Chapter 20: Rescued
Chapter 19
Alira sat quietly inside the red-and-gold-trimmed carriage as it rolled through the lower district. Her hand rested under her chin, half-bored, eyes scanning the crowd outside the window. The market wasn’t particularly busy this time of day, but her gaze stopped when she saw it, white hair.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
"Stop the carriage," she said, sitting up straighter.
The guard seated in front jolted. "Princess?"
"Now."
The horses neighed as the carriage halted. Her maid, startled, leaned toward her.
"Is something wrong, Your Highness?"
Alira didn’t take her eyes off the alley. "No. I’ll handle it, wait here for me."
Before anyone could stop her, she stepped out of the carriage and onto the cobbled street. Her crimson dress swept behind her like a streak of fire, drawing attention. People nearby turned, whispers starting almost immediately.
"That’s the fire princess—"
"Alira Flameheart..."