Eryk stood by the window in his chambers, his thoughts still lingering on the confrontation with Lilia. He could see the hurt in her eyes, the way she struggled to understand his coldness. A part of him hated pushing her away, but it was all part of the plan. He needed her to stop following him and take action on her own.
And it was working.
In the past few days, Lilia had taken wider steps, quietly investigating suspicious activities around the estate. Eryk knew she was following her own trail, but she wasn't yet aware that he was leading her down a path he had subtly set. For now, he was content to watch her progress from a distance, even if it meant letting the rift between them grow wider.
…..
As Eryk delved deeper into his investigation, the signs of a conspiracy became more apparent. Odd orders were being carried out without his father's knowledge, documents were missing, and the behavior of certain staff members didn't add up. The deeper he dug, the more dangerous it felt.
The cryptic messages continued to appear, each one more unsettling than the last. Eryk pondered who might be sending them. A spy within House Lavelle, trying to help him from the shadows? Or perhaps someone from the outside, whose own interests aligned with his? Whoever it was, their hints were too precise to be a coincidence. But until he had more answers, he couldn't trust the source.
…..
Training with Selene had become a daily routine, though it was as challenging as ever. His magic remained unstable, and controlling it felt like trying to tame a wild beast. Still, he was beginning to understand that everyone's magic was different, shaped by the formation and foundation of their magic core.
For him, the crimson eyes acted as a catalyst, amplifying certain spells and enhancing his magical efficiency. But there was a problem—he had no idea how to activate the eyes at will. The power seemed to appear only when it wanted to, not when he needed it most.
During their training, Selene's voice cut through his thoughts. "You seem distracted today, Eryk," she said, her gaze piercing. "What's on your mind?"
Eryk met her eyes with a calm expression. "Just the usual—trying to keep up with your training," he replied smoothly, his tone giving nothing away.
Selene didn't look convinced. "Are you sure that's all?" she pressed.
"Positive," he said, flashing a quick, dismissive smile. "You wouldn't be holding back on me, would you, Selene?"
Her expression softened, but there was a hint of suspicion in her eyes. "You're good at deflecting, you know that?" she said, before resuming their training. Eryk breathed a quiet sigh of relief, grateful that she didn't push the issue further. He wasn't ready to share his burdens with anyone, least of all Selene. He still didn't know where her loyalties truly lay.
…..
Eryk's investigation extended to the household staff. He knew that the conspiracy likely involved someone within their ranks, and his interactions with them became more pointed. He subtly questioned them, looking for inconsistencies in their responses and any signs of nervousness.
One servant, in particular, caught his attention. The man's evasiveness during a routine conversation had been too deliberate, his responses too guarded. Eryk decided to keep a closer eye on him, noting the servant's routines and who he frequently spoke to. If there was a hidden ally among the staff, or a traitor, Eryk was determined to find them.
…..
A few days later, Eryk learned of another gathering being planned—a significant event that would bring several influential figures to House Lavelle. The timing was perfect; it was an opportunity to gather more information and possibly expose some of the traitors.
He began strategizing for the gathering, planning how he would navigate the social dynamics. He knew he had to stay ahead of his enemies, who would no doubt use the event to further their own agendas. The gathering would be a dangerous game, and Eryk intended to play it masterfully.
…..
In the midst of his preparations, Eryk spoke with his father. Lord Lavelle's voice was laced with concern as he discussed the upcoming event.
"There's something unsettling about this, Eryk," Lord Lavelle admitted, pacing the length of his study. "The tensions are higher than ever, and I can't shake the feeling that we're missing something."
Eryk nodded, choosing his words carefully. "We're not unprepared, Father. I've been taking precautions and watching the staff closely. There's more happening than meets the eye, but we'll be ready for whatever comes."
Lord Lavelle stopped and looked at his son, his eyes searching Eryk's face for any sign of doubt. "Just… be careful," he said quietly. "We can't afford to take any chances."
Eryk gave a reassuring nod, but in his mind, he was already running through the various scenarios that could unfold at the gathering. He shared just enough of his suspicions to ease his father's worries, but there were details he kept to himself—things that might be too unsettling for his father to hear without evidence.
…..
As the day of the gathering drew nearer, the cryptic messages took on a more ominous tone. One night, Eryk found a small piece of parchment in his chambers, the message written in a hurried hand: "The wolves are at the door."
Those words hung in the air as Eryk read them aloud. It was a reminder that the enemy was closer than ever, watching his every move. But Eryk would not let fear dictate his actions. He was prepared to face whatever storm came their way.