Chapter 81
(Theo's study, the night before the departure to quest)
(Third Person POV)
The Tower had always stood above the kingdoms. Not because it ruled them, but because it couldn't. Its true purpose was to keep the balance of magic, not interfere in human politics.
Sometimes, Theo hated that distinction.
He stood by the tall window of his office, looking down at the capital. Mages hurried across the courtyard below, and messengers came and went without a break. The reports scattered across his desk all told the same bad news.
Eryndor was falling apart from the inside. King Alaric was growing more paranoid by the day. Advisors were disappearing overnight, noble houses were fighting each other, and evil was spreading through the court like a plague.
Theo knew the truth: dark magic had already taken root. Yet the Tower could not just march into a kingdom and seize a king without starting a war of its own.
His eyes moved to another report. Viremont.
Village after village had fallen to mysterious attacks.
Supply lines were gone, and entire patrols had vanished.
The Veiled Thorn had stopped hiding; they were much stronger than anyone had expected.
And right behind them was Varynthar, swallowing up neighboring territories with frightening speed.
Every victory made them stronger, bringing them one step closer to open war.
Theo closed the report with a slow breath. He had hoped they still had months, maybe even a year.
Instead, time had run out.
A soft knock broke the silence.
"Enter."
The door opened, and Rhaevan stepped inside. "You wished to see me, Master."
Theo pointed to the chair opposite his desk. "You leave tomorrow."
Rhaevan simply nodded. "I assumed as much."
"There is a mission," Theo said, meeting his eyes. "You are to find the Heartforge Core."
For the first time, genuine surprise crossed Rhaevan's face. "...The Heartforge?"
"Our final chance," Theo said calmly. "If the Veiled Thorn reaches it first, this war is already lost."
Silence stretched between them. Finally, Rhaevan asked, "And where is it?"
"If I knew that, I wouldn't be sending you to search for it."
Rhaevan gave a faint nod. "I understand."
Theo hesitated only a second. "You won't be going alone."
Rhaevan waited.
"Cassiane will accompany you."
The room went dead silent.
"No." Rhaevan answered instantly. Theo wasn't surprised.
"It wasn't a suggestion," Theo said.
"The mission is too dangerous."
"Precisely."
"Then send someone else."
"There is no one else."
Rhaevan's jaw tightened. "The Tower has dozens of capable mages."
"They cannot do what she can." Theo held his gaze. "Only the blood of Ardentia can reach the Heartforge."
Understanding flickered across Rhaevan's face. "...Cassiane."
Theo nodded. "She is the only one capable of finding it."
"No." This time, there was anger in his voice. "I'll retrieve it myself."
"You can't."
"Then I'll find another way."
"There isn't one."
Rhaevan took a step forward. "You're asking her to walk straight into the Veiled Thorn's grasp."
"I'm asking both of you."
"The difference is that they won't be hunting me."
Theo said nothing, because they both knew it was true. The Veiled Thorn had searched for the last Ardentia for years. If they found out Cassiane was alive, this mission would turn into a hunt.
"I won't let her do this."
Theo looked at him quietly. "That decision isn't yours."
Rhaevan's expression hardened. "I'm responsible for her safety."
"And she is responsible for her own choices."
Silence hung in the air.
Finally, Theo spoke. "I've already asked her."
Rhaevan looked up sharply. "...What?"
"She accepted the mission."
For the first time in years, Theo watched Rhaevan lose his composure. "...She what?"
"She accepted the mission."
Rhaevan stared at him in disbelief, then let out a frustrated breath. "Then she doesn't understand what she's walking into."
"She understands enough."
"No." Rhaevan turned toward the door. "I'll speak to her."
"You may," Theo's voice stopped him cold. "But understand this. If she still chooses to go... you have only two options."
Rhaevan stayed still.
"You accompany her... or she leaves alone."
Theo watched Rhaevan's shoulders tense. He knew what the younger man would choose. Rhaevan would never let Cassiane face danger alone. Not anymore.
Without another word, Rhaevan opened the door and walked out.
The office grew quiet again. Theo looked out at the darkening horizon. The war had already begun; the kingdoms just didn't know it yet.
The door to Theo's office swung open with more force than Rhaevan intended. He strode down the Tower corridor, his mind racing.
