Oskar knew exactly what he needed to do. He just didn't want Erasmus to follow him and, potentially, scare the Unicorn away. Or be a reason for it to not show up at all. But before he could return to the forest, there was someone he needed to see.

After attending tea with his mother, the younger prince made his way to the kitchens. He found Cook in her usual place, pounding dough on the counter and flour flying every which way.

"How is Clara?" he asked, standing in front of the basket of fresh fruit.

"I've put her work," Cook replied, sighing as she wiped her brow and fixed Osker with an expression of concern. "She be sitting out of the door now. Taking sunshine... Little Mouse, she be shaken. She won't leave my side."

Oskar nodded and turned in the direction of the side door. It was open and he could see Clara's back.

"Miss Clara," he said, approaching slowly. He saw the way she startled and turned around so fast, her glasses were skewed.

"My prince," she replied, dipping in a short curtsy.

"Cook tells me you're still quite shaken from the experience. Is there something I might do to help easy the anxiety?"

"No, I thank you." Clara shook her head and exhaled a shuddered breath. "Though I do not enjoy glancing over my shoulder, I do feel safe with Cook... I am never away from her sights."

Oskar tilted his head to the side, watching as the young woman scratched her shoulder with an air of hesitation. The way her gaze flickered toward the garden before returning to him made something tighten in his chest.

"I—" he started, then paused, brow furrowing. "Wait—an assignment of guards? No, I did not ask for that."

Her expression shifted, uncertainty creeping in. "You didn't?"

"No," he said firmly. "I wanted to ensure your safety, yes, but I never spoke to the king about placing guards here. My father knows that I brought you here, and my brother was with me, but that was all."

Her fingers tensed against her arm. "Then... who did?"

A quiet unease settled between them. If the king hadn't assigned them, then someone else had taken an interest in her safety—or her movements.

Oskar straightened. "How many have you seen?"

"Two, at least," she said, glancing toward the window. "They seem to make attempts to remain hidden, but I know they're there. Always just beyond the garden, watching."

His jaw tightened. "Come back inside, Clara."

The bookkeeper nodded and did as she was told. Oskar then stepped further outside and had a glance around. At first, he saw nothing amiss in the vegetable garden. The neat rows of leafy greens and budding stalks swayed gently in the evening breeze, their scent mingling with the rich earth. A few lanterns cast a soft, golden glow over the space, creating long, flickering shadows between the plants.

But then—something shifted.

A figure stood at the edge of the garden, half-hidden in the darkness, motionless among the swaying leaves. Oskar pretended not to notice and turned back into the kitchen, bolting the door shut behind him.

* * *

Oskar didn't like the thought of Clara being watched by guards he did not ask his father for. So he led her to his mother's wing and instructed the handmaids to keep an eye on her. Though his mother would certainly stay with the girl as well, and she assured him she would. The prince was certain no one followed them, but he doubted anyone would make an attempt to enter the queen's parlor without expressed permission.

"I will return shortly," Oskar whispered to Clara while meeting his mother's gaze.

"She will be safe here," the queen replied as she poured a pot of tea into two cups. "Are you going out alone?"

"No, I am going to take Matthias," he said, patting Clara on the shoulder before turning to leave. "I suspect those guards are not ordained by the throne. Which means they are affiliated with or following the orders of someone else."

Oskar sighed as he straightened and met his mother's gaze. The queen's chest rose and fell with her steady breathing, but her eyes held the prince's with a look only a mother could give.

"I will be smart," Oskar assured her, turning toward the doorway.

"I know you will."

Before leaving, he thanked the handmaids and offered a polite smile. It wasn't until he was in the hallway that he heard their giggles. Oskar smiled to himself and carried on his way.

He found Matthias in the kitchen, nibbling on a piece of fruit.

"When you're finished, will you join me on a quick hike?" the prince asked, making his way to a table where there was a basket of fresh bread and a plate of cheese. "Understandably, my mother does not want me alone."

Matthias swallowed his bite, nodding as he replied, "Of course, Your Highness."

Oskar took a small block of white cheese and broke a loaf of bread, wrapping both a cloth from his pocket. And when Matthias had finished his meal, the pair went out the door.

* * *

"So," Matthias muttered as he followed Oskar along the forest path, "you brought the horns back in the night, and a Unicorn appeared to help the earth absorb them?"

"Yes," Oskar replied, stepping carefully, one foot in front of the other.

"And now you might see this Unicorn again?"

"Do I detect a hint of skepticism?"

Matthias chuckled. "Not intentionally. I believe Unicorns exist—I saw the proof with my own eyes. But as your servant, who tends to your every need... perhaps I thought you were dreaming."

Oskar laughed as they stepped into the clearing where he'd last seen the Unicorn. He held up a hand to signal Matthias to lower his voice.

The grass-covered clearing thrummed to life with a pulse of unseen energy, as if the very earth had drawn breath, stirring the leaves and setting the air alight with a quiet, shimmering hum. At the opposite opening, a shadow came into view as the Unicorn stepped foward. It pranced with invisible wings, throwing its head back with a gentle knicker of greeting.

"Hello," Oskar said, dipping his head and motioning for Matthias to do the same. "Please forgive me for bringing a companion. Though you did not explicitly tell me to come alone."

"There is nothing to forgive, Your Highness," the Unicorn's reply entered Oskar's mind the way it had the night before. "Your own safety is also important. I am grateful you came."

"I can hear the Unicorn speaking in my thoughts," Matthias whispered with a tone of hushed wonder, as if afraid that speaking too loudly might shatter the fragile magic of the moment.

Oskar smiled, "I trust Matthias with my life. We can trust him with whatever you intend to share."

The Unicorn dipped its head in what appeared to be a nod.

"Please, follow me. It is safer if we are closer to the river."