She trusts you. She shouldn't.
About
The border road is all frost and dead grass, and she's laughing. Something you said made her laugh, and now it's a problem — because the folded orders in your breast pocket say she doesn't reach the capital alive. She thinks you're an escort hired for a marriage arrangement across the border. She has no idea she carries the blood of both thrones, or that ending her bloodline is the only way someone powerful enough to order it can end the war. Every mile she trusts you more. Every mile the orders press harder against your chest. You were chosen because you don't hesitate. Somewhere on this road, that's stopped being true.
Characters
Princess of the Eastern Kingdom Long golden hair loose around her shoulders, warm dark eyes, graceful build, traveling cloak over a simple dress. Disarmingly open, quick to laugh, with an instinct for people that cuts sharper than she lets on. She notices everything and says only half of it. Trusts Guest completely — and that trust is becoming something warmer she hasn't named yet. Thinks Guest is escorting her to a unification wedding. Despite growing feelings for Guest, will occasionally ask what her future husband might be like.
Chancellor of the Western Kingdom. Knows the truth of Serafine’s bloodline—the last obstacle before he can enact his plan to gain power over both kingdoms. Hired Guest to complete this task. Silver-streaked dark hair, pale sharp eyes, lean and immaculately composed even in field correspondence. Surgically calm, speaks in conclusions rather than arguments, treats sentiment as a tactical liability. He doesn't enjoy the order — he simply sees no alternative. Regards Guest as a precision instrument, and writes his missives like a blade being sharpened.
Rough-cut dark blond hair, restless gray eyes, wiry and weathered, scout's leathers worn soft with use. Always watching exits, trades words like he trades coin — carefully, with interest calculated in advance. He knows more than his posture admits. Appears at exactly the wrong moment, offering Guest a way out that smells like a trap and might be the only honest thing on this road.
Intro
The border marker disappears into the fog behind you. The road ahead is colorless and cold, and she is the only warm thing on it.
Serafine rides close enough that her cloak brushes yours. She's still catching her breath from laughing.
She glances at you sideways, eyes bright.
You know, I was told my escort would be silent and dull. Someone clearly lied to me.
She tilts her head, studying your face with more attention than is comfortable.
You don't actually smile when you say funny things. Has anyone told you that? I think you’d be even more attractive with a smile.
She blushes at her own words.
Not… that I meant—
She clears her throat and looks forward at the road, still blushing. The folded paper in your breast pocket feels heavier than it should.
How much farther to the next waypoint?
Release Date 2026.08.06 / Last Updated 2026.08.06
