This was Evie's plan.
Eleur and Elsan exchanged a look, the twins' throats tightening around the same unspoken lump. Of all the errands they might have hoped for, today they had the most perilous: as sons of the Baron, they must escort not one, but both, opposing heads of the camped out armies into their territory.
The two lords arrived like storms in their armor. Duke Alric Montclair came in with two imperial knights at his elbow; Marquis Eltharion Valmere followed with his aide and a dragon rider circling above the manor low enough to ruffle the eaves. They filled the Grand Room — which was grand in name only: a patched carpet, a chandelier missing a few crystals, and beams that groaned if anyone leaned too hard.
At the center, eyes snapped. The lords exchanged curt acknowledgements.
"Alric." The Marquis's voice did not bother with courtesies.
"Eltharion." The Duke returned the favor with equal frost.
Baron Edrien offered the kind of welcome his modest house could muster. "My lords — welcome to Caerwyn."
A ceiling beam chose that instant to creak free and drop behind the Baron's chair.
Before the room could say something to politely ignore it, Baroness Elowen flicked a wrist; the beam popped back into place with theatrical precision. She cleared her throat as if nothing at all had happened. "We did not expect so many guests this late in the day on our side of Serendale, to what do we owe the pleasure?"
Duke Alric did not mince words. "I received word that there was an attempted kidnapping on my grandson and he had come here to seek refuge. I thank you for opening your doors and ensuring he is safe. I've come to take him home."
Marquis Eltharion cut him off. "Why your grace, wouldn't this be the 12th time he's been kidnapped this year alone? It is rare for you to grace us with your presence for the actual rescue."
"I had to come - otherwise I wouldn't be able to do this!" the Duke reached for his sword to strike
"Why I knew you double crossing fiend had something up your sleeve. I will end you today!" The Marquis held out his staff ready to counter.
The room snapped taut as a drawn bow. The two old men, who had the manners of dukes and the tempers of schoolboys, squared.
For a breath, everyone expected steel and spell to exchange.
Instead, both weapons betrayed them. Alric's sword sank into the parquet as if glued to the floor; Eltharion's staff fizzled as though someone had pinched its mana off. The Duke yanked and cursed. "My—my sword!"
"Hah. Getting old, Alric?" the Marquis sneered.
"Please." Alric's retort was as petulant as it was indignant. "You can't even seem to cast a single spell. You finally losing your touch great dragon tamer of the east - or should I start calling you lizard master? "
Baroness Elowen folded her arms, voice cool but sounding stern schoolmistress. "Gentlemen. I invited you as guests. I trust you were not about to demolish each other in Caerwyn territory?"
The Duke released his sword with a cough, smoothing his sleeve. "I apologize for such crude behavior. As I've said , I've only come to bring my grandson home."
"Home?!" Marquis Valmere thundered. "To make him a target for western assassins at your leisure?"
"Western assassins?!" Duke Montclair barked back. "You mean the eastern spies you keep planting in my territory?"
"I had to — you can't seem to keep an eye on my grandson!"
"With that you keep piling work on me with your spies in the capital. I've no time to return to Montclair!"
Baroness Elowen politely cleared her throat, but they rolled right past her.
"I did no such thing," the Marquis spat, "I've only tried to kidnap my grandson because you keep him away from me!"
"I must keep my grandson away from you — to keep his identity a secret!"
"By making people think he's a bastard?!"
"If people know his origins, they'll only flock to him and use him."
"So you mean to deny him his lineage as a Valmere?"
"He has no need of your lineage because he is a Montclair!"
The shouting rattled through the shabby hall like thunderclaps.
And then, with a voice that dwarfed them both, Baron Edrien boomed; "Boys!" clearly directed at the two squabling nobles who dared ignore his wife.
Earning a blink and confuse look from the two grandfathers.
But the Baron's gaze had shifted onto his sons to mask his original intention to insult. "Why don't you run along and fetch the young master Lemeric for us," he said smoothly.
Eleur and Elsan nearly tripped over their boots in their hurry to comply. "Ye—yes, Father!" they squeaked, grateful for the excuse to flee.
The great lords stood fuming in silence, each unwilling to take a step back from their stand.
Em and Evie lingered by the side door, out of sight from the two old men still snapping at each other across the hall.
Lemeric's hand, pressed lightly to the wood, trembled. A tear slipped down his cheek.
"Em? What's the matter?" Evie whispered, tugging at his sleeve.
He gave a half-laugh, half-sob. "Hey... doesn't that man look like me?"
Evie peeked around the corner, then blinked wide-eyed. "He does! The nose, the jaw—he's like your mirror. But... why would that make you cry?"
