Sosuke held the letter in his hand, Gabriel's seal glinting under the midday light.
"Sosuke, I leave you a room within my manor. I know the struggles you've endured—take this time to recover."
He let out a sigh, fingers tightening on the edge of the parchment as he stepped onto the marble staircase. The manor loomed above him, an elegant monument of wealth and history. Intricate carvings twisted along its pillars, gilded vines and moonlight-silver roses crawling up polished white stone. A waterfall shimmered beside the steps, its sound soft and calming, like the manor itself was trying to ease his burden.
As he reached the front doors, they creaked open without a touch.
Two spirits floated out, silent and translucent. They hovered slightly above the ground—one with long, trailing hair and the other holding a golden lantern. Their faces were beautiful, but their eyes were hollow, glowing faintly like dying stars.
Sosuke blinked and bowed stiffly. "Uh… thanks?" He wasn't sure what else to do. The spirits didn't respond, just drifted aside like curtains in the breeze. He walked past them quickly, cheeks warm with embarrassment.
Inside, the manor was even more impressive. Velvet-lined walls, golden sconces glowing with gentle magic, and a ceiling painted to resemble a night sky in motion. His boots echoed softly on the polished black floor as he followed the hall, checking the room number written in Gabriel's perfect handwriting.
He reached the door, then paused.
"Hello, sir."
A girl stood inside, fluffing a pillow with exaggerated focus. She had long dark hair, tied up messily, and a uniform too crisp to be comfortable. She looked up for just a second before glancing away, flustered.
"I expected you to arrive later," she muttered, brushing invisible dust from the bed.
"Sorry… you sure look more alive than the spirits at the front door," Sosuke said.
Her eyes snapped back to him. "That's because I'm human," she snapped, then winced as if the words had come out too harsh.
"I was joking." Sosuke raised a hand with a weak smile.
"Well… your room's ready now, okay? Goodbye." She scurried past him, brushing her sleeve against the doorway as she went. The door closed behind her with a soft click.
Sosuke stared after her. "I didn't even catch her name…"
He tossed his bag on the bed and stretched, taking in the room's beauty. High ceilings, an arched window that framed a sprawling field of lavender and starlight trees beyond, the kind of place you'd imagine in a dream. "This is… beautiful."
"How's the place so far?" came a voice from behind.
Sosuke turned quickly. A man leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed casually. He had short, messy hair and faint stubble across his chin. His tan skin was weathered from time outdoors, his build lean and muscular like someone used to long days and heavy work. A loose shirt hung from his shoulders, half-buttoned.
"Who are you?" Sosuke asked, eyes narrowing.
The man gave a small shrug. "They didn't tell you? I'm Klein Winslow. I handle things around here when Gabriel's away. So… basically, always."
Sosuke rolled his eyes. "Of course he's always gone."
Klein chuckled, the sound low and knowing. "Anyway, get used to the place. You'll be staying here a while. A few months, at least." He gestured toward the window with a stretch of his arm. "There's a massive village just past those hills. Still part of the Aurelius domain. Big, bustling, kind of hard to miss."
Sosuke began unpacking. "And the girl in my room earlier?"
Klein let out a sigh. "She's your assigned caretaker. Gabriel arranged it. Personal guard, servant, whatever title makes it sound fancy. Her job's to make your stay perfect. She takes it seriously."
"She didn't seem thrilled," Sosuke muttered.
"She's… particular," Klein said, though something flickered behind his expression. "You'll get used to her. Or you won't." He gave a crooked smile. "But you should know—Gabriel doesn't do this for just anyone."
"That so?" Sosuke dropped onto the bed, looking up at the ceiling. "Hard to tell, considering how little I've seen him."
Klein turned to leave but stopped at the doorway. "Enjoy it while it lasts, Sosuke."
There was a pause. A strange weight to his tone. Then he walked off, vanishing down the hallway like a shadow sliding out of view.
The moonlight filtered through the tall windows, casting silver streaks across the polished marble floor.
Sosuke twisted beneath the covers, face tensed, breath shallow. Shadows crawled behind his eyelids—memories too loud to ignore. A flicker of blood. A scream. The cold weight of regret. His eyes snapped open. He sat up in a cold sweat, breath ragged.
He stared at the ornate ceiling, the gold leaf designs and elegant carvings almost mocking.
"Why now…?" he whispered, covering his face with a trembling hand.
⸻
Morning came slow.
Sosuke stirred restlessly in his bed, drenched in sweat. His body was stiff. Sleep had come in waves, never settling.
He peeled off the sheets and swung his legs over the side of the bed, rubbing his eyes. The sunlight pouring through the window felt too warm. Too gentle. Like it didn't belong in his life anymore.
