The day for Ramiro to depart for the Magic Tower in Eldorath, a place of ancient mystery nestled within the heart of the Eldorian Highlands, had finally arrived.
Esteban stood beside Ramiro, a somber expression on his face as they prepared to leave.
Aurelio, Beatriz, Cecilia, and Luzia stood outside, their breath visible in the morning air. They had come to see them off.
Luzia, standing a little apart from the rest, her hands folded neatly in front of her, gave her father a soft, almost unreadable smile.
Aurelio, Beatriz, and Cecilia bowed and said, "Do have a safe journey, my lord."
Ramiro took a deep breath, his gaze shifting from each of them in turn. "I'll return soon," he said, his voice calm but carrying a weight of finality. "Take care of the estate in my absence."
With a final, lingering glance, he and Esteban turned toward the carriage. The wheels began to creak and roll, and as the vehicle pulled away.
As Luzia watched the carriage disappear into the distance, a soft breath caught in her throat. Her gaze lingered on the retreating wheels, and her thoughts drifted.
'Today is the day I get rid of Ivan...' she thought to herself.
With that, Luzia made her way back into the estate.
Hours passed in a blur, and soon nightfall descended upon the estate.
Cecilia had just tucked Luzia into her bed, smoothing out the blankets with practiced hands. "Good night, my lady," she said softly, a smile tugging at her lips.
Luzia's response was almost a whisper, her voice soft but steady. "You too, Cecilia."
She watched as Cecilia left, the door creaking closed behind her. The quiet of the room settled over Luzia.
Once she was sure Cecilia was completely gone, Luzia sat upright in bed, her heart pounding ever so slightly as she considered her options.
'Should I wait some more? To ensure that everyone is asleep?' she thought, her fingers tightening around the edge of the covers.
Just as she was about to make up her mind, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hall. Luzia froze, her breath catching in her throat.
'It seems Ivan has already started moving,' Luzia thought, her mind racing as she silently slipped out of bed. She moved with caution, careful not to make a sound as she reached for the door.
Slowly, she pulled it open, peering out into the dimly lit hallway. It was eerily empty, save for the shadows that danced across the walls, cast by the faint light of the moon filtering through the windows.
Her heart beat a little faster, but she didn't hesitate. Luzia stepped out, gently closing the door behind her, the soft click of the latch barely audible. She took a deep breath, then crept down the hallway, her movements as quiet as a whisper in the night.
As Luzia walked through the dimly lit hallway, her footsteps soft on the stone floor, she approached the study with growing anticipation. She had to be certain of what she was about to face. After a few moments, she saw it—Ramiro's study door, slightly ajar.
He is here, just like in the vision, Luzia thought, her pulse quickening. Her steps slowed as she drew nearer, carefully peering through the crack in the door.
Inside, Iván stood with his back to her, cloaked in a black hooded garment, the fabric rippling softly as he moved. His movements were quick and frantic, his hands rummaging through the desk, pulling out drawers and scattering papers on the floor.
"Where is it?" he muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with frustration.
Luzia's breath caught in her throat, her mind racing as she took in the scene before her. Exactly as in my vision, she thought, her fingers curling into fists at her sides. But this time, it was different. This time, Iván would not succeed.
'You won't get the Ignis,' Luzia vowed silently, her eyes narrowing as she watched him continue his search, oblivious to her presence.
Luzia pressed her hand against the doorframe. Should I act now? Or wait... Her fingers trembled slightly, a fleeting hesitation. If she exposed herself too soon, she risked losing everything. But if she waited too long... No, she decided, taking a silent breath. This ends tonight.
Without hesitation, she did the unthinkable. She swung the study door open fully, letting it creak loudly as it revealed Iván, still frantically searching through papers.
She feigned surprise, walking into the room, her eyes wide as though she had just stumbled upon something completely innocent.
"Sir Iván, what is going on?" she asked, her voice sweet but edged with a sharpness that was hard to miss. "Why are you... in my father's study?"
Iván froze immediately, his hand still hovering over a drawer as his eyes locked onto hers. For a split second, he seemed caught off guard, but it was only for a moment. With a smoothness that almost matched his usual bravado, he turned toward her, putting on a polite smile.
