Night had already fallen when Maria slipped quietly into the palace courtyard.
The servants were busy preparing evening meals, leaving the gates momentarily unguarded.
A single carriage waited near the stables.
Without hesitation Maria climbed inside.
She forze abd lost her footing ready to fall as she saw the last person she wanted to mee
Prince Cassian sat across from her in the dim lantern light , griped the hand of falling princess and pulled her in .
For a moment neither spoke , looking into each other's eyes deeply and just a breathe away.
Cassian's green eyes narrowed slightly.
"Well," he said slowly whispered , "this is unexpected."
Maria sat back down on the seat flinching at the closeness and adjusted her gown attempting to maintain her dignity.
"I might say the same, Your Highness."
Cassian leaned back slightly.
"What brings the princess into a carriage bound for the kingdom's most dreadful prison?"
Maria folded her hands calmly.
"My father allowed it."
Cassian studied her face carefully.
Something in her tone felt slightly forced.
But after a moment he simply nodded.
"If His Majesty approved, then I suppose I have no reason to question it."
The carriage began rolling toward the distant cliffs.
Outside, the night wind moved through the dark forest.
Inside, silence lingered between them.
Finally Cassian spoke again.
"You do realize the Black Sea Tower is not a place meant for royal curiosity."
Maria looked toward the window.
"I merely wish to see the woman everyone fears."
Cassian's expression hardened slightly.
"Fear rarely spreads without reason."
Yet neither of them knew that far away in the palace tower, King Aldric had just learned that the princess had left the castle.
And for the briefest moment, the calm king's expression darkened with something dangerously close to worry.