Tensa blinked and squinted, but didn't change what she saw. Her pupils had changed shape, taking on a almond shape, looking almost like that of a cat, or a dem--
Suddenly a jolt of pain from her left arm caused her to nearly double over. Clutching at it with her right hand and gasping for breath, Tensa looked back up at the mirror with teary eyes, only to receive another shock. Her pupils had returned to normal. Perfectly round, perfectly black, enclosed in rich brown average irises. Could she have been seeing things? But why? What was happening to her?
Tensa didn't know if it was all in her head, or if something was truly wrong with her. Either way, she came to a firm conclusion. She could not stay in the palace, it was too dangerous on a number of levels. The crown prince had some foolish, one-sided obsession with her, trying to marry her despite the fact that she was a commoner who held no political value. Bursin, as the crown prince's bodyguard, had always hated her, seeing her as an obstacle to Obliv's rise to power. The head of the Temple of Light also showed strange interest in her. She had no allies in this place in case something truly did go wrong. She had to get out of here, and there was no better opportunity than the present, with outsiders moving in and out of the palace for the banquet.
Since she had very few belongings, having been fighting battles in the demon lands for months, it was easy to pack a couple of items, ready her sword, and don a dark cloak to hide her identity. Thankfully, she had chosen to wear the knight's uniform, which would prove an asset. Firstly, it was easy to move around in, not like a ridiculous ballgown. Secondly, she could perhaps pretend to be a knight should she be stopped in the palace grounds. Looking around the room, she also threw a few of the cheapest-looking jewels into a pouch. They would be easier to sell than anything gaudy, and it wasn't really stealing. Call it compensation, since she wouldn't be getting her bag of gold.
With practiced ease, Tensa opened the window and swung herself out from the balcony, catching and climbing down a nearby tree. Simple, considering the kind of cliff-hanging she had to do in the demon lands. She quickly and quietly headed for the main entrance, where all the carriages of the banquet guests were waiting. She could mingle with the grooms, guards, and coachmen and hopefully exit without much difficulty.
As she walked to the exit, Tensa heard a raised voice from one of the gardens.
"I told you there was no way the His Highness would marry that dirty commoner! Just because they were together during the fight against the Demon King, it does not mean a grubby worm like her could be queen! But you said they were going to be engaged! It made me so mad I spilled my drink, and now my dress is ruined! I should have you whipped!"
Tensa tried to ignore the ruckus and continue on her way, but she had no such luck.
"You there!" the voice ordered arrogantly.
Tensa turned to see a young woman in an ostentatious dress accompanied by a maid who was shivering in fear and nearly in tears. Cursing her luck, she turned and gave a short bow, just as a knight would do, hoping her hood adequately hid her face. However, her fears were baseless, since the woman could not give a flip about her identity.
"Tell the coachman of the household of Marquis Egrot to bring the clothes chest to the palace!" the young tyrant who was apparently the daughter of Marquis Egrot demanded. "And be quick about it! I must secure the first dance with His Highness!"
Tensa bowed again and hurried off, sneering to herself. Lady Egrot would have a long wait. Nevertheless, it proved to be a blessing in disguise. When she was stopped at the castle gate and asked her business, she simply said she was tasked with a message from Lady Egrot to her coachman, and considering her knight uniform (and not realizing her gender), the guardsman quickly let her through. Tensa trotted down the path and made her way as quickly as possible through the upper-class section of the capital. When she finally arrived at the area where commoners lived, Tensa ducked into an alley, leaned against the wall, and sighed with relief.
After catching her breath, Tensa turned to leave the alley, planning to find a place to hide out until the city gates opened. However, a shadow suddenly blocked her exit. Tensa's breath caught as she realized the figure was...