"We're here." Marina's eyes fluttered open at the sound of Remora's voice. She wouldn't admit it, but she was starting to fall asleep being carried by Remora, despite it only being about a five minute walk. She groaned as she lifted her head, taking in the sight of the quaint cottage at the edge of town before them. It had a rustic look to it, like it had been standing for many years, the wooden porch had peeling paint, but it complimented the sandy, stone walls that created its body. The house was beginning to settle from evidence of cracks in the foundation, some having been newly sealed. Charming, round windows complimented the base and the second story, the interior concealed by some patterned curtains. A soft, orange mp hung from the overhang, illuminating the front yard. The grass was beginning to wilt from the breath of autumn, though some flora was still blooming strong along the stone path that led to the steps to the door. The song of windchimes filled the night, and it was the most peaceful and enchanting sound Marina had ever heard. The home was certainly elderly, and there were patches in the porch, the walls, the fence that were mended by someone with an untrained hand. To Marina, this pce seemed like a shed; so small and weathered unlike the grand, polished rooms and corridors she resided in all her life. It was hard to imagine that there were people who really lived in such spaces... this world was simply so distant to her.

  Remora carefully let Marina slink off her back, and the princess groaned once more as her feet sturdied on the soft grass. Remora's smirk grew as Marina observed every sight and sound she could possible, her body following her eyes as she turned in every direction, like she had just been transported to a completely new environment.

  "Yep... Home sweet home..." Remora joined her in her observations of her cottage. She rubbed the back of her neck at the sight of some of her inexperienced handywork here and there, a blush creeping on her face from sheepishness and a bit of embarassment. She knew the sight of chipped paint, mismatched nails, and uneven boards were probably a disgust factor to this royal, and she was ready to get defensive about it. But when she looked back at Marina, she noticed the girl's eyes were filled with wonder and curiosity. She scoffed with a zy grin.

  "It ain't much, but she's cozy and warm." Marina turned and blinked at her words, her head tilting. Everything about her just screamed... peasant. How she dressed, how she talked, her general posture and poise, and now the sight of her abode. Any other day she would scoff at it, but for some reason there was just something so... charming about this world she has run away to. She simply hummed in response and returned to her sightseeing. The chimes of the wind bells grew louder as a gust sifted through the yard, blowing through Marina's tangled locks. Marina couldn't help but rub her arms as she shivered.

  "Let's get you inside... but you need to listen very carefully to me, Princess, and do as I say." Remora stepped towards her, the softness in her gaze turning to one of seriousness. Marina raised an eyebrow at her. She supposed it would be important for this peasant to guide her through this unknown pce she was in, but still, the thought of taking orders always irked her. In all honesty, that was one of her worst characteristics... hating authority... which often got her in trouble with her parents or her caretakers back at the pace. She bit down on her tongue, a habit she had to train herself to do as she nodded at Remora.

  "I live here with my grandmother... So when we go inside we need to be extremely quiet and careful... She's a wonderful woman, but I'm afraid she might freak out if I just randomly show up with... well... you..." She gestures to her. Marina bristled a little at her phrasing, but she knew Remora didn't mean anything behind that. It was simply the truth, she was the number one most wanted person in the kingdom now... By tomorrow everyone would know her as the missing princess...

  "Alright... I understand." Marina barred up her nervousness to enter this woman's home and have to sneak around even further. Remora nodded.

  "I'll go first and make sure the coast is clear. On my command you will quietly make your way upstairs and I will get you to my room. Don't touch anything, don't talk, and don't move unless I tell you to, got it?" Remora's stare was of brutal seriousness that made Marina's heart start pounding again. She swallowed thickly and nodded again. "Good", Remora thought to herself, she was already getting it down, and she nodded back guiding her to the front door.

  Remora bit her lip as she turned the knob, carefully opening the door with Marina less than a step behind her. She clenched her jaw, knowing there was a certain creak in the door if she opened it to a certain angle, and when she reached it she slowed her pace even more. The door nonetheless groaned, and Remora's slow pace simply drew it out even more. She clenched her eyes shut. Gods... she felt like a teenager trying to not get caught all over again. When the door was open enough she waited, the hairs standing on her neck in anticipation of summoning her grandmother.

  Marina peeked in, immediately being hit with the warm air and the scent that was Remora's but to an extreme, as well as something savory and delicious mingling in it. To the left of the door was a small carpeted living room. A plush, cozy-looking rocking chair sat in the corner next to a round table, and a ft looking sofa id on the other side of it. Yarn spilled out of a woven basket under the table, and atop the table was an organized mess of sewing materials, tall candles illuminating the works. Next to the windowsill was a bookshelf that was filled to the brim, some books zily stacked next to it as overflow. Quaint, antique decor filled the space on shelves and other surfaces. To the right was a round dining table, rge enough for only four people to sit at. Newspapers, crafts, and a candy bowl sat pleasantly atop it. Further back from the dining table was the kitchen, with rustic countertops and walls accented with whimsical pink and green designs. The ctter of kitchenware could be heard as well as the soft shuffling of someone just out of sight in the kitchen. Straight ahead that rested between the two rooms were the stairs up to where Remora mentioned her room was.

