Chapter 3: The Disguised Crack
The sun rose quietly over the hills of Everia, casting a golden light that bathed the tall towers of the Everia family castle. The morning air was crisp, carrying with it the scent of fresh bread and roasted meat. The main dining room was as usual—shiny silver plates neatly arranged on the long table, and the hum of idle conversation filling the room.
But for Eric Valentinus Everia, that morning felt far from ordinary. Since returning to the past, he'd begun to notice the subtle changes—suspicious glances, meaningful smiles, and whispered conversations that seemed to linger like the wind. It was as if the very air around him had changed.
At the side of the table, Leon Everia sat confidently, a small, almost smug, smile playing on his lips as he devoured his breakfast. Beside him, Celeste Everia, his half-sister, kept her head down, silent, as if trying to avoid drawing attention to herself. Lady Seraphina, their stepmother, sat gracefully beside Duke Alaric, their father, her presence as poised as ever.
"Eric," Alaric called in a firm yet authoritative tone, breaking the silence. "What are your plans for the day? Have you reviewed the financial reports from the southern villages?"
Eric took a slow sip of his red wine, pausing before answering. "I've gone through them, Father. Everything will proceed according to your instructions."
Leon chuckled, loud enough to draw the attention of everyone at the table. "Have you checked for yourself, little brother? Or are you just relying on reports from others?"
Eric raised an eyebrow, recognizing the subtle jab. "Of course I've checked it myself, Leon. A leader must understand the details, not just rely on what's written on paper."
Leon's smile faltered for a moment before he recovered. "You're right, little brother. A true leader must prove his abilities, not merely lean on the family name."
The conversation came to a halt as Alaric shot a stern look at the two of them. "Enough. We don't need arguments at the breakfast table."
Seraphina smiled sweetly, turning to Alaric with a gentle gaze. "Darling, there's no harm in a little discussion. It's good to train our children to compete healthily."
Eric bit back his response. He knew that behind Lady Seraphina's sweet words lay a hidden agenda—one that supported Leon, and one that Eric had to be cautious of.
---
After breakfast, Eric walked toward the back garden, seeking solace in the cool morning air. The peace of the garden allowed him the space to think, but his steps came to a halt when Leon approached him.
"Eric," Leon called out casually. "Got a minute?"
Eric turned to face his confident stepbrother. "What is it, Leon?"
Leon offered a faint smile. "I just wanted to talk. We rarely have time for private discussions, don't you think?"
Eric nodded slowly, though he was sure this conversation would not be as simple as it appeared. The two of them walked leisurely through the garden, passing by the blooming flowers.
"You know, Eric," Leon began, breaking the silence, "as the heir to the family, you have great responsibilities. But I want you to know, I have great ambitions for this family too."
Eric stopped in his tracks and turned to face Leon, his gaze sharp. "What kind of ambition, Leon?"
Leon chuckled, his eyes glinting with something unreadable. "Ambition to make sure the Everia family stays strong. And for that, I'm willing to do whatever it takes."
Eric felt a chill at the underlying threat in Leon's words. "The Everia family must stay strong, Leon. But strength doesn't come from betrayal or reckless ambition. True strength comes from loyalty and hard work."
Leon's smile twisted into something more sardonic. "You always have wise words, little brother. But remember, words alone won't be enough to secure your position."
---
After the tense exchange with Leon, Eric decided to find Celeste. He located her in a small reading room in the east wing of the castle, sitting by the window with a book in hand.
"Celeste," Eric called softly.
Celeste looked up, startled to see him. "Oh, Brother Eric. What's wrong?"
Eric sat down in the chair across from her. "I just wanted to talk. You've been awfully busy lately."
Celeste lowered her gaze, nervously playing with the edge of her hijab. "Mother asked me to help with some small tasks."
Eric noticed the unease in her posture. There was a tension in her manner, perhaps even a hint of fear, as she spoke.
"What's really going on, Celeste?" Eric's voice was gentle but insistent.
Celeste hesitated for a moment before sighing deeply. "Mother wants me to help Leon more. She says it's for the good of the family. But... I'm not sure. Sometimes, Brother Leon and Mother say things that scare me."
A wave of protectiveness surged within Eric. "You don't have to be scared, Celeste. I'm here to protect you—no matter what."
Celeste looked at him, her eyes welling with tears. "Brother Eric... I don't know whose side to take. Mother wants me to support Leon, but I feel safer by your side."
Eric smiled softly, his gaze warm. "You don't need to choose sides, Celeste. All you need to do is be yourself. I'll take care of everything."
---
That night, Eric sat alone in his study. The flickering candlelight illuminated the wooden table, where he sifted through documents and letters. Yet, his thoughts strayed far from numbers and ink.
Leon's ambition was growing bolder, and Seraphina no longer concealed her desire to see her eldest son succeed. Meanwhile, Celeste was trapped between them, unsure of which side to align with.
Eric knew this was just the beginning. A greater danger loomed, one he had seen in his previous life, and he would not let that future come to pass again.
With a sigh, he gazed out the window, where the night sky stretched endlessly. The stars twinkled above, almost as if reminding him that even in the darkest of times, hope remained.
"If this is a game of fate, then I will play it wisely," Eric whispered to himself.
