As she ran through the corridors, the pain in her cheek had begun to fade—yet the feeling inside her remained strong.

  Reaching the garden where she usually trained, she stopped and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

  “Huff… Huff…” After a pause, she muttered, “I shouldn’t have done that…” Gently touching her wound, she winced. “Ouch. It’s burning… He hit me really hard.”

  She caught her reflection in the nearby fountain.

  “What am I going to tell Aisha now…”

  Letting out a sigh, she decided, I should go back first.

  ***

  “Aisha?” she called, looking around the library—inside and out. Not a single soul.

  “She’s not here…” Just as she was scanning the area, she saw someone approaching.

  “Aisha.”

  “I’m here. I left when you didn’t show up for a while.”

  “Is that so? I’m sorry tp have made you wait.”

  “It's Okay. Before that—” Aisha stopped her mid-step.

  “What?” Aelira averted her gaze, trying to hide her cheek with her hand, but it was no use.

  Aisha came closer and leaned in. When Aelira refused to show her cheek, Aisha gently held her chin and turned the girl's face toward her.

  “Did you fall or something?”

  “…Yes. I—I fell.”

  Nervously, Aelira looked into her eyes, trying to see if Aisha noticed the lie.

  I have no clue…

  “We need to apply ointment before you train. Follow me.” She stood up slowly, straightened her skirt, and extended her hand.

  “O-okay.”

  Aisha gently took her hand and led her away.

  Meanwhile, Vivianne watched them from the window, remembering her recent conversation with Aisha.

  ***

  “Lady Vivianne.”

  “Hm? Aisha, huh?” She signaled for the servants beside her to leave. “I hope you have something to tell me.”

  Bowing before she spoke, Aisha said, “Aelira just visited the library. She was searching for books related to the Imperial Swords.”

  This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  “Aelira did?” Vivianne smirked. “Did she just think of going through the books? And why would you report this?”

  “She seemed to be checking whether the sword she saw was Nixviel or not.”

  “?!” A grin crept across Vivianne’s face—one that would unsettle most people. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, certainly.”

  “So… she saw the sword and went to research it. Could it be? I’ve heard some people can actually hear the swords…” She closed her eyes briefly. “No. That would be too optimistic.”

  She shifted her focus back to the letters in her hand.

  “You may leave now.”

  Turning halfway around, Aisha added, “There’s one more thing before I go.”

  Vivianne’s eyes flicked back up. “What is it?”

  “She asked me if I knew where Lord Lucien was. Afterward, she told me not to follow her.”

  “…Aelira did that?” Vivianne’s mood soured instantly. “You may go.”

  “Yes, my lady.”

  Back in the present, Vivianne stared through the window, her cold expression unchanging.

  ***

  Knock, knock.

  “Lysric? Are you in there?”

  When he walked away in despair, Josef, standing beside him, bowed his head.

  “He’s been like this ever since Lady Elda left us. He neither opens the door nor answers. He never goes out except for breakfast. Please, I beg you, Lord Celdric—please speak to the young lord.”

  Celdric was stunned and powerless at those words. He turned back slowly.

  Knock, knock.

  He tried his luck again, knocking on the door.

  After hearing no response, he leaned his forehead against it. “Look, son… I know it’s hard. Losing your mother—I know that pain. But she wouldn’t want you to shut yourself away.”

  He closed his eyes, hoping for a sound. Nothing.

  No answer, huh. Maybe he’s mad at me too… Can’t really blame him.

  Slowly, he opened his eyes and stepped back.

  Maybe it’s better if I leave him alone for now…

  He shook his head to Josef, who was watching from afar, signaling that it hadn’t worked.

  As his footsteps faded, inside the room, Lysric curled up tighter under his blanket, as if trying to bury himself within it.

  ***

  Cassian approached slowly. The door was wide open—something rare for his uncle.

  “Did something happen?”

  Peeking inside, he found the room in complete disarray. Amid the chaos, Lucien sat slumped in a corner, his hands bleeding.

  “…Did he bite his nails again?” Cassian muttered, stepping closer.

  “Oi, Uncle, are you oka—”

  Lucien suddenly lunged and grabbed him by the collar before he could react.

  “It’s all over now! He’s going to find out! He’s going to learn!” His eyes were wide and lifeless.

  “Khh—calm… down! It’s me—Cassian!” he struggled to say as he was lifted into the air.

  “Cassian?” Recognition flickered back into Lucien’s eyes. He dropped him without warning.

  Cassian fell to the floor, gasping. “Haah… haah…”

  “I’m sorry—are you alright?”

  “Do I look—” A coughing fit interrupted him. “Do I look okay to you? You nearly killed me!” He staggered to his feet. “What the hell happened?”

  “Aelira… She—she tried to steal the sword.”

  “…What?”

  “I heard noises in my room. I rushed in and saw her holding it. I—I didn’t know what to do, so I slapped her.”

  “Damn… I never thought she’d do something like that. No wonder they say to watch out for the quiet ones. Did she use the sword?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “I see… so, it’s good news.”

  “What do we do now? If Father finds out—”

  “Don’t worry. She won’t say anything.”

  “And how can you be sure?”

  “What’s she gonna say? I snuck into my uncle’s room, tried to steal the sword, and got slapped?”

  Lucien held his head in both hands, his breath trembling. “…What if she mentions the call? Father will count the days until he gets rid of me.”

  “She won’t. She doesn’t even know what it is. We still have time. You can relax.”

  Lucien exhaled deeply, his body slowly easing.

  “But—”

  “But?”

  “We’re running out of time, Uncle… Let me remind you: if an equation isn’t working because of one variable…”

  Looking directly at him, Cassian’s voice turned cold.

  “…then all we have to do is remove it.”