Two nights ahead of the big day.
Seris' carriage moved slowly along quiet paths behind the palace, heavy silk pulled shut. Not a guard in sight. No flames burning bright. Yet two strong horses still pulled it forward, guided by a mute driver - the new one, clueless that Varn was already dead and decaying.
Aiden stood by the trees, Phantom Step making him fade into darkness. Strength at level five pulsed smooth and calm. Not far from Shadow Bind's reach. Fingers tensed, ready to move.
Rowan's tip? Pure treasure - Carriage by himself each night. That's when they ran through the plan.
The trap worked just right.
Hooves tapped nearer. Yet Aiden stiffened.
Yet a weird vibe lingered… strange.
No squeaky wheels. But no sound from the straps either. Way too smooth, yet completely silent.
His lifeless instincts flared - a soft magical buzz nearby. Fake? Maybe a trick hiding something deeper.
The carriage moved beneath the pale moon. The driver sat limp, his gaze distant. Drawn forward by something unseen.
Seris showed up around the next turn, slipping out of darkness instead of a ride. Wore a black cloak like raven wings. Magic shimmered along its borders.
She wasn't alone.
Three figures slipped out of the dark - killers from the palace, weapons ready. They were her protectors.
"Report," she stated - soft tone, firm core.
"Supplier's dead," one hissed. "Varn. Throat crushed. Gold left as bait."
Seris squinted. "Holt?"
"Clerk with him. Elias Grant. Too competent."
Spin. Elias Grant called out.
Aiden stayed still, hidden in the dark. Because Seris remembered who he was.
Her laugh chilled the night. "Send Holt a gift. The clerk's head."
Assassins gave a quick nod, then slipped off into the shadows.
Seris hung back, eyes moving through the shadows. Her illusion flickered - she looked right where Aiden crouched, no mistake.
Did she see?
She spun around, then slipped away under the dark sky.
Aiden breathed out, mist curling from his lips. Near. Way too near.
Back at the stables near barracks, Rowan stood still - breath caught. A carriage? His gaze locked on it
"Decoy," Aiden said flatly. "Seris walks alone. Saw me. Maybe."
Rowan turned pale. "She's aware?"
"Not yet." Aiden pulled Holt's seal. "But her assassins do."
[Ding.]
[Quest Update: Seris Alerted.]
[New Side Quest: Survive the Night.]
[Caution: Danger spotted right now.]
Dawn came up. Aiden sat in the records room like every morning - pen moving slow, eyes fixed ahead.
Varro burst in. "Captain wants you. Now. Assassins hit east gate. Dead."
Holt's room. Door slightly open.
The captain paced, bloodied dagger on desk. "Your thieves from the market. Three of them. Slit throats. Seris' mark on the blades."
Aiden kept his cool. That's what this is about - payback
Holt's eyes bored in. "Or bait. Her suppliers are dead. Her gold's gone. She's cleaning house."
Pause.
"You were there yesterday."
Test. Deadly.
"Supplier audit," Aiden said. "Full records delivered."
Holt leaned close. "Did you see Varn leave?"
"Yes. With gold."
"Liar." Holt's gauntlet gripped Aiden's shoulder - testing strength. "Varn's dead in an alley. Your height. Your build."
Aiden held the gaze. No sign of life in those eyes, yet nothing moved inside. Holt would sense that emptiness somehow.
"Clerks don't kill," Aiden said. "But thieves do."
Holt got out. Then he moved away.
"Stay in the barracks," he growled. "Seris plays dirty. You're my lead now."
Door slammed.
Aiden exhaled.
Twist showed up: Is Holt shielding him - or using him to lure Seris out?
Rowan slipped in later. "Guards everywhere. Palace locked. Wedding rehearsal canceled."
Seris scared.
Good.
[Ding.]
[Side Quest Complete: Survive the Night.]
Reward: You've leveled up! From Lv.5 to Lv.6 now
[New Skill: Death Sense (Passive) – Detect killing intent 50m radius.]
Killing intent flared - coming from Holt's room. Keeping an eye.
One wolf moved slow around the other while it stepped back cautious.
Seris sits inside her woven net.
Wedding tomorrow.
The corpse stirred up trouble across the land.
It was after him now.
Perfect chaos.