The morning began with the sound of weeping.
It wasn't a cry of pain or terror. It was merely a small, persistent whimper echoing from the dining hall—a sound I hadn't heard for several days.
Liana.
I stepped out of my room, walking down the cold stone corridor. Mira's blue locket remained warm against my chest, hidden beneath my gown. I had worn it since yesterday, never taking it off. Not even while I slept.
They always know where I am.
That thought should have unsettled me. But for some reason... it didn't.
I arrived at the dining hall, and the scene inside gave me pause. Liana sat in her chair, tears streaming down her round cheeks. Her white hair was a tangled mess—she had likely just woken up. Beside her, Sera sat with a somber face, clutching the ragged cloth doll she carried everywhere. Vina stood by the window with her back to them, her shoulders rigid with tension.
Liam sat in the corner, his brow furrowed as usual, watching his twin sister with an unreadable expression. Reno was absent—likely still in the village. Kael stood near the door, arms crossed, his face a mask of indifference, yet his eyes betrayed a different emotion.
Discomfort.
"I want to go back to the Academy!"
Liana's voice was shrill. She stamped her foot against the floor—a childish outburst I rarely saw from her. Usually, she was the most obedient of the children. But this morning... she had reached her breaking point.
"I miss my friends! I miss Teacher Mella! I miss the library!" Her tears flowed faster. "Why can't we go back?!"
Sera nodded slowly, adding in a tiny voice, "I miss it too... I miss the painting classes."
Vina finally turned around. Her eyes were rimmed with red—she was fighting back tears of her own. "Liana, Sera... we've talked about this. Our family doesn't have the coin for the Academy fees. Mother has been working so hard—"
"I don't care!" Liana interjected. "I want to go back! Father told me I could study there until I grew up! Why aren't we allowed to go now?!"
The mention of their father echoed through the room.
Vina flinched. Kael stiffened. Even Liam, usually so stoic, shifted his gaze to the floor.
The Count.
I stepped into the room. Every pair of eyes turned toward me. Liana immediately clamped her mouth shut. Her tears continued to fall, but her sobbing ceased. Sera hugged her doll tighter. Vina looked down, unable to meet my eyes.
"I... I'm sorry, Mother." Liana's voice had shrunk. "I didn't mean to—"
"It's alright." I walked over and knelt beside her chair, bringing our eyes to the same level. "You miss the Academy?"
She nodded slowly. Her grey eyes—the same shade as the Count's—looked at me with a fragile hope.
"I want to learn too," she whispered. "I want to be smart. So I can help Mother."
So I can help Mother.
The words pricked something in my chest—an emotion I couldn't quite name.
I looked at Sera. She nodded as well, though more hesitantly. "I... I like the painting classes. The teacher said I was talented."
I stood up and looked at Vina. She was still looking down. "I... I want to go back too," she said softly. "But I know we don't have the money. I won't force it. I can study on my own in the castle library."
"The castle library won't teach you magic, Vina."
She looked up, her eyes glistening. I looked at them one by one. Liana, the weeping dreamer; Sera, the quiet talent; Vina, the selfless scholar; Liam, the silent observer.
And then there was Kael, standing in the corner with a hardened expression.
"I will find a way," I said finally. "You all will return to the Academy."
Liana's head snapped up. Her eyes sparkled. "Really?!"
"Really."
"But Mother—" Vina began.
"No buts." My voice was calm yet firm. "You need an education. You need protection. This castle is not safe. The Marquis is still lurking. In the Academy, at the very least, there are teachers and guards who can protect you."
"That... makes sense," Vina murmured, though doubt still lingered on her face.
"I'm not going back."
Everyone turned to Kael. He was still leaning against the wall, arms folded. "I'm too old to be a student. And I have to protect the family here."
"Kael—" Vina started.
"No." His voice cut her off. "I've decided. I'm staying at the castle. Training my blade. Protecting Mother and anyone else who stays behind."
I stared at him. He stared back. There was something in his gaze—not defiance, but resolve. He wanted to protect me.
"I don't need protection," I said.
"I know." He didn't back down. "But I'm staying."
Silence followed. Eventually, I nodded. "Very well. Kael stays at the castle. The others—Vina, Reno, Sera, Liam, and Liana—will return to the Academy."
"But the fees—" Vina started again.
"I will find a way."
"How?"
I didn't answer. My mind was already racing. The Count had connections. The castle library held old correspondences. There had to be someone I could reach out to.
After breakfast, I sat with Vina in the library. She was calmer now. In front of her was a stack of books about the Varen family history—a project she had started weeks ago.
"I want to know more about the Academy," I said. "Can you tell me?"
Vina nodded, closing her book. "The Royal Academy was founded three hundred years ago by the First King. Its purpose was to educate nobles and talented commoners to serve the kingdom."
"Did your father go there?"
Vina nodded. "Father graduated at the top of his class in Strategy. That's why he was respected, even though our lands aren't fertile or wealthy."
I filed that information away. The Count was brilliant. He was respected for his mind, not his gold.
"How does the system work now?"
"There are two primary tracks." Vina opened her notebook, pointing to a neatly written page. "The Magic Track for those with Mana talent, and the Knight Track for those looking to develop Aura. But students can also take a mix of both."
Mana and Aura.
"Mana is magical energy. Those with it can train to be mages. Aura is physical power—knights use it to strengthen their bodies and their blades."
Like Kael. His red aura.
"And who teaches there?"
"Many instructors. Mostly retired royal knights or court mages." Vina hesitated. "But the Headmaster... I've never met her. I've only heard her name. Lady Gremony."
Lady Gremony.
The name triggered no memories, yet there was something there. A faint resonance.
"Do you know anything about the Count's relationship with Lady Gremony?"
Vina shook her head. "No. But I know Father used to exchange letters with the Academy frequently. Perhaps... perhaps Lady Gremony knew him well."
I noted that. The Count corresponded with the Academy. Lady Gremony might be an ally—or at least a contact.
"Thank you, Vina."
She gave a small smile. "I only want to help."
I stood up to leave, but her voice caught me. "Mother."
I turned. Vina looked at me with serious eyes. "I know you're different now. Stronger. But..." She hesitated. "The Academy is harsh. The nobles there... they look down on anyone they deem weaker. Even before Father fell ill, we were mocked because our lands were barren. Now, with Father gone and us in poverty..."
She didn't finish the sentence, but the meaning was clear.
"They will bully you."
Vina looked down and nodded slowly.
I walked back to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked up, startled.
"Vina," I said calmly. "You are stronger than you think. You have no reason to fear them."
"But—"
"And if they dare touch you..." I looked into her eyes. "They will have to answer to me."
Vina was silent for a moment, then slowly, a smile formed. It was different from her usual smiles—more confident. "Thank you, Mother."
That night, I sat alone in my room. The Count's diary was tucked beneath my pillow. Mira's blue locket was warm against my skin. The map of Varen was still spread across the table, but I had added a new marker: The Royal Academy in the Capital.
The spiderweb had to expand.
I stared at the map. The Marquis to the northeast. The Eternal Eye at the border. The Academy to the south. Castle Varen in the center.
And I was in the middle of it all.
I am the key.
I didn't know what it meant yet. But I would find out.
Sending the children to the Academy wasn't just for their education. It was to extend my reach. Eyes and ears in the Capital. Intel from within the Academy walls. I needed them there—not just as students, but as assets.
I touched the locket. The blue stone shimmered in the candlelight.
The Eternal Eye was watching me. The Marquis was stalking me. The Academy was waiting for me.
Fine. Let them all watch. They didn't realize... I was watching them right back.