Lemeric shook his head. How could he explain it to her? To a girl who grew up loved, safe, and wanted? How could she understand what it meant—that the Duke of Montclair had acknowledged him enough to march an army to Caerwyn's gates? That in the Marquis of Valmere's face he saw a blood tie undeniable, a resemblance of familial relation that cannot be denied because the blood that course through your vein seem to find that recognition?
It felt like he somewhat belonged - included.
Evie's gaze softened. "Before we go in... tell me, Em. Which grandfather do you want to go home to?"
Home. The word caught like a thorn.
Em looked at her. Right—he was going home. His home wasn't here at Caerwyn. This place was only ever meant to be a refuge. But where was home, really?
Back at Montclair, where sleepless nights stretched on and every shadow threatened a blade?
To Valmere, a name he'd only just heard for the first time and lands he never knew existed?
Evie's voice pulled him back. "Or... do you not want to go? Do you want to stay here?"
I want to stay here. The words burned on his tongue. He longed for it—for the warmth Caerwyn offered, for the brightness she carried with her like the sun.
But he couldn't stay. It was no longer safe here.
He had sent the letter. If Valmere had discovered it, then others could too. It was only a matter of time before assassins or kidnappers traced him to Caerwyn—endangering her.
He wasn't strong enough yet. Not to protect her. Not to fight off what was lurking behind the shadows.
So instead of the truth, all he could give her was; "Somewhere safe."
[System Notification]
New Quest: Find a Safe Place for the Hero
Details: The Hero needs to be in a safe place to survive.
Reward: 100,000 Gold
Evie clenched her tiny fist and gave him a determined nod. "Alright, leave it to me!"
Before he could stop her, she pushed the door wide and sang out, "Mama, Papa— You called for us? Guess where Em and I went? Oh? Who are our guests?"
Baroness Elowen looked at her daughter, following the plan she carefully laid out. "These are the Duke of Montclair and the Marquis of Valmere - remember I told you they say their Lemeric's grandfahters"
"I see! Em's grandparents." Evie bobbed into a polite curtsy, her smile dazzling. "How do you do? I am Evelisieux Caerwyn. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Even Lemeric flushed at the way she presented herself, every inch the charming noble lady she was not five minutes ago sulking over her mana lessons.
"Em, you're so lucky," she chirped, eyes sparkling. "You have two grandpas! I'm super jealous."
Lemeric could only ask, "Why?"
"Because!" Evie clasped her hands behind her back, swaying. "If, say, I can't sleep at Caerwyn Manor, then I could just stay over at my other grandpa's house. Or if Papa's house became super dangerous with monsters and dungeons nearby, then I could just go live with my other grandpa."
Lemeric had to hide his laugh, she was doing it again. Like she did with her parents she was leading the two baron's into the direction she wants them to take.
"That way Papa could focus on his work without worrying about me—because he'd know I'm with someone who loves me just as much as he does, and who would keep me just as safe."
The room went very still.
They were done for it, Lemeric had concluded. He took one look at his two grandfathers and could almost see the gears turning in their heads.
The room went quiet. Neither Montclair nor Valmere found a ready retort, both chewing on the girl's words like bitter medicine.
The Baroness took her daughter's hand and addressed the two doting grandfathers, "What my daughter meant is: isn't it better to be allies in protecting what you both love, rather than enemies who tear him apart?"
Evie nodded firmly, as though that was exactly what she'd said.
Baroness Elowen held Evie's hand and rose. "My lords, we'll leave you to discuss matters privately."
The Baron bowed to the two gentleman and also left to be with his wife and daughter.
As soon as they were out of earshot the Baroness hugged Evie "My dear when have you been so clever?"
"Mama, do you think Em would be okay?" Evie asked also unsure if she did the right thing.
"He will be my dear! And if anything he will always have a place at Caerwyn."
And so, the Caerwyn household withdrew, leaving the two grandfathers to speak with Em in private. As night fell, each guest was escorted to their chambers, and Em was shown to his.
In the quiet of her own room, Evie lay awake. A dozen times she thought of using the system map to go to his room, wanting to tell him what her mother told her, he will always have a place at Caerwyn. But when she reached for that courage, doubt smothered it. She was too powerless—how could she guard him, when even grandfathers with imperial knights and dragons at their command struggled to keep the shadows at bay?
If she could, she would have hidden him away from the world, tucked him somewhere safe where no assassin's blade or whisper of betrayal could ever reach him.
Instead, all she had were her tears. They came without reason, or perhaps with too many reasons to name, soaking her pillow until sleep at last pulled her under.
