Wilkram trudged down the corridor, his shoulders slumped as if carrying the weight of the world—or at least, the weight of his own boredom.

  ?“Why do we have to dismiss the maids?” he muttered to the empty air. “Couldn’t they at least start with the less… charming ones?”

  ?He sighed mournfully, leaning against a window overlooking the courtyard.

  ?Damn… It’s so dull here. Should I push for a divorce? Maybe beg Father for help?

  ?The image of his father’s face—disgusted and dismissive—flashed in his mind. He shuddered. His father was a hard man who valued wealth and power above all else. He would never accept a prodigal son returning empty-handed.

  ?No, that won’t work. Asking Julian is pointless too. He’ll just smirk and say, ‘So they finally got rid of the trash. Maybe you should try taking yourself out next.’ Knowing him, he’d definitely say something like that.

  ?“What do I do now?”

  ?His gaze drifted downward, catching movement in the snow-covered yard below.

  ?“Is that Lysric?” He squinted. “Poor boy just lost his mother… Now that I think about it, he wasn’t at breakfast. Maybe I should play the good uncle.”

  ?He raised a hand and shouted, “Lysric! Look up here!”

  ?The boy didn’t react. He just kept walking, head down.

  ?“Did he not hear me?” Wilkram frowned. “Hey! Kid!”

  ?Lysric stopped. He looked up slowly.

  ?“Finally,” Wilkram muttered. As the boy walked closer to the building, Wilkram leaned out further. “Hi, kid. Just saw you down there and wanted to say hello.”

  ?Lysric stared at him.

  ?The moment their eyes met, Wilkram froze. The boy’s gaze wasn’t just sad; it was unnervingly cold. Predatory. Like staring into the eyes of a starving wolf.

  ?A chill crawled up Wilkram’s spine.

  ?Without a word, Lysric turned and walked away.

  ?“What… was that?” Wilkram whispered, pulling back from the window. His face was pale. “Even the kids here are monsters. Would it kill you to say hello? Just like his aunt—cold as ice.”

  ?“Who are you calling cold?”

  ?A sharp voice cut through the air like a whip.

  ?Wilkram jumped, nearly biting his tongue. “Ehh? Vivianne! I—I—” He scrambled for an excuse, sweating profusely. “I meant the weather! It’s really freezing in this corridor, isn’t it?”

  ?Vivianne stood there, arms crossed, her expression unreadable.

  ?“Aha… haha…” Wilkram’s laugh was brittle.

  ?“What are you doing here?” she asked flatly.

  ?“I just saw Lysric down there. Tried to cheer him up, you know…”

  ?“Lysric?” Her eyes narrowed. “He stepped out of his room?”

  ?“Well, yes. But…” Wilkram’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Vivianne, something is off. His eyes… they looked ready to kill someone. I’m serious. He looked… dangerous.”

  ?Vivianne stared at him for a moment, silent.

  ?Dangerous? Lysric? He was crying his eyes out just yesterday.

  ?“I’m telling you, we should get a doctor,” Wilkram insisted.

  ?“Enough,” Vivianne cut him off, turning away. “I’ll check on him later.”

  ?I wonder if Cassian said something to him.

  ?

  Zaek strode toward Sylas’s study, his boots echoing with purpose. He didn’t bother knocking.

  ?He pushed the door open to find Sylas sitting behind his massive desk, spectacles perched on his nose, reading documents.

  ?The old patriarch looked up, his glare sharp enough to cut stone.

  ?“…”

  ?“What’s with the glasses?” Zaek remarked with a teasing edge. “Trying to look scholarly, old man?”

  ?“Be quick. I’m busy,” Sylas snapped, removing the spectacles and setting them down.

  ?“I’m here to ask about a little story I heard,” Zaek said, leaning his hands on the desk.

  ?“A story?” Sylas raised an eyebrow.

  ?“Yes. About your beloved son, Lucien.” Zaek’s voice dropped low. “Years ago, Lucien was sent to slay a giant near Kalrid. Word is, he never showed up.”

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  ?Sylas went still. His hand hovered over his inkwell. “So what?”

