We ditched the carriage halfway better to arrive on foot, less suspicion that way.
"Alright, you two," I said, brushing some dust off my cloak. "What's our cover story?"
Cassian straightened, all serious. "We were on an expedition, finished earlier than expected, and decided to pass through Baron Darien's territory as a detour."
"And," Vivian chimed in, "we'd like to stay at his estate for a few days."
I gave them a small nod. "Good. You've got it down perfectly. Now for the important part."
Their shoulders tensed.
"Rolling in the dirt."
The way they looked at me, you'd think I'd just suggested ritual sacrifice.
Still, they knew there was no escaping it. Either they rolled, or the alternative I hadn't mentioned and trust me, they didn't want that.
Reluctantly, they got down and literally started rolling. Like children playing in the mud. Back and forth. Over and over.
I stared at them, deadpan, then burst into laughter. "Pfft—HAHAHA! Why are you rolling? You could've just thrown some dirt on yourselves!"
Both of them froze mid-roll, faces going crimson. Vivian sat up, hair sticking out at odd angles, and Cassian looked like he'd swallowed his pride along with half the soil.
The rest of the way, they walked in absolute silence, heads bowed, refusing to look at me.
I, of course, couldn't stop chuckling.
Baron Darien's territory was a picture of pastoral beauty at first sight. Golden fields rippled under the breeze like waves of silk, and narrow stone paths wound gracefully through clusters of cottages roofed in warm terracotta. The villagers bowed politely as strangers passed, their voices low and courteous, their smiles practiced but never too wide. From afar, it seemed the kind of countryside that painters longed to capture.
Yet the closer one looked, the less natural it felt. The wheat swayed as if in perfect rhythm, every stalk bending the same way, like soldiers drilled into formation. The air itself felt too still, heavy with something unspoken.
Children were pulled indoors before dusk; doors shut with a muted finality that carried more fear than custom. Even the baron's estate, an austere limestone manor crowned with ivy, stood not as a symbol of welcome but as a watchtower presiding over the land. Its tall windows caught the light like unblinking eyes.
It was a countryside painted in perfection, but one that whispered secrets just beneath the surface, where beauty was too deliberate, and peace felt like the quiet before a storm.
We knocked at the heavy doors of the baron's estate, the sound echoing against the stone walls like a challenge. Our cloaks embroidered with the unmistakable insignia of the Academy were more than enough to grant us passage through the main gates.
"My lord," the butler announced as he bowed low, "a few students from the Imperial Academy have come, requesting an audience."
The Baron's voice drifted from within, cool and measured. "Imperial Academy...? And who, exactly, might they be?"
"It would be better if you met them yourself, my lord. They are waiting in the reception room."
The carved oak doors opened with a groan, revealing us seated inside. The Baron strode in, a man draped in authority and the faintest trace of suspicion, his sharp eyes measuring us as one would weigh coins.
"And what pleasure," he began smoothly, "do I owe for the honor of hosting students from such a prestigious institution in my modest territory?"
I rose gracefully, offering a practiced smile that didn't quite reach my eyes. "Greetings, My lord, I'm Cecilia Florence," I said, voice polite yet edged, as though testing the sharpness of a blade. "And these are my companions, Cassian Aurelius and Vivian."
At the sound of our names, his brows flickered upward. Two high-born nobles in his reception room uninvited. His surprise was fleeting, smoothed over quickly with courtly composure, but I caught the stiffness in his shoulders.
"You see," I continued, as though explaining away a trivial matter, "we were on our monthly expedition. By some stroke of fortune, we completed it far sooner than expected. And since your lands happened to lie on our path back to the Academy…" My smile curved faintly, mocking. "We thought it only proper to impose on your hospitality for a brief rest. After all, it would be a shame to pass through such a fine countryside and not pay our respects to its lord."
A courteous explanation on the surface, yet with every word I left just enough space for him to wonder: were we here by chance… or with intentions?
