Lyria's POV
Dawn had not yet broken when I opened my eyes. For a moment, I simply lay there, staring at the faint outline of my ceiling, listening to the quiet stillness of the palace. No servants moving through the halls, no distant chatter—just silence, wrapped in the last breath of night.
Today… we leave, a slow breath filled my lungs, Excitement stirred first. A journey A real mission. Not training, not preparation—but something real Something dangerous.
And Raven would be there, That thought alone made my heart beat faster.
Then came the other feeling , tension and nervous
Disappearing people. Unnatural monsters. Something hidden in the dark. I exhaled softly and pushed myself up. No more lying around.
The cold water helped. I moved quickly, letting the chill sharpen my thoughts, wash away the remnants of sleep and uncertainty. By the time I stepped out, I felt clearer… steadier.
My bags were already prepared from the night before—everything I would need, or at least everything I thought I might need. I dressed simply, practically. No unnecessary ornaments, no distractions.
The palace halls were quiet as I walked through them, my steps echoing softly against the stone. When I stepped outside—The air greeted me first. Cool. Fresh. Alive.
The sky was still painted in deep shades of blue, just beginning to surrender to the faintest hints of gold along the horizon. The front garden stretched before me, calm and dignified as always.
And there— waiting the carriage the soldiers and my parents. They stood side by side, regal even in the quiet dawn, yet there was something softer in their expressions today.
I approached them, and before I could say anything, my mother stepped forward, her hand gently cupping my cheek before she leaned in and kissed my cheek .
"Be careful out there my baby ," she whispered.
My father followed, placing a firm hand on my shoulder before pressing a brief kiss to my forehead.
"Return safely."
Simple words But they carried weight.
I smiled.
"I will."
I stepped back, holding their gaze for just a moment longer… then turned. The closer I got to the carriage, the more my focus shifted.
Kara was already there. Dressed in full knight attire, she looked every bit the warrior she claimed to be—confident, sharp, ready. And beside her—Raven .
I stopped Just for a second because، Gods She looked…
My breath caught, almost embarrassingly so.
A tight black shirt clung to her form, outlining every line of muscle beneath it, the fabric dipping slightly at the collar. Fingerless gloves wrapped around her hands, and her dark pants, slightly loose, were practical yet fitted enough to not hide her build. Boots rose past her ankles, steady and grounded.
And on her back Twin daggers, crossed like an X. Her short black hair moved lightly with the breeze. And her golden eyes Even from a distance They shone— sharp alive and dangerous. She was….breathtaking.
I took a slow breath I walked toward them.
Kara noticed me first, a grin already forming on her face, no doubt ready to say something teasing.
But Raven—Raven simply looked at me quiet and observing.
I stopped in front of them, letting a small smile settle on my lips. "Good morning." But my gaze lingered on her and I wondered— If she noticed.
"Good morning," Kara and Raven answered at the same time.
I smiled faintly at that—at the strange, effortless harmony between them.
"Is everything ready?" I asked.
Kara crossed her arms with confidence. "Everything's set. We were just waiting for you. If nothing delays us, we should reach Velmora before sunset."
I nodded, steadying myself. "Then… let's go."
The carriage door closed behind me with a soft thud. Outside, I heard the shifting of armor, the quiet snorts of horses, the tightening of reins.
We moved and The journey had begun.
I leaned slightly out the carriage window more than once, calling out to them. "You can both ride inside, you know."
Kara laughed immediately. "And miss the fresh air? No chance."
Raven didn't even look back when she answered. "It's better this way. Easier to watch the surroundings."
I sighed softly and leaned back into my seat." "Fine." But that didn't stop my gaze from drifting back to the window again… and again. Just to catch glimpses of her.
The road stretched long beneath us. Time passed quietly, marked only by the rhythm of hooves and the creaking of wheels. We stopped several times—letting the horses drink, giving the soldiers moments to rest, to eat, to breathe.
When we stopped near the forest, I stepped down from the carriage—and for a moment, I forgot everything else.
"…Wow." The word slipped out before I could stop it, green everywhere. Not the controlled, manicured beauty of palace gardens—but something alive. Wild. Untouched.
Tall trees stretched toward the sky, their leaves filtering sunlight into soft golden fragments. Flowers of every color bloomed beneath them—some familiar, many not.
I had never seen anything like it. Not beyond palace walls. A smile spread across my face before I could stop it. Without thinking, I began to walk just a little away from the carriage.
"Don't wander too far alone, Princess." Her voice came from behind me calm and close .
I turned, smiling. "It's beautiful… look at all these flowers. Some of them—I've never seen anything like them before."
Raven stepped closer, her eyes scanning the surroundings rather than admiring them.
"Beauty doesn't make it safe,Despite how beautiful this place is, it's very dangerous. There are many monsters hiding among these trees, waiting for the right moment to attack their prey."
I tilted my head slightly. "But it feels peaceful."
That was when she looked at me, And there was something in her voice this time—something different. Something heavier.
"Don't let appearances fool you." She looked at me quiet. "Do you know what this forest is called?"
I blinked. "No…"
Her gaze shifted toward the trees. "It's called the Forest of Loss."
The name settled in the air between us cold and unsettling .
"…Forest of Loss?" I repeated quietly.
Raven nodded once. "They call it that because anyone who loses their way in here… doesn't come back."
My smile faded, I looked around again But this time…The beauty felt different. The shadows between the trees seemed deeper. The silence… heavier.
A faint chill ran down my spine. Without realizing it, I stepped closer to her. "…Let's go back," I said with a slightly strained smile. "I think I've seen enough."
She laughed softly at me.
And I found myself staring at her again, caught off guard by how rare that sound felt.
We returned to the carriage soon after. And once we left the forest behind…I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.
But even then—My thoughts lingered. On her words. On that tone in her voice. "Don't let appearances fool you."
The journey continued without another stop. The golden light of sunset stretched across the endless forest roads, painting the trees in shades of amber and crimson. The wheels of the carriage rolled steadily over the dirt path while the soldiers rode alongside us in tense silence.
At first the trip had felt almost peaceful But now Something felt wrong. Even the wind had gone silent.
I sat near the carriage window, staring outside while absentmindedly tracing my fingers along the silver hilt of the sword Raven had given me. Every time I touched it, I remembered the moment she handed it to me during training.
"You'll need something worthy of you."Just remembering those words made my chest warm.