  Remora sucked in a breath then hardened her expression. She was on a mission now. She lifted her hand and with two fingers and quickly motioned to Marina to move towards the stairs. Marina felt her chest tighten, but at Remora's urgency moved quickly and silently passed her, reaching the first step. Marina hid behind the wall that seperated the stairs from the kitchen, waiting for Remora to come with her. Remora released a breath and with dread, slowly closed the door. She locked it with a click and moved towards the stairs, smiling smugly at Marina that they were about to be in the clear... until...

  "Gracious, Mora, it's so te... I was worried the storm swept you away." Remora's grandmother was busy wiping her hands on a rag, tending to the dinner she was making. Remora's heart lept into her throat, a jolt of anxiety shooting up her neck. Marina also gasped, and Remora swiftly responded by covering the princess's mouth with her hand, pressing her against the wall and holding her there to assure she doesn't make a sound or a move. Remora popped out from behind the wall with a smile.

  "Sorry Babcia... It was a long night at work and I had to wait for the rain to clear..." Remora sighed. She could feel Marina trying not to squirm under her hand, her supple lips pressed against her palm and she could tell the princess was trying to hold her breath. Babcia hummed, turning to her. The old woman's eyes trailed her up and down with a worried expression.

  "You look famished, why don't you get some dinner? I left some in the pot for you." Babcia was already moving to serve a bowl to her granddaughter.

  "O-oh, that's alright, Babs... I really am just tired from work and should get some rest, you know?" Her smiled twitched as she watched her grandmother's expression turn to a deadpanned scorn.

  "I don't like you going to bed without dinner... Goodness, the neighbors will think I'm starving you..." Babcia's nose then scrunched up and her eyebrows furrowed. She sniffed the air, then sniffed again. "What is that smell...?"

  Remora felt her words hit her like a train and she could feel the blood drain from her face. There was no way... Did Babcia smell Marina's perfume when they came in? Remora simply swallowed and deflected.

  "What smell...?" Babcia's eyes narrowed even further. She stepped towards her granddaughter. Marina could feel Remora instinctively tense, and she lifted her hands to grip at Remora's forearm as her hand still covered her mouth. Babcia's eyes didn't leave Remora's as she leaned towards her, sniffing the air around her once again, Remora only watching her in terror.

  "Euck! Remora, you smell like... piss...!" Babcia hushed that st word, rarely did she ever curse. Remora felt her shoulders sink in relief as she tugged at her colr, sniffing it, her face twisting.

  "Right... yeah, sorry, I spilled some beer on myself tonight..." Babcia hummed and gave her granddaughter another scold in response, pnting her hands on her hips.

  "How did that happen...?" Babcia raised her eyebrows. Remora chuckled and began to bullshit some story, not telling her the truth why she was so... distracted tonight.

  Meanwhile, Marina was simply struggling to breath steadily. And what was worse... her face was heating up again and she prayed to the Gods that Remora wouldn't be able to feel it against her hand. She doesn't know why her body was reacting like this, perhaps delirium from the recent events, perhaps she just felt incredibly vulnerable like this, or perhaps she was scared to get caught... As much as she hated this fact about her, secrecy... further... the thrill it gave her was something she grew to be... familiar with... But now was not the time...!!! It didn't help when she felt Remora's hand shift, her thumb brushing against her cheek that sent an electric pulse up her spine. Marina's hands gripped around Remora's wrists like she was holding on for dear life, and she couldn't even focus on the conversation anymore.

  "So, yeah... just me being a klutz really..." Remora had just finished expining her uninteresting lie of a story. Babcia sighed, an unamused look on her face.

  "Alright, well go shower then come down and get yourself some dinner. I'm not letting you skip out on this chili I spent all my time sving over..." Remora smiled at her grandmother's words and rolled her eyes.

  "Yes, yes, I will Babcia." She assured. She turned to head upstairs before Babcia scowled again.

  "Hey! Hey! Where you going young dy? Gods, it's like you don't love your old woman anymore." Babcia crossed her arms and pouted. Remora popped back out and ughed.

  "Sorry! Sorry!" She stretched forward a little awkwardly, and kissed her Babcia on the cheek, causing the old woman's scowl to melt away into a warm smile.

  "Good. Now, go shower you smell horrible!" Babcia shooed her away with her hands before turning back to the stove. Remora bore an innocent smile the whole time before she finally disappeared behind the barrier between the stairs and the kitchen, meeting Marina's eyes. She saw the girl had a confused and rather... strange look on her face as she pulled her hand away, and Remora mouthed an "I'm sorry". Remora brought her finger up to her own lips before tipping her head up towards the top of the stairs. Marina nodded and silently followed her, keeping her steps as light as she could.

  Babcia on the other hand turned and leaned back against the kitchen counter as she dried a dish with a towel, her eyes narrowing and her eyebrows creasing, and she hummed to herself in thought. She then chuckled softly and shook her head, returning to her chores.