Su Ping then returned to the bar after seeing Victoria off. Since it was still light out. He went back upstairs into the room he'd left, before taking out the spell book he'd gotten from Ranger to begin studying it once more.

Meanwhile, Victoria, who had just left the bar, decided to head home directly instead of making any other stops.

A gentle breeze brushed against her skin, carrying the faint scent of coal smoke and damp cobblestones from the bustling streets of the city's outer district.

Her emerald green eyes, scanned the dimly lit street while she walked amongst the pedestrians, until they settled on a transport carriage idling near a simple shop selling antique ornaments.

The coachman resembled a curt middle-aged man, with a weathered face and a cap pulled low over his brow.

" Where to, miss." The coachman asked.

" Just take me to the central region, passing the central gates should be far enough." Victoria said before tossing a gold coin to the coachman.

" Understood." He gave her a light nod after catching the coin in hand.

Without another word, she climbed into the carriage, the worn leather seats creaking under her weight.

She didn't do anything else but lie in wait since the coachman didn't request for any sort of directions, which meant he was aware of which roads to take.

The moment the coachman whipped the horses reigns, The carriage lurched forward. the familiar clop of hooves against stone blending with the distant sound of the city as it carried her away from the gritty outskirts, set Victoria's heart at ease.

As the carriage approached the towering iron gates of the central region, its wheels rattled to a halt, and Victoria's fingers tightened around the velvet folds of her cloak.

Two enforcer knights, their polished armor glinting faintly under the sun's rays, stepped forward to stop the carriage. The air of authority surrounding the two natural forced the coachman to bring his carriage to a stop.

The faces of the two knights were stern, seemingly etched with the weight of duty, but their eyes betrayed a hint of vigilance as they addressed the driver.

"State your business," one demanded, his voice low, hand resting casually on the hilt of his sword.

The coachman was confused as to why they stopped him, as far as he could remember, the gates to the central region was always opened, the only time the knights would usually stop to do routine checks was at night and currently it was day. Judging from their expressions, the coachman at least discerned that they weren't trying to extort him.

" Why the sudden stop?"

He was about to question them when Victoria leaned forward onto the side windows, frame, her blonde hair catching the light as she parted the carriage curtain.

"...?" The knights' gazes shifted to her, and for a moment.

" Excuse me gentlemen but, is there a problem. I see no reason why you've decided to stop us, if there is, then please explain to me." Victoria said.

Her emerald eyes, framed by delicate lashes, held a quiet intensity that drew their attention, and her noble bearing, unmistakable in the bright of day, made their postures stiffen.

" I-its you, young miss!" Recognition dawned on their faces, and they bowed deeply, the clank of their armor was audible.

"Please forgive our rudeness Lady Victoria," the second knight murmured, his tone laced with deference.

" We had no idea you had departed from the estate, we humbly seek your forgiveness."

" There's no need for such formalities, I believe the both of you were simply doing your duties. Why would I punish such hardworking men."

" Please, up on your feet, I'd rather you didn't stain your armour." With a wave of her hand, she dismissed their formalities.

" Thank you young miss." Both knights bowed, their actions brought a smile to her face.

" Like I said, there's no reason to be frightened, though on that note, I'd very much appreciate it if news of my departure weren't to be spread." She added with a warm smile that instantly caused their hearts to flutter.

" As you wish young miss, we promise not to spread a single word." said one of the knights, his eyes gleaming like a lantern.

" Please, allow us to open the gates." Said the other, and the gates groaned open, allowing the carriage to pass into the pristine streets of the central region.

Victoria's thoughts drifted as the carriage continued forward, through the city's heart, where elegant townhouses lined the streets, their windows glowing with warm light.

" This is far enough, I'll stop here if you please wouldn't mind." She said, even while seated within the carriage, the driver felt as if she was speaking directly into his ears, instructing him to stop at a quiet, nondescript street.

" Of course young miss." The coachman replied, this time with more reverence in his voice.

The carriage slowed to a stop, and she stepped out, her boots pressing onto the damp cobblestones.

" Now I just need to head back on my own."

She said, Victoria pulled her cloak tighter, instinctively trying to mask her appearance, and cast a quick glance around before slipping into the crowd.

Unlike the outer regions of the city, now that she was back within the central region, she was more worried about being noticed by other's than before.

Rather than approaching the grand front gates of her family's estate, she veered toward a secluded corner where dense shrubs formed a natural barricade.

Her fingers brushed against the rough leaves, searching for the familiar gap in the hedge.

" There it is!" Victoria's expression perked up when she found it.

Not wasting time, she slipped through the secret passage, the branches scraping lightly against her cloak as she emerged into the estate's garden.

The air here was thick with the scent of blooming roses and freshly fallen dew, the faint trickle of a nearby fountain lent a soothing rhythm to the tranquil environment.

Victoria looked around, only when she was sure no one was near by did she begin heading into the estate, her steps silent on the soft grass, her mind already turning to the warmth of her room.

But as she reached the polished oak door of her chamber, a figure in the corridor made her pause.

' What's got his pants in a twist this time.' Victoria said to herself on noticing his faint scowl.

Her brother, Henry, walked over, his broad shoulders filling the hallway, his blonde hair, slightly tousled, as if he'd been pacing.

His emerald eyes, usually radiant, now looked narrowed with suspicion when they locked onto her.

"Where have you been, Victoria?" he asked, his voice sounded calm but she could easily detect the irritation hidden within, moreover, his arms crossing over his chest, were a dead giveaway.

Victoria tilted her head, her lips curling into a nonchalant smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. She brushed a strand of her blonde hair behind her ear.

"And why, dear brother, does my whereabouts concern you?" she replied.

Henry's jaw tightened, his teeth gritting audibly as his frustration flared. Yet, with a visible effort, he exhaled, his shoulders relaxing slightly as he reined himself in.

"Father's been on edge lately and from the looks of it, This time, things aren't as simple as before." he said, his voice softer now but still carrying a warning.

"It seems the McClains are stirring trouble again, and you better do well to be careful. I meant no harm in asking about your whereabouts... all I simply wanted to say is that, Wandering off like this could put you in harm's way."

Victoria's smile widened, but it was tinged with sarcasm, her emerald eyes glinting with disdain. "How touching, brother, that you care so deeply for my safety." she said, her voice dripping with mock gratitude. " If i didn't know any better, I would've thought that you wished for some form of misfortune to befall me instead."

" I guess I must've misjudged you. Please forgive my earlier rudeness." She said, then leaned closer, her tone dropping to a teasing whisper. "I'll be sure to let you know when I need a chaperone, Dear brother. That way I wouldn't have to worry about those troublesome McClain's, since I'd have you there to watch over me."

" Do as you wish. As far as I'm concerned, I've already done as father asked of me, and warned you. Whatever decision you choose, has nothing to do with me." Henry's face darkened, and a bitter chuckle escaped his lips, sounding sharp and humorless.

He turned to walk away, his boots echoing against the lengthy corridor, but not before Victoria caught the muttered curse under his breath.

"One of these days," he growled, his voice barely audible, "I'll remind you that I'm the first son, and your place as the firstborn means nothing." The words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of their shared history, as he disappea

red down the corridor, leaving Victoria standing alone at her door, her smile fading into something colder, more resolute.