Henry lay still, with his eyes Close.After everything that had happened in the resting room—after the loss of control, the torn clothes, the voice that hadn’t been his—Juliet hadn’t asked a single question. Instead, she had acted swiftly, almost desperately, bringing him back to her home and summoning the village healer without delay.Standing beside the wide, neatly made bed were Juliet and the healer—a middle-aged woman with sharp eyes and weathered hands, the same healer they had encountered on the road to the dueling hall earlier that day. Her presence carried a strange sense of calm, as though chaos itself hesitated around her.The healer stepped back from the bed and straightened, wiping her hands on her robe.“He’s alright,” she said calmly.Juliet stiffened. “He is?” Her voice held restrained tension.The healer nodded once. “He participated in the duel, didn’t he?”“Yes,” Juliet replied, dipping her head slightly.“That explains it.” The healer sighed softly. “I’ve checked h

The Assassin waved through the rain of rocks with ease and only a few l seconds later he was already right in front of Henry, with his dagger few meters away from Henry's neck.“Miss, don’t hate me for this,” the Assassin said casually, his voice smooth despite the chaos around them. “Maybe we can go for a drink or two after this?”Henry froze.The blade pressed a fraction closer.Inside his head, panic exploded.'He thinks I’m a girl? What the fuck!'Beards of sweat scrolling down his trembling face, His breathing became shallow. The dagger’s presence sent a shiver through his body, not from pain, but from the undeniable awareness of how close death stood.The Assassin leaned in, studying Henry’s face as though admiring a rare gem.“You’re very beautiful,” he continued, almost thoughtfully. “With a face like that, we could make a fortune together. Party till the military comes”The Assassin stealth vanished, and Henry could finally see the face of his attacker.An average-looking ma

Henry arrived at Rufus’s shop just as the late afternoon sun dipped behind the rooftops, casting long shadows across the narrow street. The familiar wooden sign creaked gently above the door, swaying with the breeze. For a brief moment, relief stirred in his chest—until he reached out and pulled the handle. It didn’t budge. “…Shit,” Henry muttered under his breath. He tried again, harder this time, tugging the door with both hands. The door remained stubbornly shut, unmoving. His shoulders slumped as frustration settled in. He leaned closer and noticed a small piece of parchment pinned neatly to the side of the doorframe. Frowning, Henry peeled it off and read the words written in neat, flowing ink. “To my dear customers, I sincerely apologize for the late notice. I have departed on an urgent business trip and will not return for the next four weeks. Thank you for your continued support.” Henry finished reading and let out a long sigh. He folded the paper slowly, as if doing

“Finally… here we are.” Juliet let out a soft breath as the two carriages came into view at the edge of the wide stone road. The morning sun reflected faintly off the iron rims of the wheels, and the sound of merchants arguing over crates echoed in the air. One carriage was large and heavy, its back stacked with sealed wooden boxes, sacks of grain, and chests marked with the merchant’s insignia. The second carriage, positioned at the front, was slimmer and clearly meant for passengers. That one was reserved for the escorts—those hired to ensure the merchant and his goods reached their destination safely. Henry followed Juliet without complaint, his eyes quietly scanning their surroundings. They greeted the merchant before climbing into the front carriage. Inside, the space was modest but well-kept. Four cushioned seats faced one another, two on each side. The leather smelled new, and the windows were clean enough to see the busy road outside. Henry and Juliet sat side by side,

The carriage lantern swayed gently above them, its dim yellow light casting long, trembling shadows across the road and into the surrounding bushes. Beyond that fragile circle of light, the forest was nothing but darkness.A sudden rustle cut through the silence, and before anyone could react, a shadow burst out from the bushes.A wolf lunged straight toward Wednesday and Juliet, its body low and fast, eyes glowing faintly as it moved into the lantern’s reach. Unlike the others, this one was leaner, its movements sharper, desperation driving every step.“Another one!” Wednesday shouted.She didn’t hesitate, her fingers released the bowstring.*Thwip—!*The arrow screamed through the air, aimed straight for the wolf’s head. But the creature twisted mid-leap with shocking agility, the arrow grazing past its ear before vanishing into the darkness behind it.The wolf snarled, landing heavily, claws digging into the dirt.It didn’t retreat.Instead, it sprang again—this time aiming straigh