The scent of old paper lingered in the air as I traced my finger down the spine of a book. The library was bathed in golden afternoon light, the silence wrapping around me like a familiar shawl, soothing and safe.
Until a knock shattered it.
I turned, startled. The door creaked open.
General D'Arcane stepped inside, wrapped in fresh bandages. His posture sagged slightly, like just standing cost him effort. Pain clung to his movements like a shadow.
"Hello, young Lady Lily," he greeted, voice warm but worn. Without waiting for an invitation, he pulled a book from the shelf and eased down beside me.
"General D'Arcane," I said softly, my eyes drifting to the gauze streaking his cheek. "How are you?"
"Well enough," he replied with a casual wave of his hand.
I smiled faintly. "At least tell me you're comfortable in your room."
He chuckled, eyes crinkling. "Quite. Thank you for asking."
I closed the book in my lap. "Actually… I have a favor to ask."
His head tilted, curious. "Oh?"
I lowered my voice. "May I speak with my father... after midnight?"
His expression sharpened. "Why?"
"I only want to talk. They say the imprisoned knight was close to him. I think he might offer advice… on how to help Julian rebuild our family's name."
He tapped the spine of his book thoughtfully. "That knight is dangerous, Lily. If it's advice you want—speak to me instead."
"Really?" I asked, playing at surprise. But he didn't move. Didn't bite. I sighed inwardly. Time for the trump card.
"Well," I began, tone light, "I've been thinking. What if we used one of the family's lands to build a grand hotel? Something that draws in trade and diplomats from other kingdoms. A place of beauty. Prosperity."
He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Ambitious. Where would this be?"
"The southwestern region," I said, lips curving into a smile. "Elarion."
He blinked. Surprise flickered into unease. "Elarion? That forested area beyond the Crescent Mountains? It's isolated. The only way in is over cliffs."
"I know. But imagine it—nestled between peaks, hidden in untouched forest. A secluded sanctuary. The isolation becomes a feature, not a flaw."
He rubbed his jaw, visibly uneasy. "I heard someone's already renting that land."
My smile didn't waver. "Is that so? Curious. How would you know that, General?" I tilted my head, watching him. "Unless... you're the one renting it? That would be odd, wouldn't it? A general of your rank, quietly living on Hartwell land, far from the capital…"
He stiffened. "I heard it from your brother," he cut in sharply. "We talk. We're close. I'm like a father to him. And he treats me like a son."
His hand adjusted his bandage. "I've sent him gold. Offered him land. To protect both of you. Out of respect."
He was rambling now. Defensive.
"I respect you too, Lily," he added, trying for a smile. "You're clever. Sharp. I was even considering sending you a gift. Jewelry, perhaps. And rethinking that favor of yours."
My eyes lit up. "Then… you'll let me meet the knight?"
He hesitated for just a moment. "Yes… I suppose so."
Excitement bloomed in my chest. I threw my arms around him. He stiffened.
Secrets always make people rigid.
I pulled back with a smile. "So… when?"
"Next week," he muttered, already rising.
I hugged him again. "Thank you, General—"
He gently pried me off. "Excuse me, Lily. I need to inform the King of your… request."
He left in a rush, footsteps echoing through the hallway.
I waited a moment… then laughed softly.
So defensive.
A sharp knock followed. Emily burst in, breathless.
"Greetings, my lady," she gasped.
I didn't look up. "What is it?"
"The General," she said, panting, "he sent gold to honor the late Duke and Duchess. And gifts. For you and the young Duke."
I raised a brow. Trying to buy my silence? If I were still a child, I might not have seen it.
"Show me," I said. "Let's see what silence costs today."
The General's secret would surface soon. It was in the novel:
A secret family hidden in Elarion. A wife and children, tucked away where no one would find them. That land? It wasn't even his. It belonged to Julian. And if the King's older sister—his wife—ever found out, she could bring him down with a whisper.
We reached my room. I stopped cold.
Velvet-lined cases shimmered under candlelight—rings, necklaces, a sapphire comb. The most beautiful collection I had ever seen.
"Emily," I murmured, still staring. "Help me try them all on."
She blinked, then laughed. "Of course, my lady."
And just like that, the game continued.
Later that evening…
I sipped my tea, the taste distant. We had money. Land. But none of it mattered if the Hartwell name remained stained by the reputation of human trafficking and kidnapping.
I wondered what the original Julian had thought—why he'd agreed to sell Briswen Hollow to Lord Duskvale. Was it… this moment? This pressure?
"Emily," I called, watching her read across from me. "Do you know when Lord Duskvale is arriving?"
"Tomorrow, my lady. Why?"
"Keep reading, Emily. I'm going to speak with my brother."
She didn't ask questions. And I was thankful for that.
The basement stank of blood and rot.
The scent clung to the stone walls like decay itself. As I descended, I saw a faint glow ahead.
Then voices.
"Tell me more about who ordered you," Julian growled.
"I already told you!" a maid screamed—her voice a mix of rage and pain.
I stepped into the light.
Julian stood before the same two maids I had seen before. Their wrists bound in metal shackles, their dresses soaked in blood.
"The demon breeds another demon," one of them spat.
I struck her without thinking. Her head jerked to the side. She whimpered and passed out.
The other maid shrank back, speechless.
"Julian," I said tightly. "I need to talk to you."
He turned to me and sighed. "Let's talk in my office."
He handed me a towel. I blinked down at the blood on my hand. I hadn't even noticed.
In his office.
"What is it, Lily?"
"Are you giving Briswen Hollow to Lord Duskvale?"
"Yes. Why?"
"What if I told you… There's another way?"
He raised an eyebrow. "What way?"
"There's a magic gem."
He didn't even flinch. "Yes."
"What?! You knew?"
"That's why Duskvale wants the land."
"We could use that gem. It's our chance to get close to the royal family."
He frowned. "And how would we manage that?"
"Alistair."
"WHAT?!" he shouted.
"I can get close to him."
"NO. Absolutely not!"
"It's the only way, Julian. We keep Briswen Hollow. We gain political favor—"
"I said NO!"
"I won't let him close. But if he sees my past—if he touches me—he might trust us."
Julian looked furious. "No. You can't. I won't let you."
"Julian, you have to trust me."
"I won't!" he snapped. "Do you think our ancestors would forgive me for selling that land? I'm trying to protect what's left of us."
"Then don't sell it. Let me try first."
"LILY—I made up my mind. Now leave!"
I stared at him. My chest burned. But I had nothing left to say.
I left.
Back in my room, the tears came fast.
I thought I was used to pain. To abuse. I thought the years in the modern world had hardened me.
But somehow… being told to leave by this stranger-this—brother—
It still hurt.