Harmonia Calendar 715, Thal 24 - Ashspire Estate, Elandor
Evening - Prison
Cold stone walls, slick with damp. Rust clung to the iron bars ahead. And at the far end of the dim corridor, a cell waited.
In that cell, shrouded in darkness, Adonis sat on a narrow stone bench. The blue banquet tunic still clung to him, creased and dull. Mana shackles locked his wrists, their runes faintly glowing.
Boots scraped across the stone. The sound carried through the corridor as guards paced their rounds outside the cells.
Click.
A key turned somewhere down the hall.
***
Evening - Prison Entrance
Two guards blocked the doorway, boots planted firm. The taller one looked straight ahead, his voice flat.
"No visitors."
I fixed my stare on him. My voice came out sharp.
"I am the marquis's son. Open it."
The other guard glanced at me, shifting his grip on the spear. His tone stayed flat.
"Orders from the Marquis."
I met his eyes. My voice came out cold and steady.
"I said open it. Or fetch the Captain and tell him you stopped Lucien Ashspire."
The two guards exchanged a quick glance, a silent agreement, then nodded.
Click.
The lock turned. I stepped through before they thought twice.
I walked through the corridor. It was dark, the lightstones few and dim. The air carried a damp chill.
I stopped in front of the cell.
Adonis slumped on the bench, shoulders sagging. The dim glow revealed his pale face. He looked smaller.
"Are you okay?"
Adonis lifted his head a little, a weak smile tugging at his lips before it faded.
"I had better days. How does it look, brother?"
I tried to sound calm.
"Good...the maid lied. It was all arranged. If we tell the truth, you'll be free."
Adonis let out a slow breath, his voice small.
"I did nothing. I'm innocent."
I moved closer, wrapping my hands around the bars. I held them firm, my voice calm.
"I know."
Adonis nodded, then spoke, his voice hesitant. His voice carried a hint of fear.
"Theodora and Mother..?"
I gripped the bars tighter, and my voice came sharper than I thought.
"They would never believe such lies. We are on your side."
He looked down, his voice soft.
"Will the court believe me?"
My voice came louder than I wanted.
"Yes. Hold steady. Tell them what happened. Show them who you are. We've got your back."
'But what if words won't be enough? Favian set him up. He'll have something waiting in court, too. He always plays it safe. Belief won't save us then. We'll need a helper, someone with real power…we must move Father.'
Clang.
The rattle of chains cut through my thoughts. Adonis rubbed at his wrists, his voice soft.
"Thank you."
The guards' footsteps echoed down the corridor.
'I have to go.'
I leaned in.
"Drink what comes. Eat, even if it tastes like shit. Sleep if you can. You'll need all your strength tomorrow."
Adonis gave a weak nod.
I turned and left.
'I need to move Father. But… maybe he already knows about Favian's plan. If he does, he won't help me. The only one who could move him is...Mother.'
***
Evening - Prison Entrance
The guards straightened at once, standing at attention as the lady of the house came.
They bowed.
"My lady."
I gave a nod.
They rose from the bow and stood at attention again.
One spoke, his voice hesitant.
"The Marquis's orders. No visitors."
I met his eyes. Urgency pressed in my chest. My voice cut sharp with authority.
"I am the lady of this house. Open the door. The Marquis's order does not apply to me."
He hesitated. Then stepped aside.
Click.
The guards pulled the door open. I stepped inside.
Cold stone walls, damp with moisture. Rust streaked the iron bars. The air was heavy.
I walked through the dark corridor. My dress dragged at my ankles, the silk brushing across the stone with every step.
'I didn't care. Nothing could turn me back now.'
I saw him on the bench. Shoulders slumped, the banquet tunic hanging loose. He looked so…small.
Then I saw the chains. My breath caught, tears blurred my eyes, my hands shook as I quickened my pace.
My voice broke.
"Adonis."
He lifted his head slowly. His eyes lit up with recognition as they found me. He rose, the chains pulled at his wrists.
I went to the bars and reached through, my fingers found his cheek. His skin was warm as he leaned into my hand. My heart ached.
I whispered, my fingers brushed his cheek as tears flowed.
"I didn't know...he said something about placing the blame. I tried to stop him. But Anton…he—"
He placed his hand over mine. A small smile touched his lips as he spoke, his voice soft and gentle.
"I know, Mother."
