4. Isabella's secret childrenhood

THE NEXT MORNING

XAVIER'S POINT OF VIEW:

The village was smaller than I expected. Old wooden houses leaned slightly with age, and narrow dirt paths twisted between them. Smoke curled lazily from chimneys, filling the air with the scent of burning wood and fresh bread. As I rode in, heads turned. Eyes, some cautious, some curious watched me from doorways and windows. It was clear they weren't used to strangers, let alone a noble.

I dismounted near a group of villagers gathered around a well. The murmurs quieted as I approached. I let the silence stretch just enough before speaking.

"I'm looking for a woman." I said, keeping my voice calm but firm. "Isabella.""

A tense shift ran through the group. The older man drawing water froze midmotion. A woman stirring a pot of stew outside her home lowered her spoon. Even the children playing nearby suddenly fell silent. The old man, who looked like he had seen decades of hardship, narrowed his eyes at me. 

"Why are you looking for her?"He asked.

"I want to understand who she is."I said.

He studied me for a long moment before exhaling through his nose. 

"You nobles always come looking for things that don't belong to you."He said.

I clenched my jaw but forced myself to remain patient.

"She's important." I said. "And I believe she may be in danger."

The woman with the stew let out a quiet sigh. 

"That girl…" She murmured, shaking her head. "She always had danger follow her."

I turned toward her. 

"Tell me."I said.

The old man exchanged a glance with a few others before speaking. 

"Isabella wasn't born here. We don't know where she came from. One day, years ago, hunters found her, just a child, unconscious in the woods, covered in dirt and wounds."She said.

I stiffened. 

"Hunters?"I asked.

He nodded. 

"Aye. She was barely breathing, no food, no belongings… except for a small necklace. Only thing she had on her."Old man said.

A necklace? The woman stirred her stew absently, her voice softer now. 

"She never spoke much about what happened before. And when she did, she always sounded... afraid."Old lady explained. "She was a quiet child. Smart, too. Spent most of her time in the forest. Said she felt safe there, like the trees were protecting her." He paused, then gave me a hard look. "Then the High Priest came."

I already hated where this was going.

"He declared she was chosen." The woman added bitterly. "Took her away before we could stop it."

My blood ran cold at the thought. The old man's gaze turned sharp. He clearly hated people from the capital. 

"So tell me, Prince, are you here to take her again?"He asked.

"No." I said firmly. "I just need to find her."

There was another long silence. Then the woman sighed.

"If she ran… she's in the forest."She said.

I barely nodded before turning on my heel, striding toward my horse. The trees had always been her sanctuary. Then that's where I would go and I was pretty sure that the masked woman was no one else than her.

AT THE SAME TIME

ISABELLA'S POINT OF VIEW:

I exhaled, leaning against the rough bark of a tree, my legs aching from walking nonstop. The thick forest stretched around me, offering cover, but it wasn't enough to shake the uneasy feeling crawling up my spine.

" A new update has been applied!" System said.

A glowing blue screen popped up before my eyes, making me groan.

"Xavier – 15% (Mild interest... He's thinking about you.)

High Priest Alastor – 7% (A slight… acknowledgment?)"System said.

Alastor? My breath hitched, and I instinctively looked around as if he was lurking behind the trees, ready to drag me back to the temple.

"No, no, no." I muttered, shaking my head. "He cannot be looking for me. He cannot."

Xavier's percentage rising was already a headache, but Alastor? The man who used me before? The one who had no issue choosing me as the fake saintess and then discarding me like trash? I knew that in that event everyone would have known the truth.

"New objective: find shelter, secure food, and avoid being found by Alastor for at least three days. Bonus Objective: Increase trust with Xavier. Reward is a useful tool." System said.

"Of course. Because life wasn't hard enough already."I muttered.

I took a deep breath and steadied my nerves. Panicking wouldn't help. The system had given me a clear warning Alastor was looking for me, and I had three days to stay ahead of him. I moved carefully through the forest, my footsteps light against the damp leaves. The trees were dense, offering natural cover, but I needed something more, somewhere hidden, safe, and preferably not crawling with wild animals. Soon found a narrow stream cutting through the forest. And just beyond it a rocky overhang nestled against the hillside. It wasn't a full cave, but it was deep enough to provide cover.

"This could work." I murmured, stepping closer.

I peeked inside. The space was small but dry, with enough room for me to stretch out and stay hidden. It wasn't exactly comfortable, but I'd slept in worse places before.

"System update: shelter is found." System said.

I needed food and I knew I couldn't afford to be picky. Foraging was my best bet, but hunting? I could try. Just as I was about to leave the cave, a sudden rustling sound made me freeze. Did someone find me already?! I turned sharply, pressing myself against the cave wall, my fingers curling into fists. If it was Alastor, if he had tracked me down I'd rather fight than go back. Holding my breath, I listened. The rustling stopped. Then, after a long pause… a soft thud. Footsteps. Someone was nearby. I needed to leave. I could tell by steps it wasn't an animal, but a person. I was wondering who could it be since priest would send some guards than search for me himself. I needed to escape without getting noticed and as steps were getting closer and I had almost no chance to do it quickly.