The door creaked open.
Isabelle stepped in carrying a silver tray, her face half-asleep. The moment she saw Sosuke sitting upright, she jumped.
"Wah—!" She nearly launched the tray in the air, wobbling dangerously before catching it with wide eyes. "Why are you already awake?!"
Sosuke blinked. "I live here now. Did you think I was gonna sleep all day?"
She frowned. "No, I just—uh—I was hoping you'd still be asleep so I could drop this off and disappear."
He raised an eyebrow. "You planned to sneak in, dump my breakfast, and sneak out like a ghost?"
She set the tray down stiffly on the nearby table, her back straight with embarrassment. "Yes. That was the strategy."
"Right," Sosuke muttered with a faint smirk. "What if I'd slept late? My food would be cold."
"Then that sounds like a you problem," Isabelle snapped, spinning on her heel to leave.
"Wait," he called. "You haven't told me your name yet."
She hesitated at the door, fingers clutching the handle. "…Isabelle Moreau."
Sosuke smiled. "Isabelle… that's a cute name."
Her ears turned pink. "S-shut up!" she hissed. "I shouldn't even let you call me by my first name!" Then she slammed the door shut behind her, nearly tripping on the way out.
Sosuke chuckled and shook his head, the grin lingering. "I might actually enjoy this more than I thought…"
He glanced around the room. The floor glistened. The air smelled like lavender. The sheets were fresh and untouched.
"This place is too clean," he muttered.
With a sigh, he walked over to the desk, lifted the silver cover, and grabbed a fork.
The door exploded open.
"SOSUKE!" a voice boomed.
Sosuke flinched. "Can I get one moment of peace?!"
Reid burst in with a wide grin on his face, his jacket flaring behind him. Lyra trailed after him, arms crossed, expression already tired.
"Lyra? You too?" Sosuke asked. "Let me guess—he dragged you?"
Lyra gave a faux shrug. "Maybe I wanted to visit."
Then she rolled her eyes. "No. He forced me."
"Sounds about right," Sosuke muttered.
"Oh, come on!" Reid groaned. "Can't a guy just check up on his friend without suspicion?"
Sosuke took a slow bite from his food. He said nothing.
"…Right?" Reid's smile faded. His voice cracked slightly.
Lyra saved him from drowning. "This place really is ridiculous though. Fancy as hell. Apparently the rest of us are being stationed here after our assignments wrap up."
Sosuke perked up. "What assignment?"
"The prison recon. You know—when you found us. We were scouting for captured soldiers. Supposed to be top-tier talents. Strong, experienced. Problem is, we don't know who captured them or how. Nothing adds up."
Sosuke tilted his head. "How does someone even capture people like that in the first place?"
"That's exactly what I've been saying," Lyra said, folding her arms. "Something's off. Way off. I don't like it. But of course, no one listens to me."
"I believe it!" Reid threw her a thumbs-up with a gleam in his eye.
"And how does that help me?" Lyra deadpanned.
"What—you want my support or not? I could just ignore every weird theory you throw at me!"
"Oh, so that's how it is?" Lyra lunged forward, grabbed Reid in a headlock, and drilled her knuckle into his skull.
"Ow! Ow! Okay, okay! I believe harder now!"
Sosuke laughed. A real one. It had been a while. He pushed back from the desk and stood up. "You know, I haven't seen the whole place yet. Might as well get a tour."
Reid straightened like a soldier. "I'm in!"
Lyra let Reid go and cracked her knuckles. "Fine. I'm curious to see what Gabriel's little castle has to offer."
They stepped out into the hallway, the soft glow of chandelier lights reflecting off polished marble floors. A long crimson carpet stretched down the corridor like a path laid out just for them.
Sosuke glanced around, taking in the towering portraits and gilded wall sconces. "How'd you guys even get here?"
"A nice carriage picked us up," Lyra replied, hands folded behind her head. "Long ride, but the view was worth it. Mountains, rivers, quiet forests. He—" she jabbed a thumb at Reid, "—couldn't sit still to save his life."
"I wasn't moving that much," Reid muttered, already defensive.
Sosuke chuckled, then furrowed his brow. "I still don't know my way around this place. I'm surprised I found my room last night. We should be looking for an office. I think."
"You know what would be nice?" Reid spun around dramatically, walking backward in front of them. "A bath. A long one. I bet this place has golden faucets or water that smells like pine or something. I could live in that bath."
"We have to find it first," Sosuke said, smirking. "And we'd need clean clothes."
"I can help with that."