'Mother.'
'The word broke me. It felt wrong to hear. Not if he said it with that weak smile, with his voice so soft. I hadn't earned it. Not today.'
'I changed the topic before more tears could come. I had to stay steady. For him.'
My voice came quick.
"Are you hungry? Did you eat? Are you thirsty? Does it hurt?"
He shook his head slowly, and my palm shifted with him. His voice came softer.
"Mother, you don't have to worry. I'm alright, it's...bearable."
A guard coughed, the sound carried through the corridor.
'I can't stay longer.'
My hand lingered on his cheek before pulling away. I stood, the weight of it all sank into my steps. My voice trembled as I spoke.
"Forgive me."
I turned and left without looking back.
'It's better if he doesn't see me cry again.'
Click.
The lock turned behind me.
***
Late Evening - Prison Entrance
I ran down the corridor, skirt sliding across stone. My hands shook as I turned the corner.
A wall of guards barred the way. Spears crossed, their voices sharp in unison.
"No Visitors."
I didn't hear them. I pushed forward, slipping through, my dress tore at their lowered spears.
My voice cracked as I shouted.
"Adonis!"
Two steps in, and their hands caught me. Fingers circled around my arms, dragging me back. I twisted hard, pain shooting through my shoulders, but I broke free. I stumbled forward, breath ragged.
But another guard's grip caught me again. I yanked, tears blurred my vision, as I shouted.
"Let me see him! He didn't do this!"
The words echoed, sharp, until a deeper voice cut them clean.
"Enough."
It came from behind. My head turned.
Father.
He stood there, framed in the dim light. The banquet clothes were gone, replaced by a simpler tunic, sleeves loose at the wrists.
His voice carried low and final.
"Go to your chambers."
My body froze. My mouth opened, but nothing came. It was always this way with him. One word, and all my strength drained.
The guards pulled me back. My heels scraped stone, but I fought anyway, shouting until my throat broke.
"Adonis!"
The door stayed shut. No voice answered.
They dragged me away, my cries echoing into the corridor.
***
Late Evening - Cell
The cell was small, damp stone closing in on every side. A single lightstone flickered weakly in the corridor, its glow barely enough to create shadows. I sat on the bench, hands pressed to my knees, head bowed.
Then her voice reached me.
"Adonis."
Faint. But I knew it.
Theodora.
It cut through the stone and iron like a blade. It hurt to hear her cry, yet it steadied me.
Step.
Step.
The echo faded, replaced by footsteps. Slow. Measured. Each step drew closer until they stopped before my cell.
I pushed myself up from the bench, my eyes lifting toward him.
The Marquis stood there in the flickering glow, broad shoulders, stern face. His eyes met mine without a trace of warmth.
Silence stretched, heavy as the air itself.
At last, I forced the words out.
"You know I didn't do this."
His reply came flat, unshaken.
"I know."
The word struck. My fists clenched, voice hoarse.
"Then why?"
He didn't flinch. He stood there, red eyes fixed on me, his tone flat.
"To save the family. I had to make a decision."
Anger rose in my chest as I stepped closer, the chains at my wrists clinking. My hands curled around the iron bars.
"Why me? I tried to be useful…I even awakened?"
His gaze stayed, his tone without hesitation.
"I chose you. That's it."
For a moment, the silence rang louder than shouting.
Then his voice came again, colder than before.
"I will see your life spared. That is the last mercy I can give you."
I swallowed hard, breath shaking. My eyes burned, but I kept my voice steady.
"I will tell the truth. I will make them believe me. Your plan will fall."
The Marquis's face didn't change. He neither denied nor acknowledged.
He turned, cloak shifting with the movement, and then he was gone.
I stood there for a moment before sinking back onto the bench. It felt colder now, as though the stone itself had turned against me.
***
Late Evening - Corridor
The corridor stretched long and silent, lightstones burning dim along the walls. My steps echoed as I waited near the stairs.
It didn't take long until she appeared, moving up slowly. Her face was pale, lips pressed tight, her eyes heavy as if she had aged years in a single evening.
I blocked her way. My voice came before she reached me.
"He will blame him."
Her steps faltered.
I let the words stand, then pressed on, the tremor still in my voice.
"If you let this happen, I am gone. I will take Master's offer."
Her hand lifted at once, trembling as it reached for me. She whispered.
"Lucien…Please."