A sudden jolt interrupted my thoughts. The carriage stopped abruptly My brows furrowed. "What happened?" I pushed the carriage door open immediately and looked outside.
The horses were restless. The soldiers had already begun glancing around cautiously.
Kara frowned slightly from atop her horse. "I don't know. Raven was the one who stopped us."
I looked ahead and saw Raven slowly dismounting from her horse. The moment her boots touched the ground, the atmosphere changed. Her expression became cold. Sharp and focused.
"There are people surrounding us," she said calmly. "And they aren't alone."
The soldiers immediately tensed.
Raven's golden eyes scanned the forest slowly before she continued. "They brought monsters with them."
Silence fell over everyone. Then instantly—Steel rang through the air as the soldiers drew their swords. The sound alone made my heartbeat quicken.
I stepped down from the carriage and unsheathed my own sword. The silver blade gleamed beneath the fading sunlight, reflecting the fiery colors of dusk.
Raven noticed immediately One of her brows lifted slightly. "What are you doing, Princess?"
I tightened my grip on the sword and answered firmly. "Preparing to fight."
Raven stared at me for a moment before sighing softly. "Why don't you wait inside the carriage? We'll finish this quickly and continue moving."
I shook my head immediately.
"I'll fight beside you."
Her gaze sharpened instantly.
"No." The firmness in her voice surprised me. "You'll stay here while we handle the monsters."
Before I could argue—A low growl echoed from deep within the trees. Branches shook violently around us. Something was moving fast.
The soldiers instinctively tightened formation around the carriage. Fear spread visibly across several of their faces.
But Raven remained calm as always It was almost unsettling how composed she looked.
She raised one hand lazily. A translucent barrier suddenly spread outward from her body like rippling glass, surrounding the carriage, the soldiers, and all of us inside its protective dome.
A second later—The monsters burst from the forest.
ogress and A giant lizard with long, sharp fangs and claws and Large wolf-like creatures with blackened skin and glowing red eyes and horns slammed violently against the shield. Their claws scraped against the barrier while guttural snarls filled the air.
More emerged from the darkness There were too many of them around thirty.
The creatures circled us viciously, smashing themselves against the shield with enough force to shake the ground beneath our feet.
One of the younger soldiers swallowed nervously. "What the hell are those things… they are so big."
Raven observed them calmly.
"They're unstable."
Kara frowned.
"Unstable?"
Raven nodded slightly. "Their mana is distorted. Someone tampered with them."
My stomach tightened at her words. So the rumors were true. Someone really was using forbidden magic to control monsters.
The monsters continued clawing at the barrier mindlessly while drool dripped from their mouths.
Raven finally spoke again. "Prepare yourselves, I'm dropping the barrier now."
The soldiers tightened their grips on their weapons.
Kara rolled her shoulders and smirked confidently despite the tension. "Finally."
The soldiers took fighting stances. Several looked terrified. Still, they answered. "We're ready."
The barrier vanished instantly. The monsters attacked immediately. The forest exploded into chaos. Roars.steel. screams.
One creature lunged toward a soldier only for Kara to intercept it midair, slicing cleanly through its neck. Another beast crashed into two knights, sending them tumbling backward into the dirt.
I instinctively stepped forward—
But Raven's arm suddenly blocked my path.
I looked at her in confusion. "What are you doing? Aren't you fighting?"
Raven stood beside me with her arms crossed, watching the battle silently. "I think they'll manage," she said quietly. "These monsters aren't very strong."
I stared at her.
Her eyes slowly shifted toward the trees surrounding us. "But the monsters aren't what concern me."
"What do you mean?"
Raven's gaze moved slowly through the shadows between the trees. "What concerns me…. are the men hiding out there watching us."
I looked around immediately but saw nothing except darkness and trees.
"How many?"
Raven narrowed her eyes slightly as if listening to something only she could hear. "Three to our right , Five behind us, and two ahead
Ten people Watching us and waiting , I swallowed slowly. "What are they waiting for?"
Raven answered with complete calm. "I think they're waiting for the monsters to finish the job."
Another creature screamed as Kara drove her blade through its chest.
Raven continued quietly, "And if the monsters fail…then the men hiding in the forest will step in themselves."
The sound of steel crashing against claws echoed through the dying light of evening. The forest had become a battlefield. Monsters lunged wildly through the trees while soldiers struggled to maintain formation against the relentless attacks. Growls, screams, and the clash of metal filled the air so violently that my heartbeat synchronized with the chaos around us.
Kara spun sharply, her blade cutting through the jaw of a beast that had leapt toward her. Dark blood splattered across the grass, staining the earth beneath her boots.
She exhaled heavily and shouted over the noise, "Hey Raven! I'd appreciate some help here!"
Raven answered without even looking toward the battle. "I think you're doing fine. You can handle them yourselves."
"Easy for you to say!" Kara snapped back before ducking beneath another creature's claws. Two monsters suddenly lunged toward one of the soldiers, their jaws opening wide as they aimed for his throat.
The soldier froze. Kara moved instantly. Her sword flashed through the air. One beast was sliced cleanly in half. The second barely had time to react before Kara drove her blade straight through its chest.
Black blood sprayed across her armor. The soldier collapsed backward in shock. Kara grabbed his arm and pulled him back onto his feet. "Stay focused," she warned sharply. "Or next time your head comes off with them."
Horses screamed nervously nearby. Several nearly broke free from their restraints as the smell of blood thickened in the air. The scent mixed with damp earth and crushed leaves until the forest itself felt suffocating.
And through all of it—Raven remained perfectly calm beside me watching and waiting.
I looked at her in disbelief. "Are you really not going to help them?"
Raven's eyes stayed fixed on the shadows between the trees. "I could step in right now and kill every monster here easily," she said calmly. "But that would complicate things."
I frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Raven finally glanced toward me briefly. "If the men watching us see me kill these creatures too easily, they'll run, And once they escape, they'll warn whoever sent them."
Understanding slowly settled over me. "But if they think our soldiers are struggling…"
Raven nodded slightly. "They'll grow confident, And confident prey hunters make mistakes."
I stared at her for a moment.
"…You're using the soldiers as bait."
Raven simply shrugged in silence with a smile .
The answer disturbed me more than I expected. Not because she was wrong—Strategically, it made sense. But because of how coldly she said it.