Only the blood of Ardentia can reach the Heartforge.
Cassiane agreed.
He had to speak to her. He had to make her see reason.
"Rey."
He stopped. Princess Lysenne stood a few steps behind him, her hands clasped together.
"I need a moment," she said.
"I'm afraid it'll have to wait."
She lowered her eyes. "...Please. It's... it's important."
He looked at her face and saw how desperate she looked. After a long pause, he let out a breath. "...Very well."
She led him out onto the open balcony overlooking the moonlit gardens. The night breeze carried the scent of blooming jasmine, but neither spoke for a moment.
Finally, Rhaevan broke the silence. "Princess, what is it?"
Taking a deep breath, Lysenne spoke. "You haven't called me Senna for a while. It... it bothers me."
Rhaevan kept his face neutral. Mustering her courage, she went on. "I've been rehearsing this conversation for a long time. It sounded much easier in my head."
She turned to face him. "When we were younger... I admired you. Somewhere along the way... that admiration became something else."
She stepped closer. "I kept telling myself it would pass. It never did."
Before he could react, she wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest. Rhaevan stiffened.
"Rey..." she whispered. "I've loved you for a long time. I know the kingdoms expect many things of us. I know tomorrow isn't promised. So before war takes away the chance... If there's a future waiting for us... I want to spend it beside you."
Her fingers tightened on his cloak. "Will you let me stay by your side?"
Silence lingered.
Slowly and very gently, Rhaevan lifted her hands away from him and stepped back. His movement was answer enough.
"I'm sorry. I just can't give you what you're asking for."
Lysenne's smile faltered. As he turned to leave, she called softly, "Rey, wait."
He stopped.
After a moment of hesitation, she asked, "...Is there someone else?"
Rhaevan slowly turned to face her, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before drifting toward the dark horizon. He remained silent for several seconds, as though searching for an answer he had never intended to speak aloud.
"My heart... it was never mine to give."
A faint, sad smile touched her face. Lysenne closed her eyes. "So I was too late."
"No," he shook his head. "There was never a time you could have been early."
A tear slipped down her cheek. She laughed softly at herself and wiped it away. "I suppose... I already knew that."
Rhaevan bowed his head. "You deserve someone who can love you the way you deserve. I can't be that person."
Lysenne stood in silence for a few moments, then drew a slow breath. "...Thank you. For telling me the truth."
He looked at her.
"It hurts," she added. "But lies would've hurt longer."
Rhaevan offered a faint, sad smile. "I hope... one day... you find the happiness you're looking for."
"I hope you do too."
He bowed his head once more before turning away. Cassiane. He still needed to find her.
The corridors were quiet as he headed toward the gardens. Moonlight spilled across the stone paths.
Then he saw her.
Cassiane was sitting on the old stone bench, with Cookie sleeping soundly in her lap. Lucien sat at the other end of the bench. Rhaevan slowed his steps.
"...Theo briefed me about tomorrow," Lucien was saying. "You're heading to the Solithium-affected villages."
Cassiane nodded.
A small smile crossed her face. "I guess I won't get the chance to say goodbye properly."
Lucien chuckled. She looked at him for a long moment. "...I'll miss you."
Lucien's expression softened. "I'll miss you too."
They sat in silence for a moment. Then Cassiane looked up at the stars.
"This mission... it's my last favor to Eryndor."
Lucien frowned. "What do you mean?"
"After this... I'm leaving."
Rhaevan stopped walking.
Lucien looked at her, puzzled. "Leaving?"
"I want a normal life," she laughed quietly, though there was no humor in it. "No endless politics. No kingdoms." She looked out across the gardens. "There isn't anything left for me here."
Lucien was silent for a moment, then smiled. "If that's what you want... Viremont will always welcome you."
She turned to him. "There'll always be a place for you. In my life. And in Viremont."
Cassiane smiled. "I'll remember that."
Rhaevan lowered his gaze. After this... I'm leaving. There isn't anything left for me in Eryndor.
The words echoed in his mind. He had come here to ask her to give up the mission. Instead, he realized she had already decided what came after it.
He stood in the shadows for another heartbeat before stepping out into the light.
Tomorrow, if she still chose this path, he would walk it beside her. Even if it led them straight into the jaws of death.