POV: Nameless Narrator
Date: Fifth Day of Court
Location: Narshia Town – Mansion, Hidden Chamber
---
The fifth day of court came like breath held too long.
The hall was noise. Words tossed like cards.
Sael spoke in circles. Lady Yveline tilted her head and smiled with venom under silk.
Nobles pretended to care. Pretended to listen. Pretended this was justice.
But in truth, it was all theater.
And the real play was happening behind a locked door.
---
Evening – Hidden Chamber Beneath the Mansion
They didn't meet in the court.
They weren't fools.
After what happened on the road — ambush, betrayal, kidnapping — they knew better than to show their cards in public.
The chamber had no guards. No eyes. Only candlelight and stone.
Nitsuo sat at the center, cloak drawn, expression unreadable.
Anna sat beside Leander — her smile brighter now, but only when no one was watching.
They hadn't brought proof — just rumors, noise from the street, movement in the dark.
Riya, Elric, Gideon — same.
Their intel was light. Elusive.
But they came because Nitsuo called.
And then came Lily and Alice.
Their steps quiet. Their hands full.
They laid the documents on the table without a word.
Alice's findings — crisp, direct.
A contract marked with Lady Yveline's seal.
Payment to an assassin guild.
Delivery route. Target: "Remove threats during return to Narshia."
Lily's — equally damning.
A letter from Sael to a mercenary group.
Orders, signed. Rewards promised.
Timing precise to the ambush on the 6th day.
---
Anna glanced at Alice and scoffed quietly.
Alice returned a faint smirk.
Lily didn't even look at them. Her eyes were on Nitsuo. Watching. Waiting.
He read through the pages in silence.
Then — he stood.
And with a soft breath…
He patted both Alice and Lily on the head.
One hand to each.
A quiet gesture.
Anna blinked — surprised.
Alice narrowed her eyes, crimson flickering with something unreadable.
Lily looked away. A faint warmth touched her ears.
> "You've done well," Nitsuo said simply.
Leander whistled.
> "I can't compete with that praise."
Anna huffed.
> "You never could."
Riya laughed. Gideon cracked a rare smile.
Even Elric chuckled lowly.
For a moment — just a moment — they felt whole again.
But Nitsuo didn't laugh.
He only watched them all, like someone watching the last warm fire before walking into a storm.
---
Later That Night – Halden Narshia's Study
The Count stood behind his desk, aged more than he had five days ago.
Nitsuo entered without bow or ceremony.
He laid the documents down without a word.
And Halden read.
His hands trembled by the second page.
By the fourth, he stopped pretending.
> "So it was true," he said softly.
"All of it…"
Nitsuo didn't respond.
The Count looked up. His face was pale, not with fear — but grief.
> "This is my household," he whispered.
"My wife. My brother…"
> "Your enemies," Nitsuo corrected. Calmly. Not cruelly.
Halden's lips pressed together. His knuckles white.
> "I let this rot fester," he said. "For peace. For balance."
> "There is no balance in silence," Nitsuo replied.
"Only delay. And cost."
There was a long pause. Then Halden lowered the papers.
> "What do you want, Tactician?"
Nitsuo looked him straight in the eye.
> "I want it to end."
The Count exhaled.
> "Then I give you permission. Investigate. Quietly. Bring me what justice demands."
> "And when I do?" Nitsuo asked.
> "Then I will act," Halden said, voice steadier now.
"As Count. Not as husband. Not as brother."
For a breath, the room was still.
Then Nitsuo gave a short bow — not of submission, but acknowledgement.
> "Then let's finish this."
---
Closing Narration – Nameless Narrator
> "The mask cracked."
"The warmth returned — briefly."
"But truth has a cost, and theirs was coming."
"The court would end soon."
"And when it did, it would be with fire, not words."