Dawn found Evan studying the documents he had obtained. The sun's rays, breaking through the stained glass, laid out multicolored highlights on the parchments, as if emphasizing the importance of what they found. His fingers carefully flipped through the pages of Walter's diary, searching for key fragments.
"Operation Mirror is entering its final phase," read the entry from the day before the "accident." "E. must disappear before the duel. L. guarantees support after the change of power in the House."
Evan put down the parchment, exhaling slowly. l. - obviously, the Lord of Ice. So the conspiracy extended further than he had imagined. His gaze fell on a small mirror lying nearby. The matte surface still reflected nothing, as if it were absorbing light.
A sharp knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.
"My Lord, Lord Artorius requires you immediately!" The maid's voice was trembling with excitement.
"What happened?"
"Fire... in the south wing. Found... The remains of Councilor Walter have been found."
Evan allowed himself a small smile. He carefully prepared himself - he put on a loose nightgown, tousled his hair, even breathed into his palms, checking for the smell of smoke.
"I'm coming."
The Council chamber was full when Evan entered. Lord Artorius sat on his stone throne, his face as dark as a cloud. Kai stood next to him, casting strange glances at his brother. The smell of burning was in the air.
"Do you know what happened?" His father's voice was as cold as steel.
Evan pretended to stifle a yawn.
"They told me about the fire. It's very sad. Walter has served our House for many years."
"Not just a fire," Kai stepped forward. "He was found at a table with a knife in his throat. And then someone set fire to the room to hide their tracks."
Evan raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise.
"Did someone kill the advisor? In our castle? This... impossible."
"Perhaps," Lord Artorius stood up. "And that someone will be found and punished. But now we have another problem."
He motioned to a servant, who brought a small casket. Inside, on a velvet cushion, was a parchment with the seal of the House of Shadows.
"The Duke of Shadow demands that the duel be rescheduled for tonight. He claims that he has received news of a plot against his House and wants to resolve our conflict before leaving."
Evan felt his pulse quicken. Too fast. It's too convenient.
"I'm ready," he said calmly.
"You don't understand!" Kai grabbed his shoulder. "It's a trap. They're up to something."
Evan looked his brother straight in the eye.
"Let them plot. I'm going to win anyway."
Lord Artorius studied his son for a long moment, then nodded.
"So be it. Kai, prepare the guards. I don't want any surprises."
As the council was dispersing, Evan noticed one of the junior advisers approach his father and whisper something in his ear. Lord Artorius' face grew even darker. Something was going on, and he had to figure it out.
The duel arena was located in the old courtyard of the castle. A circular area of black stone surrounded by tall columns, between which crimson banners with the coat of arms of the House of Flame were stretched. By noon, all the nobles of Adrium had gathered here.
Evan stood in the shadow of the colonnade, watching the guests arrive. His gaze swept over the familiar faces-the lords and ladies of the five Great Houses, the members of the royal council, even a few foreign ambassadors. There are unusually many spectators for an ordinary duel.
"Are you looking for someone?"
Evan turned around. In front of him stood a girl in a silver-blue dress, the color of the House of Ice. But it wasn't Serafina. She was tall and slender, with snow-white hair pulled back in a complicated hairstyle. Her eyes, cold as the glaciers of the north, studied him with undisguised interest.
"Lady Victoria," Evan bowed. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Oh, I couldn't miss such a sight," her lips stretched into a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "My brother sends his regards. And a warning."
"What's that?"
"No matter what happens today, the House of Ice remains neutral. Us... I'm not interested in your internal squabbles."
Evan felt a chill run down his spine. It sounded like a warning of impending betrayal.
"Tell your brother that I appreciate his honesty," he said, trying to keep his voice level. "And remind him of the room with the mirrors. I think he'll understand."
Victoria's eyes widened, and something like fear flashed in them. She quickly walked away, disappearing into the crowd.
The trumpets sounded the arrival of the Duke of Shadow. A tall man in black armor with purple trim walked down the center aisle, his long cape fluttering behind his back. He was followed by four warriors in the same gloomy armor.
"Looks like the main show is starting," Evan muttered, stepping out into the sunlight.
The herald read out the conditions of the duel: until the first blood, magic is allowed, no surrender is accepted. Evan stood in front of the Duke, studying his opponent. He was a head taller, broader in the shoulders, and clearly physically stronger. But there was self-confidence in his eyes-he didn't consider Evan a serious opponent.
"Here we go!" the herald shouted.
The Duke attacked at once, his sword bursting into a dark purple flame. Evan barely managed to dodge, feeling the hot air burn his cheek. A second blow followed instantly, then a third. Evan retreated, pretending that he barely had time to parry.
There was a murmur in the crowd. Someone laughed. They saw what they expected - a weak, inept junior d'Arclenta.
But Evan saw something else. I saw the Duke getting used to his "weakness." How his punches become predictable. As he leaves more and more open spaces.
On the fifth lap, Evan changed his stance. His sword burst into a bright scarlet flame-not blue, like all d'arclents, but blood-red. The first blow forced the Duke to retreat. The second one left a long cut on his cheek.
The crowd gasped. The Duke of Shadow touched the blood on his face, his eyes widened in surprise.
"It was... luck," he hissed.
"Let's check it out," Evan smiled.
He attacked. Every shot was precise, measured, and left no chance. The Duke fought back, but it was obvious that he was in a panic. His flame magic was being extinguished by the strange red energy.
On the twelfth stroke, the duke's sword flew out of his hands. Evan put his blade to his throat.
"Giving up?"
The duke's eyes darted around, seeking help from the crowd. Evan followed his gaze and saw that several guards of the House of Shadows had invisibly surrounded the arena. It really was a trap.
"I..." the duke began, but suddenly his eyes widened. Blood gushed from his mouth. He collapsed to his knees, then onto his back. There was a small black arrow sticking out of his chest.
The crowd began to panic. "Murder! Violation of the rules of dueling!" the voices shouted.
But Evan knew the truth. He saw a shadow flicker from behind the pillar. The killer was here, in the castle. And now everyone will think that he broke the rules.
The trumpets sounded the alarm. The guards rushed to him. Evan looked around the arena, realizing that the game had entered a new phase. Someone just made their move.
And now he had to answer