Meanwhile, Raven stood beside me As if none of this was truly worth concern. Her golden eyes drifted slowly across the darkening forest rather than toward the battle itself. The evening wind tugged lightly at her black hair while her arms remained folded across her chest.
Another beast slammed into one of the knights, knocking him violently backward into the dirt. Kara rushed forward immediately, driving her blade deep into the creature's side.
One of the soldiers shouted desperately, "There are too many coming from the left!"
I stared at Raven and asked with curiosity. "How can you stay this calm?"
That finally earned me a glance. A faint smirk touched her lips. "Because none of this is dangerous To me."
I looked toward the battlefield in disbelief. "Thirty monsters are attacking us and you're saying this still isn't dangerous?"
She only shrugged lightly.
To her Maybe it truly wasn't.
Another creature crashed onto the ground after one of the knights managed to sever its head cleanly. Slowly, the battle began turning in our favor. One by one the monsters fell.
The soldiers were exhausted, breathing heavily and covered in blood and dirt. Several had injuries across their arms and shoulders, while Kara herself had fresh claw marks across one side of her armor.
But thankfully—No one had died.
Silence slowly spread across the forest. Heavy breathing replaced the sounds of combat. Several soldiers lowered their weapons in relief. One knight laughed nervously.
"We survived…"
"It's over…"
But Raven's expression didn't change. Her eyes sharpened.
And suddenly—A loud whistle echoed through the forest. Every soldier froze instantly. The atmosphere changed again. The trees around us trembled softly.
Raven said— "It seems they finally decided to come out."
The lazy calmness that had been resting in her golden eyes vanished in an instant, replaced by something sharp. Something dangerous. A grin slowly spread across her lips.
Before I could even ask what she meant, Raven suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me hard against her. At that exact second—Several arrows shot out from the trees.
Clang. Clang. Clang.
A translucent shield materialized around us, glowing faintly beneath the fading evening light. The arrows shattered the moment they struck it, pieces scattering across the ground like broken glass.
The soldiers immediately drew their weapons.
"ARCHERS!"
"From the trees!"
figures stepped out from the darkness between the trees. They wore black cloaks that concealed most of their faces, but even from this distance I could feel something unsettling about them. Some carried bows while others held curved blades stained dark red with old blood.
Raven narrowed her eyes slightly.
"There they are."
One of the cloaked men laughed mockingly. "Well now… looks like the little princess brought guards with her."
Another tilted his head toward me. "The reward doubles if we bring back her head."
My fingers tightened unconsciously around my sword. So this truly had been planned. Not random monsters. Someone had known we were coming to Velmora. Someone had been waiting for us.
Kara stepped closer protectively, her blade still dripping with monster blood. "Seems like we found our welcoming party."
One of the cloaked men pointed toward her immediately. "That woman is dangerous. Kill her first. Then we'll deal with the guards."
For the first time since the ambush began—Raven smiled. But it was not the soft smile she showed Fay. Not the teasing smile she gave me when I embarrassed her. This smile was different cold and dangerous.
I swallowed nervously before whispering,
"What do we do now?"
Without taking her eyes off the men, Raven answered calmly, "We ask them who sent them."
There was a brief silence before she added casually,
"And then we kill them."
My chest tightened slightly. I stared at her profile. "How can you say that so easily…?"
Raven did not even look at me. "They're bad people," she said flatly. "People like this have done terrible things before They deserve to die."
Her voice carried no hesitation No doubt. As though death was simply another ordinary fact to her.
I did not answer. But her words remained trapped inside my mind. I took a slow breath before stepping forward slightly.
"Who are you?" I shouted toward them. "Who sent you?"
The men burst into laughter. "Oh? The princess speaks."
One of them whistled mockingly. "I didn't expect the princess to be this beautiful."
Another grinned. "He's right. She really is pretty."
A third man licked his lips disgustingly.
"Maybe we should have some fun with her before killing her."
A violent shiver crawled down my spine.
Their eyes—There was something deeply wrong inside them.cruelty. Rot. Filth.
Without realizing it, I grabbed Raven's arm tightly with a shaking hand.
Kara immediately stepped forward furiously. "How dare you speak like that with the princess of Aurelia !"
The men only laughed harder. "You're not bad either," one of them said to Kara with a disgusting grin. "Maybe we'll enjoy you too."
Another rested his sword over his shoulder lazily. "Let's kill the guards first. They already look exhausted And afterward," he added while staring directly at me, "we can enjoy the princess and her little bodyguard."
The man standing at the front smiled wickedly.
"The princess is mine first."
Something changed beside me, The temperature around Raven dropped sharply. She slowly walked toward them alone.
Step.
Step.
Step.
The soldiers behind me stared nervously. Even Kara looked tense now.
Raven stopped only a few feet away from the assassins. Her expression was unreadable. Cold golden eyes looked at them without emotion. Then she spoke quietly.
"The first one who talks lives." A faint smile appeared on her lips. "Who sent you to kill the princess?"
The men looked at each other—Then burst into laughter again.
"Is she threatening us?"
"Who even is this girl?"
"She's so weak I can't even sense mana from her."
The man standing closest to Raven smirked arrogantly and raised his hand toward her shoulder.
"Maybe I should teach you some manners firs—"
He suddenly stopped speaking. For a single second, confusion crossed his face. Then—Blood exploded from his neck. A deep slash had appeared across his throat so suddenly that none of us had seen it happen.
The man's eyes widened in pure shock. He stumbled backward desperately, both hands clutching his throat as blood poured endlessly between his fingers.
"What—?!"
He tried to breathe. Tried to speak. But only choking sounds escaped him. Then he collapsed onto the ground motionless and dead.
Silence fell across the forest. Every single assassin froze. The soldiers froze. Even Kara looked stunned.
My breathing stopped completely. I never saw Raven move. Not even once. The only thing she did—Was stare at them with those cold golden eyes with a grin.
The remaining assassins instinctively took several steps backward. The confidence and arrogance from earlier had completely disappeared from their faces.
One of them stared at the corpse on the ground and spoke shakily. " what happened, w-what did she do…?"
Another narrowed his eyes nervously toward Raven.
"She used magic—"
"No," another interrupted immediately, his voice tense with fear. "I didn't feel any mana from her and I still don't feel anything."
That only made the atmosphere worse Because if it was not magic—Then what was it?
Raven stood in front of them calmly, one hand still resting inside her pocket as though nothing unusual had happened. The faint smile on her lips remained unchanged empty and terrifying.
