Rory's boots sank into the soft earth of Sylvana Manor's gardens, the air heavy with the scent of blooming roses and something sweeter, almost cloying. Lord Calen walked beside her, his gold robes brushing the grass, his silver ring catching the morning light. His smile seemed rehearsed, like a politician on the campaign trail, but his eyes were cold, watching her as if she were a puzzle he intended to solve. Or break.
The System's timer floated in her vision, a glowing countdown that made her stomach churn: Quest: Survive Calen's Courtship. Time Remaining: 71 hours.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Calen said, gesturing to the garden's glowing flowers, their petals pulsing faintly blue. His voice was smooth, like he'd rehearsed it. "A fitting place for our first walk as betrothed."
Rory forced a smile, the Charm Boost keeping her lips from twitching into a grimace. "Not betrothed yet," she said, keeping her tone light. "Just… getting to know each other." She glanced back at Romeus, who trailed a few steps behind, his black tunic stark against the greenery. His hand rested on his sword, his jaw tight, like he was chewing on something he couldn't spit out.
Calen's laugh was soft, but it grated on her nerves. "Charming modesty, Lady Juliette. But your father's made it clear. Our union is House Sylvana's salvation." He stopped by a fountain, its water sparkling like liquid starlight, and leaned closer. His breath smelled of mint and something sharp, like metal. "You'll see I'm a generous man."
Rory's skin crawled, but she held her ground, clutching the folds of her blue dress. "Generous, huh? That's a big word. Care to prove it?"
His smile tightened, just for a second. "In time," he said, then turned, snapping his fingers. A servant scurried forward, head bowed, carrying a velvet box. Calen opened it, revealing a necklace of silver chains and a single glowing gem, identical to the one on his ring. "A gift," he said, holding it out. "To mark our courtship."
Rory's instincts strongly warned her, "Don't touch it." The gem's light felt wrong, like the dagger in the grove. "It's… pretty," she said, stepping back. "But I'm not big on jewelry. Allergies, you know?"
Calen's eyes narrowed, but he closed the box with a snap. "A pity. Perhaps you'll change your mind." He waved the servant away, and Rory caught the man's flinch, like he expected a blow. Her stomach twisted. Generous, my ass.
The System pinged: Observation: Calen's behavior suggests control, not kindness. Investigate further. Mana: Five of Ten.
The rest of the day was a blur of Calen's "courtship." Lunch in a pavilion, where he talked over her, describing her as "a fine addition to House Valen's legacy." A horseback ride through the estate, where he ignored her questions about the silver ring and instead lectured her on elven politics. By dinner, Rory's jaw ached from fake smiles, and her patience was thinner than her dorm room's Wi-Fi.
The dining hall was smaller than the grand one, all dark wood and candlelight, with a table set for three: Rory, Calen, and her father, Lord Sylvana. Romeus stood by the door, his eyes tracking Calen like a hawk. Rory caught his gaze, and for a moment, the tension in her chest eased. He was here, at least.
Calen raised his goblet, his ring glinting. "To peace," he said, his voice dripping with charm. "And to Lady Juliette, who will bind our houses."
Lord Sylvana nodded, his face stern. "To peace," he echoed, but his eyes were on Rory, heavy with expectation.
Rory sipped her wine, the tartness stinging her tongue. "Sure, peace," she said, her voice flat. She set the goblet down, her fingers brushing the tablecloth. She felt something carved into the wood under it, a faint symbol resembling a thorned circle. Her heart skipped. It matched the ring's design.
She glanced at Calen, who was watching her too closely. "You seem distracted, my lady," he said, leaning forward. "Something troubling you?"
"Nope," she lied, the Charm Boost smoothing her words. "Just tired. It was a long day." She pushed her chair back and stood up.. "I need some air."
Romeus moved to follow, but Calen waved him off. "She's safe here, Draconis. Stay." His tone was sharp, like a blade hidden in velvet.
