Claus spent time with Iris and Elizabeth preparing for the Duchy Gathering.
But the responsibilities kept piling up, and the tasks became too numerous to manage. The pressure was rising.
> "I wasn't used to leading a noble family..."
Claus thought.
And ever since he read the journal, the questions kept swirling in his mind.
Was he going mad?
Had he descended into madness after his Awakening?
Was he… or rather his other self… real? Or just a delusion?
Sitting at his desk, Claus stared at the moon through the window.
That broken, yellowish light seemed to be the only thing still capable of bringing him some inner peace.
> "And what if what I believe to be true… is also false?
Then what is truth?"
He remembered nearly every detail of his past life.
But here, in this world, the memories were fragmented, blurry… absent.
And Sandra…
Her smile, her warmth, her presence…
Everything about her felt too real to be just an illusion.
Claus ran a hand through his hair, trying to ease the weight of his thoughts.
> "And on top of it all, I have powers I don't understand…
I'm being hunted for something I don't even…
(Sigh)
Sandra would have known what to do…"
Knock, knock, knock…
Claus opened his eyes.
He had dozed off in his chair, the journal still open, bathed in the soft light of dawn.
Knock, knock, knock…
— "Sir Claus?"
It was Geoffrey's voice.
Claus stood and opened the door.
— "Good morning, Sir Claus. You're expected in Lady Elizabeth's room."
— "May I ask why she wants to see me in her room?"
— "I'm afraid I don't know, sir. But she told me to hurry."
— "Very well. I'll be there shortly."
---
A few minutes later, Claus stood before her door.
Knock, knock, knock.
— "Come in…"
He opened it.
Elizabeth was sitting at the edge of her bed, dressed in an embroidered black gown. A dark veil covered her head.
— "Good morning, Sir Claus. Sorry to summon you so early, but this is important."
— "Good morning. Don't apologize. What's the matter?"
— "Williams contacted me. You have your first mission.
Today, you'll finally discover the true nature of our work."
— "Do we have to leave now? The Duchy Gathering is in seven days. I need to prepare."
Claus wanted to go on this mission. But the Gathering was at the center of all his concerns.
He had studied tirelessly about the great houses of the Empire — especially the Blake family, at the heart of many issues tied to his noble status.
Their potential control of the Archangel Uceanos port was unacceptable.
— "Don't worry. The mission will only take three days.
We'll be back in time for the Gathering."
— "Alright. I'll go get ready."
— "I'll wait for you in the main hall."
---
Back in his room, Claus sat in his chair.
He was thinking about the upcoming mission.
In his previous life, missions were part of his daily life. He was used to them.
But this time… Sandra wasn't there.
And every mission with her had been a story of its own.
Precious memories — too painful to revisit.
> "Since I joined the magic academy at 12… she was always by my side."
Claus rubbed his eyes and pulled himself together.
> "There's a time for everything. And today is not the time to dwell on the past."
---
A few minutes later, Claus descended into the hall.
He was dressed entirely in black, from hat to shoes.
In his hands, the cane his mother had given him.
Lady Iris, in deep conversation with Elizabeth, stopped to come kiss her son.
— "You look stunning, my dear. As always."
She gently cupped his cheeks in her hands.
— "Nothing pleases me more than your words, mother."
Claus felt like a child.
Iris examined him from head to toe, which made him a bit uncomfortable — especially under Elizabeth's amused gaze.
— "Take care of yourself. I don't want to shed tears for my son again.
The investigators still haven't found your kidnappers. We know nothing about them — neither who they are nor what they want…"
Those were the words of a deeply worried mother.
— "Don't worry, mother. I'll be very careful."
— "My son is in your hands, Eli. Protect him."
— "That is one of my top priorities, Lady Iris."
Elizabeth's tone was calm but firm.
Iris stood at the entrance, watching the car disappear into the horizon.
---
— "Can I know what our mission is?" asked Claus.
— "Missions are never communicated ahead of time.
You'll learn everything once we arrive."
She added:
— "And your powers? Are you able to control them?"
— "I'm not sure. I no longer hear the voices, but my senses are still on edge."
— "Aside from becoming a living force of attraction and repulsion, do you have any other abilities?"
— "I have visions."
— "How do they manifest?"
— "I'm not really sure. They activate on their own.
From what I've gathered, they're linked to something I've seen or heard before…
But to trigger them, I need to have a clear image in my mind. And I still don't know how to control that."
---
A few hours later, they arrived at the Imperial Capital.
But this time, they stopped at a small street-side restaurant.
The inside was lively. As soon as they entered, a waiter approached.
— "Welcome, dear guests. Would you like a table?"
— "Yes, a table for two.
And the daily specials — with the chef's recommendations," said Elizabeth softly into his ear.
The waiter's eyes changed instantly. He understood.
— "Please follow me."
They passed through an elevator hidden behind the kitchen — surprisingly large for such a small restaurant.
Downstairs, a long hallway led to a large door.
— "They're expecting you inside," said the waiter, bowing before disappearing.
Elizabeth knocked.
— "You may enter," a familiar voice said.
Claus opened the door for Elizabeth and followed her inside.
---
— "I've been waiting for you. Especially you, Claus," said Williams.
He was seated at a large white table, his monocle over his left eye. Around him, three other people:
Winston, the old companion, and two strangers.
One was a man with a stern face and a soldier's build.
The other, a young woman with brown hair and golden eyes — eyes that reminded Claus of the broken moon he often stared at.
— "I'm sure you already knew I'd be coming," said Claus.
— "You forget that to me, you no longer exist," Williams replied with an enigmatic smile.
Claus answered with a wry grin.
— "Lady Elizabeth, you are as radiant as ever. Please, have a seat."
Elizabeth and Claus sat side by side.
Winston stood.
— "Let me introduce everyone.
Lady Elizabeth, Claus — meet Gordon and Leia.
Gordon is our embedded spy at the Archangel Uceanos port. He's our eyes and ears there.
Leia is our informant. Thanks to her, we were able to infiltrate the underground auction."
— "And you two…
You'll be our field agents."
Claus clenched his jaw.
> "An infiltration mission at an underground auction?
What am I now… a spy?"