I stepped back, just beyond her reach.
Her fingers hung in the air.
I locked my eyes with hers, my voice sharper than I meant. The words flowed, and I let it all out.
"I can't. It's enough. I'm done with this family with the house. If strength is all that matters here, then I'll go and find some. And when I return…I won't bow ever again."
Her hand lowered slowly, falling limp at her side. She spoke, voice shaking.
"I tried...Again and again. But he doesn't listen. I am nothing but a tool in this house, Lucien."
Her hand pressed to her mouth, as if to hold the sob that rose, but it broke free anyway.
Tears flowed as she whispered.
"Please, Lucien. Don't leave me..."
I stood frozen, this was the first time. The first time I made mother cry. My heart ached, but I forced myself to look straight at her eyes.
'It breaks my heart, but I have to go...If nothing changes, our family will fall apart.'
I took a deep breath to steady myself. My voice trembled, but I stayed firm.
"If he goes through with this...I'm gone."
The words echoed between us, heavier than any vow.
I turned before I could falter, her soft sobs following me down the corridor.
***
Night - Lord's Chamber
I closed the door with my back pressed against it, the latch clicking into place.
Click.
Anton sat at the edge of the bed, boots still on, hands resting on his knees.
I took a deep breath to calm myself and took a step forward. My hands clenched at my sides, voice shaking as I spoke.
"How could you…"
The words rose sharper, until I could not stop them.
"I thought it was a ledger, a tax, something small! But you…you blamed a child with assault!?"
His gaze lifted to me, cold. One word left his mouth, sharp like steel.
"Rowena."
My chest tightened, but I pushed further against his warning.
"No."
My voice cracked, but I found strength in it. I stepped closer, my voice louder.
"You speak of saving a family...what family is left? Lucien will leave. Theodora will break. And I…I will not forgive you. You will be lord of an empty house."
His jaw tightened, but his tone stayed flat.
"I keep the house. The rest will follow."
My hands trembled. I hated that he could sit there calmly, while I broke apart.
"The rest will not follow. We will leave you behind."
I heard my uneven breath filling the silence.
'No answer...Of course, he wouldn't. He never did.
I forced one more plea, softer than the anger that came before.
"Spare his life...at least. If there is anything human left in you."
Anton's eyes narrowed, but his calm stayed, and I hated how he could speak such words with a flat tone.
"He will survive."
The words were delivered like an already decided verdict.
Hope settled in my heart next to all the anger and frustration.
I couldn't bear the sight of him any longer. My body turned on its own, hand finding the knob.
Thud.
The door slammed behind me, and I stood in the corridor, hands shaking.
***
Night - Tribunal Clerk's Office
The chamber was cramped, lined with shelves of ledgers stacked in uneven rows. Ink stains decorated the table, a scatter of stamps and quills piled at the edges.
The clerk bent over his work, pausing only to blot the ink before moving on, hands steady with years of routine.
A knock carried through the silence.
"Enter."
The door creaked open.
A servant stepped inside, his cloak damp from the night air. Without a word, he crossed the room and placed a sealed note on the desk. The Ashspire crest glowed red in the dim light.
The clerk's eyes glanced to it, then to the servant. His fingers brushed the wax seal, but he didn't break it. He waited.
The servant's voice came firm.
"Afternoon docket. Witnesses are ready. The Baron requests swiftness. So do we."
He drew a small purse from his belt and set it beside the parchment.
The clerk didn't bother to count. He reached for the stamp, pressed it into ink, and brought it down on the parchment.
Thud.
The sound echoed in the quiet room.
The clerk leaned back slightly, voice flat.
"Afternoon. Bring him early."
The servant gave a slight nod, then slipped back out, leaving the lamp's dim glow and the scratch of the clerk's pen behind.
***
Late at Night - Cell
The rune-light along the shackles pulsed faintly, casting a pale glow around me.
I sat on the bench, leaning back until my head touched the cold walls. The chill calmed me.
My lips moved, whispering into the darkness.
"They will believe me. I will tell the truth. I am innocent."
The words vanished into the darkness, so I forced them again.
"I am innocent."
Again.
And again.
Like a prayer.
A crack ran through the ceiling above. Water dripped down, steady as a clock.
Drip.
I closed my eyes, listening to it count the silence.
Drip.
Drip.
Sleep came at last, carried by the sound of the drip.