The Baron's lips curved into a practiced smile, though the edges were tight, strained, as if he were wearing a mask. His gaze lingered on each of us in turn: Cassian, then Vivian, and finally me. His eyes sharpened when they met mine, as though he sensed I wasn't merely here to "rest."
"Ah," he said slowly, voice carrying the weight of hospitality but not the warmth of it. "What an unexpected honor. It is rare for nobles of such fine lineage to grace my estate, let alone three from the Imperial Academy." He gestured for us to sit, though his fingers tightened imperceptibly against the back of the chair before releasing it. "You flatter me with your choice. My halls are humble, but they will serve."
Cassian inclined his head respectfully, but I let the silence hang just a fraction too long before responding, my tone light, almost playful. "Humble, perhaps, my lord… but they seem to have held up well through the years. Not all country estates can boast the same." My words carried the sheen of a compliment, though under it lay a subtle sting: we notice everything.
The Baron chuckled politely, but it was hollow, his smile faltering for the briefest heartbeat. "You are gracious, Lady Florence. I assure you, my household is at your disposal for as long as you require."
But beneath that veneer of welcome, his eyes betrayed him. They darted once, ever so slightly, as though to make sure nothing would reveal more than he wanted us to see.
The reception room was warm but stifling, heavy curtains drawn to keep out the late afternoon sun.
The Baron sat in front of us, his posture impeccable, smile fixed. His eyes swept over us again, calculating. "I must confess, it is not often I receive such distinguished guests. Three from the Imperial Academy, and of such pedigrees… what fortune my humble household enjoys."
Cassian inclined his head in courtesy. "The honor is ours, my lord."
Vivian's hands tightened around her skirt, her smile a touch too polite.
I let my lips curl faintly, leaning back in my chair with deliberate ease. "Fortune indeed," I said smoothly. "Though, truth be told, we are only here by chance. Our expedition concluded earlier than expected, and as your territory was nearby…" I gestured idly at the rich furnishings, the polished wood gleaming despite the countryside dust. "We thought it best to rest somewhere safe."
The Baron's smile twitched. "Safe, yes. That is my foremost duty to all who dwell here." His gaze sharpened just for a moment before softening again. He clapped his hands, summoning a servant who moved with almost mechanical precision, laying out tea and delicate confections.
"Please, partake. Though I fear it may not match the refinements of the capital."
I reached for the cup, swirling the tea absently before taking a measured sip. "On the contrary, my lord. Sometimes the countryside offers a flavor one cannot find in the capital. Stronger. Earthier. Less… diluted." I met his eyes over the rim of the cup, and for a heartbeat, the air between us was charged.
The Baron chuckled politely, though it rang hollow. "You speak with surprising maturity, Lady Florence."
"I've seen enough to appreciate what lies beneath the surface," I replied lightly, though the faint edge in my tone was unmistakable.
Cassian's eyes flicked toward me. The Baron wasn't going to reveal his secrets openly, but cracks always showed if you pressed the right way.
Vivian set her cup down carefully. "Your estate is quite lovely," she said softly, trying to ease the tension. "The countryside here must be very peaceful."
The Baron's smile froze. For a fraction of a second, silence pressed heavy. Then, smoothly, he replied, "Indeed. Peace is what we value most. My people live very quiet lives."
Too quiet, I thought. The stillness outside, the absence of laughter or chatter when we passed the village, felt staged, like a mask over something festering.
"Quiet lives are admirable," I said, voice soft, almost sweet. "Though one does wonder… how quiet can a place be, before silence becomes suspicious?"
The Baron's eyes snapped to mine, and for the first time, his composure faltered. A flicker of irritation crossed his features before he smoothed it over with a smile too quick to be natural.
"I assure you, Lady Florence," he said, voice calm but strained at the edges, "there is nothing suspicious about my household. You will find Baron Darien's lands as safe and serene as any could wish for."
"Of course," I said, letting the corner of my lips twitch into a smile that wasn't quite polite. "I'm sure we will."