Her golden eyes slowly moved across the remaining men one by one like a predator observing wounded prey.
"I'll ask one more time," she said softly. "Who sent you?"
No one answered. The forest had become deathly silent. Even the wind felt colder now. Then suddenly—One of the archers shouted desperately.
"KILL HER!"
Several men rushed toward Raven simultaneously. Fast. Far too fast for ordinary criminals. Their movements were precise and coordinated like trained hunters.
One attacked from the front, his sword engulfed in flames. Fire wrapped around the blade violently as he swung toward Raven's chest.
Another circled behind her holding twin daggers enhanced with wind magic, making the blades longer and unnaturally sharp.
A third leapt from the side while drawing glowing arrows from his back. Blue flames ignited around the arrowheads, burning brightly with explosive mana.
And a fourth charged directly at her with a roar, swinging his sword horizontally toward her neck.
"KILL HER!" he screamed.
The soldiers behind me immediately tensed. Kara moved forward instinctively to help Raven—But stopped abruptly. Because before anyone could even reach her—
Blood exploded into the air. Four bodies dropped almost simultaneously. One man's arms spun across the grass before landing several feet away.
Another collapsed with a deep slash carved across his chest so violently that bone became visible beneath torn flesh.
The third attacker fell face-first into the dirt without making a sound, his throat completely opened.
And the fourth—His head rolled across the ground.
For a moment—Nobody moved Nobody breathed. Screams erupted from the remaining assassins.
"What the hell happened?!"
"How did she kill them that fast?!"
"What the hell is she?!"
"She's a monster!"
Another man staggered backward in terror. "What is happening here?! He said they would be weak— he lied to us!"
How does Raven do it, It was as though death itself surrounded her invisibly.
The soldiers looked completely stunned. Even Kara stared wide-eyed at the scene before muttering, "What the hell just happened…? I didn't even see Raven move."
The assassins' fear rapidly turned into panic. One of them shouted desperately, "Attack from a distance! Don't get too close to her!"
Several archers immediately raised their bows again. Mana gathered around their arrows. Fire.wind.lightning.
The air itself trembled from the pressure of multiple abilities activating at once.
"FIRE!"
Dozens of arrows shot toward Raven simultaneously. Wind-enhanced arrows moving too fast for normal eyes to follow.
But Raven—Did not move. Not even slightly.
The arrows stopped. Every single one of them froze in the air inches away from her body as though time itself had suddenly halted.
The arrows trembled violently in midair before slowly turning—Toward their owners. Panic spread instantly across the assassins' faces.
"W-Wait—"
"No—!"
The arrows shot back faster than before. Screams echoed through the forest. Explosions erupted between the trees. Several assassins collapsed immediately, their own attacks piercing through their bodies.
One man tried to run—An arrow pierced through his skull before he could take three steps.
Silence fell again. Smoke drifted slowly through the forest. The smell of blood had become suffocating.
Raven finally moved. Just one step forward. That single movement made the remaining assassins flinch violently. Her golden eyes glowed faintly beneath the dying evening light.
Then she spoke softly.
"You people are disappointing,I thought you would be formidable opponents, but you are nothing but scum.."
Fear spread across their faces instantly. The fear prey feels when standing before something far above it.
And for the first time since meeting Raven—I felt it too.
Only two assassins remained alive. The rest of the forest had become a graveyard of bodies, blood, and shattered arrows. The surviving men looked completely broken now. Their weapons trembled violently in their hands as Raven slowly approached them through the bloodstained grass.
The sound of her boots against the ground felt louder than the screams from moments ago.
The two men suddenly collapsed onto their knees.
"P-Please spare us!"
"We surrender!"
Their voices shook with pure terror.
Raven stopped in front of them, her expression cold and unreadable.
"Who sent you?"
The first man immediately shouted, "I'll talk! I'll tell you everything!"
The second desperately pushed forward. "No! Ask me instead! I'll answer anything you want!"
The first man glared at him furiously. "Shut up! You were recruited recently! You don't know anything about the man who hired us!"
The next second—The second assassin collapsed onto the ground Dead. A deep slash had appeared across his throat so suddenly that even now—I still did not see Raven move.
Raven looked down at the remaining assassin with empty golden eyes completely devoid of emotion.
"Talk."
A chill ran through me. How was she doing this? How could she kill people without moving even an inch?
No mana. No visible attack. Nothing.
The remaining assassin trembled violently beneath her gaze. "What… what do you want to know…?"
Raven slowly turned her head toward me and said with a smile.
"Princess?"
For a second I froze. Then I realized she was giving me control over the interrogation. I stepped forward carefully, trying to ignore the corpses surrounding us.
"Who sent you?"
The man swallowed hard. "I-I don't know who he was. The man who hired us hid his face behind a mask."
I frowned immediately. "How do you work for someone without knowing anything about him?"
The assassin lowered his head nervously. "We're former hunters. We work for anyone who pays enough." His voice shook. "That man offered us two million gold coins…"
Several soldiers behind me inhaled sharply in shock. Two million. That was enough money to change someone's entire life.
"No one could refuse an offer like that," the assassin continued weakly.
I narrowed my eyes. "Tell me everything from the beginning."
The man nodded quickly. "We were drinking in a tavern with the others… the men who are dead now…"
His gaze briefly flickered toward the corpses scattered across the forest before immediately looking away again. "Then a man wearing a mask and dark cloak approached us. His entire body was hidden. He said he had easy work for us."
The assassin hesitated nervously. "When he told us the target was the Princess of Aurelia… we refused at first." His eyes widened slightly as though even remembering it frightened him. "But then he placed one million gold coins on the table."
Silence spread among the soldiers.
"One million immediately," he whispered. "And another million after the job was done."
I felt sick listening to him. A human life reduced to numbers. Reduced to gold.
"He told us there would only be a small escort protecting you," the assassin continued. "He said the mission would be easy."
Kara clenched her jaw angrily.
The assassin laughed weakly. "We didn't care. We only cared about the money." He looked toward the dead monsters nearby. "He also promised to help us by sending monsters alongside us…"
My eyes narrowed. So the monsters truly had been controlled. Someone was orchestrating all of this. Someone intelligent. Careful. Dangerous.
I stepped closer.
"If you had succeeded in killing me… where were you supposed to meet him?"
The assassin shook his head quickly. "There was no meeting place. He told us he would find us himself after the mission."
