Chapter 4: A Stranger in the City
The Village – Early Morning
The sky was painted with soft hues of pink and gold as Lucia stood at the edge of the dirt road, her small satchel slung over her shoulder.
The Turners stood beside her, their expressions filled with both pride and worry.
Mrs.Turner
(smoothing Lucia’s cloak) Are you sure about this, dear?
Lucia swallowed, gripping the strap of her bag.
Lady Lucia Sinclair / FL
(softly) I have to go.
The older woman sighed, then pulled her into a tight embrace.
Mrs.Turner
(whispering) Be careful. The city is not as kind as this village.
Lucia nodded, her chest tight. Mr.Turner handed her a small pouch of coins—everything they could spare.
Mr.Turner
(firmly) If you ever need to return, our door is always open.
Tears burned her eyes, but she forced a smile.
Lady Lucia Sinclair / FL
I’ll come back one day. I promise.
With one last glance at the home that had sheltered her, Lucia turned and stepped onto the carriage bound for the city.
Or at least, she hoped she was.
The City of Ravenshire – Afternoon
The moment she stepped off the carriage, Lucia felt small.
Towering buildings lined the cobbled streets, carriages rattled past, and elegantly dressed nobles strolled along the walkways. The air was thick with the scent of fresh bread, horse manure, and expensive perfume.
She pulled her cloak tighter around her, suddenly aware of how out of place she looked.
Lady Lucia Sinclair / FL
(thinking) No one knows me here. I can blend in.
She took a deep breath and walked into the city. But each turn of the street only overwhelmed her more.
Everywhere she looked, there were flashes of familiarity—an elegant tea shop, the grand gates of an estate, the distant toll of church bells.
Fragments of memory flickered in her mind, but none of them were clear enough to grasp.
The Grand Plaza – Evening
After hours of wandering, Lucia found herself in the heart of the city. The plaza was filled with laughter and the hum of conversation.
She stepped toward a grand fountain, gripping the edge as exhaustion settled into her bones.
Lady Lucia Sinclair / FL
(thinking) Where do I even begin?
Then, she heard it. A name.
Random Noblewoman
(whispering) Duke Alexander Ravenswood is here…
The air around her seemed to freeze.
Lady Lucia Sinclair / FL
(whispers) Duke… Ravenswood?
The name sent a shiver down her spine. She didn’t know why, but it felt important.
Turning slowly, she followed the noblewoman’s gaze.
A man stood by the entrance of an exclusive club, his tall frame draped in an elegant black coat. His presence was commanding, drawing the attention of everyone around him.
He was speaking with another noble, but his piercing gaze swept across the crowd, assessing, calculating.
Duke Alexander Ravenswood / ML
...
For the briefest moment, his eyes met Lucia’s.
Lady Lucia Sinclair / FL
...
Something about him—his sharp eyes, the way he carried himself—unsettled her.
A sudden image flashed in her mind. Dark figures in the firelight. A deep voice speaking in hushed urgency. Shadows moving in the night.
Her fingers trembled against the fountain’s cold stone.
Lady Lucia Sinclair / FL
(thinking, panicked) Have I seen him before?
But that was impossible. She had no memory of her life in the city.
And yet, the unease in her chest tightened.
His gaze narrowed slightly—as if he recognized her.
Duke Alexander Ravenswood / ML
Lady Lucia Sinclair / FL
...
A spike of fear shot through her. She didn’t know why, but instinct screamed at her to leave.
She spun on her heel and disappeared into the crowd.
But she didn’t realize—he was already following her.
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