The night after the trials was quieter than usual.
Aurevale, despite its rapid growth, had begun to develop its own rhythm. Lanterns glowed along the streets like fallen stars. The newly selected knight candidates were escorted to temporary barracks, their excited whispers echoing in the corridors. Inside the mansion, the newly chosen maids were already under Lilith's strict supervision.
And at the highest balcony—
Kael stood alone.
Well.
He thought he was alone.
"You're thinking too loudly."
Kael didn't turn around.
"I was wondering how long you'd pretend not to notice."
Seraphina stepped beside him, her long hair flowing gently in the night breeze. Elowen followed right after, carrying two cups of warm tea.
"You skipped dinner," Elowen said, handing him one cup. "Again."
Kael accepted it silently.
For a moment, none of them spoke.
The moonlight reflected in their eyes.
Finally, Seraphina asked softly, "You're worried about the debut party."
It wasn't a question.
Kael exhaled slowly.
"The delegation from Shadowven will attend publicly. The Hero will stand before every noble house in Astralis."
Elowen leaned against the railing.
"And?"
"And if their scheme is real, they won't move recklessly."
Seraphina tilted her head.
"Which makes them more dangerous."
Kael nodded.
"They'll provoke indirectly."
Elowen smirked slightly.
"Are you jealous?"
Kael blinked.
"Of what?"
"The Hero," she said casually. "He's famous. Chosen by divine light. Handsome prince. Future king."
Kael stared at her flatly.
"I'm not jealous."
Seraphina smiled faintly.
"You clenched your cup."
He immediately loosened his grip.
"…That's unrelated."
Both princesses burst into soft laughter.
For a brief moment, the tension lightened.
But only slightly.
A Sudden Disturbance
The peaceful night shattered.
A loud explosion echoed from the lower training grounds.
Kael's eyes sharpened instantly.
"What was that?"
Before anyone could respond, Nathan rushed onto the balcony.
"Lord Kael! One of the mage candidates lost control of his mana!"
Kael moved without hesitation.
"Seraphina, Elowen—stay inside."
"No," they answered in unison.
Kael sighed.
"Fine. But stay behind me."
They descended quickly.
Smoke filled the training field. Several recruits lay on the ground, stunned but conscious. In the center stood a young male candidate, trembling, dark mana flickering violently around him.
"It wasn't me!" he shouted. "I didn't cast that!"
Kael raised his hand calmly.
"Silence."
The chaotic mana shifted toward him instinctively, like a frightened animal sensing a stronger predator.
Kael stepped closer.
The air grew heavier.
"Release it," Kael said quietly.
"I can't!"
Kael's golden mana flowed outward gently, wrapping around the unstable energy like warm light surrounding a storm cloud.
The dark mana resisted violently—
—and then—
Collapsed.
The boy dropped to his knees.
Silence returned.
Nathan and Arin quickly secured the area.
Kael looked down at the trembling candidate.
"What did you feel before it happened?"
The boy swallowed.
"It felt like… something pulled at my core."
Kael's gaze darkened.
Hat appeared beside him quietly.
"External interference?"
Kael didn't answer.
But the thought had already formed.
Investigation in the Shadows
Later that night, Kael stood inside his study with Hat, Nathan, and Arin.
"The mana surge wasn't natural," Hat confirmed. "I sensed residue."
"From Shadowven?" Arin asked.
"Not directly," Hat replied. "But it was deliberate."
Kael crossed his arms.
"A warning?"
"Or a test," Nathan added.
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"They're measuring Aurevale."
Silence lingered.
Arin rested his hand on his sword.
"Should we tighten security?"
"Yes," Kael answered immediately. "Double patrols. Restrict mage training to supervised zones."
Nathan bowed.
"It will be done."
As they left, Hat remained.
"Master."
"Yes."
"You were angry earlier."
Kael looked toward the window.
"I was afraid."
Hat blinked.
"For the princesses."
Hat smiled faintly.
"You've grown."
Kael rolled his eyes.
"Don't say it like I was immature before."
Hat chuckled.
"I never said that."
Midnight Confession
Later that night—
Seraphina knocked on Kael's chamber door.
He opened it, surprised.
"Elowen is asleep," she said softly.
"And you're not?"
She stepped inside without answering.
The room was dimly lit by a single lamp.
She turned toward him.
"Are we really in danger?"
Kael hesitated.
"Yes."
She nodded.
"I thought so."
He stepped closer.
"I won't let anything happen to you."
She looked up at him.
"You can't protect everything alone."
"I'll try."
"That's what worries me."
Her hand reached for his.
"Don't push us away when things get difficult."
He tightened his hold gently.
"I won't."
There was a pause.
Then she whispered,
"You said you love us."
He froze slightly.
"I meant it."
Her face flushed softly.
"I know."
She leaned forward—
And rested her forehead against his chest.
His heartbeat was steady.
Strong.
Warm.
"Promise me something," she murmured.
"What?"
"If things get dangerous… trust us too."
Kael's hand moved to her back gently.
"I promise."
Outside, unseen by them—
A shadow moved briefly across the mansion roof.
Watching.
Listening.
The Next Morning
Elowen burst into the dining hall dramatically.
"Why does Seraphina look so calm today?!"
Seraphina choked slightly on her tea.
Kael coughed.
"Good morning to you too."
Elowen squinted suspiciously.
"You two talked without me."
Seraphina smiled serenely.
"Maybe."
Elowen immediately marched toward Kael.
"You traitor."
"I did nothing!"
Hat floated nearby.
"Technically, Master did not initiate—"
"Hat," Kael warned.
The morning devolved into playful accusations.
For a few minutes—
It felt normal again.
Until—
Nathan entered swiftly.
"Lord Kael."
The room quieted.
"We discovered a symbol carved beneath the training grounds."
Kael stood immediately.
"What symbol?"
Nathan handed him a sketch.
It was faint.
Subtle.
But unmistakable.
The crest of Shadowven.
Seraphina's smile vanished.
Elowen's expression hardened.
Kael folded the paper carefully.
"So," he said quietly.
"They've already arrived."
The tension returned like a tightening string.
The debut party was still days away.
But Shadowven's presence—
Was already in Aurevale.
Kael looked toward the horizon.
A faint smirk touched his lips.
"You want to test me?"
Golden mana flickered briefly in his eyes.
"Then let's see who breaks first."
Seraphina stepped beside him.
Elowen on his other side.
Three figures standing against the coming storm.
Romance, laughter, and warmth still alive—
But beneath it—
War was quietly approaching.
To be continued…