Elias's gaze remained fixed on the Security Advisor.
The man closed the door quietly behind him and approached the desk with slow, deliberate steps.
Elias pushed his leather chair back slightly and settled into it once more.
When the Security Advisor reached the edge of the desk, he bowed his head.
Elias regarded him calmly, a faint, enigmatic smile playing across his lips. He placed his left hand lightly on the desk and said,
"Raise your head."
The Security Advisor lifted his gaze and slowly drew his left hand from behind his back. Several sheets of paper rested in his grasp. He extended them toward Elias with both hands, bowed again, and spoke.
"Reports on the state of affairs and events in the royal capital over the past year, my lord. Certain matters concerning the manor are also noted in one of these documents."
Elias glanced at the papers, staring for a brief moment before replying,
"Burn them."
The Security Advisor's composure faltered. He raised his head slightly, studying Elias with an outwardly neutral expression.
"Is… is there something unsatisfactory in my report, my lord?"
Elias lifted his left index finger from the desk and began tapping it rhythmically—tap, tap, tap—the sound echoing sharply in the quiet room.
"I don't even know what you've written, so how could I comment on its flaws? But I do know that nothing of consequence has happened in London."
The Security Advisor bowed once more, though this time he lifted his head almost immediately.
"I apologize for submitting a report whose summary you already know by heart, my lord."
Elias closed his eyes fully and leaned back in the chair.
"No matter. One can deduce as much simply from the mood of the people and the behavior of everyone else."
Silence settled between them for a few seconds.
Then Elias spoke abruptly.
"I have one request for you."
The Security Advisor met his gaze before bowing again.
"You give me orders, my lord. Requests are not something you need to make."
Elias fixed him with a serious look. The tapping of his finger ceased. His expression carried a strange satisfaction, yet the intensity in his eyes was almost menacing.
"Very well, then I order you… to find three books for me."
The Security Advisor's eyes widened briefly, though he quickly regained his composure.
"Books not present in the manor library, my lord? Please tell me their titles, and I will procure them for you."
Elias smiled—a smile of satisfaction tinged with mockery. He stared directly into the Security Advisor's eyes for a moment, then reached with his right hand into one of the desk drawers. He withdrew a single sheet of paper, placed it on the desk, and slid it forward.
"You seem quite determined… Here are the three titles written on this page."
After speaking, Elias gave a peculiar, crooked smirk.
The Security Advisor lifted the paper carefully. When he read the first title, his eyes flickered with unease. His whisper came out slightly louder than intended.
"History of Tales…"
Elias slowly clenched his right hand into a fist, then opened it again.
"Unfortunately, I must remind you… you shouldn't speak their names aloud."
The Security Advisor slammed both palms onto the desk.
"My lord… have you… forgotten?"
Elias looked at him with genuine surprise.
"Hm? Why would you ask such a foolish question?"
The Security Advisor's voice carried real concern now.
"Because… these three books are insignificant in themselves, but they are forbidden. In any case, they cannot be found anywhere in all of Britain!"
Elias rose slowly from his chair and stood.
He looked straight into the Security Advisor's eyes.
"I never said to find 'History of Tales,' 'A Clown's Wanderings,' or 'The Place of the Fall' within Britain."
The Security Advisor raised a hand to his chin.
"Then…"
Elias snapped his fingers sharply, narrowed his eyes, and fixed the man with an intense stare.
"Exactly. This will be a difficult mission for you. You are to embark on a journey… solely to locate these three books."
The Security Advisor tugged his sleeve forward slightly and adjusted his white glove.
"I will carry it out, my lord. But I have one question."
Elias remained silent, waiting.
The Security Advisor continued.
"May I ask why you need these three books?"
Elias walked slowly to the window and placed his right hand against the glass.
"I want…"
He paused, then finished quietly.
"I simply want to understand why they are forbidden."
The Security Advisor placed his right hand over his heart and bowed deeply, maintaining perfect decorum.
"Yes, my lord. I understand. Your order will be carried out. I shall depart tomorrow."
Elias clasped both hands behind his back and said nothing more.
Birdsong drifted in from outside, along with the distant clatter of carriages and the murmur of people in the streets.
The Security Advisor bowed once again and left the room without another word.
Elias remained at the window, staring outward.
An eerie silence filled the chamber—broken only by birds, pedestrians, and passing carriages.
He closed his eyes slowly and raised his right hand slightly, gazing at it.
What was Elias searching for?
What drove this behavior?
Perhaps even he did not fully know.
If anyone had seen him in that moment, they might not have understood either.
Suddenly, Elias let out a soft laugh—a laugh whose reason belonged to him alone.
He clenched his hand into a fist and murmured,
"What a dull life these dukes led… I always thought their existence was beautiful, but now that I'm living it, I've realized one simple truth: being an ordinary person is far better than being a wealthy, influential, and respected duke."
With those words, Elias looked up at the clear blue daytime sky, closed his eyes once more, and exhaled slowly.