The weight of the innkeeper's announcement lingered heavily on Layla's mind. She sat by the window in her room, staring out at the bustling streets of Verdeti.

The city seemed as lively as ever, yet Layla couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Her sharp instincts, honed over years of navigating dangerous situations, told her that being confined to the inn wasn't merely a matter of safety—it was part of a larger scheme.

Her unease grew as the hours passed, and eventually, she turned to Mary, who was reclining comfortably on the room's only cushioned chair, idly sharpening a blade.

"Mary," Layla began, her voice low but firm, "doesn't this whole situation feel off to you?"

Mary glanced up, one brow raised. "You mean the whole 'you can't leave the inn' nonsense? Sure, it's suspicious. But it's not like we haven't dealt with worse before."

Layla crossed her arms. "It's not just that. Ever since we arrived in Verdeti, I've felt like I'm being watched. First, it was the rumors, then the people tailing me. Now, we're conveniently being told to stay put. It's too calculated to be a coincidence."

Mary smirked. "You're paranoid. But I like that about you—it keeps things interesting." She leaned back in her chair, letting her blade rest on the table. "If you're so worried about being recognized, why not do something about it? Change your appearance or something. Blend in better."

Layla tilted her head, considering Mary's suggestion. "You think that would help?"

Mary shrugged. "It couldn't hurt. People are nosy, sure, but they're also stupid. Throw them off with a little disguise, and they'll move on to the next shiny thing."

Layla decided to take Mary's advice. That afternoon, she headed to the market under the pretense of buying supplies, though her true goal was to find something that would help her alter her appearance. She stopped by a stall selling herbal remedies and dyes, where the vendor—a cheerful older woman—was more than happy to offer her assistance.

"This here's the best henna blend in the city," the woman said, holding up a small packet of powder. "Mix it with water, and you'll get a beautiful, deep auburn. Perfect for someone with hair like yours."

Layla smiled politely and purchased the dye, along with a few other items to avoid drawing suspicion. Back at the inn, she locked herself in the washroom and set to work. The process was messy and time-consuming, but by the time she was finished, her once-distinctive dark locks had been transformed into a rich auburn that caught the light in warm, coppery tones.

She examined her reflection in the mirror, turning her head from side to side. The change was subtle but significant enough to make her less recognizable to the casual observer. Satisfied, she stepped out of the washroom to show Mary and Raziel.

Mary let out a low whistle. "Well, look at you. Almost didn't recognize you for a second there."

Raziel nodded approvingly. "It suits you."

"Let's hope it's enough to keep people off my back," Layla said, though she couldn't ignore the small surge of confidence the new look gave her.

Later that evening, Layla decided to test her new appearance by taking a brief walk around the city. Verdeti's vibrant nightlife was in full swing, with music and laughter spilling out from the taverns and street performers entertaining small crowds in the plazas. Layla kept her head down, moving quietly through the throngs of people.

As she turned a corner near the central square, she found herself walking directly toward a tall, imposing figure dressed in elegant but understated attire. Eighth Prince Alderic.

Though Layla had no idea who he was, she couldn't ignore the air of authority that surrounded him. His sharp features and piercing gaze seemed to take in everything around him, yet when his eyes briefly met hers, there was no flicker of recognition.

For Alderic, the encounter was just as unremarkable. He noted Layla's striking auburn hair and the confidence in her stride, but she was just one of many faces in the bustling city. He continued on his way without a second thought, his mind preoccupied with the rumors of a dragon sighting and his plans to investigate further.

Layla, however, felt a strange sense of unease as she walked past him. Something about the man's presence unsettled her, though she couldn't pinpoint why. She glanced over her shoulder once but quickly dismissed the thought, focusing instead on her surroundings.

Back at the inn, Layla shared her observations with Mary and Raziel.

"There's definitely someone important in town," she said, recounting her brief encounter with Alderic. "I didn't recognize him, but he had the kind of presence that makes people stop and stare."

Mary smirked. "Sounds like royalty. Or someone who thinks they're royalty."

Raziel frowned. "If that's the case, we should tread carefully. Nobility has a way of dragging people like us into their messes."

Layla nodded. "Exactly why I want to keep a low profile. We'll leave first thing in the morning, no matter what the innkeeper says."

Mary raised an eyebrow. "And if they try to stop us?"

Layla's expression hardened. "Then we'll deal with it. I'm done playing along with whatever game this city is trying to pull."

Meanwhile, Alderic had returned to his own lodgings, where he poured over the reports he had gathered about the mysterious dragon and the woman rumored to be connected to it. Though he didn't yet realize that Layla was staying in the same inn, his instincts told him that he was close to uncovering something significant.

The encounter with Layla lingered at the edge of his thoughts, though he dismissed it as a passing curiosity. For now, his focus remained on his mission, though he couldn't shake the feeling that the answers he sought were closer than he realized.

As the city of Verdeti continued to buzz with activity, both Layla and Alderic found themselves unknowingly circling closer to each other's paths. For Layla, her new appearance offered a brief reprieve from the constant attention, but she knew it was only a matter of time before her presence drew unwanted eyes again.

For Alderic, the rumors of dragons and mysterious travelers fueled his determination to uncover the truth, unaware that the very person he sought was only a few doors away.

With each passing moment, the threads of their fates grew tighter, pulling them inexorably toward a confrontation neither of them could yet foresee.