Chapter 4: Shadows Within
The days passed swiftly for Eric as he kept a watchful eye on the happenings within Everia Castle. With Celeste's assistance, they quietly observed the shifting behaviors of the family and servants. Celeste, with her sharp observational skills, regularly reported any suspicious interactions, especially those involving Leon and Lady Seraphina.
One evening, Eric stood by the window of his study, watching the moon rise over the distant hills. The tranquil scene was interrupted by a soft knock on the door. Celeste entered, her face pale with worry as she closed the door securely behind her.
"Eric, there's something you need to know," she said in a hushed voice.
Eric turned to her, his heart pounding. "What is it?"
"It's about Leon," Celeste began, her tone cautious. "I overheard him speaking with one of the guards tonight. He wasn't discussing anything to do with the nobles. Instead, he mentioned preparing for a meeting with someone called... the 'Black Hand.'"
"The Black Hand?" Eric repeated, the name unfamiliar yet heavy with a sense of foreboding.
Celeste nodded gravely. "He said it was time to act. He didn't go into much detail, but it sounded like this wasn't their first meeting."
Eric's mind raced. The Black Hand. It wasn't a name he had encountered before, but the idea of a clandestine group operating within the castle—or even the kingdom—was deeply unsettling.
"We need to find out who they are," Eric said firmly. "And what role Leon has in all of this."
Celeste hesitated, a flicker of fear crossing her face. "Eric, this could be dangerous. If Leon is truly conspiring with a group like that, it could place the entire family at risk."
Eric's jaw tightened as he turned back to the window, his gaze fixed on the stars glimmering faintly above the darkened hills. "I know the risks, but doing nothing is far more dangerous. We've already seen what happens when we ignore threats like these. I won't let this family—or the kingdom—fall into chaos again."
The weight of their predicament lingered heavily in the room, the silence thick with unspoken fears. For Eric, the name Black Hand was no longer just a passing whisper; it was a growing shadow creeping closer to Everia Castle.
---
Later that night, after Celeste had retired, Eric found himself walking through the lower halls of the castle. The shadows were deeper here, the air colder, as though the very walls harbored secrets of their own. His destination was the old library, a long-forgotten section of the castle that few visited.
The library was filled with dusty shelves, the faint scent of aged parchment lingering in the air. Eric combed through the neglected books and scrolls, his eyes scanning for anything that might shed light on the Black Hand. Among the stacks, he noticed an oversized tome—a history of the Everia family—its spine cracked with age.
As he opened the first page, a small note fell out. Eric picked it up, his brow furrowing as he read. The note contained cryptic references to old alliances and secret organizations that once thrived in the kingdom. One name stood out: the Black Hand.
The text described the Black Hand as an enigmatic group operating in the shadows, their goal to destabilize governments and seize power through manipulation and fear. The note was brief, but its implications were chilling.
Eric stared at the page, his mind racing. The Black Hand wasn't just a rumor—it was real. And Leon... Leon might be more entangled in their schemes than Eric had dared to imagine.
The flickering candlelight cast long shadows across the library walls as Eric clenched his fists. This was no longer just a family dispute—it was something far more dangerous. He knew that the road ahead would be treacherous, but he resolved to uncover the truth, no matter the cost.
---
Eric closed the book carefully, his mind filled with questions. Who was involved in this group? What was their goal? And more importantly, what would happen if Leon was actually involved?
But one thing is for sure: Eric must act quickly. The threat lurking within this castle is far greater than he could have imagined.
After discovering horrifying information in an old library, Eric feels as if time is moving faster than he wants it to. Every step he takes brings him closer to the reality that his safety—and his family's future—is at risk. Wasting no time, he decides to gather more information before taking any further action.
The next morning, after breakfast with the family, Eric could feel the tension growing between them. Leon seemed more confident than usual, and Lady Seraphina's face couldn't hide the slightly different firmness from before. There was something they were planning, and Eric knew he had to be prepared.
"Eric," the voice of his father, Duke Alaric, broke through his thoughts. "What do you think of the reports coming from the south? I hear there's been suspicious movement there."
Eric smiled faintly, trying to hide his anxiety. "I've checked, Dad. There's nothing to worry about. Everything will be fine."
But deep down, Eric felt uncertain. This wasn't just about the reports in the south, but about a deeper movement, rooted within the castle itself.
---
After lunch, Eric decided to do some more investigating. He knew that he couldn't act rashly without knowing what was really going on. Together with Celeste, they began to gather more information about Leon's movements and those close to him.
Celeste, who was getting more involved in the investigation, provided additional information. "I heard from one of the maids that Leon often meets with a man in a black robe in the basement. No one knows who he really is, and they try to keep the meetings a secret."
Eric frowned. "A basement? That's unusual. What are they planning to do down there?"
"Something that not many people want to know," Celeste replied in a low voice. "I think we need to investigate further."
That night, when the castle was quiet, Eric and Celeste decided to go down to the hidden dungeons, carefully and without attracting attention. They walked down dark corridors, until finally they arrived in front of a sturdy iron door. Eric looked at Celeste, gesturing her to stay calm.
After making sure no one else was around, Eric pushed the door open slowly. The sound of the door creaking filled the silence of the night. Behind the door, they found a large room filled with empty tables and chairs. However, there was one larger table in the middle of the room, and that was where Leon and a man in a black robe were having a discussion.
Eric and Celeste hid in the shadows, trying to listen to their conversation.
"All is ready, Black Hand," the cloaked man said in a low voice, almost a whisper. "We are just waiting for the order to move."
