“Some things are beyond the full comprehension of mortals. For all their curiosity, their conclusions are based on a superficial logic, grounded only in human experience.”

  [ 39th Aquanis 1749 | Fardin | 16:52 | Eveline Valteim’s Chambers ]

  Nova and I met outside Evelina’s chambers to escort her to the carriage. Nova’s appearance was quite unusual: she was dressed in a black combat tunic adorned with silver runes, a black travel cloak fastened at her back, and her hands were covered in black leather gloves. Everything she needed was likely in the small travel pouch fastened at her belt.

  We did not have to wait long for Evelina. She was also dressed modestly, emphasizing the somber nature of the events.She wore a black travel dress, and only the signet ring with the Valtheim crest and the ruby pendant at her neck served as reminders of her royal status.

  The carriage was waiting for us right by the academy buildings. The driver this time was a woman, clearly one of Evelina’s people. We entered the carriage. Evelina gestured with her eyes for me to sit beside her, which I obediently did, after which the door slammed shut, marking the beginning of a two-day journey to Sumerenn.

  The first conversations did not take long to begin, and their initiator was Evelina.

  “A less grand event than you might think awaits us in the capital. Most of the patriarchal houses consider my father a traitor to Greyvan.” Evelina paused and looked at Nova, who lowered her eyes. “And I have a great favor to ask of you:stay by my side. This time I’ve found an excellent place outside the castle where I can be safe.”

  Nova looked at Evelina. Her eyes held a faint challenge and a sense of self-sacrifice.

  “You know you can rely on me. If necessary, I’m ready to be with you twenty-four hours a day.” Nova’s voice trembled slightly, but she did not look away. “After all, we’re family…”

  “Cousins,” Evelina replied with a smile. “Though there isn’t much difference between the terms.” Evelina looked at me,clearly wishing to change the subject. “Arta, soon you will see all the charm of Valtheim: divided houses, hypocritical nobles.” Evelina smiled ominously. “I have no doubt that some of Frederik’s minions will show up to stroke their egos or to personally support Frederik.”

  “As I understand it, the option of their complete absence or their partial presence for Frederik’s sake is strategically equivalent. They simply want to show their allegiance to the Innovator faction,” I said, trying to look interested to maintain the conversation.

  “You’re right, Arta, that’s how it works in this political world,” Evelina smiled and looked out the window.

  Realizing it would be better to tell Evelina about Terren’s plans now, I began the conversation, feigning a slight uncertainty.

  “And one more thing…” I deliberately paused to make the conversation seem a little awkward. “Rector Terren is dragging me into his plans again.”

  Nova, hearing this comment, transformed quickly, and faint hints of anxiety appeared on her face.

  “He wants you to seduce Frederik again?” she asked, and then added, “That’s pointless and insane…”

  Evelina, hearing the conversation, held out her palm toward Nova, letting her know that she would be the only one asking further questions.

  “And what did he want, Arta? Another insane, meaningless plan?” Evelina’s voice held notes of uncertainty mixed with sarcasm.

  “No, the plan is quite specific. I am to lure Frederik to a man who is supposed to perform a psychic intervention, thereby him, thereby, as the rector believes, freeing him from Vespera’s influence.”

  Evelina shook her head ironically.

  “And who is this man, Arta? Haven’t you considered that he might be Vespera’s accomplice? She is very clever and is gradually eliminating everyone who could influence Frederik.” Evelina paused. “Just a week ago, a childhood friend of his was found drowned in the waters of the Luren with a suicide note saying he regretted letting everyone down.”

  The typical signature of Chaotic-Darkness: eliminating loose ends, disguised as accidents. Frederik was likely an exceptional and unique figure in her plans, which was why she was acting so brazenly.

  “I assume it’s impossible to prove Vespera’s involvement in all these incidents, am I right?” I inquired in a low voice.

  Evelina nodded.

  “So who is this man, Arta? Do you have any information about him? Or have you decided to play the rector’s games blindly?” She looked me intently in the eye, searching for a hint of my vulnerability.

  “Unfortunately, I have no way of finding out such details while within the academy,” I said, not blinking, looking back into her eyes. “He said he is counting on this man, and I have no way of refusing his game,” I deliberately looked away,feigning some vulnerability, and then simply added, “He has already prepared my expulsion order.”