That answer only made the situation feel worse. The person behind this had prepared everything carefully enough to leave no trail behind.
I stared at him for several long seconds. "Is there anything else you haven't told us?"
The assassin immediately bowed his head desperately. "I swear that's everything! I'm not hiding anything else!"
His breathing became uneven. "Please forgive me, Princess…"
For a brief moment—I almost pitied him. Then I remembered the way he had looked at me earlier. The things he said. The excitement in his eyes when he talked about killing us.
My pity disappeared instantly.
Beside me, Raven bent down calmly and picked up a sword from one of the dead assassins. The metallic sound echoed softly through the silent forest. The remaining assassin's face turned pale.
Raven slowly walked toward him.
The man began trembling violently. W-Wait—!, You said you'd spare me if I talked!"
Raven stopped directly in front of him. Her face remained completely expressionless. "But you didn't tell us anything useful."
The assassin froze.
"You didn't tell us who hired you." Raven raised the sword slightly. "You didn't tell us his name."Her voice remained calm. "You didn't tell us what he looked like beneath the mask."
The assassin's breathing turned frantic.
"You didn't tell us where to find him."Raven looked down at him coldly. "So you told us nothing."
"P-Please—"
The sword pierced straight through his heart. The assassin gasped violently. Blood spilled from his mouth. For several seconds his body twitched weakly before finally becoming still.
Silence returned to the forest once again. The evening wind moved softly through the trees, carrying the scent of blood with it.
Raven pulled the sword from the corpse without emotion then turned away from the corpses without another word.
The soldiers instinctively moved aside for her as she walked past them. I noticed the way they looked at her now. Not with admiration. Not even respect.
Fear. Pure fear.
Some avoided meeting her eyes entirely, while others stared at her as though they were looking at something unnatural.
But Raven did not seem to care. Not even slightly. All of her attention was focused on her right hand where faint strands of lightning danced between her fingers.
Blue sparks crackled softly against her skin before disappearing again.
A new ability. She had copied it from one of the assassins. Even after everything that had just happened…She looked calm.
She approached me slowly and spoke in the same relaxed tone as always. "Princess, if you can heal the injured soldiers, we should resume moving soon."
For a moment, I simply stared at her silently. My thoughts felt tangled. How could she remain so composed after killing people so effortlessly? How could her expression remain unchanged after bathing the forest in blood?
Raven frowned slightly.
"Princess?"
I blinked quickly. "What? Ah— yes. Sorry… I was distracted."I took a slow breath and forced myself to focus. "I'll heal them immediately so we can continue."
Thankfully, most of the soldiers' injuries were minor. Claw wounds that looked frightening but were not deep enough to threaten their lives.
Soft white light flowed from my hands as I healed them one after another.
The soldiers thanked me respectfully, though I noticed many of them still glanced nervously toward Raven standing near the edge of the clearing.
As though afraid she might suddenly turn toward them next.
After finishing, I walked toward Raven and Kara who were standing beside the carriage. "I've healed everyone," I said. "We're ready to continue."
Kara looked toward Raven. "Did you find what you were searching for?"
Raven was crouched beside one of the dead monsters, carefully examining its body. "Yeah," she replied calmly.
I frowned in confusion. "What's happening? What are you searching for?"
Raven stood up slowly.
"A dark magic user always leaves traces behind," she explained quietly. "Tiny remnants that can never be fully erased no matter how careful they are."
She glanced down at the monster corpse. "I searched these creatures for those traces."
"And you found them?"
Raven nodded once. "Now all we need is to find someone carrying the same traces."
Kara crossed her arms. "So if the person behind everything in Velmora stands in front of you… you'll recognize them immediately?"
Raven remained silent for a moment before nodding again.
The evening wind moved gently through her dark hair as she looked toward the forest.
A small smile appeared on my face. "That's good. It'll make our mission much easier."
But Raven did not answer. She was still staring toward the trees.
Kara noticed it too. "What's wrong?" she asked. "Are there more enemies?"
Raven tilted her head slightly. "No… not enemies, but I hear something, A weak crying sound," Raven continued softly. "Coming from deeper in the forest."
I listened carefully but heard nothing except the wind.
She turned toward the trees. "I'll check it quickly and return."
Kara immediately stepped forward. "I'm coming with you."
I spoke before thinking.
"Me too."
The three of us walked quietly into the forest, stepping over roots and fallen leaves while the fading sunlight filtered weakly between the branches, The deeper we went—The quieter the world became.
Then finally I heard it. A weak whimper.sad and lonely .
When we reached the source, my chest tightened painfully. A small white fox sat beside the body of a larger fox lying motionless on the ground. Its fur was stained with blood.
The little fox let out another weak cry before suddenly noticing us. Immediately, it lowered its body into a defensive stance and growled despite trembling in fear.
Kara's expression darkened. "The assassins probably killed its mother while hiding here."
The little fox stood protectively in front of the corpse despite its tiny shaking body.
Raven slowly approached it before kneeling down. She extended one hand carefully.
The fox became more agitated immediately, baring its tiny teeth and growling louder.
"It's okay," Raven said softly. "I won't hurt you."
The fox clearly did not believe her. The moment Raven gently picked it up, it struggled wildly and bit into her hand hard enough to draw blood.
But Raven did not react. Blood slowly dripped from her hand while she calmly held the trembling creature.
"I said I won't hurt you," she murmured quietly. "Calm down." She whispered. " I'm sorry about your mother."
Only then did I notice the deep wound on the fox's front leg. Blood soaked its white fur.
Raven placed her injured hand gently over the wound. A faint glow appeared. The injury on the fox slowly disappeared—And at the same moment, the exact same wound appeared on Raven's own hand instead.
After healing it, Raven carefully placed the small fox back onto the ground. "There," she said softly with a faint smile. "You're okay now. You can go."
The fox stared at her silently. Confused. But no longer afraid.
Raven stood up and turned toward us.
"Let's go."
We began walking back toward the road. Then suddenly—A rustling sound came from behind us. We turned around. The little white fox was following us.
It hurried toward Raven before circling around her legs with soft whines. Raven raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
The fox rubbed itself against her boots.
"You're healed now," Raven said calmly. "You can leave."
The fox looked briefly toward its mother's corpse hidden between the trees. Sadness filled its small golden eyes. Then it looked back at Raven—And clung tightly to her leg.
For the first time since the battle began, Raven genuinely looked caught off guard. "What?" she muttered. "No. I can't take you with me, go on, go."
