Aydalia's Point of View

Farro Estate

“What happened?”

“Sweetheart-“

“What happened!?” My husband asked more firmly.

Sitting down, I gestured for all our servants to leave. “I made a mistake.”

Aien’s breath caught at that. “How bad?” After all, it wasn’t often I made mistakes.

“He might kill me…”

The two of us became quiet after I had said it out loud. “Well, Sir Arthur is a private man. A powerful one as well. I take it the information you learned wasn’t what you had hoped?”

“It was more than I hoped.” I answered and quickly set up a barrier. “Due to my actions, Arthur will come here. Likely as soon as Augustus tells him what I did.” Turning to my husband, I frowned. “If you’re here-“

“I’m not leaving.” He immediately cut me off and crouched in front of me. “What did you see?”

Placing my hands on his cheeks, I smiled. “I can’t tell you, but if we manage to plead our case before Arthur…”

His concerned look made me kiss him softly. “Whatever information you discovered; we can use it to our advantage. Perhaps it’s something we could leak should he actually kill us.”

That was an amusing thought. “Should we leak this, not only will we be dead, but our name will fall. Alwin and Ayda will pay for what I’ve done, and there will be no repercussions toward Arthur. Had I known, I never would’ve invaded his mind.” My arms fell to my side. “Had I known, I never would’ve gone against him in the first place when he came to our house.”

“Does this have to do with what he was raving about in the rain?” Aien inquired. “Some of what he said concerned me, which is why I allowed you to do what you did.” He then placed his hands on my knees softly. “I cannot help you if you don’t tell me what’s wrong. My power may not be enough to challenge Arthur, but it’s always been yours to use.”

A smile came to my lips at that. “I think, in this case, not telling you is the best move I can make.” I told him. “But we must make sure that no matter what happens, this ends with us.”

Cassidy's Point of View

Reed Family Farmstead

“Grandpa.”

“Not right now, Cassidy.” He told me as he sat on the porch.

“Ya can’t just send people away without explainin.” I replied. “Ah asked Rennal ta leave after she came ta visit because of the Priestesses, but after hearing Arthur-“

He slammed the butt of his cane into the wooden porch. “Ah’m not the one ta answer yer questions!” Then he turned to me. “Go ta bed and forget this ever happened!”

Shaking my head, I stood my ground. “Ah can’t just forget this, Grandpa! Did ya hear what Arthur said!” My grandfather grit his teeth as I pointed at him. “It’s fine that ya know somethin, but don’t just dismiss me like Ah’m some stranger. Ah’m not a little girl anymore, and I deserve ta be treated as such. Arthur’s my friend too. Part of me even thinks of him as family.”

Grandpa frowned. “Arthur is quite fond of ya, but what the Farro’s did… Ah don’t know what’s gonna happen.”

Sighing, I sat down next to him as the rain continued to pour while we watched it in the dark. “Do ya know who Arthur is?” I asked him. “He tries so hard ta hide it, but Ah know he’s got some connection to Lestrania and Lucia…”

“Ah told Arthur Ah wouldn’t speak of it. He spoke ta me in confidence, and Ah intend ta keep it. If ya want ta know more about Arthur, ask him, but if he doesn’t wish ta speak about himself, just know he has his reasons.” He reached to me a placed a hand on my shoulder. “He has reasons for everythin he does. Remember that.”

“Alright.” My response was soft as I looked down.

However, I looked back up when his grip on my shoulder tightened. “However, Ah need ya ta take Austin into town tomorrow.” At my confused look, he explained. “When Ah talk ta Arthur, Ah don’t want either of ya here.”

“It’s that serious?”

“It is. Promise me that you’ll take care of Austin tomorrow.”

I nodded. “Ah promise.”

He shook me a little bit with a smile. “Don’t worry. Arthur’s got a temper, but Ah don’t think we need ta worry too much.” It may have been the lack of light playing tricks on me, but his face looked worried.