A few Lords arrived at the Asika household and so Mia declined her father’s offer to walk her to her carriage. He had a meeting to get to and she could see herself out in one piece. They shared a brief kiss, and he beseeched her to take care of herself. 

The evening drew near when Mia took her leave. The palace was a little over an hour's ride from here, so she was certain she would get home before dark. The last thing she wanted was to encounter trouble on the road. King Xavier ...