the market. But when she glanced back and saw Lysara speaking quietly with Calla, her mood shifted. A slight frown creased her lips, though she quickly masked it.

"Is something wrong, Lysara?" Aurelia asked coolly when they caught up to her.

Lysara shook her head. "Nothing important."

Aurelia didn't look convinced but didn't push the matter. Instead, she turned her attention back to the bustling market, though her previous cheerfulness had dimmed slightly.

They soon reached the town square, where people were busy decorating for the upcoming celebration. Banners in deep reds and blacks, the colors of Ravenshade, were strung across the streets, and a grand stage was being set up at the center. The air was filled with the sound of hammering, laughter, and excited chatter. Lysara gestured toward the preparations.

"This is for the Festival of the First Ravenshade," she explained. "It's a celebration of the kingdom's founder and the unification of our lands. There will be feasts, performances, and a grand ceremony tonight."

Aurelia's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "And we're attending, I presume?"

Lysara nodded. "Of course."

Laurien, who had been relatively quiet throughout their outing, gave a small smile. "It will be interesting to see how another kingdom celebrates its history. Icevire's traditions are much… colder."

Aurelia rolled her eyes at his pun but didn't argue. Instead, she let her gaze wander over the decorations, as if imagining what the night's festivities would be like.

As the sun began to set, Lysara suggested they return to Marienne's house for dinner before preparing for the night's events. Aurelia hesitated but eventually agreed, though her mood remained slightly subdued. Lysara noticed but chose not to address it yet.

Laurien, still burdened with their many purchases, sighed dramatically. "At least let me put these down first before we eat."

Aurelia smirked. "No, I think you look rather charming like that."

Laurien groaned, and Lysara chuckled softly as they made their way back, the warmth of the day's outing lingering between them.