  “The old fool…” Evelina grumbled. “His order, his power—it was all granted by Frederik, and yet he tries to play against his ‘beloved.’” Evelina emphasized the last word, making it clear she found it ridiculous. “Arta, if you are expelled, I will do everything to have you reinstated, but time is against us,” Evelina paused.

  Seeing that Evelina was lost in thought, Nova intervened in the conversation again.

  “Arta, if they expel you, I’ll personally tear that rector apart,” Nova said angrily.

  “Nova, calm down,” Evelina said coldly. “I understand that you’re worried about Arta, but now is not the time for hot heads. We need to act cautiously.”

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  “But… Arta doesn’t deserve to be expelled,” Nova protested.

  “And Frederik doesn’t deserve the throne,” Evelina replied with a touch of irony, looking Nova straight in the eye.

  Perhaps their argument could have continued for some time, but they would not have gotten any closer to the truth.

  “Why can’t we try to play the rector’s game? I don’t think the rector would risk his own granddaughter to arrange a meeting with that man.”

  “He involved his granddaughter?” Evelina asked in surprise. “That’s not like him. He usually tries not to risk anyone he trusts. That’s probably why he’s using you to lure Frederik to this man, thereby exposing you to Vespera.”

  “The fact that he doesn’t value me is already obvious. However, I’m more interested in the man he found. I recently read an interesting treatise,” I lied to provide a detail of interest: “it mentioned that soul magic can remove even the deepest attachment.”

  I mentioned soul magic on purpose. It was unlikely that Nova or Evelina had much experience with it, but if handled delicately, this magic could help weaken CD’s influence on Frederik’s mind. Nevertheless, when she learned that Frederik had become “disobedient,” events might occur that hardly anyone would expect.

  “Soul magic?…” Nova whispered.

  I nodded.

  “Soul magic…” Evelina repeated after Nova. “They say it was only through its use that Ildri and Aelind reached the gods of dreams, but…” Evelina paused briefly. “This magic requires an expenditure of soul energy, which is why it’s dangerous. They say those who get too carried away with this magic turn into empty shells.”

  “Empty shells?...” Nova echoed, her voice barely audible. She paused, then visibly collected herself, “I heard that the husband of the twin queens wielded soul magic.”

  “Nova, leave those fairy tales,” Evelina said sharply. “Don’t be like the madmen who sow chaos in the capital, telling fables about him.”

  “But he was a Cross!” Nova protested.

  Evelina looked at her cousin skeptically, and then said quietly:

  “You know, Nova, it doesn’t really matter who he was anymore. In a hundred years, no one will probably even remember him.”

  Nova looked at Evelina sadly but said nothing. I understood perfectly well that this was a hint that Nova’s relationship with Reina would lead to the end of the Cross line, and no one would even preserve the legends of this man anymore,especially given the fact that the Valtheim line so carefully concealed information about him.

  For some time, there was silence in the carriage, and the landscape outside the windows changed continuously. Nova looked out the same window as Evelina, and I was forced to frequently shift my gaze to Nova, as she sat opposite me.After half an hour, our conversation resumed, this time at Nova’s initiative.

  “You know, I’ve wanted to talk to you for a long time, but I couldn’t find the time or place.” Nova stopped and looked at Evelina, as if waiting for her silent approval, and, taking her silence as permission, continued. “I know now is not the best time to bring up old issues, but I don’t know when I’ll be able to discuss this with you two again.”

  Evelina looked at Nova skeptically but said nothing, passing the invisible baton of acceptance to me.

  “What’s bothering you, Nova? Did something happen?” I asked, understanding that the situation could not be kept in suspense.

  “Nothing happened, I just wanted to say what’s on my mind. I feel that I was wrong, and I want to talk to you,” she asked,as if forcing out every word.

  “I suppose you can tell us. The journey provides adequate time for such a discussion,” I replied, understanding that the conversation would be emotional.

  Evelina added nothing, as if she already knew perfectly well what Nova wanted to talk about.

