The morning sunlight streamed through the large windows of Lord Seth's chambers, casting a gentle glow across the room. The soft chirping of birds filled the air, harmonizing with the light breeze that flowed in, carrying the fresh scent of the early day.
Killian lay in one of the luxurious beds, his body still in recovery from the recent battle. His wounds had been expertly tended to, but the warmth of the bed and the peaceful atmosphere felt surreal after the chaos he'd just survived. A gentle voice reached his ears, low and melodic, singing softly—a tune so sweet it stirred something deep in his heart. The birds outside seemed to sing along, as if nature itself were in harmony with the melody.
Seth sat beside Killian's bed, humming quietly. His voice was soft, almost blending with the rustling of the breeze.
"I leave myself to the wind, like free birds. I wander in the darkness without warmth... then you come to save me, ask me to stay, ask me to love—the hero of the world..."
The words were tender, and the song carried a warmth that comforted Killian in his half-awake state. His eyes fluttered open, still hazy from sleep. The singing stopped, and a familiar voice greeted him.
"You're awake," Seth said, smiling gently down at him.
Killian blinked, his vision clearing. The person beside him was unmistakably Lord Seth, though something felt off. Seth wore a black blindfold, obscuring his eyes as if it were the most natural thing in the world. The sight unsettled Killian—he had never seen the lord wear such a thing before.
He tried to sit up, but his body protested, still drained from the battle. Before he could move further, Seth gently placed a hand on his chest, easing him back onto the bed with a soft, firm touch.
"Rest a bit longer," Seth murmured, his voice as soothing as the song he had just sung.
Though Seth's words were calm, Killian's mind raced. The last thing he remembered was the fight against the three-headed beast with Aiden, and now... here he was, lying in Seth's chambers, with a blindfolded lord by his side. His heart raced as he spoke, panic creeping into his voice. "Where am I? What happened to Aiden? Is he alright?"
Seth's expression remained composed, his calmness almost unsettling. He tilted his head slightly, as if amused by Killian's sudden concern. "Everything is fine now," he reassured, his tone steady. "That creature has been dealt with, and Aiden is resting. He's safe."
Despite Seth's efforts to soothe him, Killian couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed about the lord. There was a subtle shift in his aura, a new intensity that radiated power even as he sat there in stillness. It was as though Seth had become something far greater than before—a presence that overshadowed everything in the room.
Killian's eyes lingered on the blindfold, curiosity and unease gnawing at him. Was Seth hiding something? Did the battle affect him in some way? He vaguely recalled a blue light before he lost consciousness, but before he could ask, Seth leaned down, brushing Killian's hair from his forehead in a gentle, almost affectionate gesture.
"Get well soon," Seth said with a light chuckle. "I have a business proposal for you once you're feeling better."
With that, Seth rose from his chair, moving to leave the room. But before he could take more than a step, Killian's hand shot out, grabbing Seth's wrist. He wasn't entirely sure why—perhaps it was the confusion or something deeper, more personal. His grip tightened slightly, and his heart pounded as he muttered the words, his voice low and slightly embarrassed.
"Can you... stay? Just a little longer."
Killian's face flushed as he spoke, his gaze shifting to the side, unable to meet Seth's eyes. His cheeks reddened slightly as he added in an almost inaudible whisper, "Please."
Seth paused, clearly taken aback by the request. A soft smile curved his lips, and he sat back down, his gaze warm and understanding. "Of course," he said gently. "I'd be happy to stay... though I must say," he added with a teasing lilt, "I wouldn't mind if you acted like this more often."
Killian's face turned a deeper shade of red, and he quickly shot back, "I won't! This is only because... it's lonely being here by myself."
He turned his head away, trying to hide his embarrassment. His usual fierceness had melted away, replaced by a rare moment of vulnerability.
Seth chuckled softly, his voice like a soothing melody. "Whatever you say, Killian," he replied, leaning back in his chair with a knowing smile.
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When Killian finally drifted back to sleep, Seth quietly left the room, leaving behind the warmth of the moment. He moved with purpose, heading toward his desk where stacks of documents awaited his attention. His mind had already shifted back to his plans, particularly how to handle the vast treasure he had discovered in the dungeon.
Sitting down, Seth sighed softly and motioned for Royfield, who had been waiting just outside the door. The butler stepped forward, and Seth issued his commands with precision.
"Order the knights to secure the dungeon entrance," Seth instructed, his tone firm. "No one enters without my permission."
Royfield bowed, acknowledging the order. Seth continued, "I've also mapped out the areas affected by the flames. The ash will enrich the soil, making it fertile. I plan to use that land to secure a stable food supply."
Royfield nodded, familiar with Seth's foresight and strategic thinking. He had already posted job offers for laborers in town, promising five silver coins a day. To Seth's surprise, the townspeople had responded eagerly. Even with the recent devastation, hope remained alive, and the opportunity for work without conditions was too good to pass up.
