Reyn understood Viola's fury. Anyone learning their own uncle had sent assassins for an inheritance fight would lose composure. Yet Viola held up remarkably well.
Reyn had long suspected someone from the Duchess of Silver Star's family was behind the attempt. The autumn outing was Viola's spontaneous idea, known only the previous evening. An outsider could hardly scout their plans so quickly and set up an ambush overnight. Only family members, aware of Viola's intent to use the family yacht, could know of the trip and preposition the elementalist and female archer on the vessel for the attack at the designated spot.
Several family members vied for the Winter Thunder earldom title, and without info on other rivals, Reyn couldn't confidently pin it on Galloweyna. Only Viola's identification of the elementalist tied both clues to the viscount.
Reyn noted another detail. The elementalist hailed from Modu and couldn't reach Longsand from a magic airship in one night. The explanation was obvious: he'd arrived early and waited for the right moment. Meaning Galloweyna had long plotted Viola's murder.
But one thing still puzzled Reyn.
"Didn't it seem like that Shadow Warrior and the elementalist weren't working together?" he asked.
"I'm not sure." Viola replayed the recent fight in her mind and shook her head puzzled.
"If they weren't coordinating, then who sent the Shadow Warrior?"
Reyn didn't mention the warrior followed the Storm Lord, merely speculating:
"Maybe Phyllis? She has plenty of motives. But how would Phyllis know about our autumn outing..."
"She might be constantly watching me." Viola frowned, puzzled. "By the way, about Phyllis. After that scam with the fake demonic souls, she vanished as if nothing happened. Knowing her personality, she wouldn't stay silent or tolerate it. That's very strange."
Reyn agreed Phyllis wasn't one to swallow insults quietly. Given her background, power, position, and burning envy and hatred for Viola, how could she just let it go?
A thought suddenly struck him.
"What if these two groups conspired?"
If true, Viola would be in dire straits—internal strife and external threats. Then worry less about the Winter Thunder earldom fight, more about survival.
Viola's face darkened, and she faltered momentarily. Few in the family supported her. Her position owed mainly to her father, once favored by the duchess for his exceptional business acumen. Saying the duchess valued her great-granddaughter greatly would exaggerate—Viola's role wasn't irreplaceable. If killed violently, the duchess might rage, but nothing more. She'd simply appoint another to manage Violet House and keep profits flowing.
After a pause, Reyn assessed her tough spot and comforted:
"No need to worry too much. I'll be on your side."
Viola nodded quietly, her face lighting with a smile.
"Yes, I have you. Right now, you're the one I trust most."
She pressed tightly against Reyn, feeling safe, and quickly calmed.
Though a fragrant, tender beauty lay in his arms, Reyn curbed frivolous thoughts and offered practical advice:
"When back in Longsand, try not to leave Silver Star District until year's end. Under Mages Tower's watch, no one dares attack you easily."
"I know," Viola chuckled softly and added confidently: "Besides, killing me won't be that simple."
"Whoever dares touch you must step over my corpse first," Reyn said evenly.
Viola shuddered slightly but said nothing, just pressed her face tighter to his chest, her slender arms hugging him closer.
Reyn felt their mutual tenderness, but his mind kept working, gradually forming a plan.
Deep night, the yacht returned to Longsand and docked at Silver Star District pier. Guards and servants aboard had endured great fright, but fortunately none hurt. Now safe, each felt reborn.
Viola, taking Reyn's arm, disembarked. Her car waited at the pier.
In the car, Reyn told the driver:
"Kindly take me to Koshem street."
"Reyn, it's too late, no need to go back to your apartment. Stay at my place tonight." Without waiting for objection, Viola ordered the driver onward.
The front-seat chauffeur froze momentarily, then started the car after two-three seconds. Driving, he couldn't resist sneaking a mirror glance at Reyn, green with envy.
Reyn paid it no mind and accepted Viola's kind offer.
Soon the car entered the old estate grounds.