The three turned to see Isabelle standing behind them, arms loosely crossed. Her expression was carefully composed, but her gaze lingered a little longer on Sosuke.
"I can take you to Master Winslow's office," she said. "While you speak with him, I'll get the bath ready."
Sosuke arched an eyebrow. "Convenient."
"Well, would you look at that?" Reid said. "Perfect timing."
"That's awfully kind of you," Sosuke added, leaning forward just enough to provoke.
"I'm not doing it for you," Isabelle snapped, face turning red. "We have guests. It's my job to make sure they're comfortable."
"Right, right." Sosuke's grin widened. "But you are my assigned servant. Shouldn't you be doing everything for me, regardless?"
Her expression twitched—then her palm snapped across his cheek, sending him sprawling onto the rug.
Reid burst out laughing.
"Was that really necessary?" Sosuke groaned, rubbing his face as he sat up.
"Yes. It was," Isabelle replied coolly, brushing past him. "Now get up. Follow me."
Before he could respond, Lyra spoke. "Did you say Master Winslow? Is he related to Clyde?"
"Yes," Isabelle said, pausing. "My master is Clyde Winslow's older brother."
Lyra blinked. "Huh. Clyde's never mentioned a brother. Or any family, actually."
"They don't speak often," Isabelle admitted. "Their relationship is… complicated."
Sosuke got to his feet, still rubbing his cheek. "Yeah. No kidding."
They followed Isabelle as she led them down a side corridor, narrower and less decorated than the main one. Ornate wooden panels lined the walls, and the scent of old paper and incense grew stronger as they walked.
At the end of the corridor, Isabelle pointed to a heavy oak door with iron accents. "That's the office."
Reid bowed dramatically. "Why thank you, miss. Also… that uniform looks very nice on you."
Isabelle didn't respond. She turned without a word and disappeared down another hallway.
"Really struck out that time," Sosuke said, wincing. "You might need time to recover."
Reid, still holding his bow, gave a weak thumbs-up without looking up. "I'll bounce back."
Sosuke pushed the door open.
The office inside was warm and earthy, lined with shelves of books and antique maps. A single stained-glass window spilled colored light across the desk, where Klein sat leaning back in his chair, hands behind his head. A half-finished cup of coffee sat beside a neat stack of documents.
Klein looked up and smiled lazily. "Ah, you're up. And you brought friends. How sweet. What can I do for you?"
"Just wondering if you could give me a tour later," Sosuke said. "Help me get a lay of the land."
Klein shrugged. "Sure. Gives me an excuse to avoid paperwork. You convinced me. I'll do it."
"That was easier than expected," Sosuke said. "That's all I needed."
"Alright—"
"Your brother is Clyde Winslow, right?" Lyra interrupted.
The temperature in the room shifted.
Klein's smile stayed, but something behind his eyes went still. He turned his gaze slowly toward Lyra. "Yes. Clyde is my brother."
"He's never mentioned you," Lyra said. "Not once."
Reid tugged on her sleeve. "Lyra… come on. Let it go."
"I don't blame him," Klein said with a soft laugh, though his fingers lightly drummed on the desk now. "We haven't talked in years. He was always the quiet one. Thought too much. Shouldered more than he needed to."
"You two close?" she asked.
Klein paused. "Close enough to know he's better off when he's not alone." He looked down briefly, then back up. The smile returned. "I hope he's doing well."
"He is," Lyra said quietly.
Sosuke cleared his throat. "We'll get going, then."
The three stepped out of the office. The door clicked softly behind them.
"What was that about?" Reid said, giving Lyra a light smack on the shoulder. "You really had to poke the bear?"
"Clyde never tells us anything. Aren't you even a little curious?" Lyra asked. "If he won't say it, someone has to."
"…Wait," Reid muttered, blinking. "Didn't Clyde say his family was dead?"
Lyra froze. "You're… actually right for once."
"Hey!" Reid protested, fists clenched.
Sosuke cut in. "Can you two stop theorizing for five seconds and enjoy the moment? I'm tired of the crazy talk."
He was facing away from them, hand resting over the faint scar beneath his right eye.
Lyra and Reid exchanged a glance.
"Sorry," they said together.
Footsteps echoed from around the corner. Isabelle stepped into view, head bowed slightly, hands clasped in front of her. She avoided eye contact.
"I… I've prepared everything," she said quietly. "The bath is ready."
"Awesome!" Reid said, already stepping forward.
The others followed. As Sosuke passed her, Isabelle reached out and gently caught his wrist.
"I'm sorry… for hitting you like that," she said, eyes locked on the floor.
Sosuke blinked, caught off guard. "It's okay. Can you take us there?"
She nodded, cheeks red. "This way."