The sound of pounding hooves wakes me shortly after dawn. Kierra is moving before my eyes fully open. As I step out of our small tent, I see her crouched in the shadow of the carriage.

A group is fast approaching. I wave her down when I spot the shiny armors and flying red-orange banner with a yellow sun displayed prominently in the middle. She ignores me as she smoothly nock an arrow. Sigh. Really hope the nice soldiers don’t take her precautions the wrong way.

Peter, who fell asleep on the driver’s bench, snorts loudly as his eyes blink open. Spotting the approaching soldiers who are close enough that I can count them, he hops to the ground and pounds on the door to the carriage. “My lord! The soldiers have arrived!”

Father crashes out of the carriage, shrugging on an elegant robe whose design is ruined by the garish colors of our house. The effect is further ruined from the peeks of his night clothes that can be seen under the loose collar but he doesn’t have the time to fix his shabby appearance as the soldiers appear in front of us.

I stand at Father’s side as the one in the lead hops off his horse and removes his helmet.

He’s a noble.

What gives it away is how his eyes cut to the side to take in the crest on the side of our carriage and the way his eyes narrow in contempt before his average features even out. Shouldn’t have expected anything else from soldiers of Summer Spire but saints give me the patience, I didn’t think I’d be dealing with this muleshit before we even got to the city.

“I am Captain Lewis Salenski of the Summer Spire Guards.”

“Luke Tome.” They shake hands briskly. “The captives are tied up over—”

“We have wagons coming. For now, I’d just like everyone’s statements about what happened for my report.” He looks over to the driver’s bench where Potter is still asleep, mouth open as he softly snores. “…if you’d wake up your man.”

Father is flushed with embarrassment-fueled rage. So much that he can’t even articulate, gesturing sharply toward the sleeping knight. Peter obeys the silent command.

Unfortunately, he chooses to wake his brother by kicking him off the bench. The air is filled with a series of curses exchanged between the two, further embarrassing themselves.

Father’s eye twitches with the effort not to react but I have no doubt that if there weren’t any witnesses, and if he had the strength to do it, he’d strangle them.

Salenski is unfazed. “Then I’ll start with you, sir. Can you tell me what happened?”

“I didn’t see much. When the carriage came to a sudden stop, I came out to see what the problem was but retreated when the fighting started. My knights and daughter-in-law handled the situation.”

“Daughter-in-law?” He looks at me suspiciously and I hold up my hands in silent denial.

“That would be me.”

The soldier turns around sharply, realizing there was someone else nearby who’s presence he couldn’t detect. His tension melts into loose-jawed shock as she steps in front of him. There is a long beat of silence as the soldiers examine the elf in front of them.

“Kierra D’Atainna.” She holds out her hand. It takes Salenski a long time before his hand slowly comes up to grasp it and he gulps audibly. “Now, you would like to know what happened?”

“Yes, um…my lady.” Hehe. This guy doesn’t know what her status is but the fact that she’s an elf makes him automatically default to respectful. Or maybe he doesn’t want to take the chance to offend her in hopes of impressing her later. From the look on his face as he discretely looks her up and down, I’d put my money on the latter.

“It’s as Honored Father says. However, once the carriage came to a sudden stop, I assumed the worst. Grabbing my bow, I hid in the trees. I saw them before they had a proper chance to counterattack. From what I could gather, they were amateurs being led by a few less-than-competent commanders on horseback. I shot three of them down but one has incredibly good senses and turned tail the moment he saw me. He had an obnoxious looking red garment over his shoulders. Hopefully, this is the kind of information you are looking for?”

“Y—” Salenski clears his throat. “Yes. The man is known to us. Rat keeps escaping our patrols. Knowing his identity will make it easier to track them down. You’re very observant, my lady.”

“Those who aren’t don’t tend to live long lives.” She smiles at him and his lips helplessly mirror the expression. “There’s no need to question the knights. They encountered the bandits headfirst, so I doubt they had much time for observations.”

“As you say.” He looks over at the brothers who are just now coming over and shakes his head. “I feel my lady’s eyes are far more reliable. The rest of our investigation will involve questioning the bandits. Your actions were spot on. It’s very commendable to see anyone react with such clarity.”

She chuckles. “Then I suppose it will be okay for us to be on our way?”

“Our wagons will be here to escort the criminals soon. I’d hope you’d wait that long before setting off so I may escort you to the city. It’d be shameful to let such a beautiful woman befall tragedy for a second time.”

The smile he gives her is no doubt meant to be charming. Judging from her twitching lips, she’s holding back a laugh. “Thank you, but we best not wait. Someone is awaiting us in the city on business best not left.”

“If you need us, you can find us at the Tome estate in the city,” my father interrupts curtly. Someone’s not happy being ignored. “Peter, hurry up with the horses. We’ve already lost good time and I want to make the city by tonight.”

“If you need anything, don’t be afraid to find me.”

“Of course.”

I’d already started for the carriage and catch the tail end of their exchange as I settle onto the bench. It isn’t long before Kierra ducks inside, laying the bag with her bow and the blanket we used last night on the ground before resuming her former reclining position. “You were quiet.”

“What, about the way he was trying to charm you? I might have stepped in if he was gaining any distance but I know he’s not exactly your type.” I’d imagine he’s on the small side. Then again, compared to the behemoths she prefers, all men are.

“True.” She turns, face pressed against my stomach. Seeing the way her hair falls across my lap, it’s impossible not to run my hands through the loose strands. “I finally understand what you mean about the status of your house. To that man, once he took in your family crest, you were less than air. Human culture is interesting.”

“Why are you saying it like that? You’re literally a part of a royal family.”

“Elven royalty isn’t determined by bloodline but by duels. My aunt was graciously handed her position, though has defended it many times, but her mother had to kill her predecessor.”

She grins up at me. Really, I should have guessed it’d be something like this. “So, the idea of someone judging your capacity without meeting you, simply based on your parents, is baffling. Especially when such didn’t matter with an unknown like me.”

“That’s because you’re more beautiful than any queen. No one would doubt your nobility.”

“Aw.” She reaches up to run a finger down my cheek. “Since when did you start using such sweet words?”

I’m not trying to compliment you here. It’s the truth. The way she walks, the way she talks, the confidence she talks down to people with that says she can handle any situation that’s thrown at her. No one with any common sense would think she’s a common anything. But that sounds callous so instead, I grab her hand and kiss the back, the way I’ve seen knights do.

Her smirk tells me she sees right through the gesture.

Luckily, Father jumps into the carriage along with Peter before she can tease me and we’re soon on our way. This could have easily been another tragedy like my kidnapping. The fact that I made it out proves how much I’ve grown.

New relationships count as growth too. In the world of nobility, you are who you’re allied with.

The Grimoires may have the ear of the king and most of the nobility under their thumbs but that’s nothing compared to my wife and Cosmo’s legacy. Hehe. Those thieves don’t know what’s coming for them.