Outside Arcane Sanctum, two lanterns hung, casting a faint glow. As Rafael and the others arrived on horseback, Carissa, supported by Violet, emerged from the building.The moment she stepped outside, Leroy's body stiffened and his heart pounded wildly. Had they truly failed?A wave of red fury flooded his eyes. It had to be Harvey—he was the one behind this! That traitor hadn't wanted to ally with Westhaven to rebel. He was sent by the king of Starhaven!Carissa's hair was slightly disheveled, and her injured arm was bandaged. She had changed into a new outer garment, likely brought to her by someone from home.Rafael immediately dismounted and quickly approached her under the flickering light, his voice laced with concern, asking, "Are you alright?"Carissa's tone was filled with frustration and grievance as she replied, "If I hadn't reacted quickly, Commander Icarus would have dislocated my entire arm. I don't know why he has such a deep grudge against me. To go so far as to
Rafael knew Leroy was an impulsive and reckless man. The trap had been easily defused, and Icarus had been captured on the spot. Now, Leroy would doubt Harvey and wonder if this was all part of a joint scheme. However, Rafael saw Leroy's mouth open and then immediately close. That indicated that while Leroy was rash, he wasn't foolish.However, Rafael wasn't disappointed and ordered, "Matthew, continue the interrogation." After giving his command to Matthew, he turned to Michael. "Take Mr. Stellwyn back to Concord Lodge and report this matter to Grand Princess Lisandra.""Understood!" Michael responded, then turned to Leroy. "Mr. Stellwyn, please follow me."Leroy glanced at Icarus, then adjusted the sleeve pocket where the king's edict was kept, signaling for Icarus to remain silent.Seeing the motion, Icarus' heart sank. He realized he had been discarded like a pawn. He had been caught on the spot, with no room to evade responsibility. Still, he couldn't let Westhaven's neg
"Impossible!" Leroy instinctively retorted. "No matter how skilled Lady Carissa is, can she really surpass Commander Icarus, the top fighter in Westhaven?""The fact is, she can—and she did," Lisandra replied coldly. "Not only that, but she captured him with ease. The so-called top fighter in Westhaven is too obsessed with scheming and power plays. His relentless pursuit of power has already determined the limits of his martial skills. Since you've already investigated Lady Carissa, you should know she's trained in the Pathfinders Guild since she was young. Do you even understand what kind of place the Pathfinders Guild is?""Isn't it just some martial arts guild? What's so special about that?" Leroy argued, still in denial. Despite the undeniable evidence—Icarus had been defeated by Carissa's whip—he refused to believe that her martial skills could be that advanced. If it had been the Hell Monarch who defeated Icarus, he wouldn't have doubted it for a second."A young woman from
The night before the negotiations turned into utter chaos.While the Westhaven envoys at Concord Lodge worked through a sleepless night, the officials at the Supreme Court convened for an emergency session. Over at the Ministry of Justice, Aurora had been relentlessly pleading to see Barrett one last time since her confession. She even dropped to her knees, crying and begging for mercy.Ever since Aurora was taken into custody, she had maintained a strong front. Now, all of that seemed to have crumbled. Patrick knew that after the negotiations, she would likely be handed over to Westhaven's envoys for punishment. A quick death would be a mercy, but she would most probably receive a painful and humiliating end.Even death row prisoners were allowed a final meeting with their loved ones, so Patrick allowed Aurora and Barrett to meet tonight, but only within the confines of the prison cell.Barrett was escorted to the cell under heavy guard. The officials opened the cell door, then
Aurora had never been one to give up on her life so easily. Even clinging to a wretched existence was better than dying.She firmly believed that no one could remain unlucky forever. As long as she stayed alive, there was always a chance to rise again. If she couldn't be a female general, she would find another path to make her mark. The world was vast, and she was determined to carve out her place in it.So, she couldn't die.Barrett looked at her, incredulous. "What good is your escape plan? Do you even know how many people Westhaven brought with them this time? Over a hundred, with at least 60 or 70 guards! There's no way I can save you.""You're not doing it alone," Aurora whispered, her voice barely audible.Barrett had to strain to hear her as she continued, "The people from Hell Monarch Estate will help you. Once I'm in Westhaven's custody, I'll make sure they demand for Dominic as well. The people from Hell Monarch Estate won't abandon him. You just have to follow their le
Jacob rubbed his stomach, his hands massaging his face as he let out a long sigh. What a tough situation!Then, he muttered, "What's the update from Hartstone Estate?""Three carriages have been moved, and they're parked at the back door. They're loading up things—looks like gold, silver, and other valuables from a distance," came the response.Jacob nodded. "He's trying to run.""Should we send someone to intercept them on the way out?"Ever the diplomat, Jacob turned to Everett for advice. "What do you think, Sage Everett?"With a calm expression, Everett replied, "Where can he go? He's definitely heading for Valken. Send someone to follow him, and along the way, take all his valuables. Let him head to Valken empty-handed. Once he's there..." He gave Winona a pointed look. "Have your people keep a close watch. Everything he does and every move he makes needs to be reported back."Winona gritted her teeth and responded with a firm, "Yes, sir!"Jacob was aware that he wou