I leaned back again, appearing perfectly at ease though my thoughts were sharp and cold. Keep smiling, Baron. We'll see how long your silence holds.
"The maids will show you to your quarters," the Baron said with a faint smile, rising to his feet. "I shall see you at dinner." Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left the room, his footsteps echoing against the polished floor until the door closed behind him.
Two maids stepped forward and bowed. "If you'll follow us, my ladies, my lord," one of them said softly.
Vivian glanced at them, her expression kind. "What are your names?" she asked, her voice carrying gentle curiosity. We had decided beforehand that she would be the one to coax the servants; after all, if anyone in this estate knew its secrets, it would be them.
The maids exchanged a quick, uneasy glance before answering together, "Sophie, and Rebecca, my lady."
I didn't miss the flicker in their eyes—a quiet fear that had been there from the moment the Baron was in the room. Their smiles were dutiful, but their hands twisted against their aprons as though they were used to hiding tremors.
Vivian frowned slightly. "You don't have to call me 'my lady.' I'm not a noble… I'm just a commoner."
Rebecca's lips parted, then pressed shut again. Sophie gave a small, nervous shake of her head. "Forgive us, but to us, you are. You're from the Imperial Academy. That alone makes you far above us."
Vivian looked as though she wanted to protest further, but I cut in before she could. My tone was cool, dismissive. "Let it go, Vivian." My gaze shifted to the maids, sharp and unyielding. "Show us to our quarters. I'd like to rest."
The way their shoulders stiffened told me everything—they were used to commands, not kindness. And they were afraid…but not of us.
The maids dipped their heads and turned, leading us down a long corridor. Their footsteps were soft, almost too soft, like they'd been trained not to make a sound.
The estate itself was beautiful, at least on the surface. Chandeliers glittered faintly above us, and the marble floors gleamed as though polished just this morning. Yet the silence was oppressive. No servants bustling about, no chatter, no life. Even the air felt still, as though it had been holding its breath for far too long.
"Is it always this quiet here?" I asked curtly.
Rebecca's hand twitched against her apron. "Yes, my lady. His lordship values… order."
Order. The word carried a weight she hadn't intended to reveal.
We continued walking, and I noticed more small oddities: curtains drawn tightly shut despite the fading light outside, doors that bore fresh scratches near the handles as though someone had clawed to get out, and a draft that chilled the air though no window was open.
Finally, we reached a branching hallway. Sophie turned, forcing a small smile. "These will be your quarters. Dinner will be announced shortly. If you require anything, please ring the bell by the door."
I let my eyes linger on them a moment too long, sharp enough to make them drop their gazes. "We'll manage." My tone was cold, final.
The maids curtsied and hurried away, their retreat too quick, too eager.
When the hall fell silent again, Vivian exhaled a shaky laugh. "Well… that was welcoming."
Cassian only muttered, "This place feels wrong."
And he wasn't wrong.
"Of course it is," I said flatly. "The place reeks of death and rot."
"Death?" they echoed in unison, their faces paling.
I only nodded. "This mission is not at a level either of you can handle. From this point on, you're only on recon."
Cassian stiffened. "We can handle it. If we couldn't, Instructor Cael wouldn't have sent us here."
Vivian's eyes hardened with the same resolve. "He's right. I can handle it too."
Their determination was admirable but naïve. This place wasn't just dangerous, and its secrets were carved far deeper than they could imagine.
"If you insist," I said coolly, my voice like the snap of a closing door, "then we'll continue with what was discussed. But for now, go and wash up—you two are still caked in dirt."
Once they left, I sank into silence, then called out in thought. "Nox. You know what you have to do, right?"
His answer rippled through the shadows at once. "Of course. You don't need to remind me."
A low chuckle curled at the edge of his voice, dark and mischievous. Please. It's not my first time tearing a place apart for reconnaissance. In fact… I rather enjoy it.
To be continued.