The cool night air was filled with the scent of roasted meats and spices as Adrian followed Queen Alannah through the bustling streets of Zarpha.

He couldn't help but feel a strange thrill being here, watching the queen, disguised as a commoner, blend seamlessly into the crowd.

For a woman of such high stature, Alannah was relaxed and confident, her cloak pulled low over her head but her posture calm, her eyes alight with excitement.

"Come on," Alannah called over her shoulder, motioning for Adrian to follow her. "There's a spot nearby that I love."

Adrian raised an eyebrow, intrigued. He followed her deeper into the marketplace, weaving through vendors and stalls selling everything from jewelry to street food. The smells of grilled meats and freshly baked bread made his stomach growl.

"I'm surprised you come here often," Adrian remarked, glancing around. "It doesn't seem like the place a queen would frequent."

"That's exactly why I love it," she replied with a mischievous grin. "No one here recognizes me. I get to just… be… me. No politics, no council meetings. Just me, enjoying my kingdom from a different perspective."

Adrian chuckled. "It's hard to imagine you slipping away from the palace unnoticed."

Alannah winked. "I've gotten pretty good at it."

They stopped in front of a small food stall where a burly man with a wide grin was grilling skewers of seasoned meat. The aroma was mouthwatering, and without hesitation, Alannah approached the stall.

"Two of your best, please," she said lightly.

The vendor nodded, his hands moving swiftly to prepare the skewers. Adrian watched in amusement as Alannah paid and accepted the food, handing one skewer to him. She took a large bite, closing her eyes in delight.

"You have to try this," she said between bites, her smile widening. "It's one of my favorites."

Adrian hesitated for a moment, then took a bite. The flavor exploded on his tongue—rich, savory, with just the right amount of spice. He nodded in approval. "Hmmm… This is good."

"Told you," Alannah said, her eyes twinkling. "I may be queen, but I know my street food."

They continued walking, eating their skewers as they wandered through the marketplace.

The sounds of laughter and music grew louder, and soon they found themselves in the middle of a lively street celebration. Lanterns hung from the buildings, casting a warm glow over the dancers twirling to the rhythm of a lively band playing upbeat music.

Alannah's eyes lit up at the sight of the celebration, and without warning, she grabbed Adrian's hand. "Come on, let's dance."

Adrian pulled back slightly, his eyes wide. "Dance? You're the queen. We can't—"

"No one knows who I am," Alannah interrupted with a playful grin, pulling him closer. "For tonight, I'm just a woman enjoying a good song. Now come on!"

Before he could protest further, Alannah spun him into the crowd of dancers. The music was infectious, and despite himself, Adrian found his feet moving to the beat. Alannah laughed as she danced with a carefree joy that Adrian hadn't seen from her before.

They danced through a few songs, their laughter blending with the music, until finally, Alannah slowed, catching her breath. "I haven't had this much fun in ages," she admitted, her cheeks flushed, her eyes bright.

Adrian smiled in response. "You're quite the dancer," he remarked.

Alannah shrugged, still grinning. "There's more to being queen than sitting on a throne, you know."

As the celebration continued behind them, the two slipped away from the crowd, finding a quieter corner of the city. They walked side by side through narrow streets lit only by the occasional lantern, the noise of the marketplace fading into the distance.

Alannah led him to a small bench tucked away between two buildings, where they sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the cool air brushing against their skin.

Adrian glanced over at her, contemplating if he should ask what's on his mind. "Earlier, you mentioned the king," he began cautiously. "You never really explained what you meant. Why isn't he more involved in ruling the kingdom?"

Alannah's playful expression faded slightly, her gaze turning thoughtful.

She leaned back against the bench, her eyes staring into the distance as if she were searching for the right words.

"The truth is," she began softly, "the king was never meant to be king."

Adrian frowned. "What do you mean?"

Alannah sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "He was never supposed to rule. His older brother was the one groomed for the throne, the one everyone expected would become king. But when his brother died unexpectedly… well, the responsibility fell to him."

Adrian could hear the sadness in her voice. "And he wasn't ready for it."

"He didn't want it," Alannah corrected. "He never wanted to be king. He was always more interested in adventure, in exploring the world. When he became king, I thought it was just a phase, that eventually he'd take his duties seriously. But he never did."

Her voice softened, and she looked down at her hands. "And here I am, doing everything I can to keep the kingdom running, to protect our people."

Adrian's chest tightened as he felt sympathy for her. "You've done more than anyone could ask for."

Alannah gave him a sad smile, leaning back against the bench. "Thank you, but it's exhausting. I want to be queen, yes, but not like this. I don't want to be the one constantly burdened with every decision, every crisis. I want to live, to have fun, to enjoy my life too."

She hesitated, then leaned into Adrian, resting her head on his shoulder. He felt the warmth of her body against his, and sighed.

"For tonight," she murmured softly, "I just want to forget all of it."

Adrian sat still, letting her lean on him. The quiet of the night wrapped around them, and for a moment, the weight of the kingdom seemed to disappear.

"You've got this… and I'm here if you need help."

She smiled faintly, though there was a sadness in her eyes. "Thank you, Adrian."

After a few more moments of quiet, Adrian gently suggested, "Maybe we should head back before anyone notices you're gone."

Alannah chuckled softly, pulling herself upright. "You're right. Can't have the queen disappearing without explanation."

They stood up from the bench, and Alannah led him back through the quiet streets and into the hidden passage they had used to sneak out of the palace. The walk back was quiet, both of them lost in their own thoughts.

When they finally arrived back in Alannah's private chambers, she turned to face him, her expression warm but tired.

"Thank you for tonight," she said sincerely. "It was… nice to feel free, even if just for a little while.

Adrian nodded, offering her a small smile. "I'll see you in the council meetings tomorrow?"

"Of course," Alannah replied, her lips curving into a soft smile. "But don't be surprised if I act more… queenly."

Adrian chuckled. "I'll be ready."

With that, Alannah dismissed him, and Adrian left her chambers for his.

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