The Princess' Harem
Chapter 61: The Shadowed Deal

Chapter 61: The Shadowed Deal

That morning, Viana and Joel woke up early, greeted by the cold air from the transition between autumn and spring. A thin mist covered the stone houses and thatched roofs.

But they could not stay in the warmth of their blankets for long. Today, they had to start gathering information about Prince Arin.

Joel tightened his belt, fastened the strings of his cloak, and slipped a small dagger with runes engraved into the folds of his wool coat. His soft brown eyes glanced at Viana with a slight smile.

"Are you sure you want to go to the market this morning, Princess?" he asked, his voice soft yet teasing. "We might get caught in something more complicated than the layers of your gown."

Viana, who was brushing her long blonde hair before hiding it under a deep green hood, rolled her eyes.

"Do not call me Princess here, Joel," she replied, though the corner of her lips lifted into a small smile.

They stepped out toward the morning market, where merchants and travelers from various places near the border gathered. The scent of gingerbread and honey mixed with the smoke of open fireplaces.

In the distance, a street magician showed off small fireballs to attract a crowd, while mercenaries with gleaming swords stood guard at the corners of the marketplace.

Viana and Joel blended in, pretending to be spice traders from the Southern Valley, their eyes scanning their surroundings for clues about Prince Arin.

As they passed a fabric stall, Joel whispered, "I heard whispers at the inn last night. A caravan is moving north, carrying more than just goods. It might be connected to Arin."

Viana nodded, running her fingers across a piece of silk to disguise their conversation. "North is a route for illegal trade. If Arin is involved, someone here must know something."

They approached a group of men sitting at the edge of the market, near a cart full of honey barrels. Their faces were tough from hard labor.

The men were deep in conversation, occasionally looking around cautiously. Joel gave Viana a small signal, indicating that they should get closer.

With a relaxed stride, Joel pretended to be interested in their goods, while Viana sat on a wooden bench, acting as if she was simply resting from walking too much.

"Sweet honey," Joel commented, nodding toward the barrels. "Are you taking it north? I heard that route is profitable."

One of the men, a large fellow with a thick beard, looked at Joel suspiciously. "Who are you, boy? I do not recognize your face."

Joel smiled politely, though he remained calm. "Elias from the Southern Valley, and this is my sister, Mara. We are spice traders, looking to expand our network."

He glanced at Viana, and there was a playful glint in his eyes that made her slightly annoyed. Joel was having too much fun pretending.

The bearded man chuckled. "Only those who know how to talk can get into that trade, boy."

Viana cleared her throat and casually slid a few coins onto the table. "We know how to appreciate information," she said softly.

The man stared at the coins for a moment, then shrugged and exhaled. "Alright, then. If you want to know about the trade in the north, you need to find someone named Kess. He is not easy to meet, but if you are lucky, he will be at the tavern near the docks tonight."

Joel exchanged a quick glance with Viana and nodded. "Thank you for the information."

After parting ways with the group, they walked away. Under an old oak tree near the market, Viana stopped, taking a deep breath and leaning against the trunk.

"Kess," she murmured, trying to recall something. "That name was mentioned in a report somewhere."

Joel, standing close to her, smelled faint traces of leather and spices from his cloak.

"Then we have to find him before he realizes who we really are," Joel said with a small smile. "Ready to disguise ourselves again?"

Viana let out a long breath, then smiled slightly. "I have almost forgotten what it feels like to be a princess."

Joel chuckled. "Maybe you should stop thinking about it for a while and enjoy being a real merchant. And enjoy this journey with me."

Viana held her breath, feeling warmth spread across her face. "Do not start, Joel," she said, but her tone was neither annoyed nor angry. "We have a mission."

And with that, they hurried toward the docks.

***

By the time Viana and Joel arrived, the docks were illuminated by the soft glow of oil lamps hanging along the stone-paved streets. The old taverns were alive with merchants, mercenaries, and sailors seeking fortune.

The sound of waves crashing against the shore mixed with the sharp chill of the late winter air.

Joel glanced at Viana, ensuring her hood still covered her hair properly.

"We have to stay calm," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the noise of the market. "One wrong word could end everything."

Viana nodded, hiding her unease behind a composed expression. They entered the tavern, where the warmth of burning wood and the strong smell of cheap wine filled the air.

Wooden tables were crowded with travelers exchanging stories about storms and treasure, while a wandering minstrel played a melancholic tune on his lute in the corner.

Near the fireplace, a man in his forties sat alone, wearing a deep blue robe embroidered with faint silver patterns. His sharp eyes scanned the room, watching every person who stepped inside. That had to be Kess.

Joel pulled out a chair at a table not far from him, moving casually. Viana sat beside him, pretending to adjust her hood while observing her surroundings.

Two men in dark cloaks stood near the entrance, likely Kess’s guards, and a servant moved carefully, almost too cautious, as he carried a tray of wine.

Without wasting time, Joel started the conversation with Kess, his tone low but friendly. "We heard there is a profitable trade route heading north. Rare goods, big profits. We want to know if there is room for traders like us."

Kess studied them closely, his expression unreadable. His hand, adorned with a silver ring marked with an unusual symbol, moved slowly as he stroked his chin.

"North is not a place for just anyone," he replied flatly. "Rare goods, you say? What kind?"

Viana chose her words carefully and leaned in slightly.

"Spices from the Southern Valley, maybe some crystals from a remote mine. We heard there are buyers in the north who do not mind... unconventional trade routes."

Kess gave a faint smile, but his eyes never left them. "You know a lot for new traders."

He pulled a silver coin from his cloak, spinning it on the table until it landed with the eagle emblem facing up. "Tell me, what do you know about this symbol?"

Viana looked at the coin, her heartbeat quickening. The eagle emblem represented the Shadow Clan, a group rumored to be working for Prince Arin. This was a test.

"We have seen it in the markets," she answered cautiously. "A mark of traders who do not like interference."

Kess nodded slowly, though his smile never reached his eyes. "Smart. But being smart is not enough in the north." He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "I do not share secrets with strangers. If you want to get in, prove you are worthy."

Joel leaned back, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp. "How do we prove it?"

Kess tapped the table with his fingers. "There is a scout, a spy, disrupting our caravan routes in the northern forest. He does not belong to the kingdom, but he knows too much. I want you to find him and make sure he stops. Bring proof that he will not bother us again."

Viana frowned. "Stop? You mean—"

"Not killing," Kess interrupted, his tone cold but controlled. "I do not like unnecessary bloodshed. Just make sure he is afraid, or take something from him that will make him think twice before coming near us again. A message, but delivered your way."

Joel and Viana exchanged glances. In a brief moment, Joel’s eyes spoke volumes—trust, caution, and something deeper, something that made Viana’s heartbeat quicken.

"We can handle that," Joel said finally, his tone firm.

Kess nodded, satisfied. "Complete this task, and maybe we can talk about what you are really looking for. The north holds many secrets—including the one about the man you are chasing."

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