The Princess' Harem
Chapter 65: Baiting the Trap

Chapter 65: Baiting the Trap

The port town pulsed with life, merchants shouting over barrels of fish and crates of wool as they bargained on the cobblestone streets. The air was thick with the scent of salt and tar, blending with the cries of gulls circling above.

Joel walked ahead, his confident stride masking his alertness. His eyes scanned every alleyway.

"We need to know what we’re stepping into," he murmured. "If Ren is right about the slavers, that caravan is our best chance to see it for ourselves. But we cannot walk in blind."

Viana’s mind raced as she pieced together their next move. "The caravan leaves tomorrow night. Today, we scout the route. If we find proof that they are holding captives, we can use it to pressure Kess—or bypass him entirely and go straight to Arin’s allies."

Joel glanced at her, admiration flickering in his brown eyes. "Bold, Princess. But if Kess has eyes on us, scouting around could tip him off."

He paused before adding, "Not that I doubt your nerve, Mara."

She smirked, shooting him a sidelong look. "Save the compliments, Elias. We are not safe yet."

His chuckle was soft, but there was warmth in it, cutting through the tension between them, if only for a moment.

They slipped through the crowded market, weaving between traders and sailors, until they reached a narrow street lined with worn-out warehouses. The docks loomed ahead, where ships swayed gently against wooden piers, their sails furled like resting giants.

Joel nodded toward a shadowed alleyway. "There’s a path leading from here to the forest trail. If the caravan is staging nearby, we will spot it. But we need to be fast—Kess’s men could be anywhere."

"Something is off," she whispered. "Stay alert."

They moved carefully, their cloaks blending into the dim alleyway. The warehouse district was quieter, the air thick with the scent of damp wood and oil.

Crates were stacked haphazardly, some marked with the eagle emblem of the Shadow Clan. Viana’s stomach twisted—Ren’s warning echoed in her mind.

**Those caravans are carrying people.**

Joel crouched beside a stack of barrels, peering around the corner.

"There," he whispered, pointing to a gated yard where a group of men loaded crates onto a covered wagon.

Two guards stood nearby, cloaked in dark fabric, hands resting on the hilts of their swords. The wagon’s canvas was tied tightly, but from within, faint muffled sounds emerged—voices.

Viana’s breath caught. "Captives," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "Ren was telling the truth."

Joel clenched his jaw, adjusting his grip on his dagger. "We need to get closer. If we can confirm it, we will have leverage."

He locked eyes with her, determination flickering beneath his calm tone. "But if they see us, we are done."

She nodded, her heart pounding. "I will circle around. Cover me."

Joel opened his mouth, as if to protest, but she was already gone, slipping into the shadows with practiced grace. She crept along the warehouse wall, until she was close enough to hear the low murmurs of the guards.

"Keep them quiet until tomorrow," one muttered, his voice rough. "The buyer up north pays double for silence."

Viana’s fists clenched, anger rising inside her. She moved closer, peering through a small opening in the wagon’s canvas.

In the dim light, she saw figures huddled together, their wrists bound, their eyes wide with fear. A child no older than ten clung to an older woman, both trembling.

Suddenly, a chill washed over her. She turned sharply, sensing movement, but it was too late.

A figure stepped out of the shadows—a women, her hood partially concealing a scar that ran along her cheek.

"Who are you?" the woman hissed, her voice sharp like a blade. "You are no merchant."

Viana’s hand flew to her dagger, but Joel was quicker. He appeared behind the woman, pressing his dagger against her back.

"Easy," he said, his voice calm yet dangerous. "Let’s not turn this into a mess."

The woman hesitated but did not move. Her sharp gaze shifted between them.

"You are braver than most," she said, her lips curling into a smirk. "But you are meddling in something you do not understand."

Viana straightened, keeping her voice level despite her racing pulse. "We understand enough. Slavers. Shadow Clan. Prince Arin. Start talking."

The woman’s eyes narrowed, studying Viana closely. "Arin is nothing but a name to you. The Clan’s reach is deeper than you know."

Joel pushed his dagger forward slightly. "I would start answering her if I were you."

The woman chuckled, the sound sharp and mocking. "You want answers? Look for the caravan’s overseer. He wears the Clan’s mark—a ring, like Kess’s."

Her smirk deepened. "But cross him, and you will wish you have stayed in your palace, Princess."

Viana stiffened. She knows me.

Before she could react, the woman moved and threw something to the ground. A flash of light erupted, blinding them both.

When Viana’s vision returned, the woman was gone, leaving only a faint scorch mark where she had stood.

Joel cursed, sheathing his dagger. "Shadow Clan tricks. This is worse than I thought."

Viana steadied herself, though her hands were still shaking. "She knew who I was, Joel. If she reports to Arin..."

She let the sentence hang, knowing its weight.

Joel’s hand closed around hers, grounding her. "Then we move first. We join the caravan, find the overseer, and stay ahead of them."

His voice was strong, unwavering. "We are in this together."

She squeezed his hand, holding onto his confidence. "Together," she echoed, though the woman’s warning haunted her.

’The Clan’s reach is deeper.’

They retreated from the warehouses, slipping back into the market’s chaos to avoid pursuit. The sun had climbed higher, but its light felt distant.

Viana glanced at Joel, his expression steady against the bustling town. The Mercenary King, fearless and loyal, but she doubted if he along could shield her from what was coming.

Their mission was no longer just about Arin. It was about tearing apart a network built on cruelty, and each step dragged them deeper.