Adrian, Elena and Sarah quickly made their way to the study.
Beyond her talent for magic, Sarah had also demonstrated a remarkable aptitude for administration. Elena had therefore taken it upon herself to train her personally in both fields. Sarah had declined invitations from nearly every Magic Tower, insisting that she wanted to remain with the family. Although Elena had initially been reluctant to accept her decision, she eventually agreed, and Sarah had since stood by her through almost everything while helping look after Ethan and Amelia.
When they entered the study, Van was already waiting for them.
Marcus rarely sent Van unless it was something extremely important and contained highly classified information. Even though they didn’t know what he had brought this time, Elena and Sarah were already concerned after the recent incidents involving Ethan.
Van’s armour was still dusty from the road, and the exhaustion of travelling for days continuously without rest clearly showed on his face. The moment he saw Adrian, he dropped to one knee.
"My Lord, My Lady, Lady Sarah."
"Rise, Van," Adrian said, walking behind his desk as he took his seat, while Elena and Sarah took their respective positions.
Van stood and took out the sealed envelope from inside his coat. He held it out with both hands. Adrian looked at it for a moment before taking it. ℯⅇ𝙡.
Elena then gestured for Van to take a seat.
Adrian broke the seal and began to read. Elena sat calmly, while Sarah stood behind her.
For a few seconds, the study was quiet except for the soft rustle of paper. Adrian read the first few lines without any expression. Then, as he moved on, his fingers tightened around the edges of the paper until it creased under his grip. His usually calm face slowly began to change, his expression shifting between boiling anger, worry and immense pride. Even though every emotion was barely visible on his face, Elena knew her husband well enough to recognise every change, no matter how small.
Elena watched all of this, and her worry increased by the moment. In all their years together, she had seen him like this only a handful of times, and none of those times had brought good news.
Sarah noticed the change as well. She had rarely seen the Marquis’s composure falter, even slightly, and the sight made her grip the back of Elena’s chair more tightly.
"Adrian..."
He handed her the report after finishing.
Elena read it quickly, while Sarah read the contents from behind her. As their eyes moved across the lines, they tried their best to stay calm, but just imagining the consequences if the conspiracy had succeeded sent shivers down their spines. Then, as they read what Ethan had done and the condition he was in, their hearts dropped even further...
"Ethan..." Elena’s voice broke.
Sensing the raging emotions in Elena’s mind, Adrian quickly held her hand.
Meanwhile, Sarah’s eyes became moist, but she held on to Elena’s shoulder, placing her hand there gently.
All three understood how close they had come to disaster, even though Marcus hadn’t mentioned it explicitly. Had the conspiracy succeeded, House Ravencrest might have suffered a devastating blow, and the consequences could have extended far beyond the Northern Frontier, affecting the Empire itself.
At Adrian’s instruction, Van then described what he had witnessed of Ethan. With each detail, the atmosphere in the study grew heavier.
For a while, everyone stayed silent.
Elena tried to steady herself, but her fingers still trembled under Adrian’s hold. He could sense his wife’s anxiety for Ethan, but he also knew how strong-willed she was...
Elena took a few deep breaths, calming her mind as she looked at Adrian.
"We should decide what to tell the Emperor and the churches," Elena said, looking straight into his eyes.
Adrian nodded.
"The Awakening Ceremony will take place in the capital in two weeks, followed by ceremonies across the rest of the Empire." Elena paused briefly. "Both Duke Albright and Duke Celestine will attend this time for their children’s awakenings. Every eye will be on the Imperial Capital."
"Are you suggesting we withhold the information?" Adrian asked.
"Only for now..." Elena took a breath before continuing. "As you mentioned earlier, the Emperor intends to summon you alongside the Dukes. He may be waiting until the Awakening Ceremony is over before calling you all. I think we should wait until then to disclose the full details. By that time, we may also have learned whatever we can from the Abyssal Pact member."
She hesitated, guilt tightening around her heart at the thought of what she was about to suggest. Her lips trembled, and Adrian’s grip on her hand grew firmer as he sensed her struggle.
"W-we should ask Ethan about... that energy."
Her free hand clenched until her nails dug into her palm, drawing blood that fell in small drops onto the floor.
It wasn’t that she wanted to question her son while he was still unconscious and recovering. But the Emperor is a different matter. If the situation demanded it, they could tell the other Dukes the same story the soldiers believed, and it would hold. But with the Sword Saint beside the Emperor, there was no point in hiding it. If Reiner investigated the incident using his divine ability, he would discover Ethan’s connection to what had happened. It would be better for them to inform the Emperor themselves than allow him to uncover the truth independently.
As for the churches, if they learned of it now, their inquisitors would follow. Even though they would have to abide by the rules, their presence alone would only spread more panic. For now, the churches had to be kept out of this until the situation calmed down.
"My Lady..." Sarah said from behind her.
Even Van’s eyes widened at Elena’s suggestion... He knew the Lady must have been the most affected out of everyone, yet she had suggested something that even Marcus and he himself had struggled to say aloud.
Adrian looked at Elena for a moment. He knew how hard it must’ve been for her to say that. He had been planning to suggest it himself later, but hearing her say it only made it more painful. Their son had risked his life to save them, yet once he recovered, they would have to ask him to explain the very power that had helped save them.
He could only sigh at the irony of it all.
He turned to Van.
"You’ve done well, Van. Rest for today. You’ll be returning to Northwatch soon."
"Yes, My Lord." Van bowed deeply as he left.
Adrian then glanced at Sarah, and she understood at once. She bowed and followed Van out of the study, quietly closing the door behind her.
As she walked down the corridor, Sarah clenched her hands. She had asked to go to Northwatch to look after Ethan and protect him. But now he had grown so strong that he was the one protecting them... and when he needed it the most, she couldn’t even be there for him.
Her steps slowed for a moment as she looked out of the corridor window, toward the north.
I’ll stay by your side and protect you... no matter what.
———
Inside the study, Adrian rose from his seat and walked around the desk.
Without a word, he pulled Elena into his arms.
For a moment, Elena stiffened. Then her shoulders slowly loosened, and she buried her face against his chest. The composure she had been holding on to in front of the others finally cracked, and her body trembled in his arms.
Adrian held her tightly for a few seconds, gently rubbing the back of her head.
"Go to Northwatch," he said quietly after a while.
Elena lifted her head and looked at him.
"Dear..."
"I know how much you want to see him," he said.
"I’ll handle the administrative matters here," he continued. "So don’t worry about anything. Just stay by his side until he is okay, and once you are sure he is alright, you can come back."
Elena’s expression softened. She knew Adrian wanted to go to Northwatch himself, not only to see Ethan but also to check on Marcus. Yet Marcus’s report had focused entirely on their son, making no mention of his own injuries. She knew her husband would be worrying about his brother as well.
"And take Amelia with you," Adrian added, clearing his throat awkwardly. "She’ll eat me alive if she finds out you went without her."
Elena let out a small breath and nodded against his chest.
"Okay," she whispered.
Adrian didn’t say anything. He only held her a little tighter.
———
Amelia was in the garden when Elena found her.
"Amelia," Elena said, kneeling in front of her. "Pack your things. We’re going to Northwatch."
"...Really?"
"Really."
Amelia threw her arms around Elena’s neck. "Thank you, Mother! Thank you!" She then spotted Sarah standing a few steps behind and hurried over to hug her as well. "Sister Sarah, we’re going together!"
Sarah returned the embrace, gently patting Amelia’s head as the girl excitedly began listing all the things she wanted to do with her brother.