4. Town visit and incognito

977 Words
THE NEXT DAY AT ISABELLA'S POV: The sun was high in the sky as I slipped out of the castle gates, the shadows of the trees providing just enough cover to keep me hidden from the guards. "I am going to rest early."I told the maid before leaving to my room an hour earlier. "As you wish."She said and left. My heart raced with a mix of excitement and nerves as I moved quietly down the path, the cool night air whispering through the trees. I pulled the hood of my cloak up to hide my face, hoping it would help me blend in with the townspeople. As I approached the town, the sounds of laughter and music floated towards me, the liveliness of the streets a stark contrast to the quiet halls of the castle. I found myself smiling for the first time in what felt like days. Here, I could breathe. Vendors were still out, calling to passersby to sample their wares, while children chased each other through the crowd, their laughter filling the air. It was chaotic and lively, and it was exactly what I needed. I stopped at a small stall selling pastries, my stomach growling as the scent of fresh bread and sweet cakes filled the air. I reached into the small purse I had brought with me, pulling out a few coins. "One of those, please." I said, pointing to a flaky pastry dusted with sugar. "You’re not from around here, are you, dear? Don’t often see someone like you in these parts."Seller said. I shook my head, taking a bite of the pastry. "Just passing through."I said. I glanced around, my eyes scanning the crowd, but saw nothing unusual. Still, the feeling followed by someone. I continued down the street, trying to shake off the unease, but the sense of being followed grew stronger with each step. The footsteps were soft, almost imperceptible, but they were there. Whoever it was, they were good at staying hidden. I tensed, ready to run if I had to, when a familiar voice cut through the darkness. "Evening, Miss."I heard a voice., I froze, recognizing the voice instantly. A man stepped into view, his expression a mixture of frustration and something else. I thought it was Noah but I was wrong. AT THE SAME TIME AT NOAH'S POV: I watched from the shadows as Isabella slipped out of the castle, her form barely visible under the heavy cloak she wore. She thought she was being careful, but it was hard not to notice someone sneaking around like that, especially when you knew what to look for. And I always knew where she was, even if she didn’t realize it. Why did she have to make everything so difficult? Maybe it was the way she challenged everything or the way she refused to be molded into the perfect royal. But following her like this wasn’t going to work. If she knew I was watching her every move, she’d just push back harder. She’d run and become even more impossible. No, if I wanted to keep her safe and maybe, just maybe, understand her better I needed a different approach. "Let's get plan into action."I muttered. I quickly pulled a plain cloak over my clothes, tugging the hood low over my face. I was just another face in the crowd. Michael, a traveler, a stranger. After she moved away from the stall, I made my approach, keeping my voice low and casual. "Evening, miss. Haven’t seen you around here before."I said. She turned to look at me, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in my appearance. I could see the suspicion in her gaze, but there was also curiosity. Good. "I’m just passing through. Michael." I said, offering her a small smile." This town can be a bit overwhelming at night. Mind if I walk with you for a bit? It’s safer that way." She hesitated, glancing around as if weighing her options. For a moment, I thought she might refuse, but then she nodded. "All right. I guess it couldn’t hurt."She said. As we walked side by side, I kept the conversation light, asking her about her travels, the places she had been. She wasn’t thinking about Noah, the prince, or the castle. She was just Isabella, and I was just Michael. She didn’t realize the risk she was taking, how dangerous this could be for her. She was smart, no doubt about it, but also reckless. I could only hope that by getting closer to her like this, I could keep her safe without pushing her away. "This place is beautiful.'She said quietly. "But beauty can be deceiving. Not everything is as safe as it seems."I said. "Is that a warning, Michael?"She asked. "I think you’re smart enough to handle yourself, Isabella,"I said. She blinked, caught off guard by the use of her name. "How do you know my name?"She asked. I cursed myself silently. Slipping up like that could ruin everything. "You mentioned it earlier, at the stall." I lied smoothly. "Right. Well, thanks for the company, Michael. But I think I’ll be fine from here."She said. "All right. But if you ever need a guide around town, you know where to find me."I said. As she turned to walk away, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. This was going to be harder than I thought. But if keeping her safe meant playing this game, then so be it. I’d be "Michael" for as long as I needed to be, even if it drove me crazy in the process. "She is interesting."My wolf said. "She indeed is."I said. I walked off back to the castle. I felt happy to use this way to know her better. It was one of the plans that are going to work.
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