"Money isn't an issue anymore," Seth muttered, his eyes flicking toward the stack of treasure plans he had sketched out. The gold from the dungeon would fuel his efforts for a long time.
As he worked, a knock echoed through the room. Without looking up, Seth granted permission to enter.
The door creaked open, and Aiden stepped in, still bandaged from the battle. His vibrant red hair was a tangled mess, but his expression was respectful, though curious.
"Pardon the intrusion, my lord," Aiden said quietly.
Seth looked up, a subtle wave of relief washing over him at the sight of Aiden standing there, alive and well. "I'm glad to see you're alright," Seth said, genuine warmth in his voice. He gestured to the scattered papers on his desk. "Care to join me? I could use your input."
Aiden, though surprised by the invitation, nodded and approached the desk. His eyes flickered toward the blindfold Seth wore, but he held his tongue, unsure whether to ask about it.
Seth smirked, sensing Aiden's unspoken question. "Get used to it," he said with a playful tone. "It's the new trend this year."
Aiden chuckled, though curiosity still gnawed at him. The events of the previous night were shrouded in mystery, and when he had asked the staff about it, no one would speak of what had happened in the dungeon.
Still, he pushed his questions aside as Seth handed him several documents, each one detailing the estate's ongoing issues—trade routes, harvest plans, and rebuilding efforts after the fires. Seth didn't offer any immediate solutions, instead challenging Aiden to think critically.
"If you were in my position, how would you handle these problems?" Seth asked, genuinely interested in Aiden's perspective.
Their discussion carried on through the afternoon and into the early evening. Aiden found himself absorbed in the conversation, surprised by how much Seth valued his input. Together, they debated strategies and examined different approaches to solving the estate's issues. For a time, Aiden forgot the strange occurrences of the previous night.
As the sun began to set, Seth finally leaned back in his chair, closing the last of the documents. "Enough work for today," he said with a satisfied nod. "Let's have dinner together. I've invited a guest, and since he's your friend, you should join us."
Aiden hesitated, his sense of duty pulling at him. "My lord, but—"
Seth cut him off with a smile. "No 'buts.' That's an order."
Recognizing the finality in Seth's tone, Aiden bowed his head. "As you wish, my lord."
Together, they made their way to the dining hall, where Seth had already invited Killian to join them for dinner.
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The dining room in Lord Arlecia's castle exuded quiet sophistication. A long table adorned with fine silverware and pristine linens stretched across the room, illuminated by the soft glow of chandelier candles. Servants moved with practiced grace, setting out an elaborate feast before the three guests.
Seth entered first, his demeanor calm, his eyes still hidden behind the blindfold. Aiden, his arms wrapped in bandages, followed closely behind. As they took their seats, the door opened again, and Killian entered the room. His expression was stern as always, though his eyes softened slightly when they landed on Aiden.
Dinner began in relative silence, the only sounds being the clinking of silverware and the rustling of napkins. Servants brought out dish after dish—delicately roasted meats, fresh vegetables, and sparkling wine.
Aiden stole occasional glances at Seth, still intrigued by the blindfold. But Seth simply smirked, offering no explanation.
As the main course was cleared, Seth folded his napkin and placed it beside his plate. His playful demeanor shifted to something more serious as he turned his gaze to Killian.
"I have a business proposal," Seth began, his voice cutting through the quiet. "A proposal involving the Raven Guild."
Killian's expression darkened, but he said nothing, waiting for Seth to continue.
"I want to hire the Raven Guild to serve as the security force for my estate," Seth explained, his tone steady. "Four gold coins a month as the base salary."
The room fell silent. Aiden glanced between the two men, sensing the weight of the offer.
Killian leaned back, folding his arms across his chest. "Four gold coins a month?" he repeated, his voice skeptical. "How do you plan to afford that?"
With a confident wave, Seth motioned for Royfield, who swiftly returned with a large chest. When Royfield opened it, a pile of gold coins shimmered in the candlelight.
"This should cover two years of service," Seth said calmly.
Killian stared at the chest, his eyes flickering with interest despite his guarded expression. He picked up a coin, weighing it before speaking. "The cost of running a guild fluctuates. This won't cover two years, not with rising expenses."
Seth smirked, expecting that response. Royfield reappeared, this time with three more chests, each one filled to the brim with gold. The room practically glowed from the wealth spilling out.
Aiden's eyes widened in shock, and the servants nearby exchanged incredulous glances.
Satisfied, Seth locked eyes with Killian. "So, Guild Leader, what is your answer?"
Killian's face remained stoic, but it was clear he was weighing his options. After a long pause, he nodded. "Fine. The Raven Guild accepts your proposal."
Seth smiled victoriously, raising his goblet. "To the future of Arlecia."
Aiden followed suit, still processing the vast wealth he had just seen. "To the future of Arlecia," he echoed.
Killian reluctantly raised his glass. "To the future."
As they drank, Seth leaned back in his chair, a content smile playing on his lips. The negotiations had gone exactly as planned, and with the Raven Guild now under contract, his plans for the future were firmly set in motion.