As dawn hovers between dream and morning mist, gongs and drums ring out from Rahlian's city walls—sounding to dispel the lingering fear of the previous night. Queen Evelyn, clad in silver scale armor, stands on the southern terrace of the royal palace, her gaze sweeping beyond the winding city walls and the waking urban district. Stroking her scepter, she murmurs to Lucien, "We cut one loop of the undercurrent last night, but today we must trace its ripples. Chancellor Gu has sent a missive inviting new Holy See representatives to join me in tracking the flow of secret correspondence, ensuring these hidden threads are utterly severed."
Lucien nods. "I've ordered Karina and Loth to infiltrate the old Holy See archives, inspecting remnants of the 'Seven Circles' through the night. Any surviving scrolls are to be destroyed immediately." A flicker of weariness crosses his eyes, yet they remain piercing.
In the afternoon, messengers from eight counties gather before the "Edict Desk" outside the royal study. Evelyn listens to accounts from border clerks and village elders: small bands of heretics hidden in North Ridge incite riots under cover of night, while bandits along the South Desert border take advantage of the chaos to roam, disrupting civilian life. Her brows furrow: "This concerns the safety of border counties. Lucien, lead elite cavalry on two prongs—march straight for North Ridge and the South Desert to quell the unrest with all speed." Turning to the messengers, she adds, "Your concerns are the very worries that keep me awake at night. We shall not fail the trust of our people."
Deep into the night, the royal confidential council chamber blazes with light. Evelyn sits in conference with Lucien, Chancellor Gu, and Mei Xia. Chancellor Gu presents newly obtained Holy See archives: fragments of the "Seven Circles" were indeed stolen and copied from a secret vault in the western suburbs of the capital. Mei Xia's expression grows grave: "They intend to use the fragments to revive old rituals and incite discontent among the devout." Evelyn lifts her gaze: "Once the Shadow Cavalry departs, I will burn both the original Seven Circles canon and the fragments, making clear that the Covenant's legal principles cannot be profaned."
Cold dew hangs heavy in the royal garden, and only two figures remain on the stone bridge outside the Fountain Pavilion. Lucien drapes a star star shawl over Evelyn's shoulders, his eyes worried. "Your Highness, the journey to quell unrest may bring further trials. May the night shield you from wind and rain."
Evelyn leans against him quietly, murmuring in reply, "By your side, even through blood and storm, I find peace." She turns, unfastening the shoulder armor from his tunic until only his close-fitting undershirt remains. His fingertips trace warmth along her neck and shoulders.
As the night wind blows, they retreat to the brocade couch deep within the pavilion. Lucien kisses her neck softly, his palm sliding beneath her shirt to feel the lingering warmth of her heartbeat. Evelyn wraps her arms around his neck, undoing the clasp of his cape. Silk slips free, baring skin to the cool night air.
By candlelight, their breaths intermingle, lips and tongues exchanging silent vows. "In these turbulent times," Lucien whispers, "I would be your haven." Evelyn sighs, "And you, my strongest armor."
Silk and skin intertwine as two hearts seal a covenant once more amid the night and the fountain's lullaby: no matter how the undercurrent surges ahead, their love and trust will harden into the deepest resolve, guarding this land where holy light shall forever shine.