  ?“So what? He’s the Hero, isn’t he? Why didn’t he show up? A Hero who abandons a village isn’t much of a Hero.”

  ?Sylas watched him calmly. “What would he have done? Died?” He clasped his hands. “Lucien was weak then. Instead, I sent an elite unit to deal with the giant quietly. We let people believe Lucien did it to maintain the family’s image. Some peasants just didn’t buy the tale.”

  ?“You sent an army?” Zaek asked, skepticism coloring his tone.

  ?“Yes. A special unit trained to handle Warrior Giants. Armored, intelligent ones.” Sylas leaned back. “Why do you think I’m searching for a new Hero, Zaek? For fun? That useless bastard couldn’t handle it.”

  ?Zaek’s mind raced.

  ?A Warrior Giant? Armored?

  ?The giant I fought yesterday… It was naked. Primal. It had no armor, no weapons.

  ?If Sylas's unit faced the giant as he says, how was it able to get down from the mountains? Especially in heavy armor.

  ?Between Isen and the land of the giants lies a massive mountain range. The only known passage is through the Ursus Walls—fortifications exceeding twenty meters in height. Even incomplete, they aren't something a single armored giant could pierce through unnoticed.

  ?Yet, there is another way: over the mountains themselves.

  ?But for giants to climb down those treacherous peaks while wearing armor? It doesn’t make sense.

  ?A secret gate? If that were the case, wouldn't there be more attacks?

  ?“Satisfied?” Sylas gestured toward the door. “Close it behind you—and don’t barge in next time.”

  ?Zaek shot him a sharp look before turning to leave.

  ?As he stepped into the corridor, a voice stopped him.

  ?“Master Zaek? Did you come to speak with my father?”

  ?Celdric stood there, his expression polite but his eyes guarded.

  ?“I already did. Thanks for sticking your nose in,” Zaek muttered, brushing past him.

  ?“I’m sorry if I offended you. I was simply curious.”

  ?Zaek sighed, waving a hand dismissively. “Ask your father. I’m not in the mood for riddles.”

  ?“Very well.”

  ?As Celdric entered the office, Zaek continued down the hall, his thoughts churning.

  ?An army to kill a giant quietly? Unlikely. These things are noisy. And the story about the armor… Sylas is hiding something. Or protecting someone.

  ?Inside the office.

  ?“Is he gone?” Sylas asked without looking up.

  ?“Yes,” Celdric replied, closing the door softly.

  ?“Damn Lucien! Good for nothing!” Sylas slammed his fist on the desk, making the inkwell jump.

  ?“What happened? What did Zaek ask?”

  ?“He’s sniffing around about the Kalrid incident,” Sylas growled. “It’s nothing—for now. But we need to be careful.”

  ?“Should we send him away? Vivianne can find another teacher—”

  ?“Don’t be a fool, Celdric,” Sylas snapped. “Zaek’s presence validates us. Firing him would look suspicious. Instead of digging your nephew’s grave, focus on your son.”

  ?“My son?”

  ?“Yes, Lysric.” Sylas’s voice darkened. “He skipped breakfast to train. He has the eyes of a killer now—carrying a hatred I’ve never seen in him before. I need a Hero to inspire hope, not fear.”

  ?Celdric’s face tightened. “…I’ll handle it.”

  ?Whoosh. Whoosh.

  ?The sound of a blade cutting air echoed in the training yard. Lysric swung his wooden sword with mechanical rhythm, sweat dripping from his chin.

  ?“Lysric?”

  ?“WHAT?!”

  ?The boy spun around with a roar, sword raised—only to lower it when he saw his father.

  ?“Father…”

  ?“Are you still training?” Celdric approached cautiously. The boy looked exhausted, his hands trembling.

  ?“Yes…” Lysric muttered, looking down.

  ?Celdric closed the distance, reaching out a hand. “Lysric, you don’t have to push yourself so hard. You’re barely standing.”

  ?“What do you mean, ‘don’t have to’?” Lysric slapped his hand away. His eyes burned with defiance.

  ?“I’m saying it’s okay to rest! Even if you don’t become a Hero, I’ll find a way for us. I’ll protect you.”

