Viorel's hands were shaking. Her voice was quiet.
"It was… Renna."
Aric and Kail both looked at her. They couldn't believe it. Viorel was still sitting on the bed in her room, her face pale. She held her arms tightly, like she was cold.
"What?" Kail blinked. "Are you sure?"
Viorel nodded slowly. "I didn't want to believe it. I thought I was wrong. But the more I think about it… the more it makes sense."
Aric frowned. "She's your instructor, right?"
Viorel nodded again. "Since I was a kid… She taught me everything. How to use magic, how to control it, how to act like a noble. I always trusted her."
She looked down at the floor.
"But… the magic the intruder used. It was light and wind. Just like Renna's. And the badge under the cloak was gold. Just like hers. And… when I saw the intruder's face… it was hers. I know it was."
Aric sat beside her. "I also remember something. When we joked that Renna might be the culprit… I saw her face. She didn't react much but i could see, she was nervous."
Kail blinked. "Wait, really?"
Aric nodded. "It was small, but I noticed. Back then I thought maybe she was just serious. But now…"
Viorel slowly stood up. "We should tell my father."
"Yeah," Aric said.
They left the room and called the guards. One of the knights quickly went to get Lord Alderon. A few minutes later, he arrived, his face serious.
"What is it?" he asked.
Viorel stood straight, even if her hands were still shaking. "Father… I saw the intruder's face. It was Renna."
Lord Alderon's eyes widened. "Are you sure?"
Viorel hesitated for just a moment. Then she nodded. "Yes."
Aric added, "She's a gold-rank worker. Her magic matches. And I noticed her reaction when we mentioned the intruder."
"She is one of the most trusted people here and I don't want to believe it but I trust my daughter more."Lord Alderon's face darkened. "Guards. Bring Renna in. Now."
The guards moved quickly. They found Renna in the hallway, just leaving the training grounds. She looked surprised when they approached.
"What's going on?" she asked.
"Come with us," one of the knights said. "Lord Alderon has questions."
They brought her to a small private room. Aric, Kail, Viorel, and Lord Alderon were all there. Renna stood in the middle.
"Do you know why you're here?" Lord Alderon asked.
Renna looked confused. "No… my lord."
Viorel stepped forward. "I saw you. You were the one who came into my room. You threatened me. You're the intruder."
Renna's eyes widened. "What? That's not true! I would never—"
"You wore a mask. But I saw your face."
Renna shook her head. "Viorel, please. I've been your instructor for years. I helped raise you."
Lord Alderon stared at her. "Then explain the gold-rank badge, the magic type, and the fact that your cloak was found near the attack."
Renna stayed silent.
"Guards," Lord Alderon said. "Take her to the Black Chamber."
The guards looked at each other. One of them nodded.
"No—wait!" Renna shouted, but they grabbed her arms.
Viorel turned away. She didn't want to watch. Aric and Kail stood beside her.
"The Black Chamber?" Kail whispered.
Aric leaned closer. "Probably a torture room."
Kail nodded slowly.
Lord Alderon looked serious. "I trust my daughter. If you're truly innocent, you'll survive. If not…"
He didn't finish his sentence.
They all watched as Renna was taken away.
Viorel didn't say a word. She just stared at the ground. Her eyes were full of sadness.
That night, the air around the estate was heavy. No one spoke much. Everyone was waiting to hear what would happen.
The next morning, word spread fast.
Renna had confessed.
The torture had broken her after a few hours. She admitted to sneaking into Viorel's room and threatening her. She had been working with someone outside the estate, though she didn't say who.
She was taken to the dungeon and locked away.
Viorel sat in the garden alone. Aric and Kail found her there.
"Are you okay?" Aric asked.
She shook her head. "No. I still can't believe it. I thought I knew her. I trusted her."
Aric sat down next to her. Kail stayed standing nearby.
"People change," Aric said softly. "Or maybe… they were never who we thought they were."
Viorel sighed. "I just want things to go back to normal."
"Same," Kail added. "This place got crazy fast."
They sat there for a while in silence.
Later that day, Aric and Kail packed their bags. They had been at the Sylvanthe mansion for too long. It was time to go back to the inn.
They met Lord Alderon before leaving. He thanked them again for all their help.
"I'll keep the guards alert," he said. "And Viorel will be safe."
"Thank you, my lord," Aric replied.
Viorel came to say goodbye too. She looked a little better, but still tired.
"Take care," she said.
"You too," Kail smiled.
Aric gave a small nod. "We'll visit again."
Then they left.
The walk to the inn was quiet. The town was still a bit tense after hearing about the spy. But most people were going on with their day.
"She really was the culprit…" Kail said.
"Yeah," Aric replied. "I'm just glad Viorel wasn't hurt."
"Same. But I still wonder who she was working with."
Aric frowned. "We'll find out. One day."
They reached the inn.
It looked the same as when they first came to Verdian. The warm smell of bread and soup came from inside. A few people sat around eating and laughing.
The innkeeper smiled when he saw them.
"Well, well! Look who's back!"
"Hello," Kail waved.
"We'd like to stay here again," Aric said. "For a while."
"Of course! I've got your old room ready."
They thanked him and went to their room.
Kail flopped onto the bed.
"I already miss the soft and comfy bed in Viorel's mansion."
Aric chuckled and sat down on his bed too.
Everything felt calmer now. But he knew things weren't over. Someone had sent Renna. That meant something bigger was going on.
But for now… they could rest.