Ever since the duel, Cassian’s smile had changed.

  ?It was no longer just polite; it was wider, emptier—a hollow mask that made Zaek’s skin crawl far more than the boy’s usual indifference. He’d seen him again just moments ago, hovering near Aelira like a vulture, only to offer a cheerful wave and vanish into the shadows the second Zaek approached.

  ?It had become a frustrating pattern.

  ?Every time I turn my back, that little viper is there, Zaek thought, his jaw tightening.

  ?He glanced at Aelira. She stood still, but her eyes darted nervously to where Cassian had just been. She was unsettled.

  ?Cassian is too dangerous to leave unchecked, but I can’t watch over her every second. He’s already started dripping his poison into her ear…

  ?Zaek rubbed the back of his neck, exhaling a cloud of frost. What now, old man?

  ?An old promise surfaced in his memory.

  ?"Fine. Next time, alright? Don’t look at me like that."

  ?He hadn’t taken her on a single mission since she became his student, despite her asking for years.

  ?A smirk touched his lips. This might just work.

  ?Aelira, noticing the shift in her master’s expression, tilted her head. "Sensei?"

  ?There aren’t any hero-level jobs right now, he thought, but the Guilds should have plenty of smaller commissions.

  ?"So," he began, a sly grin spreading across his face, "how would you feel about a little adventure?"

  ?Aelira gave him a strange look, stepping back slightly. "An adventure? Where did that suddenly come from?"

  ?Zaek felt his confidence falter. "Eh?" He shook his head, raising his voice a bit. "Weren’t you the one pestering me to take you on a mission for years?"

  ?"I just wanted to see what you were always babbling about," she retorted, crossing her arms.

  ?"What changed?"

  ?"I… I have things to do."

  ?"All you do is train, kiddo."

  ?"Yes. I have to train."

  ?"I’m your sensei," he reminded her, poking her forehead lightly. "I can teach you on the road."

  ?"No, you’re lying," she shot back, swatting his hand away. "You said that when you took me to the palace. And then you left me alone every time to go drink with the knights."

  ?Ugh… she’s right. He had only brought her along to save himself from Vivianne’s scrutiny.

  ?"Ahem." He cleared his throat loudly. "But it turned out well, didn’t it? You became friends with the prince, just like I said."

  ?"Yes, it was so much fun every time he forced me into a duel," she said dryly.

  ?The memory of Louis’s eager face flashed through her mind: ‘Oh, you came? Good. I’ve been looking for a sparring partner. Get ready.’

  ?Sensei is the only person who treats the Imperial Palace like a playground, she thought with a heavy sigh.

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  ?"Why the long face? That’s still a form of training, isn’t it?" Zaek asked with a grin.

  ?Aelira only sulked and turned away.

  ?His eyebrow twitched. This kid…

  ?A devilish idea formed. He leaned in close, his voice dropping to a smooth, tempting whisper.

  ?"If you come, I promise I’ll stay by your side. I won't leave you alone for a second. Plus... I’ll teach you something cool. A secret technique."

  ?That got her attention. She stopped sulking and turned back, her silver eyes narrowing with suspicion.

  ?"Promise?"

  ?"Promise."

  ?She hesitated, then slowly extended her little finger.

  ?Zaek blinked. "What’s this?"

  ?"A pinky promise. A symbol of your vow."

  ?Zaek sighed, a mixture of amusement and defeat, but he hooked his rough, scarred finger around her small one.

  ?"Fine. The contract is sealed."

  ?What was that? Did I just sign my soul away? I hope not…

  ?Aelira studied her finger for a moment, satisfied, then looked up. "So, where are we heading?"

  ?"I don’t know."

  ?The color drained from her face. "What do you mean, you don’t know?"

  ?I want to say Ursus, Zaek thought, his gaze drifting north. But taking her there would be far too dangerous. Not yet.