  ?Are you telling me it’s okay to let you die? Lysric thought, grinding his teeth.

  ?“No! I won’t stop!”

  ?“Lysric, please!” Celdric shouted, grabbing the boy’s shoulder. “Stop this madness!”

  ?“Don’t touch me!”

  ?Lysric shoved him back. “Don’t treat me like a child! I’m not a kid anymore!”

  ?His gaze held an intensity that made Celdric step back. It wasn’t just anger; it was desperation.

  ?“Lysric…” Celdric clenched his fists, torn between his pride and his fear. He wanted to hug his son, to tell him everything would be alright. But he knew it wouldn’t.

  ?Shoulders slumping, Celdric turned away. “Do as you wish.”

  ?He walked away, leaving his son alone in the cold.

  ?“You always told me to be a Hero! Now you tell me not to? Screw everything!”

  ?Lysric sank to his knees, gasping for breath. Tears stung his eyes, but he refused to let them fall.

  ?“I’m going to be the Hero, Father. I have to be.”

  ?“That’s very reassuring, brother.”

  ?Lysric jumped. “Cassian!” He scrambled to stand.

  ?“Easy, easy.” Cassian smiled, raising a hand. “It’s okay, Lysric.”

  ?“W-why are you here?”

  ?“I was worried about my little brother, of course.” Cassian walked over, his movements graceful and unthreatening. “It’s freezing out here. Do you really want to keep training until you collapse?”

  ?“Yes.”

  ?Cassian tilted his head. “Can I ask what sparked this sudden fire?”

  ?Lysric hesitated. But Cassian’s smile was so warm, so understanding. It felt safe.

  ?“I… I heard you two talking last night.”

  ?“Ah. So you did.” Cassian didn’t look surprised.

  ?“You knew?”

  ?“No. But I guessed. Only a truth that heavy could change a boy into a man overnight.”

  ?Lysric looked down. “What if Aelira takes the sword? What happens to Father?”

  ?“Grandfather will name her the next Hero,” Cassian said simply. “The moment she turns sixteen, she’ll wield Nixviel. And Father… well, most likely he will lose his position soon after.”

  ?Lysric’s expression crumpled. He knew it, but he didn’t want to believe it. Hearing it directly from Cassian made it terrifyingly real.

  ?“What’s wrong? Upset because you think you’ve lost to a girl?”

  ?“I don’t want to lose Father too!” Lysric whispered, his voice cracking.

  ?“I see.” Cassian placed a hand on Lysric’s shoulder. “I understand your pain. If only… things were different.”

  ?“Different?”

  ?“Keep working hard, Lysric. But don’t kill yourself over it. The sword has already chosen her.”

  ?Lysric looked up, eyes wide with despair. “So… it’s impossible?”

  ?“For anyone else? Yes.” Cassian sighed, looking at the sky. “I’m sorry. If Aelira didn’t exist, you could’ve been the Hero easily. Father would become the Head, and I’d be his heir. We would have been a happy family. Everything would’ve been… perfect.”

  ?He paused, glancing at Lysric.

  ?“Of course, I don’t mean that in a bad way. It’s just fate.”

  ?Lysric stared at the ground. A dark realization bloomed in his chest.

  ?If Aelira didn’t exist…

  ?“Anyway, I should leave you be.” Cassian turned to leave, then stopped. “Oh, one last thing.”

  ?He looked back over his shoulder, his eyes gleaming.

  ?“I heard there’s a rogue bear near the village. A dangerous one. Don’t go wandering off into the woods to prove yourself, okay? It might kill you.”

  ?“Y-yes,” Lysric stammered.

  ?“Good boy.”

  ?Cassian walked away, humming a soft tune.

  ?Lysric sat frozen in the snow, the cold no longer bothering him. Cassian’s words echoed in his mind, louder than the wind.

  ?If Aelira didn’t exist…

  ?He looked toward the forest, where the bear was rumored to be.

  ?Prove yourself.

  X (Twitter) account (@KedikTheCreator) for some fun posts about what the characters might be up to on this spooky day, and maybe a few chilling moments!