Just as he began to nod off at his desk, there was a knock at the door. A servant entered and bowed low.
"Young Master Eric, an urgent letter has arrived for you."
Eric unfolded the letter, reading its brief, anonymous contents:
"Be careful. Your enemies are not only outside the castle, but also inside it."
The words hit him like a cold blade. Short yet powerful, each syllable carried a weight that pressed down on his chest. He stared at the servant, still standing at the door.
"Who gave you this letter?" Eric asked, his voice steady but tense.
The servant seemed perplexed. "Forgive me, Young Master. A courier delivered it to the gate. He was dressed in a plain brown robe, his face hidden beneath a hood. He didn't say a word, just handed me the letter and left."
Eric processed the information, his mind racing. "And you didn't think to ask him anything else?"
The servant bowed his head. "No, Young Master. I thought it was just a routine message. I didn't see any reason to question him."
Eric paused, his thoughts swirling. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Thank you. You may leave now, but if you notice anything suspicious, report it to me immediately."
The servant bowed again and left the room.
"An enemy inside the castle..." Eric murmured to himself. His mind immediately returned to the symbol he had found in the training room earlier. If this warning was true, then Everia Castle was more than just a home; it was a dangerous web of deceit.
Eric clenched the letter in his hand as though it might reveal its secrets with a tighter grip. "Whoever sent this knows something I don't."
He rose from his desk and walked to the window, staring out into the night. The stars seemed dimmer now, as though their light was retreating from the shadow creeping ever closer.
"If the enemy is within the castle, then I must find them before they strike. But first..." Eric turned away from the window, his resolve hardening. "I need to find out who warned me."
He decided to begin with the servant—the closest source of information. Though the servant seemed harmless, Eric couldn't afford to overlook any detail. He summoned the servant back under the pretense of needing further assistance.
When the servant returned, Eric spoke calmly but with an air of authority. "I need you to tell me once more, in full detail, who gave you this letter. Don't be afraid, I just want to make sure everything is clear."
The servant looked anxious but did his best to recount the events. "As I mentioned, Young Master, the courier wore a plain brown robe and had his face covered by a hood. He didn't speak, only handed me the letter and asked that I deliver it to you directly."
"And you didn't ask him anything?" Eric inquired, his gaze sharp.
The servant lowered his head further. "I'm sorry, Young Master. I thought it was just an ordinary message, so I didn't ask him anything else."
Eric exhaled slowly, contemplating the situation. "Alright. You can go now. But if you see or hear anything unusual, don't hesitate to inform me."
The servant bowed and left the room.
"A brown-robed courier…" Eric muttered, his thoughts sharpening. "He could be part of an external group—or perhaps someone inside the castle deliberately trying to remain unnoticed."
---
After ruling out the maid as a direct threat, Eric turned his focus to Leon and Lady Seraphina. If there was an enemy within the castle, they were the most likely suspects.
That day, Eric spent more time in the main hall, observing their movements from a distance. He noticed how Leon interacted with the young nobles, his smile seemingly friendly, but Eric knew better than to trust appearances. There was something about the way Leon carried himself that seemed calculated, too deliberate.
On the other hand, Lady Seraphina appeared to be immersed in administrative matters, but Eric couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. She often spoke in hushed tones with the personal maids, and more than once, he caught them whispering to her in private.
That night, Eric decided to investigate further. He quietly made his way to Leon's room, his footsteps as soft as shadows. Through a crack in the door, he overheard a low conversation between Leon and one of his personal servants.
"Make sure everything is ready for next week's meeting," Leon said, his voice barely a whisper. "I don't want any mistakes."
The servant bowed. "Of course, Mr. Leon. Everything will go according to plan."
Eric tensed. "Meeting? With who?" he thought, his mind racing. He made a mental note to investigate further but decided that for now, this was enough to keep under his belt.
---
Realizing that facing this threat alone would be unwise, Eric knew he needed an ally—someone he could trust within the castle, who had no stake in the family's internal power struggles but could still offer valuable insight.
After some thought, Eric decided to seek out Celeste, his half-sister. While their bond wasn't particularly close, Celeste was intelligent and observant. She often watched the goings-on of the castle without drawing attention to herself.
Eric knocked softly on her bedroom door. After a brief pause, Celeste opened it, looking surprised to see him at this hour.
"Eric? What brings you here at this time of night?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
"I need your help," Eric said plainly.
Celeste raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Help? With what?"
Eric quickly outlined the situation—the mysterious letter he had received, the potential threat from within the castle, and the suspicions surrounding Leon and Lady Seraphina. Celeste listened intently, her expression growing serious as he spoke.
"So, you think there's a traitor among us?" Celeste asked, her tone measured.
Eric nodded. "That's the most likely scenario. I need someone who can help me keep watch without drawing attention. Someone who knows the castle well but isn't involved in the family's politics."
Celeste remained silent for a moment, then a faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Okay, I'll help you. But you have to promise me one thing."
"What's that?" Eric asked, curious.
Celeste's eyes darkened slightly. "Don't hide anything from me. If you find out something, I want to know everything."
Eric met her gaze and nodded firmly. "I promise."
End of Chapter