Leon nodded. "Make sure everything is ready. We cannot fail. Everia must be in good hands."
Eric felt his blood boil at those words. The Black Hand really did exist, and Leon was directly involved in this conspiracy. But who else was involved? Who else was working with them inside this castle?
Celeste looked at Eric with a worried face, but Eric just motioned for her to remain silent. They needed to hear more.
---
As the conversation began to die down, Eric and Celeste slowly backed away, back to safer ground. Once out of the basement, Eric took a deep breath. Everything was clearer now. Leon, along with the Black Hand, planned to overthrow his family and take over the kingdom. However, they still had to figure out who Leon was working with, and what would happen next.
"This isn't just about Leon," Eric said, his voice firm. "There are more people involved in this conspiracy. We have to be careful, Celeste."
Celeste nodded, her face full of worry. "I don't know if I can handle this, Eric. They seem to be much stronger than we thought."
Eric took Celeste's hand, giving her a sense of security. "We'll face this together. I'll protect you, and we'll make sure no one can destroy our family."
But despite Eric's reassurances, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease. Everything he had learned made him increasingly aware that this threat was far greater than he had imagined. And to stop it, he would have to act faster than he had ever planned.
---
With every step he takes, Eric comes closer to a great battle that will determine the fate of the Everia family. A conspiracy lurks within the castle, and Eric must face the harsh reality that his greatest enemy may come from within.
After that conversation, Eric and Celeste worked together more carefully. Celeste began gathering information from the servants and staff in the castle, while Eric watched Leon and Lady Seraphina's movements more closely. They both tried to be inconspicuous, but they knew they were on a dangerous path.
Days passed, and more and more signs came to light. One night, as Eric was going through some notes in his study, he received word from Celeste that something was fishy in the basement. An unknown maid was often seen walking down there, but no one knew for sure who she was or what she was doing down there.
Eric decided to investigate. He motioned for Celeste to follow him, and the two of them cautiously made their way to the basement. It was dark, lit only by a dim oil lamp. The two of them walked quietly, careful not to be heard.
"Celeste," Eric whispered, "keep your distance and stay alert. If anything goes wrong, we retreat immediately."
Celeste nodded, though her expression showed that she was also feeling nervous. They continued walking until they finally came to a large door hidden behind an old bookshelf. The door was slightly ajar, and there was a faint sound coming from inside.
Eric decided to go in. When they stepped inside, they saw a large room, filled with piles of old things. However, what was more surprising was the figure standing in the middle of the room, talking to a man in a black robe. Eric recognized the man as one of Leon's servants.
"Now everything is ready," said the black-robed man. "Leon should know that we will not back down. It is time for him to take full control of this family."
Eric was shocked to hear the conversation. "So it's true," he whispered. "Leon is involved in all of this."
Celeste, who was standing next to him, looked worried. "What should we do now, Eric?"
Eric thought for a moment, then replied, "We should go back and think about our next move. But now, we know who we have to face."
However, as they turned to leave, their steps stopped. From the shadows, another figure appeared, and a cold voice greeted him.
"You think you can just leave like that?"
Eric and Celeste froze for a moment, their bodies stiff. They turned around slowly, and before them stood a familiar figure—Lady Seraphina. Her face which was always full of smiles had now turned into a cold, calculating expression.
"Seraphina..." Eric whispered, his voice a little choked.
Lady Seraphina smiled thinly. "Do you think I don't know what you're planning?" she said in a low but sharp tone. "You're too late."
Celeste shifted slightly to the side, trying to find a way out, but their steps were blocked by two guards who appeared behind Seraphina, each holding a drawn sword.
Eric felt the tension in the air. Everything he had thought, everything he had planned, now felt like a game that was much more complicated than he had expected. His trust in his mother had now been betrayed, and even Leon was starting to look more dangerous than he had imagined, making his heart increasingly restless.
"So this is about power," Eric said in a louder voice, trying to calm himself. "Leon wants power, and you—you support him. But why? What are you planning?"
Seraphina laughed softly, her voice sounding like a snake's hiss. "Power? Oh, Eric, this is more than that. This is about the future of the Everia family, and I will not let you get in the way of that."
Eric straightened up. "I won't let you destroy everything. This family doesn't just belong to Leon and you."
Seraphina stepped forward, approaching Eric and Celeste with calm steps. "You have made your choice, Eric. Now it is time for you to choose—whether you will fight for your place or... disappear from here."
With a swift movement, one of the guards stepped forward, sword drawn, as if ready to strike. Eric braced himself, his blood boiling, but at that moment, a loud voice sounded at the door.
"Stop!"
Everyone turned, and in the doorway stood Leon, his face filled with anger but also with undeniable satisfaction. "Mother, what are you doing?" Leon asked in a colder tone than usual.
Seraphina paused, looking at Leon with an unreadable expression. "This is a family decision, Leon. The time has come."
Leon nodded slowly as if he had been waiting for this moment. "I don't like the way you're handling this, mother." His voice was sharp, but there was a hint of anxiety behind it. "But… we don't have a choice."
Eric and Celeste looked at each other, their confusion growing. "So, this was all part of your plan, Leon?" Eric asked, his voice filled with disbelief.
Leon smiled, but it was not a warm smile. "All of this is part of destiny. And now, we must make sure that destiny plays out as it should."
With those words, the tension in the air grew, and Eric sensed that something very big was about to happen. The fate of the Everia family hung in the balance, and the decision made tonight could change everything.
"Are you ready to face the consequences?" Leon asked, his voice echoing throughout the room.
And before Eric could answer, the lights around them went out, leaving them in utter darkness.