Rafael wisely avoided commenting on the previous subject and quickly changed the topic. "When did you arrive? Why didn't you send someone to let me know?""You have your own things to handle. I'm just here to keep an eye on things for you. How's everything going? Have you captured the target?" Everett asked.From Everett's tone, it was clear he was already aware of the assassination attempt that had taken place earlier that evening. Rafael, looking rather pleased with himself, answered proudly, "Carissa and the others have already apprehended Commander Icarus and delivered him to the Supreme Court. He claimed to be the best fighter in Westhaven, but ended up being utterly defeated when he faced Carissa."Everett responded with a neutral grunt before casting a brief glance at Carissa. "She has no real skills except for her martial arts. Icarus isn't the top fighter in Westhaven, either. That kingdom has many skilled warriors who choose not to serve in the court. Beating him isn't
The confession was written entirely in Stellish, which Westhaven envoys couldn't fully understand. The two interpreters read it aloud in Westic for them.Icarus took full responsibility for the plot, explaining that his motive stemmed from Hector's past victory of Westhaven, which had resulted in the deaths of many Westhaven soldiers. He also harbored a deep grudge against the Sullivan family, particularly Carissa, whose grandfather, Dominic, had guarded Victory Pass for many years and fought in countless battles. Consumed by hatred, Icarus had seized the opportunity to strike at Carissa when he came to the capital, hoping to vent his anger.Even after hearing the confession, the Westhaven envoys didn't seem any less tense. Regardless of their stance, this meant the attempt on Carissa's life was tied to Victory Pass.The Westhaven envoys couldn't help but respect the Hell Monarch for his straightforwardness in not bringing this matter to the negotiating table directly. Instead, he h
Having failed to convince my mother, I went to my father. However, his response was even more severe.They thought I opposed the marriage because I hadn't spent time with Phineas. They were also convinced that since the match was already being arranged, it would be best for him to take me out and build some rapport between us.I didn't want to go, but my mother's maid forced me into the carriage. The maid was also told to watch me closely to ensure I didn't speak out of turn.Phineas looked all polished up, with shiny hair and a face like he had powdered it that morning. He initially showed me some respect, but soon enough, his true nature began to show. He made crude comments about my appearance, saying that if it weren't for my looks and the fact that I was from the Spencer family, he would never have considered marrying me.His condescending attitude made me uncomfortable. If that had been the worst of it, perhaps I would have simply let it go. But on our way back, he pinched me
Startled, I quickly turned around. Not far behind me stood a man, half-hidden in the shade of a tree. He wore a simple black outfit, his figure thin and unkempt, with dark circles beneath his eyes.It was him—the scholar from the bridge who sold paintings, the one Mr. Klein had called a hopeless case, a student who had dropped out to care for a woman."You're speaking nonsense," I exclaimed, wide-eyed, a shiver running through me at the thought of his strange words. "I've never heard of any water demons here. You're just trying to trick me."Though I had no fear of death, I was uneasy at the thought of demons, particularly if they were going to trap me beneath the mud."I'm not lying to you." Cassius stepped forward, his frail frame seeming even more fragile against the breeze. "If you look around, you'll see no one is here. Why else would such a lovely place be devoid of visitors?""That's because the people who come here are not tourists. They come to pray, and they leave once t
After a while, my cousin and her maid returned to find me. I asked the maid to hand thirty copper coins to Cassius. He smiled and thanked me kindly.I thought our meeting was just a chance encounter and I would never see him again. However, to my surprise, during Grandma's birthday celebration a month later, I saw him again.Our family was hosting a grand dinner, and Leonard Klein, a renowned scholar, had come with his apprentices. And there Cassius was, standing among them.In Ebonflow, the rules for social gatherings weren't as strict as in the capital, with women being allowed to be in the front hall during a banquet. Of course, Cassius didn't recognize me. After all, I had been wearing a veil when we first met, so he had only seen my eyes.He didn't stay long. After presenting Grandma with a beautiful painting, he quickly excused himself, saying he had business to attend to at home.Once he left, Mr. Klein spoke of him with a tone of regret, explaining, "He's a clever young man