Romeus's hand twitched toward his sword, but he stayed put, his eyes burning holes into Calen's back as Rory slipped out to the balcony. The night air was cool, the stars above Aetherion brighter than anything she'd seen on Earth. She gripped the railing, her scabbed hands stinging, and whispered, "System, what's with the thorn symbol?"
The System pinged: Analysis: Thorned circle is the mark of the Thornbound, a secret society tied to the Starheart. Objective Updated: Investigate Calen's ring. Caution: High risk.
"Thornbound?" Rory muttered, her breath fogging in the chilly air. "Great. I'm engaged to a cultist."
Footsteps crunched behind her. She spun, expecting Calen, but it was Romeus. His black tunic blended with the shadows, but his scar caught the starlight. "You okay?" he asked, voice low, like he didn't want the night to hear.
She crossed her arms, leaning against the railing. "Peachy. Just stuck with a creep who thinks I'm his trophy. You?"
He snorted, stepping closer. "Watching you dodge Calen's like watching a cat in a dogfight. You're good, but you're gonna slip up eventually."
"Thanks for the pep talk," she said, rolling her eyes. But her heart was racing, and not just from the Thornbound news. He was close, close enough she could smell the leather of his tunic and the faint spice of whatever he used to tame his hair. The Charm Boost was messing with her, making every glance feel like a spark.
"You're not wrong, though," she admitted, lowering her voice. "Calen's bad news. That ring, it's tied to the Thornbound. Some cult thing. And the maid, Lyssa, had one too."
Romeus's eyes narrowed, his hand resting on his sword. "You sure?"
"Positive. And there was a symbol under the table, the same as the ring. Something's off, Romeus."
He stared at her, his face unreadable. "You're digging into dangerous ground, Juliette. If Calen's Thornbound, he's not just after you. He's playing a bigger game."
She swallowed, the weight of his words sinking in. "Then help me figure it out. You're my bodyguard, right?"
He hesitated, then nodded, his voice rough. "Yeah. I've got your back." His hand brushed hers on the railing, just for a second, but it sent a jolt through her. She pulled away, her face hot, and turned back to the stars.
The next two days were torture. Calen's courtship was a parade of manipulation. Walks through the gardens where he "accidentally" crushed flowers under his boots. Dinners where he dismissed servants with a flick of his hand, their faces pale with fear. Rory watched it all, her anger simmering. He wasn't just cruel; he enjoyed it. Romeus stayed close, his presence a quiet storm, his eyes darkening every time Calen touched her arm or called her "my lady."
On the second night, Rory slipped away from another suffocating dinner. She used her Illusion Magic, a faint shimmer in the air that made it seem like she was still nodding politely at the table.. A dull headache began to pulse behind her eyes as her mana dipped.
She hid in a shadowed alcove near the kitchens, her mana down to three points. Warning: Mana Critically Low (3/10). Cognitive functions and spell stability may be impaired. Rest strongly advised.
"Rest, sure," she muttered, crouching behind a stack of barrels. She needed answers, not sleep. The kitchens were busy, servants rushing with trays for the Moonlight Festival tomorrow, Sylvana's biggest event. Rory's ears caught a familiar voice, low and urgent, from a nearby pantry.
"…the festival is perfect," Calen said, his tone cold. "The arrow will strike at midnight. Sylvana falls, and Draconis takes the blame."
Rory's blood ran cold. She peeked through a crack in the door. Calen stood with Lyssa, her silver ring back on her finger, her face tight with fear. "My lord," Lyssa whispered, "if they trace it to us…"
"They won't," Calen snapped. "The Thornbound have planned this for years. The Starheart demands blood."
Rory's heart hammered. An assassination? At the festival? She backed away, her boot scraping the floor. Calen's head snapped toward the sound, his ring glinting as he drew a dagger.
The System pinged: Quest Updated: Prevent Assassination at Moonlight Festival. Target: Lord Sylvana. Time Remaining: 24 hours.
Rory froze, her breath caught in her throat. She needed to move, now.