Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 87: Give Chase

Chapter 87: Give Chase

As the wintry dawn cast its first delicate light upon the sleeping town, a hushed enchantment settled upon the streets of Frostholm. Just like the name of the town, frost kissed the rooftops and glistened on the cobblestone paths, turning the world into a shimmering wonderland.

Slowly, chimneys came alive, wisps of smoke swirling upward, as hearths crackled to life in cozy homes. The distant sound of horses’ hooves and carriage wheels mingled with the crisp air, bringing a sense of anticipation.

One by one, shutters creaked open, revealing glimpses of warm light and bustling activity within. The aroma of freshly baked bread and brewing coffee wafted from the bakeries and cafes, teasing the senses and drawing townsfolk into the awakening day.

The town, like a slumbering giant, stretched and yawned, preparing for the stories, interactions, and shared moments that would paint the canvas of another winter’s day.

As life filled the streets of Frostholm, Daphne kept her eyes peeled for a possible sign of Maisie. Now that the townsfolk were out and about with vigor to start a new day, the chances she would run into that maid of hers was much higher than before. Granted, Maisie might only leave her shelter in the dark of the night, but it was always much easier to hide in plain sight where the crowd was.

Unfortunately, the hustle and bustle of the town’s main streets meant nothing much to Daphne and the road that she was let on. She closely followed behind the old man, keeping her hood carefully over her head. The knight that had been assigned to look after her closely followed behind, his hand kept on his sword at all times.

"They appeared a few times," the old man said softly, his steps matching Daphne’s. He walked only slightly ahead just so that he could lead the way, but not far enough that their voices had to be raised when conversing with one another.

The dark, sketchy alleyways of the town seemed to exist in perpetual shadow, hidden from the gentle sunlight that embraced the main streets. Jagged cobblestones, worn by time, formed a treacherous path underfoot. The peeling posters on the walls moved whenever the whispering winds blew past the narrow passages, carrying the distant echoes of hurried footsteps and muffled conversations.

Every second here was another that caused Daphne’s skin to crawl.

"Where would that be?" Daphne asked. "These alleyways are much too narrow to hide anything more than shadows."

"It’s just a shortcut." The man huffed, a cloud of white smoke appearing from his lips due to the cold.

He stopped abruptly and gestured to a storefront across the main road, settled right in the middle of a shopping street. Multiple boutiques and cafes could be spotted, all looking as ordinary as ever.

Daphne quickly frowned.

"What’s so special about that place?"

"The lass yer looking for frequents this street," the old man replied. "Every morning, at half past ten. If yer wait long enough, she’ll be here."

Daphne nodded, prepared to step out of the dark alleyway and back into the sunlight. But she was quickly stopped by the old man, who put a hand on her shoulder to hold her back.

Immediately, the sharp ring of a sword pulled out of its sheath rang through the air. A steel blade was held against the old man’s neck, though he didn’t flinch even for a bit. He merely maintained his gaze, sternly eyeing Daphne.

"Be very careful, ma’am," the old man warned. "If the lassie shows, so will the man."

"I will," Daphne said.

Only with her firm reply did the old man’s hand drop back down to his side, the sword following soon after. He turned and quickly disappeared into the shadowed streets, gone from sight.

Daphne waited for the opportune hour, as the old man said. It wasn’t that long before she spotted a familiar girl show up, her light brown hair peeking out from the white scarf she wore on her head.

Maisie’s eyes darted back and forth as she looked around. She didn’t enter the shop that the old man had pointed out but she did stop there for a moment, curiously looking around as though she had spotted something out of the ordinary.

Daphne didn’t waste a single moment. She quickly stepped out, slightly squinting when the bright sunlight hit her eyes.

"Maisie?"

The girl in question quickly whipped her head over to look in the direction her name had been called. When she spotted Daphne standing there, barely a few feet away, Maisie’s eyes widened. At first, delight and surprise flashed through her eyes. However, as quickly as they came, they were replaced by horror.

Without warning, Maisie quickly turned on her heel and dashed away without another word.

"Wait!" Daphne cried out.

She broke into a sprint, desperately trying to keep up with Maisie. However, her heavy skirts and stuffy corset kept her slower than her full potential, and soon enough, Maisie’s figure weaved in with the rest of the crowd.

"Maisie!"

As if by instinct, the maid turned back once more at the sound of her name. That brief moment was enough for Daphne to quickly locate her.

The air crackled with urgency as footfalls pounded against the icy cobblestones, leaving fleeting imprints in the frost-kissed path. Crowds of townsfolk, bundled in coats and scarves, gasped and scattered like startled birds, their breath visible in the cold air. Shop stalls stood witness to the chase, their wares jostling in the commotion, while horse-drawn carriages rattled by, adding a sense of chaos to the pursuit.

"Your Highness!"

The knight’s call fell on deaf ears.

Daphne squeezed through the crowd, shoving past a sea of bodies as she wormed through the gaps left between figures. As they ran through the bustling streets, across storefronts, and into narrow alleyways again, Daphne finally caught up to Maisie at a deadend when the latter chose the wrong street to turn at.

Both of them panted heavily when they stopped in front of a tall stone wall, left with nowhere else to run. Even though she was used to manual labor, Maisie’s stamina couldn’t keep up with a full sprint for too long a time.

"Finally..." Daphne heaved, hunching a little as she tried to catch her breath. "Caught you."

Maisie’s lips parted, about to reply when her eyes widened once more. She gestured behind Daphne, her scream caught in her throat. But the next words that rang through the air weren’t spoken by Maisie.

"Caught you indeed, Your Highness."