The forest was quiet as Prince Elric sat watch The forest was still, save for the crackle of the campfire. Prince Elric sat watch, his sharp eyes scanning the dark. His companions slept soundly, but his mind was restless. Then, a faint rustle broke the silence.

His hand moved to his sword, his voice low and commanding. “Who’s there?”

No answer came, but the sound grew louder. Rising silently, he followed it, stepping past his sleeping men. Beyond the treeline, he froze.

A young woman, ragged and filthy, crouched by the supplies, tearing hungrily into a stolen loaf of bread. She didn’t notice him until he spoke, his tone ice-cold. “Drop it.”

She flinched, her eyes wide with fear, but before she could react, his men stirred. “A thief!” one shouted, springing to his feet and drawing his blade.

“Hold your ground!” Elric’s voice cut through the chaos like a blade. The men hesitated, startled by the steel in his tone.

The woman tried to shrink back, clutching the bread as though it might save her. Elric’s cold gaze swept over her trembling form, then softened ever so slightly. “You’re starving,” he said flatly. “Not a criminal.”

“But, Your Highness—” one man began.

“Silence.” His tone froze the protest in its tracks. Without breaking his gaze from the woman, he stepped closer. She didn’t run but shrank further into herself, trembling like a leaf.

Kneeling slowly, Elric’s voice lowered, losing its edge. “You don’t need to steal from me,” he said, his tone quiet but firm. “Take what you need. No one here will touch you.”

She didn’t respond, didn’t move, only clutched the bread as her eyes darted between the men.

Elric stood and turned to his companions, his expression cold and commanding once more. “She stays until morning. No arguments.”

The men exchanged uneasy glances but said nothing. The prince’s word was law.

Returning to his place by the fire, Elric cast one last look at the woman, still huddled where she was. She didn’t speak, but something in her haunted eyes struck him deeply.