She tried walking again. The fox followed immediately. Raven stopped and sighed softly before kneeling down once more. She gently patted its head.
"I really can't take care of you," she said quietly. "You need to find your own place."
The fox clearly disagreed. It immediately climbed into her lap and curled itself comfortably against her chest.
I couldn't help laughing softly. "It seems attached to you already."
Raven looked at me. Then at the tiny fox peacefully resting in her arms. Then she sighed again in defeat. "…Looks like I don't have much choice."
Kara smirked.
"So the terrifying monster hunter has been defeated by a baby fox."
Raven gave her a flat look while carefully holding the little creature. The fox happily buried itself deeper into Raven's arms.
Then the three of us returned toward the carriage beneath the fading light of evening. We stood beside the carriage beneath the fading light of evening, preparing to continue our journey toward Velmora.
The forest had grown quieter now. The smell of blood still lingered faintly in the cold air while the bodies of the assassins and monsters remained scattered behind us like a warning.
Yet despite everything that had happened—Most of the soldiers were no longer looking toward the corpses. They were staring at the small white fox resting comfortably on Raven's shoulder.
The tiny creature had curled itself around the back of her neck, its fluffy tail hanging lazily against her black shirt as though it had belonged there forever.
Even Kara looked amused every time she glanced at them.
Raven, however, ignored everyone completely.
I stepped forward and cleared my throat slightly. "Alright everyone," I said firmly. "Before we continue, we'll split into two groups."
Several soldiers exchanged surprised looks.
Kara frowned immediately. "Two groups? Why?"
I looked toward her.
"I'll explain, First group will stay with me."I pointed toward them one by one. "Kara, Raven, Max, Rachel, Luke, and Lily—you're with me."
The six nodded immediately. Then I turned toward the others. "Pete, Jack, Merlin, Johnny, Paul, and Linda—you six will enter Velmora separately disguised as traveling hunters."
Their expressions sharpened with understanding immediately.
"You'll divide yourselves into pairs," I continued. "Each pair will stay in a different part of the city."
Kara crossed her arms thoughtfully. "You want them gathering information quietly."
I nodded.
"Exactly." I looked toward the soldiers again. "I want you to listen carefully to the people of Velmora. Ask about the disappearances. Ask about the monsters. Ask about anything unusual."
My voice became more serious. "And most importantly…Do not tell anyone you came from Aurelia."
The soldiers straightened immediately.
"Yes, Princess."
Kara smirked slightly.
"That's actually smart. Someone in Velmora clearly knew we were coming, If we walk around openly as royal soldiers, whoever is behind this will disappear before we can find them."
"Exactly," I replied quietly.
Raven leaned silently against the carriage nearby, listening without interrupting.
The small fox on her shoulder yawned sleepily.
I glanced toward the armored soldiers.
"Remove your armor and royal insignias," I ordered. "Dress like ordinary hunters."
The soldiers immediately obeyed. Metal armor was removed piece by piece, replaced with simpler traveling clothes and leather gear easier to blend into crowds with.
The sky above us had turned darker now, painted in deep shades of orange and violet as the sun slowly disappeared behind the distant trees.
Once everyone finished changing, I stepped toward them again. "Before we move," I said carefully, "remember this." All eyes turned toward me. "Stay in pairs at all times."
My tone became firmer. "If anything happens—or if you discover anything suspicious—you will send word to us immediately at the duke's estate."
The soldiers nodded seriously.
"Yes, Princess."
I looked at each of them carefully. Despite their calm expressions, I could sense the tension hiding underneath.
After tonight's ambush…Everyone understood this mission was far more dangerous than expected.
I exhaled softly before speaking again.
"Let's move."
The horses began advancing once more. Wheels creaked softly against the dirt road as our group finally resumed its journey toward Velmora.
By the time the towering walls of Velmora appeared before us, the sun had already disappeared beyond the horizon. Night had begun to settle over the world. white lights flickered in the distance like scattered stars hidden among the trees.
and for a brief moment I forgot about the bloodshed in the forest. Forgot about the assassins. Forgot about the fear waiting ahead.
Velmora was beautiful.
The city rested deep within the heart of an enormous forest, surrounded by ancient trees so tall they almost seemed to touch the sky itself. Lanterns hung along the roads and bridges, casting warm amber light across stone streets polished smooth by countless footsteps.
It was large but Not as massive as Aurelia—But still grand enough to leave me speechless. Tall buildings with elegant balconies overlooked crowded streets filled with merchants, travelers, and hunters. Water canals flowed quietly between certain parts of the city, reflecting the glowing lantern lights like liquid gold.
And yet—Something about it felt wrong. The atmosphere was tense.uneasy. Guards stood everywhere. At every gate. Every rooftop. Every major street crossing. Their hands rested constantly on their weapons while their eyes scanned the crowds with visible caution.
Fear lingered beneath the beauty of the city like a shadow hidden beneath silk.
Our carriage slowly approached the main gate where nearly twenty armed guards waited. The moment they recognized the royal emblem of Aurelia, the guards immediately straightened.
One of them stepped forward quickly. "Open the gates! The Princess of Aurelia has arrived!"
Massive iron gates slowly opened before us. I noticed the relief on the guards' faces. As though our arrival alone had given them hope. Or perhaps they were simply desperate enough to believe anyone could help them now.
The carriage entered Velmora slowly. People stopped walking to stare. Whispers spread immediately through the streets.
"The princess…"
"Aurelia sent help…"
"Do you think the disappearances will stop now?"
Some looked hopeful. Others simply looked terrified. I tightened my fingers slightly together inside my lap.
The city was afraid. Far more afraid than Duke Alistair's letter had implied.
Raven rode silently beside the carriage the entire time, her golden eyes constantly moving across rooftops and dark alleyways. Observing. The small white fox still rested lazily on her shoulder, completely unbothered by the crowded city around it.
Kara noticed me looking outside and smiled faintly.
"Nervous?"
"A little," I admitted quietly.
Kara leaned back slightly on her horse.
"That's normal."
After several more minutes, the carriage finally approached the duke's estate. The mansion stood atop a gentle hill overlooking part of the city, surrounded by elegant gardens and silver fountains illuminated by moonlight.
Rows of heavily armed guards lined the entrance stairs. And waiting before the grand doors—Was the duke and his family.