  ?"It doesn’t matter where we go. All we need is a job from an Adventurers’ Guild."

  ?"Adventurers?" Aelira’s expression turned oddly serious. She looked him up and down. "Even though you’re a Hero? Sensei... did you lose all your money gambling again?"

  ?"Oi! What do you take me for?" He tapped her head. "This is for you—to gain experience."

  ?And when you’re ready, we’ll look into the Ursus problem.

  ?"I see… That makes sense, I guess," she mumbled, avoiding his eyes.

  ?"If you have something to say, just say it. I’m all ears."

  ?"If… if anywhere is fine," she began softly, her voice barely audible, "can we go to Oryndel?"

  ?Oryndel?

  ?Zaek paused. He remembered the name instantly. It was the place her nanny, the maid who vanished, was from.

  ?Ah.

  ?"We can," he said gently. "Any particular reason?"

  ?"No. I just… want to see it."

  ?"And you were just saying you didn’t want to come," he teased, trying to lighten the mood. "Alright, Oryndel it is. Now, let me inform your dear family."

  ?"Okay."

  ?The heavy oak doors of the study groaned open.

  ?When Zaek entered, Vivianne and Sylas were already waiting, as if they had expected him.

  ?"Have I kept you waiting long?" he asked with a sarcastic smile.

  ?"Whatever you have to say, make it quick," Sylas said flatly from the couch, his arms crossed over his chest.

  ?"Don’t be like that. This concerns your granddaughter."

  ?Vivianne, poised and composed as ever, interjected without looking up from her tea. "If this is about Aelira, you could have spoken to me. There was no need to involve my father."

  ?"Well, this is a rather significant matter. By the way, where’s Wilkram?"

  ?"He said he wasn’t feeling well."

  ?"A shame. To the point, then: I plan to take Aelira on a journey for a few months."

  ?"For a few months?" Vivianne’s voice sharpened with disbelief. She set her cup down with a clatter. "Are you out of your mind?"

  ?"It’s necessary if you want her to become the hero you envision. She needs real-world experience, not just garden drills."

  ?"She is an eleven-year-old child," Vivianne countered, her tone dangerously low. "A few days is one thing. A few months is out of the question."

  ?This feels nostalgic, Zaek thought. She used to scold me like this too.

  ?"Aelira can take care of herself now. You have nothing to worry about."

  ?Vivianne rose from her seat, her posture rigid as steel. "Aelira is the future of this family. I will not entrust her to a man who can barely take care of himself. I refuse."

  ?As she turned to leave, dismissing the conversation, Zaek’s gaze shifted to the silent figure on the couch.

  ?"Sit down, Vivianne."

  ?Sylas’s voice was quiet, but it carried the weight of a mountain. It left no room for argument.

  ?"Father…?" She turned back, startled. Seeing the grim seriousness in his eyes, she reluctantly sat down again.

  ?"So," Sylas began, locking eyes with Zaek, "what is the purpose of this journey? And where are you headed?"

  ?"Our first destination is Oryndel. We’ll take a mission from the Adventurers’ Guild there. It’ll be a good chance to see how she handles a real assignment."

  ?"Oryndel, hm?" Sylas mused. "Why there? You could find a mission here."

  ?"I don’t know the reason. She chose the destination."

  ?A long silence settled over the room. The only sound was the crackling of the fireplace.

  ?Finally, Sylas spoke.

  ?"Fine. But ensure she remains safe. Otherwise, you will regret it."

  ?Vivianne stared, stunned. "Father?"

  ?"Of course," Zaek replied with a confident nod. "I signed a contract with her, after all."

  ?"That is my final decision," Sylas declared.

  ?After Zaek and Sylas had both left, Vivianne remained seated in the quiet room. The tea in her cup had gone cold.

  ?It’s fine, she told herself, a cold resolve hardening within her like ice.

  ?If anything happens to her, it will be Father’s fault. Not mine.

  ?It’s… fine.