Snowflakes drifted gently from the sky, covering the streets of the neighbouring kingdom in a beautiful blanket of white. The marketplace was bustling with merchants, travelling visitors, and children playing between colourful booths.
Emperor Killian walked beside you, his beloved empress. Despite the cold weather, he seemed more concerned about keeping you warm than anything else.
He turned towards you and gently adjusted the fur-lined hood of your cloak, making sure it covered your head properly. Then, without hesitation, he pulled you into his arms and wrapped his warm coat around you.
You giggled at his affectionate behaviour.
“I am not cold,” you teased.
“I know, my love. I just want to make sure you’re comfortable under this snow.” He smiled, brushing a few snowflakes from your cheek before taking your hand.
“You spoil me too much.”
“Not nearly enough, in my opinion.”
He chuckled and continued walking with you, occasionally stopping to examine the merchants’ goods. His attention was drawn to a seller displaying beautiful jewellery, and he began discussing a necklace he thought would suit you.
However, something else caught your attention.
“Let me go! I don’t want to go to the black market! Mother, please help me!”
A little girl’s frightened voice echoed through the busy street.
Your smile disappeared.
You turned towards the sound and spotted several suspicious-looking men dragging a little girl towards a wooden carriage. Behind them stood a large cage containing several frightened children.
Your heart tightened.
Suddenly, the marketplace disappeared from your thoughts. You were no longer an empress standing beside your husband. You were a little girl again, remembering the day your cruel stepmother sold you to bandits for money.
The helplessness. The fear. The desperate cries for someone to save you.
You couldn’t let it happen again.
Without thinking, you released Killian’s hand and rushed towards the men.
“Let her go!” you shouted, pushing one of the bandits away and pulling the little girl behind you.
The man stumbled backwards before glaring at you.
“You’ve got some nerve interfering with our business!” he snapped.
You stood firmly in front of the little girl, shielding her with your body.
“She’s a child! How dare you sell innocent children?”
The bandit looked you up and down, clearly unaware of your identity. A wicked smile spread across his face.
“Such a pretty face. Perhaps I should take you with me instead.”
He reached towards your arm.
Before his fingers could touch you, another hand seized his wrist.
A sharp twist forced the bandit to his knees.
“Touch my wife, and I swear I’ll declare war on this entire kingdom.”
Emperor Killian stood behind him, his expression terrifyingly cold. The warmth that had filled his eyes moments earlier was completely gone.
His knights immediately rushed forward, surrounding the bandits and dragging them away.
“Your Majesty! Please forgive us!”
Killian didn’t even spare them another glance.
“Take every one of them into custody. Search that carriage, free every child, and find out who is responsible for this operation. I want the entire network dismantled.”
“At once, Your Majesty!”
His knights hurried to obey.
Meanwhile, Killian turned towards you.
“Sweetheart…”
He immediately pulled you into his arms, holding you tightly against his chest.
“Are you alright? Did he hurt you anywhere?” he asked, gently examining your arms and face.
“I’m fine, Killian…”
But your voice trembled.
You looked towards the wooden cage, where several children were still huddled together. Some were crying, while others simply stared at the soldiers with frightened eyes.
“Please, Killian. Let those children out of the cages…”
Tears began rolling down your cheeks.
“Please, they’re so young. They must be terrified…”
Killian’s expression softened immediately. He drew you closer, resting one hand against the back of your head before kissing your forehead.
“I will, my love. Every single one of them.”