  “Well, that day when I found out I wouldn’t become Evelina’s mage-guardian, I…” Nova paused to look at her cousin. “I was furious. I still remember that morning when Evelina called me to her, and I remember so vividly how I was rejected.”

  “But you do understand that my decision was a matter of political importance?” Evelina asked, as if afraid to touch a delicate, invisible nerve in Nova’s soul.

  “I do now, but understand, I trained all my youth, engaged in strenuous training, forged my will…” Nova’s face grew visibly sad; she was apparently still very upset about those events. “And when you told me that I would not be the mage-guardian, something inside me broke.”

  “Nova, the fact that you didn’t become the mage-guardian doesn’t make you any less important to me. Don’t forget that the mage-guardian is more of a symbolic role,” Evelina said, as if afraid of this conversation.

  “I understand,” Nova sighed, trying to suppress her inner tension, “but I can’t keep this to myself any longer. I’m sorry for bringing this up again.” Nova smiled slightly at Evelina and ran a hand through her hair. “Besides, I wanted to apologize.I was wrong. I didn’t think Arta was so… so suitable for this role.”

  Evelina smiled gently upon hearing Nova’s apology, and then added:

  “You know, Nova, I’m very glad that you’re not dwelling on this issue and have understood my point of view. So tell Arta everything you think is necessary. I believe it will be useful for her to know.”

  Nova smiled back, and a faint reverence lit up her face. Then she looked at me.

  “Well, that duel… I challenged you to it only because I felt a deep sense of disappointment. I didn’t know how to go on… And for me, it was an attempt…” Nova fell silent, “no, it was a desperate step to get something back for myself.”

  Nova looked at me as if expecting me to forgive her once again.

  “I hold no grudge, Nova. Let what is in the past stay there,” I replied dryly, to appear slightly impartial.

  “Thank you, Arta, but the conversation is slightly not about that.” Nova paused again. “Then Evelina told me that besides the mage-guardian, there are many other functions in which I can be near. ” Nova’s eyes flashed, as if she had been leading up to this conversation for a long time. “And well, Arta, I want to understand if I can hope that after the Academy,after ‘Arcane’s Blessing,’ after Evelina ascends the throne…” Nova paused again, bringing her speech to a climax. “Can I hope that we will serve Evelina together and you won’t go back to your homeland?” Nova looked at me, her gaze expectant.

  It was unclear to me whether her question was motivated by personal desire or if there was Evelina’s influence here, but I could not stay in Valtheim indefinitely. As Arta Nox, I had karmic obligations that went far beyond what I was prepared to reveal to them. Nevertheless, it would have been recklessly foolish to refuse Nova directly, so I tried to answer as restrainedly as possible.

  “Nova, as we plan, I do intend to work with Evelina for some time.” I looked at the future queen, who was carefully listening to every sound and watching our every gesture. “However, I cannot be in Valtheim forever. I have obligations to my family that I must fulfill.”

  “You mean an arranged marriage, right, Arta?” Nova asked, trying to decipher my previous answer.

  I allowed myself a slight smile before replying:

  “Both yes and no. Undoubtedly, as a noblewoman of the Tarvarian Empire, I have certain obligations to my lineage, but I’m not saying it will be tomorrow, so there’s no need to worry about this matter ahead of time,” I replied, trying to be as friendly and polite as possible.

  Evelina looked at me, a note of disappointment in her gaze. She remembered our last conversation on the topic of “matchmaking” and did not dare to add anything, but Nova was not present then, and her next question was expected for me.

  “So you’ve already decided everything? And you’re not considering alternatives?” she said uncertainly.

  “Alternatives?” I repeated. “Alternatives are possible, but first and foremost they must be agreed upon with my parents…” I paused and looked her straight in the eye. I had to act carefully so as not to attract unnecessary attention from CD and to sow seeds of doubt in Nova’s mind. “In any case, whichever path I choose, I will have my own children. To me, a path that ends with oneself... feels dreadfully lonely. I prefer to leave something behind.”

  Nova turned slightly pale and, lowering her eyes, said:

  “I see… Perhaps you’re right about some things.”

  For the next few hours, we mostly rode in silence, interrupted only by rare phrases, until it got dark and we stopped at the familiar roadside inn, the “Black Swan.”