The corner of Destrian’s lip tugged upward when the girl used his name so casually. No blown up titles or ridiculously grand compliments came with it. She really was different. Any other peasant would have persisted to keep to tradition for fear of being executed. The girl’s straightforward boldness continued to amuse him.

“Fine then,” he replied when she said that she and her mother were safe where they were. “I’ll leave you to your own business. However, if you ever do come across any woodland thieves, I would encourage you to seek help from the knights my father keeps stationed in this area. The nearest post is just beyond that valley.” He gestured at the indicated landmark. “I warn you, the knights can be a bit moody with the common folk. If they give you any trouble, just tell them I referred you. That should be enough to get them to offer their assistance.” He nodded at her, a glint of humor in his eye. “Good day, then. And make sure you keep a close watch on that cat of yours.” With that, he turned and made his way back to the clearing where his hunting party was waiting.

“The Prince returns,” one of the knights proclaimed when Destrian came into view. All of the men stood to attention. Destrian paid them no mind. He made his way over to his horse and began to untether its reins from a branch where one of the servants must have tied it. Both of the servants now scrambled to assist him, but he waved them off. He could untie a simple knot without any help.

“Your Highness?” one of the other knights ventured. “What did you find?”

“Nothing of great importance,” Destrian shrugged. “It was only a girl who lost her cat.”

“A girl?” the knight echoed incredulously. “So far out in the woods?”

“Do you think she could be a witch?” another knight said in a hushed voice.

“Ridiculous,” Destrian laughed. “She is merely a harmless young girl who lives with her mother in a secluded little cottage. Besides, if she was a witch, she would have attempted to kill me while I was alone. The magic-wielders all want my father’s line to end, and she had the perfect opportunity to cut it off. Yet here I am.”

“But Sire…” another knight said uncertainly. “Your father wants us to take every precaution against the witches. We’ve all heard the rumors of wild magicians living in the forest. Couldn’t she be—?”

“I know these rumors all too well,” Destrian cut in. “But I also know that there is no substance to them. No one has ever seen a witch in these woods. At least, no one can prove they have. All we can go on is the word of money mongers, searching to take home some gold for their reports of magic-users in the forest. I refuse to investigate a peasant girl without a proper reason to do so.” Destrian gave his horse’s reins a tug and began to lead it back to the looming walls of the kingdom. “Let us return then, shall we?”

The knights gave up their futile attempts to argue. They gathered their own horses and followed him back in reluctant silence.