The moment the carriage stopped, Kara immediately stepped down first while Raven silently scanned the surroundings. Only after that did they allow me to exit.
The cool night air brushed softly against my face as I stepped onto the stone path.
The duke approached immediately. Duke Alistair looked exactly as Father had described him. Tall, Broad-shouldered. A man in his late forties with dark silver hair and sharp gray eyes filled with exhaustion.
The past weeks had clearly taken a toll on him.
Beside him stood his wife, Duchess Elena. She wore an elegant dark blue gown, and despite the calm smile on her face, I could see the worry hidden within her eyes.
And standing beside them Was their daughter. She was beautiful. Long light-pink hair flowed down her back like silk beneath the moonlight, and her bright blue eyes carried both confidence and sharpness.
Unlike most noble daughters I had met—She stood like a warrior. Straight posture. Calm gaze. A sword hanging naturally at her waist. There was strength in the way she carried herself.
Duke Alistair noticed my gaze and spoke, "This is my daughter, Lady kalina, She currently commands Velmora's military forces," the duke continued proudly.
Kalina stepped forward slightly and bowed respectfully. "It's an honor to finally meet you, Princess Lyria."
I smiled politely. "The honor is mine."
A smaller figure peeked nervously from behind the duchess. A little boy no older than seven. Soft brown hair. Bright blue eyes identical to his sister's. He clung shyly to his mother's sleeve while staring at us with curiosity.
The duchess smiled gently. "And this is our son, Elliot."
The boy hesitated before bowing awkwardly. "Welcome to Velmora, Princess."
I smiled warmly at him.
"Thank you, Elliot."
Duke Alistair then looked toward Kara and Raven standing behind me. His eyes paused briefly on Raven longer than expected.
I noticed it immediately. Especially when his expression subtly changed. Confusion. Then surprise. Then caution.
But the duke quickly hid it behind a polite smile. "You must be Lady Kara and Lady Raven."
Kara gave a respectful nod.
Raven simply looked at him calmly. The small fox on her shoulder blinked sleepily at the duke.
Kalina's attention immediately shifted toward Raven as well. I noticed the way kalina's warrior instincts sharpened instantly while observing her. Like an experienced swordswoman sensing another dangerous fighter.
Raven noticed too. Their eyes met briefly.silent. Measuring. Then kalina smiled faintly at Raven, But Raven was looking at her coldly.
Before the silence could grow awkward, Duchess Elena clapped her hands softly. "You all must be exhausted after such a long journey."
The duke nodded immediately. "Of course. We prepared dinner for your arrival."
We were guided inside the estate through enormous marble halls illuminated by crystal chandeliers. Servants moved quickly and quietly through the corridors while guards remained stationed at nearly every entrance.
Even inside the mansion Security was overwhelming. No one here felt safe anymore.
When we finally entered the dining hall, a long elegant table awaited us beneath warm golden lights. And despite the luxurious atmosphere—The tension surrounding Velmora still lingered heavily in the air.
Like a storm waiting patiently in the dark. The dining hall of the Velmora estate was quieter than I expected. Not silent—But restrained. Like everyone present was trying to act normal despite the fear hanging over the city.
Soft golden light from the chandeliers reflected against silver dishes and crystal cups while servants moved quietly around the long table refilling drinks and replacing plates.
I sat between Kara and Raven while Duke Alistair and his family sat across from us.
The small white fox had somehow refused to leave Raven's side and now rested comfortably in her lap beneath the table while she casually fed it small pieces of meat.
Even the servants kept glancing at it curiously.
The food itself was excellent. Roasted meat covered in herbs. Fresh bread still warm from the oven. Soup rich with spices unfamiliar to me.
Yet despite the luxurious dinner,The atmosphere remained tense. Every now and then I caught guards outside the windows patrolling with visible alertness. Velmora truly was living in fear.
After a while, the duke's daughter finally spoke. "It's been a very long time since I last saw you, Princess."
I looked toward her. She sat elegantly beside her father, though even while eating she carried herself more like a knight than a noble lady.
Long light-pink hair rested over one shoulder, and her blue eyes held calm confidence sharpened by experience.
I smiled faintly.
"The last time I remember seeing you… I was around eight years old."
Kalina chuckled softly.
"That long?"
I nodded.
"You've changed so much that I almost didn't recognize you."
A playful smirk appeared on her lips. "Hopefully that's a good thing."
"It is," I replied honestly.
Kara quietly continued eating while pretending not to listen.
Raven, meanwhile, remained completely focused on feeding the tiny fox. The creature looked absurdly happy sitting in the lap of the most terrifying person in the room.
Duke Alistair then placed his cup down and looked toward me seriously. "How was your journey here?" His expression darkened slightly. "Did you encounter any problems on the road?"
For a brief moment, silence settled across the table. I glanced toward Raven instinctively before answering.
"We encountered some difficulties," I replied with a small polite smile.
The duke frowned immediately. "What kind of difficulties?"
"An ambush."
The atmosphere instantly changed. Kalina's expression sharpened. The duchess looked alarmed. Even little Elliot stopped eating.
I continued calmly.
"But it wasn't anything we couldn't handle."
That was technically true. Although handle felt like a strange word for what Raven had done.
The duke leaned forward slightly. "You were attacked before even reaching Velmora…" His face darkened further. "Then someone truly is monitoring this city closely."
Raven finally spoke without looking up from the fox.
"Obviously."
The bluntness of her answer made the room briefly awkward.
Kara coughed softly into her drink to hide a smile.
Thankfully, the duke ignored it.
Dinner continued for a little while longer, though the atmosphere had become noticeably heavier afterward. Once everyone finished eating, Duke Alistair guided us toward his office for a private discussion.
The office was large and dimly lit, filled with shelves of old books and maps spread across a massive wooden table in the center of the room.
Rain had begun falling lightly outside, tapping softly against the tall windows.
I sat beside Kara and Raven was standing next to the window while Duke Alistair sat across from us with Kalina standing quietly beside him.
The moment the doors closed, the duke's expression became serious.
"Tell me everything."
So I did. I explained the ambush. The monsters. The assassins. And finally—What the surviving assassin had confessed before Raven killed him. The moment I finished, silence filled the office.
Kalina crossed her arms tightly.
"So someone hired mercenaries specifically to assassinate you before you reached Velmora, And whoever sent them knew exactly when you would arrive."
The duke's jaw tightened. "That information was not public."
I looked directly at him.