Anyone who knew me, Liana Spencer, spoke of me with scorn. Even strangers who heard my story would spit on the ground and say I had no shame.Everyone knew that running away with a man was worse than theft or murder. It was a disgrace no family could easily bear.Many asked me the same question: Did I regret it?I never regretted marrying him, but I did carry guilt in my heart. Because of me, the Spencer family's name was dragged through the mud. My brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews had a much harder time finding good matches because of my choices.As a daughter of the Spencer family, I lived in comfort from the moment I was born. I wore fine dresses, ate the best foods, and was showered with love. My parents doted on me, while my brothers spoiled me terribly.But there was something wrong with me.By the time I was fourteen, I still hadn't gotten my monthly courses. We consulted physician after physician, and I drank countless doses of bitter medicine, day and night. Yet, no
Snow fell softly in the dead of winter, blanketing Victory Pass in white. At that moment, the world seemed to have been made pure again.For years, I wore nothing but a tattered priest's robe. I carried a broken bowl and wandered from place to place, asking for food. I stopped only briefly at temples along the way to rest for a night or two and kneel before the statues to beg for forgiveness.I could have stayed at the first monastery I was sent to. Life there wasn't easy, but it wasn't so hard either. I had warm meals and shelter from the cold. But I knew if I stayed in comfort, I would never wash away my sins.Only by suffering, by staying on the road and bearing the cold, the hunger, the pain, could I find peace in my heart.And so, I came to Victory Pass.My sandals had long since fallen apart. Thick calluses had grown on my feet; I could walk barefoot over rocks and barely feel a thing. Even with every piece of clothing I owned layered over me, the winter cold still cut throug
It was during the Verdant Hunt that Connor fell out of favor with Dad, who scolded him harshly before we left the hunting grounds. Once we returned to the palace, Connor fell ill. Ryan and I were both terribly worried, but Mom was delighted.She held me close that evening, her smile sharper than usual. "After this, your father is sure to be tired of your brother."She told me I must work harder than ever, and to listen closely to the royal chancellor and my uncle."Study better than anyone. Earn their praise. And most importantly, outshine your brother," she said.My heart felt torn. Mom often spoke of the rewards that came with being crown prince, and I won't lie, I was tempted. However, those were all distant things.At the time, I was close to Connor, Ryan, and even our youngest brother, Cecil. We all got along so well. How could I possibly hate my older brother?Those thoughts tangled inside me, day after day. I lost focus. My studies slipped. I made mistakes during riding pra
Before I took the vows and entered the monastery, my name was Caden.From the time I was young, I often heard the same praise whispered around me: "This child is sharp beyond his years—clever, quick-witted, the finest of the three princes."I heard it so often that I came to believe it myself. At times, I even felt proud. But whenever I let that pride rise too high, Mom would bring me back to earth.She would look at me, her eyes soft but filled with something I couldn't quite name—pity, perhaps. And then, she would sigh and say, "What a pity you were born of my womb. If not, you might have risen above that foolish one. But fate favored him, not you."That "foolish one"—I knew well enough who she meant. I had heard her say it so many times in private, though never once in public.It puzzled me greatly as a child. Mom clearly disliked my eldest brother, Connor, more than anyone. Yet, whenever he came near, she would smile warmly and speak kindly. She would even flatter him, calling
Two childhood friends were now each giving their all on very different paths.Clarence had started with herbs, then medicine, and in time, healing became his entire world at Eldermere Keep. At first, it was merely something to pour his heart into, because he knew he would never be allowed to leave the mountain and open a medical hall of his own.But then Ryan came, and afterward, sent Clarence a letter.That letter changed everything.For the first time, Clarence began to hope that maybe, just maybe, he could go down the mountain after all. And once that hope took root, he threw himself into his studies with more energy than ever before. He barely slept, rarely left the apothecary, and sometimes forgot to eat.Because of the pain he had once endured, he focused his efforts on curing injuries and chronic pain. Of course, a good physician had to know more than one thing, so he studied every field without neglecting any.There was a fire inside him now. A quiet flame that had not bur
"Elise, must your mouth run on without end?" Carissa frowned at her daughter, who had been chattering away beside Ryan from the moment he stepped through the door.The little girl's face was flushed from the sun, her hair tangled into a messy nest that made it clear she had only just returned from playing outdoors. She hadn't stopped talking since Ryan came back from his travels, pestering him with questions about what he had seen and done.Elise turned to Carissa with wide eyes, looking up with a face so innocent it could soften stone. She truly had inherited the best features from both her parents."Mom, I haven't seen Ryan in such a long time. Every moment without him felt like an eternity. We've been apart for so long, so of course I have a lot to say to him."Carissa's frown deepened. "And who taught you to speak in such a ridiculous manner? An eternity—where did that come from?""Sage Isaac said it to Aunt Violet. He went back to Meadow Ridge for a few days and said it to her