"My lady..." Iván started, his voice soft yet dripping with feigned innocence. "I... I was simply looking for something of great importance. I did not expect you to be here at this hour."
Luzia raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms over her chest as she stepped forward, the door clicking shut behind her. "Looking for something, you say?" She tilted her head slightly, a sly smile creeping onto her lips. "How fortunate. I'm sure my father would be thrilled to know one of his trusted guards is rummaging through his study in the dead of night. Tell me, Sir Iván, what could possibly be so important that it requires you to enter a private study without permission?"
Iván's smile faltered for just a moment, but it was enough for Luzia to notice. He quickly recovered, though, leaning casually against the desk, as though the situation were entirely under control. "Ah, well, you see, my lady," he began, his tone now dripping with charm, "there have been some matters of great urgency regarding your father's affairs. Sensitive documents that I had hoped to find... I didn't wish to trouble him, so I thought I'd come here to... streamline the process."
Luzia let out a low chuckle. "Streamline the process, you say?" She took a step closer, her gaze piercing as she stared him down. "How convenient that you've already figured out where everything is hidden in my father's study. I wonder—how long has this little 'streamline search' been going on, Sir Iván?"
Iván's smile tightened slightly, but his eyes remained calm, even as he shifted his stance. "My lady, you misinterpret my actions. There is no need for such suspicion. I assure you, I meant no harm."
"No harm?" Luzia's voice turned ice-cold, her sharp tongue making her words cut deep. "You know, Iván, I find it rather strange that you'd go to such lengths to 'help' my father, all the while sneaking around at night and without his knowledge. And here I thought you were a loyal servant."
She stepped forward, her eyes never leaving his. "But, of course, loyalty doesn't often accompany spies, does it?"
Iván's eyes flickered for a brief moment, his facade cracking just slightly. But just as quickly, he recovered, leaning back against the desk with an almost bored expression. "Spies?" He let out a soft laugh, a wisp of sarcasm lingering in his tone. "My lady, your imagination is quite vivid. A servant simply looking after his lord's best interests is hardly a spy."
Luzia's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Oh, I see now. So you are a servant, just not in the way I thought." Her voice dripped with mockery. "How clever of you, Iván. But I'm afraid the game is over. You've been caught."
The polite smile on his face faltered, just enough for Luzia to catch the frustration simmering beneath. His hands clenched at his sides, and she could see the veins in his temples throbbing. He wasn't just looking for something—he needed it.
'He is desperate.' Luzia pondered, her mind racing.
Iván exhaled slowly, his voice measured but strained. "My lady, you are mistaken. I was only ensuring your father's affairs remain... undisturbed."
"Am I?" Luzia's sharp gaze gleamed with a knowing glint, her lips curving into a confident smile. "You're not looking for a document, are you? It's something else... something symbolic. An artifact, perhaps?"
Iván's eyes widened for a fraction of a second, betraying his shock.
'How did she know?!' His thoughts raced, his pulse quickening. 'This is bad. If she knows too much, I'll have to end her here.'
And then, like a storm breaking, his mask shattered. His hand darted to his belt, and in a blur, steel flashed in the candlelight. "I can't let you live," he hissed.
But Luzia didn't flinch. She stood firm, her eyes locked on him, almost as if she were daring him to strike.
Just as Iván's blade descended, a brilliant golden shimmer erupted around Luzia, deflecting the strike with an audible crackle of magic. Iván stumbled back, eyes widening in disbelief. "No... it can't be," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
'Ah, just in time...' she thought, glancing down to see a familiar glowing golden magic circle beneath her feet.
The air grew heavy, charged with something almost otherworldly. From the soft glow that filled the room, Ramiro stepped forward from the golden magic circle behind him. His sharp eyes locked onto Iván, leaving no room for escape.
Luzia tilted her head, a sinister smirk spreading across her face. "You really thought you could kill me?" she scoffed, her tone laced with mockery.
"I expected betrayal," Ramiro's voice was like rolling thunder, measured but laced with quiet fury. "But to attempt to harm my daughter?"
Iván's grip on his weapon faltered, his face paling as Ramiro's towering figure closed the distance between them. "My lord, I—"
Ramiro raised a hand, the magic circle behind him pulsing brighter. "Enough."