Chapter 42: The Princess's Eyes and the Unveiled Shadow
After spending a few quiet days in their temporary cave near Oakhaven—studying data, training, and recovering—the group was ready to move again. Tian Heng had decided it was time to gather more direct intel from the town. Vaila's initial report had been valuable, but he needed a deeper understanding of local power dynamics, trade flows—particularly anything involving rare raw materials—and the rumors surrounding the "ancient ruins" outside the town.
This time, he brought Lyra and Failar with him, leaving Eilara to manage the camp and supplies, with Vaila and Lilith stationed as hidden guards and a last line of defense. His reasoning was cold and strategic: Lyra blended best in the market, Failar—his injury slowly healing thanks to the surrounding aether and Eilara's herbal remedies—could offer physical support if needed. Most importantly, Tian Heng wanted to keep Vaila and Lilith out of sight for now. Vaila had been tasked with monitoring the camp's surroundings using her shadow-bound senses and talents.
The three slipped back into Oakhaven in disguise—Tian Heng with his deep hood and faint camouflage device, the elves with their own concealment tools and plain cloaks. But the town felt different today. There was an unusual air of tension and anxiety, and a noticeably higher number of guards on the streets, though they still appeared disorganized.
They quickly found out why.
Rumors had spread like wildfire through the market: Princess Eliana, the youngest daughter of the Grand Duke of Astoria—governor of this region—had arrived in the town in an unannounced visit! And this wasn't some ceremonial inspection; word was she had come personally to investigate Baron Vargas's widespread corruption and the rising complaints of heavy taxes and rampant banditry. Her sudden appearance had thrown the baron and his court into disarray, while the townsfolk reacted with a tense mix of cautious hope and fear of change.
This development was completely unexpected for Tian Heng. A ducal princess here meant tighter security, heightened scrutiny of strangers, and a massive complication to their plans. He made a snap decision: cut the mission short, gather what quick intel they could, and leave.
As they cautiously made their way through the now-crowded marketplace—people craning for glimpses of the princess or her entourage—the exact thing he'd feared happened.
One of Baron Vargas's guards, either stressed or trying to show off in front of the nobility, rudely began harassing Lyra, pointing out her pale skin and the faint, still-visible tips of her pointed ears not fully hidden by her disguise.
"You there—pale outsider! What brings you to this place? A spy for the baron's enemies, are you?" he barked, trying to attract attention.
Failar instantly tensed. His disdain for humans—and guards especially—mixed with his anger at Lyra being humiliated in public, broke his caution. He stepped forward in fury, hand on his sword. "Leave her alone, you wretch!"
That was the spark.
His words and motion caught the attention of other nearby guards—and curious townsfolk. And at that exact moment, a royal carriage rolled slowly into the main square, open and gleaming, flanked by knights in polished armor.
Princess Eliana had arrived.
Tian Heng sensed danger immediately. He moved quickly, grabbing Failar's arm and pulling him back with an icy whisper: "Idiot. Keep your head." But in the rush and closeness of the crowd, his hood slipped slightly—at the worst possible moment.
For one critical second, a portion of his face, hair, and horns was exposed to the grey daylight.
The same old vendor who had noticed him days before caught sight of him again, eyes widening in silent horror. But more crucially, Princess Eliana, who had been watching her surroundings with mild boredom, turned her sharp silver gaze toward the commotion at just the right moment.
The glance lasted only a moment—but it was enough.
The young princess, with her long golden hair and aristocratic features, locked eyes with him. She saw the snow-white face, the rebellious silver hair, the small, elegant black horns that crowned his brow, and the molten gold of his eyes staring back at her with sudden, icy calm before he quickly pulled the hood back over his face.
There was no shock or fear on her face—just a flash of pure astonishment, followed swiftly by a glimmer of deep curiosity.
Who was this strange, royal-looking creature standing in the dust of her father's lands?
"What's all this noise?" she asked, voice quiet but commanding, directed at her personal guard captain. But her eyes stayed fixed on the direction where Tian Heng had already vanished into the crowd, pulling the stunned Lyra and enraged Failar behind him between market stalls.
Tian Heng used the distraction of the princess's arrival and the efficiency of her guards—who promptly scattered the local ones—to disappear. With movement honed by his training and enhanced strength, he led the two elves out of the market and into the alleys, vanishing before anyone could follow.
They returned to the cave breathless—not just from the running, but from the sheer stress, the near-miss, and the simmering emotions.
Tian Heng didn't waste a second.
He turned toward Failar, his golden eyes glowing with a deadly calm. He didn't raise his voice—but each word was like a shard of frozen steel.
"Because of your stupidity and recklessness," he said in a voice colder than ice, "my identity was partially revealed. To a ducal princess. You've jeopardized this entire operation. Your role was to protect and observe—not throw tantrums like a child."
Failar trembled—not just with fear, but from the humiliation and burning anger. "They were insulting Lyra…"
"Your life," Tian Heng cut him off, stepping closer, voice hardening, "and hers, and Eilara's—all depend on your usefulness to me. On your obedience." The faint aura of his draconic power began to rise like cold mist around him. "If you ever endanger us again with your petty emotions or hollow pride… I will make you wish the cave-worms had eaten you in those tunnels. Do you understand?"
These weren't idle threats. His eyes promised real pain. The pressure of his presence was terrifying.
Failar swallowed hard, nodding in silence as fear finally replaced his anger. Lyra and Eilara—who had heard it all from within—stood pale and shaking.
Tian Heng stood for a moment, eyes on the shaken elves.
Then he turned away.