The estate sprawled vast: before the main entrance stretched a huge lawn dotted with fountains and covered galleries, surrounding the three-story villa in a grand garden. Dense green plantings and high walls made it resemble a small fortress.
Reyn, peering west from the car, saw the colossal silhouette looming in night darkness—Mages Tower.
Viola's estate sat nearly at the tower's base, just two-three hundred paces away, neighboring Silver Star Academy. Hard to find safer spot in Longsand.
Naturally, such an estate's price was unimaginable for ordinary folk.
"This estate," Viola said quietly, "is actually my parents' inheritance. It's the most valuable thing I own. Many rich offered huge sums, but I refused them all."
Reyn nodded. Only a fool would sell such prime asset.
The car stopped smoothly before the tall, majestic porch. The housekeeper woman, waiting on the steps, opened Viola's door and said respectfully:
"Mistress, you've returned."
"Yes, thank you, Lady Abigail," Viola greeted warmly; their rapport seemed close.
"It's my duty." Abigail asked worriedly: "Mistress, are you unhurt?"
She'd heard of the yacht incident via voice transmitter.
"I'm fine, I'm whole," Viola avoided details. As Reyn exited, she introduced: "This is Reyn. Lady Abigail, please prepare a guest room on the third floor for him."
Surprise flickered in Abigail's eyes: Viola bringing a man home, and deep night too. Quickly scanning Reyn without excess curiosity, she replied:
"Certainly. Welcome to Vigo Manor, Master Reyn."
"Thank you." Reyn smiled and habitually activated Soul Eye.
The housekeeper was superhuman—a Female Ranger, though only level three, modest power. About fifty visually; pleasant looks, traces of past beauty. Her soul color showed no hostility to Reyn, rather appraising interest, like a prospective mother-in-law first seeing her daughter's suitor. Like Viola, she followed the Long-Haired Lady.
All three entered the villa. Past the foyer, they reached a spacious, luxuriously furnished living room lit by a massive crystal chandelier gleaming ceiling-high like daylight. Several maids in the room greeted chorally. Each impeccably trained, showing no disarray despite midnight wake-up.
Reyn sensed every Vigo Manor resident's keen curiosity toward him.
Housekeeper Abigail acted swiftly. With two maids, she quickly readied Reyn's room, into which he soon settled.
He realized it wasn't mere guest quarters but master apartments. The third floor held just three such suites. Viola occupied another; true guests second floor, servants first, barred from ascending without permission.
Deep night fell. Reyn bathed and lay in the soft lavish bed, trying to empty his mind.
As sleep neared, he heard quiet footsteps outside the door.
He rose quickly and opened it.
Viola stood there in a silk house robe.
"Reyn..." Viola startled as the door flew open, embarrassment shadowing her eyes.
Reyn's heart raced uncontrollably, but he kept outward calm and smiled:
"So late, why aren't you asleep?"
Viola nervously adjusted her robe collar and said seriously:
"I came to thank you for everything you did for me today. Especially for shielding me with your body from the bullet. Thank you."
"Protecting you is my duty," Reyn replied as if obvious.
Viola, however, was skeptical. Shaking her head with a sigh, she said:
"Many men are like that in words only; few truly act so. In this world of people, those willing to give life for loved ones or even family are always the minority."
She gazed at Reyn, her eyes brighter, more captivating.
"And you're one of that minority. I never thought anyone would give their life for me."
Reyn struggled under her fervent gaze. He hadn't expected his impulsive act to touch Viola so deeply.
He scratched his nape and admitted honestly:
"Truth is, I didn't think much then. I dared shield you because I knew I wouldn't die."
"What you thought doesn't matter. What matters is you did it," Viola said softly.
Step by step, she entered, rising slightly on tiptoes.
Reyn instinctively embraced her.
Viola suddenly pulled back, blushing furiously.
"What is it?" Reyn looked bewildered.
Viola hesitated, then said:
"Reyn, before... I must tell you something. Whatever decision you make after, I'll accept."