Kael's POV
Dawn broke in silver over Dravenhart Manor — cold light spilling through the tall, arched windows of his study. The scent of parchment and steel mingled faintly in the air. Kael stood before the large window, gloves still on, posture rigid as ever. He hadn't slept.
"Report," he said flatly.
Darius bowed low before him, eyes cast to the floor. "Her ladyship spent the day in the inner garden, my lord. She took her morning tea with the servants — specifically Elise and two younger maids from the southern wing. After that, she spent an hour in the library, reading— records of household management, mostly."
Kael's brows flicked upward slightly. "Records?"
"Yes, my lord. Ledgers. Old ones. She appeared… curious."
Darius hesitated, clearing his throat before continuing. "Afterward, she was seen near the storage wing. Briefly. Then she returned to her chambers before dusk. No suspicious company, no unusual activity."
Kael turned away from the window, gaze narrowing slightly.
"Nothing unusual," he repeated, more to himself than Darius.
Darius shifted under the weight of his silence. He'd served the Duke long enough to recognize that tone — when Kael didn't believe something, he didn't argue. He simply decided otherwise.
Kael's eyes drifted toward the parchment map sprawled across his desk — routes, estate layouts, guard rotations. "That will be all."
"My lord?"
"Dismissed."
Darius bowed again, grateful for the release, though confusion flickered behind his eyes.
He had done as ordered — followed the lady discreetly. She had only done ordinary things. And yet, Kael's tone carried the same quiet distrust that made men tremble before he even drew a blade.
As Darius left the study, Kael leaned back against the edge of the desk, arms crossed.
He knew Zelene was hiding something.
It wasn't suspicion — not quite. It was the same pull that had haunted him since that night in the chamber. Something about her was shifting the air in Dravenhart Manor itself.
And Kael Dravenhart did not like what he could not control.
But earlier...
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Zelene's POV
The corridors of the manor were quieter than usual. Too quiet.
Zelene slowed her steps, her gown brushing lightly against the stone floors. Ray walked a pace behind her, silent as ever. But then — his head tilted, ever so slightly, as if catching a sound she couldn't.
Her eyes darted sideways. "What is it?"
Ray didn't answer at first. He turned, gaze sharp toward the hall they had just passed. "We're being followed."
Her heart skipped. "How long?"
"Since morning," he said simply.
Zelene exhaled through her nose. Of course. Kael. Who else would set shadows on her trail?
But if this was one of his guards… it could ruin everything. She was so close — close to catching Miren off guard, to seeing what lay behind that mask of devoted servitude.
They stopped at the courtyard. The faint scent of lavender drifted through the air.
And there he was — Darius, trying far too hard to look casual near the fountain, pretending to inspect the stonework.
"Darius," Zelene called sweetly.
The man flinched like a startled cat. "M–my lady!"
Her smile didn't reach her eyes. "Enjoying the weather, are we?"
Ray's shadow loomed just behind her, silent as thunder before a storm. The poor man's expression twitched.
"I was merely ensuring— the perimeter—"
"Cut the excuse," she said softly, stepping closer. "You've been following me."
Darius hesitated. His lips parted, then closed. He looked like he wanted to disappear.
Zelene folded her arms. "If you were sent to spy on me, you might at least do it properly."
He stammered. "I— I was only following orders. His Grace requested that—"
"Of course he did." She smiled faintly, but there was steel in it. "Then tell me, Darius. What have you seen that's so worth reporting?"
His eyes flicked to Ray, then back to her. "Nothing, my lady. You've done nothing wrong."
She studied him carefully — the twitch of his fingers, the dart of his gaze.
If Kael found out what she was really doing — the quiet investigation into Miren's manipulation, the records she'd taken — it could unravel everything.
She couldn't let that happen.
"Ray," she murmured, without looking at him.
The air shifted.
It was subtle — like the moment before lightning strikes. A faint pulse, an invisible pressure that made the world feel still.
Darius blinked, his posture stiffening. His pupils dilated slightly — the faint gleam of glassy emptiness dulling the color of his eyes. The tension in his body dissolved into eerie calm.
Zelene froze. "Ray— what did you just—"
"Necessary," he said simply.
Darius's breathing slowed. "You are not to speak of this conversation," Ray said quietly, his voice almost too calm. "You will forget the details. Return to your post."
And the man — a trained guard, loyal and sharp — simply nodded. "Yes… sir."
Then he turned, walking away in slow, mechanical steps.
Zelene watched him go, her mouth parting slightly. The silence stretched between her and Ray, heavy and cold.
"Ray," she whispered finally. "What did you do to him?"
He turned to her, expression unreadable. "Nothing permanent."
"That didn't look like nothing."
His eyes — dark and distant — lingered on hers. "The effect lasts five minutes. The fog in his mind… longer. But he'll remember nothing specific. He'll wake as if he'd walked away by choice."
Zelene eyed him — a mix of awe and disapproval."That's creepy, you know."
"Creepy but useful," Ray quipped, dusting his gloves. "Your Duke's watchdog was getting too close. I just gave him a little… nudge."
She sighed, brushing her fingers over her temple. "Will he be fine?"
"After five minutes, yes." A pause. Then, softer, "But you should move quickly. The duke might notice the gaps in memory."
Her stomach twisted at the reminder. "Then we cannot afford to wait. Miren's mask is slipping — I can feel it."
Ray inclined his head in silent agreement.
Zelene turned toward the looming silhouette of the manor — tall, elegant, and cold — her pulse steadying.
Kael might have eyes everywhere. But she had something else.
Patience. And purpose.
"Let him watch," she murmured. "He will see nothing but what I want him to."
And as the last of sunlight faded through the courtyard, the shadows of Dravenhart Manor shifted — no longer Kael's alone.
"Tomorrow," Zelene murmured, half to herself, "we set the trap."
Ray looked at her sideways. "You sure about this? The Head Maid isn't exactly the 'fall for tricks' type."
"That's why I'll let her think she's winning." Her lips curved faintly — not in arrogance, but resolve.
"If I'm right, Miren's loyalty isn't love. It's bondage."
Ray frowned. "Bondage to what?"
Zelene's eyes darkened."To the curse. The same one eating Kael alive."
The corridor lights flickered once — as if the castle itself shivered at the truth.
She clenched her fists. No one can know. Not Kael. Not yet.Not until she had proof — until she understood why Miren wore her devotion like a chain, and what darkness it truly served beneath the Dravenhart crest.
Tomorrow, the game would begin.And Zelene planned to play the fool — one smile at a time — until Miren revealed what she was truly protecting.