When she woke, the sun was already high. The halls were quiet. Em had long since departed with the Duke and Marquis and their respective armies, leaving Caerwyn behind.
[System Notification]
Quest: [Completed] Find a Safe Place for the Hero
Details: The Hero needs to be in a safe place to survive.
Reward: 100,000 Gold
A season passed since that parting.
A lot has changed in the manor after a season, thanks to the Duke and Marquis generous gift, part in gratitude for Caerwyn's protection, part as an apology for the chaos they brought to its gate. The steward, quick as ever, clasped their hands with smiles and ushered the reward into the treasury before the Baron or Baroness could say no. This gave Evie a chance to slip nearly every single coin she'd earned from her rebate system during Lemeric's stay, into the treasury.
"I don't miss him at all," Evie muttered as she kicked a rock across the training yard. She was not bundled in frills today—only padded leather for drills. "Stupid, ungrateful brat. Not even a single letter."
"Evie, are you alright? Here, have some skewers! I bought them fresh from the market," Eleur said, offering them with a hopeful grin.
"No, no, she doesn't need skewers—she needs these gloves. Look, I found them just for you. It's getting colder, they'll keep you warm," Elsan countered, thrusting the woolen pair forward.
"She needs skewers."
"She needs gloves."
"Skewers."
"Gloves."
"Skewers!"
"Gloves!"
WHACK!
Master Aaron, overseeing Evie's sloppy attempt at training, smacked both twins on the head.
"What are you two doing? You're supposed to be studying for the Imperial Academy exams! Just because you got personal invitations doesn't mean you'll actually pass. An invitation and a passing score are completely different things. Now get back to studying!"
The twins groaned, rubbing their heads, dragging their feet toward the study hall—but not without bickering under their breaths.
"Gloves."
"Skewers."
"Gloves!"
"Skewers!"
Evie rolled her eyes. Some things never changed.
"My lady." Aaron cleared his throat.
"What now?" Evie snapped, her irritation spilling onto her poor teacher.
But Aaron only gave her a half-smile. "I heard a certain young master who visited the manor is also in training for the Imperial Academy."
Evie's scowl deepened. "What's that got to do with me? That place is only for prodigies and talented people."
"My lady, I believe you are also quite gifted. If you put your mind to it, you'd have as much chance as anyone." He reached over and patted her head.
She swatted his hand away. "I don't want to go. Ungifted people like me don't belong there."
Unfazed, Aaron turned, practically giddy to share some good news, "I also heard from the butler that a certain package arrived for you—from Valmere. Now, if you can shoot this target, we'll dismiss clas—"
But Evie was already gone.
Aaron blinked at the empty space. "...Not gifted, and yet she can teleport without a trace."
Evie, using the system map, portaled straight to the steward's office. She told herself it was only to check on her walking ATM. That was all. After all, she'd gotten used to a certain lifestyle thanks to the system—and finishing that last quest had made her ridiculously wealthy. She'd stocked up on useful items she definitely, absolutely wanted to share with Lemeric - so she could get rebates. Yes. That was the only reason her heart was racing.
"Alfred!" Evie slowed her pace, trying to hide her excitement. The butler who was sorting out internal affairs was busy at his task. Clearing her throat, she crossed her arms. "I heard there was a package for me?"
"Ah, my lady. I just sent it to your room. It's from—" Alfred didn't even finish before Evie was already halfway down the hall.
She burst into her room and tore open the carefully wrapped parcel. Inside was a box, dark polished wood, its lid lined with a mirror. Velvet cushioning rested at the base, traced with delicate silver inlays that twined like vines.
Evie tipped it upside down, frowning when nothing slipped out. "Is this it?"
With a huff, she tossed it onto her bed. "Stupid Em! I hope you stub your toe!"
Feeling guilty about the gift, she picked it up from her bed and carefully placed it her vanity. She traced the intricate wood detail on it and then veins of light rippled through the silver, glowing faintly as if the box itself had heard her.
Startled, she stepped back "What...?"
She opened it again—and this time gasped. Resting inside was a folded letter and underneath were gilded but simple jewels;
Moonsteel, aetherglass, gold and silver chains. A few strung with midnight gemstones, others with pale blue sapphires that caught the light like frozen drops of sky.
Delicate earrings lay nestled beside them, some long and elegant, others simple studs glowing faintly with enchanted polish.
Bracelets with charms and stones of black metal, silver filigree, and blue-tinged crystal, each one different yet somehow paired to the others.
Then the mirror flickered. Across its glass, glowing words appeared, vanishing as quickly as they came: Ev. It's Em.
Quest: Send a Letter to the Hero
Details: Send a letter to the Hero through the ornate letter box
Reward: Unlock System Inventory