"Who knew about my arrival?"
Duke Alistair answered immediately. "My family." Then his expression darkened. "And the city council."
Raven's golden eyes lifted slightly for the first time Interesting.
I leaned forward slightly. "I want the names of every council member."
The duke hesitated only briefly before nodding. "You'll have them before morning."
Kara rested one elbow on the table thoughtfully. "So either someone from the council leaked the information…"
"…or they're directly involved," Kalina finished coldly.
Rain continued tapping softly against the windows. Then Duke Alistair spoke again, voice quieter this time. "The disappearances have worsened recently." His exhausted eyes lowered slightly. "Not only civilians, Even soldiers have vanished."."
A heavy silence followed.
Kalina spoke next. "And the monsters appearing lately are different."
I looked toward her.
"Different how?"
"Stronger," she answered immediately. "Far stronger than normal creatures." Her expression hardened. "They only appear at night."
Kara frowned.
"How many soldiers have died?"
"Too many."
Even Duke Alistair looked away briefly after hearing that.
For the first time since entering the office—Raven finally seemed genuinely interested. She slowly lifted her gaze toward Kalina. "Do any of your soldiers know where the monsters are hiding?"
The room became quiet again.
Kalina looked directly at Raven for several seconds before answering. "There are caves west of the city, Some soldiers reported seeing monsters entering them."
Raven remained silent.
Kalina continued calmly, "That's likely where they're hiding."
Kara immediately looked toward Raven.
"When do we move?"
Raven answered without hesitation.
"At midnight."
Simple. Direct. As though infiltrating monster-filled caves in the middle of the night was completely ordinary.
Kalina smirked slightly.
"Then I'll come with you."
Raven looked at her silently for several long seconds. The atmosphere between them suddenly felt oddly sharp.
Then Raven finally spoke. "There's no need." Her tone remained calm. "We're only scouting. Extra numbers will slow us down."
Silence filled the office again.
Then Kalina leaned slightly against the desk with an amused smirk. " I insist." Her blue eyes met Raven's golden ones directly. "And don't worry, I can handle myself."
Raven stared at her a moment longer before shrugging lightly.
"Suit yourself."
The meeting continued for hours afterward. We discussed patrol routes. Missing citizens. Council members. Strange sightings. Possible suspects.
And through all of it—Raven mostly remained silent, listening carefully from the shadows of the room while absentmindedly petting the sleeping fox in her lap.
By the time the meeting finally ended, exhaustion had begun catching up to all of us. Servants guided us through the quiet mansion halls toward our rooms.
Kara immediately insisted that her room and Raven's be placed near mine for protection.
Duke Alistair agreed without argument. Given recent events—No one was willing to take risks anymore.
As the servants opened the doors to our rooms, I glanced briefly toward Raven walking beside me beneath the dim lantern lights of the corridor. Her expression remained unreadable.calm But somehow—It felt like her mind was already inside those caves waiting for midnight to arrive.
The mansion was silent.
Not the peaceful kind of silence—But the heavy silence that only exists deep into the night, when everyone sleeps while fear remains awake.
Outside my window, rain continued falling softly over Velmora, tapping gently against the glass while cold wind whispered through the distant trees surrounding the estate.
I sat near the fireplace inside my room unable to sleep.
Every time I closed my eyes—
I remembered the ambush, the blood, And Raven standing motionless while people died around her.
A part of me still could not understand her. And another part of me…Was beginning to fear how easily she walked beside death.
The clock inside my room ticked quietly.Midnight. Right on time—
Knock. Knock.
I stood immediately. My heartbeat quickened slightly as I walked toward the door. Carefully, I opened it.
Kara and Raven stood outside my room.
Both wore dark cloaks over their clothes, prepared for the mission ahead. Shadows from the corridor lanterns flickered softly across their faces while the cold midnight air drifted through the hallway windows behind them.
Kara gave me a small smile.
"We came to tell you we're leaving now."
Before I could respond, Raven spoke calmly, "Lock your door from the inside." Her golden eyes held mine seriously. "And do not let anyone enter."
She stepped slightly closer toward me.
"Do not leave your room no matter what happens until we return." Her voice lowered slightly. "Do you hear me, Princess?, And don't trust anyone here."
The hallway suddenly felt colder after those words. Even Kara became quieter.
I swallowed lightly before nodding.
"Yes… I promise, and You two be careful too." My eyes moved between them anxiously. "And don't do anything dangerous."
Kara smirked faintly.
"You say that to the wrong person."
Raven ignored the comment entirely. "We're only going to observe and gather information," she said calmly. "We won't engage the monsters."
Raven then tilted her head slightly toward the room. "Now please go inside and lock the door behind you."
I nodded slowly and stepped backward into the room. The moment I closed the door, I immediately locked it.
Then I stood there silently Listening. Their footsteps slowly faded farther and farther down the corridor until the mansion became quiet again.
And I felt alone. I walked slowly toward the window and looked outside. Rain covered the gardens beneath the moonlight while the distant city lights of Velmora flickered beyond the estate walls.
And for the first time since leaving Aurelia fear settled inside my chest.
I tried sleeping. But every small sound made me open my eyes again. The wind outside. The rain. The creaking of old wood within the mansion.
Time passed painfully slowly. One hour. Then another. I remained awake sitting near the fireplace wrapped in a blanket, staring toward the door while countless thoughts circled inside my head.
What if something went wrong?, What if the caves were a trap?, What if—
Knock. Knock.
I stood so quickly the blanket slipped from my shoulders. My heart pounded loudly as I hurried toward the door. Before opening it, I asked nervously.
"Who is it?"
Kara's voice came immediately from the other side. "It's me, Lyria. Open the door."
Relief flooded through me so strongly that my knees almost weakened. I unlocked the door quickly.
The moment I opened it and saw them standing there safely—I exhaled deeply. "Thank the gods…" I looked between them anxiously. "You came back safely."
Kara chuckled softly. "You should really be asleep right now."
Only then did I notice the exhaustion on her face. Her cloak was wet from rain and faint dirt stains covered parts of her clothes.
Raven stood beside her silently. Unlike Kara—She looked almost completely unaffected. Though her golden eyes seemed slightly tired.
I looked at them worriedly. "What happened?, Did you find something?"
Raven answered quietly, "Nothing much, and It's late and You're tired." She looked at me and said with smile . "Go to sleep, We'll talk tomorrow."