Bener sprinted along the alleyway before he crossed the town square, his boots scuffing against the cobblestones as he approached the house across from the infirmary. The moon hung low in the sky, casting misty shadows that stretched long across the ground. He rapped gently on the wooden door, the sound echoing faintly in the quiet night. The house remained still.
A few more knocks. Then, unexpectedly, the adjacent door creaked open.
A young woman leaned out, her hair tumbling in loose, sun-kissed waves that caught the moonlight, framing her face like a golden halo. Her gaze met his — curious, playful — her eyes dark pools that glittered with quiet intrigue. A hesitant smile ghosted across her lips as she hovered at the threshold, half-shrouded in darkness.
"Uh... I’m looking for Doctor Kane," Bener said, his voice faltering slightly.
"He went out for fresh air," she purred her voice a smoky whisper that danced through the air. A shiver cascaded down Bener’s spine, prickling the skin on his arms as he felt the weight of her words. "You might find him at the park beside the town hall."
Bener swallowed hard, the tone of her words lingering in the air long after she spoke. With a nod and a hurried "Thank you," he turned on his heel and made his exit, though the sound of her voice clung to his thoughts like a sweet, forbidden melody.
Behind him, the woman chuckled softly before slipping back inside and locking the door.
A low, masculine voice drifted from the shadows of the dimly lit room. On the bed, a man reclined lazily, his smirk glinting in the darkness. The woman cast him a glance over her shoulder, her lips curling into a coy smile. With a playful flick of her hair and an exaggerated sway of her hips, she glided toward him, the soft rustle of her skirts the only sound in the quiet room.
"Why did you open the door? I told you to ignore it," the man chided his voice a low rasp that sent shivers down her spine.
"He was annoying," she teased, lifting a strand of her hair over her shoulder with a playful tilt of her head. "His knocking was getting louder. It was getting on my nerves."
The man pulled her into his chest, and his lips grazed the curve of her neck, teeth finding the soft flesh of her earlobe. She gasped, the sound slipping from her lips unbidden.
"Now..." he murmured, his voice a dark promise against her skin. "Let’s continue where we left off."
"Of course, Captain." Her eyes sparkled with mischief as he pressed her beneath him, his weight sinking her into the mattress.
"Bella... what a beautiful name." He brushed a lock of hair from her face, his touch almost tender. "From today onwards, you belong to me."
"Yes, Captain. My heart, my body, and my soul just belong to you." The woman purred, her voice dripping with playful allure, as she tilted her head slightly to the side, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes.
"I like obedient people." The man said, then his breath turned ragged.
When she heard that Mayor Roder Fuerte had been caught, Briella thought she was doomed. She lost her backer. She wanted to find General Turik, but, like a coward, he escaped at the first sign of danger.
When she saw a soldier flirting with a woman, an idea came alive in her mind like a switch that had been flipped on. She vowed that she would do everything to survive and had her revenge.
Bener hurried across the plaza, the full moon casting its misty glow over the bustling square. The night was alive with laughter and play — children darted through the streets, tugging at each other in games of chase and tug-of-war. Two teams faced off in a spirited round of Escape From Hell, dodging and weaving through a rectangular grid, their shouts and giggles filling the night air.
Couples sat quietly on stone benches beneath the moon, their hands folded neatly in their laps, a careful distance maintained between them. Bener’s brow furrowed. Were they the soldiers who flirted openly with the local women?
Ordinarily, he might have stopped to watch, especially the game the two teams were playing. The vibrant energy of the town was pulling at the corners of his attention. It was rare for the town to be lively at night. But tonight, his heart pounded with urgency.
Two shadows stood beneath the gnarled branches of the ancient oak tree — one tall, broad-shouldered, his presence commanding, the other slighter, almost delicate in comparison. Bener’s breath caught in his throat. Even in the dim light, he recognized the taller figure instantly. Prince Alaric.
And the smaller figure... Kane.
Bener’s heart leaped into his throat as he saw Alaric shift, stepping closer. From his vantage, the prince’s posture softened , his head tilting downward.
He lunged forward, his boots pounding against the cobblestones. He let his steps fall heavy, the sound sharp and jarring against the quiet night, achieving exactly what he intended. Alaric’s head snapped up, his gaze dark and unreadable, while Kane blinked in surprise, taking a half-step back.
Bener’s chest heaved, his pulse racing, though whether from exertion or the scene he’d just interrupted, he wasn’t sure. All he knew was that the moment had shattered, and the prince’s eyes — cold, piercing — were now fixed on him.
"What were you two up to?" he inquired, his breath coming in quick, shallow bursts, eyes wide with a mix of curiosity and disbelief.
Lara looked confused, her brows furrowed. Even in the dimness of the night, she could tell by Bener’s expression that he was overreacting, and his thoughts were wild and dirty.
"What do you think? His Highness removed the leaf stuck on my hair." Lara replied indifferently.
’Was that really all?’ Bener felt a rush of heat seep into his cheeks, flooding his face with a deep crimson hue. Doubt gnawed at him—had he truly overreacted? The unsettling question lingered in his mind, causing his heart to race as he replayed the moment over and over.
The night air grew still.
Bener swallowed. "Doctor Kane... I’ve been looking for you."