Layla and her companions pressed on, unaware of the unexpected development with Alderic. The tension in their group was palpable as they navigated the dense forest, avoiding patrols and keeping Luna hidden.

"This is ridiculous," Mary muttered, swatting at a branch as they walked. "How long are we going to keep running?"

Layla sighed, glancing at Luna, who was trudging along with surprising quietness. "As long as we have to. The prince won't stop, not after what happened in Verdeti."

Raziel nodded. "He's stubborn, I'll give him that. But he's not invincible. If it comes down to it—"

"No," Layla interrupted firmly. "We're not fighting him unless we have no other choice. Right now, we need to focus on putting as much distance as we can between us and the city."

Mary smirked. "Whatever you say, boss. But I wouldn't mind knocking that arrogant prince down a peg or two."

Layla didn't respond, her thoughts drifting to the future. She knew their journey would only get harder from here, but she was determined to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Little did she know, Alderic's pursuit had taken an unexpected turn—and the mercenaries trailing her had plans of their own.

Layla and her companions entered the sprawling gates of Rumenia, the capital city of the kingdom, with awe in their eyes. The bustling streets were alive with activity, as vibrant banners and colorful streamers adorned every building. The air was filled with the sound of cheerful music and the tantalizing aroma of street food, creating an atmosphere of unbridled festivity.

"It's like the entire city is celebrating," Mary remarked, her gaze sweeping over the throngs of people dancing and laughing in the streets.

Raziel, however, remained on guard. "Festive or not, we can't let our guard down. The prince might still have eyes on us."

Layla nodded, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd. Though she appreciated the lively atmosphere, she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Her instincts were rarely wrong.

As they wandered through the streets, admiring the decorations, they passed a vendor selling ornate trinkets and enchanted baubles. The man, noticing their interest, leaned over his counter with a broad grin.

"You there! Lovely young lady," he called out to Layla, holding up a glittering amulet. "How about a special festive discount for you? Only fifty silver pieces!"

Layla raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. She had seen the same type of amulet sold in smaller towns for a fraction of the price. "Fifty silver? That's a discount?"

The vendor chuckled nervously. "Ah, well, you see, it's a rare piece, handmade with the finest materials. It's worth every coin."

Layla's gaze turned icy, and she stepped closer, her presence suddenly overwhelming. The vendor visibly shrank back as her voice dropped to a dangerously calm tone. "I've seen this same amulet sold for fifteen silver in other towns. I'll give you ten. Take it or leave it."

The vendor stammered, sweat forming on his brow. "Ten? But I—"

"Ten," Layla repeated, her piercing gaze boring into him.

The man quickly nodded, handing over the amulet. "T-ten it is, miss! No need to get upset!"

As Layla handed him the coins, Mary burst into laughter. "You're terrifying when you want to be, you know that?"

Raziel smirked. "He's lucky she didn't take it for free."

The exchange didn't go unnoticed by the other vendors nearby. Whispers spread through the market, and soon, most of the merchants made a mental note: Layla was not an easy mark.

With the incident behind them, Layla and her companions continued exploring the capital. The streets were lined with performers showcasing their talents, from acrobats flipping through the air to magicians dazzling the crowds with small bursts of flame and illusions.

Luna, still concealed in a magical guise as a small, unassuming creature, seemed especially fascinated by a fire-breather. The little dragon let out a quiet puff of smoke, earning a warning glance from Layla.

"Behave," she whispered, patting Luna's head.

Mary was already drawn to a food stall, inspecting skewers of grilled meat and vegetables. "This smells amazing," she said, handing over a few coins to the vendor. "You should try some, Layla."

"I'll pass," Layla replied, her focus still on the crowd. She couldn't help but notice the subtle glances thrown their way by a few individuals. Though no one approached them, the curiosity in their eyes was evident.

"They're watching us," Raziel muttered, his tone low.

Layla nodded. "Let them. As long as they keep their distance, we don't need to escalate anything."

Curious about the celebration, Layla approached a group of locals chatting near a fountain. "Excuse me," she said, her tone polite but firm. "What's the occasion for the festival?"

One of the men, a cheerful merchant with a red scarf, turned to her with a grin. "Ah, you must be new here! This is the Festival of Unity, celebrating the founding of our great city. It's a time when everyone comes together to honor the kingdom's prosperity."

Mary, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow. "Unity, huh? Is that why everyone's so eager to scam outsiders?"

The merchant laughed nervously. "Ah, well, some people get carried away, I suppose. But the festival truly is a time of joy. You should visit the palace gardens tonight—there's a grand event planned, with music, dancing, and a spectacular light show."

Layla thanked him for the information, though she made a mental note to avoid the palace for now. The last thing they needed was to attract more attention from the royal family.

Despite their efforts to keep a low profile, Layla's earlier confrontation with the vendor had made her the talk of the market. While many vendors chose to steer clear of her, a few braver—or greedier—merchants still attempted to test her resolve.

One jeweler approached, holding up a ring with an elaborate design. "Excuse me, miss! This ring would suit you perfectly. A rare piece, crafted by the finest artisans in the kingdom. Only twenty gold pieces!"

Layla didn't even stop walking. "I'm not interested."

"But miss, surely you'd like to—"

Raziel stepped between Layla and the jeweler, his hand resting on his sword hilt. "She said she's not interested."

The jeweler paled and quickly backed off.

Mary laughed. "You're like a storm cloud, Layla. People scatter the moment they see you coming."

Layla sighed. "Good. It means we can focus on what's important."