Evelyne sat by the academy fountain, her book open but forgotten.
The letter still haunted her thoughts.
> Your true enemy wears no mask.
She needed answers. And there were only three suspects.
---
First: Zayne
She invited him for tea under the guise of catching up.
Zayne was as composed as ever, his words careful, precise. But when Evelyne subtly mentioned her growing suspicions of someone watching her…
He stiffened. Just for a second.
She noticed.
"Is something wrong?" she asked sweetly.
"…No," he said. "But if anyone dares to threaten you, I'll remove them myself."
Too fast to promise protection, Evelyne thought.
Too confident.
---
Second: Arven
The next day, she cornered him after sword training.
"You're too quiet lately," she said.
Arven smirked. "You've been asking dangerous questions."
Her heart skipped. "Like what?"
"Like who you can trust. Or who might betray you."
She froze.
He turned away, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Watch your step, Evelyne. Even masks have eyes."
---
Third: Caleb
She saw him later, walking with Elisse.
But when he noticed Evelyne, he froze and quickly made an excuse to leave the heroine behind.
Elisse watched him go, puzzled.
Evelyne stepped forward, arms crossed. "Avoiding me?"
Caleb looked guilty. "You're too good at seeing through people."
"Then don't lie to me."
He looked down, then muttered, "It's not me you should worry about. It's him."
"…Who?"
But Caleb said nothing more.
---
That night, Evelyne burned the letter.
She couldn't trust anyone yet.
But she'd find out the truth.
Even if she had to destroy her own heart to do it.
---