The sunlight filtered lazily through the tall arched windows of the Velmora Duchy's grand library.
Dust motes danced in the still air as Luna sat cross-legged between two shelves, her small hands flipping through a thick tome on ancient wind spirits.
The scent of ink, leather, and old parchment calmed her.
She hadn't gone out for stamina training that morning. Somehow, Zera (wind) had told her to stay in.
She closed her book "Finding the pandant right now is not so crucial "
"That strange guy from last night , I hope my illusion magic worked on him "
suddenly ,
sharp, angry whispers echoing down the marbled corridor just beyond the library's carved wooden doors.
"How much longer do we have to wait?"
"The others already left. They've been paid."
"When will our wages be provided!?"
Luna tilted her head, her ears keen from years of survival. That was maid gossip but loud and bitter.
She quietly rose and tiptoed toward the door, keeping to the shadows. Just outside, through the slightly ajar crack, she spotted him.
Sir Kaelith Drevaris.
The youngest of the Duke's chosen knights, a prodigy from the North. Nineteen years old, tall and sharp-featured, with unruly black hair and eyes that reflected the cold steel of the mountains.
His posture was rigid, disciplined but there was something tired behind his gaze.
In the novel, Luna remembered, Kaelith was fiercely loyal until the end. He would die ten years from now, pierced by enemy blades . She didn't know whether to pity him… or respect him.
"I know, I know," Kaelith was saying with an awkward smile. "But the wages will be provided. Just trust the Duke."
"What, you want us to believe him? That man's finished."
"No wonder the others left."
Their words turned sharp .
Luna felt it too that the atmosphere shifted.
Kaelith's smile faded.
Slowly, he stepped forward, his voice dropping to a cold command.
"You will not utter such words about him again." His tone had no room for debate. "He is a Duke… and you, mere commoners."
The air snapped like ice.
The maids paled.
One stuttered, "W-We're sorry, Sir Kaelith…"
"Be gone," he said flatly.
They scattered like birds startled from a field.
Kaelith sighed, brushing his fingers through his dark hair. "Tch…"
Then, his head tilted slightly, his eyes scanning the hallway with a faint smirk.
"You can come out now, little lady."
Luna blinked. (Ah... I wasn't hiding my presence that well, was I?)
She stepped from behind the door, a small smile curling her lips. Silver hair cascaded down her shoulders like moonlight, and her jewel-blue eyes sparkled with mischief.
"You noticed me."
"Hard not to. You radiate curiosity like heat," Kaelith replied, arms crossed. "You heard all that?"
"Most of it," Luna admitted, not ashamed. "You defended him."
Kaelith didn't reply immediately. His expression darkened just a fraction. "The Duke may be… complicated. But he gave me a chance when no one else would. Loyalty is not just for when things go well."
There was silence between them for a moment.
Then he added, eyes narrowing just slightly, "You're her daughter, aren't you? Isabella's."
Luna stiffened. She hadn't expected the bite in his voice.
"I'm adopted," she replied coolly. "And I'm not her."
Kaelith's gaze lingered for a breath longer assessing, not yet trusting.
Then he turned, the subject dropped like a stone into deep water.
"Wear some thick clothes , who knows when this weather changes "
Luna blinked.
Kaelith was already walking away, his cloak billowing behind him like the echo of a distant storm.