Chapter 3 3.Chapter 3: of Daggers, Deceptions, and Deeply Disappointing

Chapter 3: Of Daggers, Deceptions, and Deeply Disappointing Disguises

To Elric's credit, he only screamed a little when Mira pulled him into a cabbage cart to escape the bounty hunters.

"Stop flailing!" she snapped, ducking behind a pile of leafy greens.

"I have cabbage in my trousers!" Elric hissed.

"Oh no," she said dryly. "How will the world go on?"

The bounty hunters-three muscular men with the facial expressions of disappointed bricks-stormed past the alley, shouting for the princess and stepping on at least two innocent loaves of bread in their pursuit. Mira peeked through the cabbage leaves.

"Looks like we bought some time," she whispered.

"Bought?" Elric looked down. The cart owner was standing five feet away, arms crossed, frowning at them like they'd ruined his entire week.

Mira tossed him a gold coin. "Sorry. Royal business."

"I'm a turnip merchant," he grunted.

"Even better," she said, and dragged Elric into the next alley.

"So. Princess," Elric said once they were safely hidden behind a suspiciously steamy bakery chimney. "Anything else I should know? Secret twin? Talking pet raven? Married to a dragon?"

Mira didn't respond immediately. Instead, she adjusted her hood, looking up at the crescent moon.

"My real name is Miraleth of Thornmere," she said. "I was promised to Prince Valen of this kingdom. A political alliance between two boringly powerful families. I escaped because-surprise!-I'd rather not be royal property."

Elric blinked. "Wow. That's... actually kind of noble."

"Don't get used to it. I also embezzled a royal vault, stole a priceless map, and possibly insulted the entire Order of Courteous Knights."

"I love that for you."

She smirked. "I was starting to think you weren't entirely useless."

"High praise from someone who arm-wrestled a dwarf for dessert."

They shared a brief look. The kind that lingered half a second too long. The kind that might have turned into a kiss, if the chimney hadn't suddenly exploded in flour.

Out of the smoke stepped a short figure with glowing green eyes, a silver tail, and what looked like five stolen necklaces tangled around his neck.

"Hey there, friends!" chirped the newcomer. "Mind if I crash this flirty moment? I brought biscuits!"

Elric coughed. "Why are the biscuits on fire?"

The fox spirit held up a tray of charred lumps. "Experimental baking. I call them fire-snaps. They bite back."

Mira groaned. "Elric, meet Nox. He's a kleptomaniac shapeshifter who owes me seventeen favors."

Nox wagged his tail and stole Elric's belt.

They regrouped in an abandoned windmill on the edge of town, now operating as Nox's "mystical bachelor den," which consisted of a hammock, sixteen shiny spoons, and a badly taxidermied squirrel named Sir Pompous.

As they settled in, Mira unrolled a weathered scroll from her cloak.

"This," she said, "is why I ran. It's a map I found in the Royal Library-hidden inside a fake book titled How to Properly Address a Duke Without Getting Slapped."

Elric peered over her shoulder. The map shimmered with enchanted ink, revealing shifting ruins, ancient seals, and a symbol that looked suspiciously like a goat wearing a crown.

"That's the same goat that gave me the prophecy!" Elric gasped.

"You're still going on about the goat?" Mira said.

"Prophetic livestock are very underrated!"

Nox shrugged. "I once dated a cow that could read tea leaves. Didn't end well."

Mira traced a path on the map. "These ruins predate the founding of Virelia. They're tied to the original throne-the one the modern kings tried to bury. I think the truth of the prophecy is there."

Elric's eyes widened. "You mean... I might actually be the Chosen One?"

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Mira said. "You still can't tie your boots properly."

Elric glanced down. One was on the wrong foot. The other was gone entirely. Nox coughed guiltily and tossed it back.

Outside, the wind howled. Somewhere in the city, a royal carriage departed the palace. Inside sat Prince Valen, sword at his side, scowl firmly in place.

His mission was clear:

Find the runaway princess.

Kill the impostor Chosen One.

And reclaim the forgotten crown.