The sun was dipping low, painting the sky in soft gold and rose as a rider made his way along the village road. His clothes were fine, his horse steady, and something about him caught the eye — not just because of his bearing, but because he seemed out of place.
Lord Renlan stepped down from his horse with an easy grace. A seal hung at his side, fresh from a noble house nearby. When the steward met him at the gate, he offered it with a polite smile.
"I seek shelter for a short time," he said smoothly. "I trust Baron Edevan will grant his hospitality."
Inside the house, the family gathered to meet their unexpected guest. Baron Edevan greeted him with the manners of a noble, but his eyes stayed sharp and watchful. Lady Alura's gaze flicked to Renlan more than once, as if trying to recall where she had seen him before.
Vivienne felt a strange twist in her chest when Renlan's eyes landed on her — a look that was both unsettling and oddly familiar. Seraphina noticed it too, shifting in her seat as if uneasy, though neither dared say it aloud.
At dinner, Renlan spoke of distant lands and strange adventures, his voice smooth and calm, with a hint of poetry that made his stories feel almost unreal. When he complimented Seraphina's quick wit or Vivienne's clear voice, his words were polite — but there was something too perfect in the way he said them.
Baron Edevan listened carefully, polite but reserved. Later, when Renlan left the room, Vivienne whispered to her sister, "He's too well-mannered. Like he's putting on a show."
Seraphina's eyes narrowed. "No, Vivi. I don't think it's a show. I think he's hiding something."
As the house grew quiet, a maid slipped a folded note into Vivienne's hand before disappearing down the hall. The message was short and sharp:
"They're watching the village. Be careful who you trust. – M"
Vivienne showed the note to Seraphina right away. Their plan to leave grew firmer — but now, more than ever, they had to be careful.
Far away in the castle of Virelia, Lucian stood by a tall window, staring out into the night. Soren entered, grinning.
"Your guest showed up early," he said.
Lucian didn't turn. "I didn't ask him to come."
Soren laughed softly. "He never waits to be invited."
Lucian's voice was low and sharp. "If he's here, we don't have much time."
The night held its breath, and everything felt poised on the edge of something dark and unknown.
———