Love, Thrones, and Past Intrigue: A Fantasy Adventure

Chapter 6 - Victor's Ruthless Reputation

As Prince Victor vanished into the crowd, Lily rushed towards Serena with an air of urgency, her eyes darting around the marketplace with a mix of concern and alarm. "Serena, let's get out of here, quickly," she whispered, her voice low and insistent.

Serena, still reeling from the unexpected encounter, nodded numbly, allowing Lily to grasp her arm and steer her away from the bustling stalls. "Why the hurry?" Serena asked, her curiosity piqued.

Lily glanced around nervously, ensuring they were out of earshot. "We need to leave, now," she urged, her voice laced with a sense of desperation. "If we don't, you'll become the subject of gossip and speculation. We can't let that happen." She covered her face with one hand, hinting for Serena to do the same, and whispered, "Run."

Serena's instinct was to protest, to mention the pain in her knees, but Lily was already pulling her along, her grip firm but gentle. Trusting her friend's judgment, Serena endured the discomfort and followed Lily through the winding streets.

As they ran, Serena was struck by Lily's agility and speed. She had never seen her friend move with such fluidity, such purpose. "You're quite the runner," Serena panted, her eyes wide with surprise.

Lily flashed a brief smile, her eyes fixed on the path ahead. "When necessary," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Lily led Serena through the winding streets, the crowds and noise of the marketplace gradually giving way to quieter, more secluded areas. They turned down a narrow street, lined with tall trees and old stone walls. The street was empty, save for a few scattered leaves and a faint scent of blooming flowers.

As they walked, the street grew increasingly quiet, the only sound being the soft rustling of leaves and the distant hum of insects. Lily finally stopped at a small, secluded spot, where the street curved around a bend. The area was hidden from view, with tall trees and walls blocking out the surrounding streets.

"Let's talk here," Lily said, her voice low and serious.

Serena nodded, her eyes scanning the secluded spot before locking onto Lily's, her curiosity piqued. "Now, tell me, why did you tell me to run?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of urgency.

Lily's hands grasped Serena's shoulders, her eyes burning with a mix of relief and concern. "You were incredibly lucky, Serena," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the distant hum of insects. "You're alive and safe right now, and that's all that matters." With that, she pulled Serena into a warm, comforting hug, exhaling a deep breath of relief that seemed to shake her very being.

Serena's hands patted Lily's back, a gentle smile spreading across her face. "Well, I suppose that horse did come close to trampling me," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of amusement.

Lily's hug tightened momentarily, before she slowly withdrew, her hands sliding down to rest on Serena's upper arms. Her eyes locked onto Serena's face, scanning her expression with an intensity that made Serena's heart skip a beat.

"W-what" Serena asked.

Lily's expression turned grave. "No, Serena, it wasn't the horse I was worried about," she said, her voice low and serious. "It was the prince. You see, it's not exactly common for someone to escape unscathed after irritating him or making him angry. The way he looked when he halted his steed... it was clear he was furious. Yet, here you are, standing before me, unscathed."

Serena's gaze dropped to her knees, her eyes narrowing as she gingerly shifted her weight. A faint wince crossed her face, and she winced again as she put pressure on her injured knee. "Umm...actually, my knee is hurt," she said, her voice laced with a hint of pain. "When I fell during the commotion, I must have twisted it wrong. It's throbbing now."