Lucien sat alone on the marble bench, surrounded by withered rosebushes. His fingers absentmindedly plucked at a dead leaf, shredding it into tiny pieces.

  ?Cassian’s voice echoed in his mind, smooth and poisonous:

  ?“If an equation isn’t working because of one variable… all we have to do is remove it.”

  ?Lucien clenched his jaw until his teeth ached.

  ?You speak as if it’s easy. She’s just a child… and you want me to kill her? To stain my hands with my own niece’s blood?

  ?His heart hammered against his ribs.

  ?But… what if Cassian is right? If the sword chooses her, Celdric will lose his claim. The family will fracture. If I remove her… Lysric takes her place. Celdric protects me. Everything is as it should be.

  ?He squeezed his eyes shut.

  ?But can I actually do it? Again?

  ?So deep in his torment, he didn’t hear the soft crunch of snow behind him.

  ?Aelira stood behind the hedge, watching her uncle’s trembling back. She hesitated, sensing the heavy air around him.

  ?He looks confused… Lost.

  ?She took a breath and stepped forward.

  ?“Uncle Lucien?”

  ?Lucien flinched violently. His hand flew to his sword hilt before he realized who it was.

  ?“Ah!” He spun around, eyes wide and frantic. “H-How long were you standing there?!”

  ?“A few minutes… I think,” Aelira said, stepping back slightly at his reaction.

  ?“D-Did I say anything?” he asked, sweat beading on his forehead despite the cold.

  ?“You were muttering… but I couldn’t understand the words.”

  ?Lucien exhaled, the tension leaving his body like a cut string. He slumped back onto the bench. “Ah… I see. Good. That’s good.”

  ?Silence settled between them. It wasn’t cold, but it was heavy with unspoken questions.

  ?Aelira fiddled with her sleeves. “Uncle Lucien… about yesterday. I wanted to say that I’m sorry I entered your room without permission.”

  ?Lucien blinked, confusion replacing his panic. “That’s why you came? To apologize?” He let out a dry, self-deprecating laugh. “No—I should be the one apologizing. I shouldn’t have struck you. It was… unforgivable.”

  ?“It’s okay. It didn’t hurt that much. See?” She pointed to her cheek. It was completely fine, without a single bruise.

  ?Lucien chuckled without humor. “I see. It’s good to hear.”

  ?She paused, gathering her courage. “Actually… I wanted to ask about the sword too.”

  ?Lucien’s eyes sharpened instantly. The air grew thin.

  ?Here it comes.

  ?“It’s like it’s calling me,” Aelira whispered, clutching her chest. “I feel… pulses. Not quite mana, but something deeper. Like a heartbeat hitting something inside me. Is that… normal?”

  ?Lucien looked at her. Her silver eyes were honest, filled with innocent curiosity.

  ?She feels the resonance. Nixviel is calling to her. I can’t let her know the truth.

  ?“…It’s…”

  ?“Yes?” Her eyes lit up.

  ?“It’s something… you shouldn’t know.”

  ?Damn it. I can’t think of a lie.

  ?“Oh.” Her shoulders slumped. “So there is something wrong with the sword? Is it cursed?”

  ?Lucien blinked. Then he seized the lifeline. “Y-yes. Yes, exactly! It’s… unstable. A flaw in the enchantment. That’s why I keep it hidden. If anyone knew our beloved katana was flawed, it would cause chaos.”

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  ?He mumbled the last words, waiting for her reaction, tense.

  ?Her eyes widened with concern. She nodded solemnly. “I understand. I swear, I won’t tell anyone.”

  ?Lucien smiled faintly. She’s so easily led. So pure… just like Ellyssia.

  ?His gaze drifted to the garden around them.

  ?This was her sanctuary. I wonder if she knows?

  ?“Do you like this garden, Aelira?”

  ?“Yes. It’s quiet here.”

  ?“Aelira, do you know who used to tend these flowers before?”

  ?“No.” She tilted her head. “Who?”

  ?“Your…” He stopped. The word Mother almost slipped out. He cleared his throat painfully. “Your aunt.”

  ?“My aunt?”

  ?“My sister. Ellyssia. Do you know anything about her?”

  ?Aelira shook her head slowly. “Mother never talks about her. Father neither.”

  ?“I see…” Lucien looked away, staring at a dead rose. “She was kind. Gentle. Like you. I wish you could have met her. I’m sure you would have loved her.”

  ?His memories swept past him. Laughs and jokes, as if they didn't belong to this cold place.

  ?He looked at Aelira… She has no idea. She can't know either.

  ?An overwhelming pain rose from inside him. The pain of truth, the pain of what he might have to do.

  ?“I’m sorry, Uncle…”

  ?He turned back, surprised. “Why are you apologizing?”

  ?“Because I don’t know anything about her,” Aelira said softly. “You look so sad when you talk about her, but I can’t share that sadness. I wish I could… but I don’t know how.”

  ?Lucien stared at her.

  ?You apologize for not feeling my pain? You really are too kind for this family.

  ?A strange warmth filled his chest—pride twisted with a sharp, agonizing guilt.

  ?“Uncle Lucien?”

  ?“…Aelira, actually—”

  ?He stopped. His head snapped toward the path.

  ?Footsteps. Confident. Strong.

  ?Aisha appeared from between the hedges, bowing politely.

  ?“My Lady Aelira. Master Zaek has returned.”

  ?Aelira’s face lit up like a sunbreak. “Sensei? Already?”

  ?Aisha nodded.

  ?Turning to her uncle, Aelira beamed. “Sorry, Uncle! I have to go. Can we talk more later?”

  ?“…Yes. Of course.”

  ?Lucien watched her run off, her silver hair bouncing. As she disappeared, his expression darkened, the warmth replaced by a cold dread.

  ?“Damn, it’s cold… Five years and I still haven’t gotten used to this northern wind.”

  ?Zaek muttered to himself, pulling his collar tighter as he walked through the main gates.

  ?Ahead, he spotted a small figure waiting. And beside her, a tall man he didn’t recognize.

  ?Who’s the peacock?

  ?He approached, ignoring the stranger for a moment to drop a heavy hand on Aelira’s head. She swatted at him instinctively.

  ?“Miss me already, kid?”

  ?She fixed her hair, glaring at him. “You were gone for days.”

  ?Zaek chuckled, then turned his sharp gaze to the man.

  ?“And you are?”

  ?“It’s a pleasure to meet one of the Legends,” the man said with a practiced, flawless bow. “Cassian Viremont. First son of Celdric.”

  ?Celdric’s son. The one who was away.

  ?Zaek studied him. The smile was perfect. Too perfect. And his eyes… they were empty.

  ?“Nice to meet you, Cassian. I heard your uncle tagged along. Is he hiding somewhere?”

  ?“Uncle Lucien?” Cassian blinked, his smile not wavering.

  ?“I’m here, Sir Zaek,” a quiet voice came from behind.

  ?Lucien approached, looking like a man walking to the gallows.

  ?“Didn’t I tell you not to call me ‘sir’? We’re both retired heroes, aren’t we? Just Zaek is fine.”

  ?“Y-Yes… Zaek.”

  ?“It’s been a while. You’ve been guarding the Ursus walls, haven’t you?”

  ?“Yes. It’s… been difficult.”

  ?“I’m sure.” Zaek’s eyes bored into him for a second longer than necessary. “Well, I’m fresh off a trip. My back is killing me. Let’s catch up later.”

  ?“Of course,” Cassian said, stepping aside smoothly.

  ?“See you later, Lucien.”

  ?As Zaek walked past them, the warmth in his voice evaporated instantly. He gestured for Aelira to follow.

  ?“So, how’ve you been holding up without me?” he asked loudly.

  ?“I trained, just as you said—”

  ?As their voices faded down the hall, Cassian’s smile dropped like a mask.

  ?“He doesn’t like you,” he noted flatly.

  ?Lucien flinched. “Did I do something?”

  ?“Not you, idiot. Me.” Cassian narrowed his eyes at Zaek’s retreating back. “The old wolf has sharp instincts. He sensed something.”

  ?“Did he find out about—?”

  ?“No. Impossible. Unless you told him.”

  ?“I didn’t!”

  ?“Relax.” Cassian sighed, adjusting his cuffs. “Just don’t mess anything up while I’m gone. I have preparations to make.”

  ?He walked away, leaving Lucien alone in the snow.

  ?“How was your mission?” Aelira asked, practically skipping to keep up with Zaek’s long strides.

  ?“Cold,” Zaek grumbled. “Even colder than here.”

  ?“But… it’s not that cold today.”

  ?“…” Zaek gave her a look.

  ?“So? What happened?” she pressed.

  ?“To whom do I complain about the weather in this house?” He sighed, brushing snow off his shoulder. “I took down a giant.”

  ?“A giant? Really?” Her eyes widened.

  ?“Yeah. Ugly thing. Over six meters tall.” He held a hand high above his head. “Smelled worse than a goblin’s armpit.”

  ?“Was it strong?”

  ?“It was,” Zaek smirked, puffing out his chest slightly. “But compared to me? It was basically a grandkid playing with a stick.”

  ?Aelira gave him a flat look. He really loves bragging.

  ?They stopped in front of his room. Zaek placed a hand on the door handle, then paused. He didn’t turn around.

  ?“You got a question or something?”

  ?“H-huh?” Aelira froze.

  ?“You’ve been vibrating like a nervous squirrel since I got back. Just say it already.”

  ?Aelira bit her lip. She looked at his back, then at the floor. Her fingers tapped together nervously. The promise to Lucien weighed heavy on her tongue.

  ?‘You mustn’t tell anyone. It could cause chaos.’

  ?“I-I…”

  ?Zaek waited a beat. Then he turned the knob.

  ?“I see. Ask me whenever you are ready. I’m going to sleep.”

  ?He waved lazily and stepped into the room.

  ?The door clicked shut.

  ?Left alone in the hallway, Aelira reached out, her hand hovering over the wood. She wanted to tell him. She wanted to ask him about the heartbeat, the sword, everything.

  ?But she let her hand drop.

  ?“Sorry, Sensei…” she whispered to the closed door. “I just promised.”

  ?Shoulders heavy, she turned and walked quietly back toward the garden, unaware that she just missed her chance to learn the truth.