A Touch of Shadow: The Duke's Obsession

Lately, Erian had grown increasingly vigilant.

Every evening, after the household lamps were extinguished and silence settled over the courtyard, he would sit beneath the old pear tree for hours without moving. Sometimes, in the dead of night, he would suddenly rise and walk the perimeter walls, inspecting every shadow and corner as though listening for something hidden beyond the darkness.

He had frightened Yvaine more than once this way.

One night, she tugged lightly at Caelith’s sleeve and whispered nervously, "Dear sister... does this Erian never sleep?"

Caelith glanced out the window where the young man was.

Beneath the pale orange wash of lamplight, Erian sat beneath the ancient tree, motionless as a carved guardian spirit.

"He sleeps," Caelith replied quietly. "I know he does."

"Then why does he always sit there?"

Caelith did not answer. Because she knew that he was standing watch... Watching over them.

That night, Erian suddenly rose to his feet.

Without warning, he strode swiftly toward the base of the courtyard wall and looked up sharply.

A shadow flashed across the top of the wall. In the next instant, Erian vaulted upward, scaling the wall with terrifying speed before disappearing into the darkness beyond.

Yvaine had risen to fetch water and happened to witness the scene. She nearly cried out in fright.

She ran back inside and shook Caelith awake.

"Sister! Caelith! Erian climbed over the wall and ran away!"

Caelith sat upright immediately, then, throwing a robe over her shoulders, she hurried into the courtyard.

The wall stood empty beneath the moonlight, there was nothing there. She stood frozen in place, her heartbeat pounding wildly against her ribs.

Only after what felt like an eternity did Erian finally return. He vaulted silently back over the wall and landed right before her.

"There was an intruder," he explained matter-of-factly.

Caelith’s heart sank. "What? Who was it?"

Erian shook his head. "They escaped; I couldn’t catch them."

Then he looked directly into her eyes. "For the next few days... do not leave the house. I have a feeling they will be back."

Caelith nodded, pressing trembling hands against her chest.

She escorted Yvaine back to her room and returned to her own bed as well. But even then, staring into the darkness above her canopy, she could not sleep.

Again and again, Lucas’ face surfaced in her mind.

That gentle smile. That refined and elegant demeanor... What, exactly, was hidden beneath it?

Erian’s instincts had not arisen without reason. For days now, he had sensed unfamiliar presences lingering near Firefly Pavilion.

It was not a passerby. It was not wandering merchants.

No, these people hid in silence, lurking motionless in the shadows while watching the estate.

Like predators.

He had warned Caelith about it. Since then, she had become more careful, choosing only crowded streets whenever she went outside.

But some disasters could not be avoided forever.

***

One evening, Caelith went to retrieve fabric from a cloth shop before nightfall.

Originally, Erian had intended to accompany her, but just as they were about to leave, Yvaine called out for help while moving a heavy cabinet.

Erian hesitated, looking at Caelith in hopes of getting an answer. She smiled and nodded reassuringly.

"Go ahead and help her. The alley is only a few steps away. I’ll be fine."

He hesitated once more, then finally turned back to help.

Caelith carried her basket alone as she walked deeper into the narrow alleyways.

Dusk had already fallen. The alley was dim and nearly deserted, her footsteps soft against the worn blue stone pavement.

One step. Then another. Halfway through the alley, something suddenly felt wrong.

It was too quiet.

At this hour, the neighboring residents should have been outside pouring water, gathering laundry, chatting beneath lantern light.

But tonight... There was no one. Not a single soul.

A chill crept over her skin and she quickened her pace. The alley entrance was just a few steps ahead.

Then suddenly... Rapid footsteps thundered behind her.

Before she could turn around, a rough hand clamped over her mouth while another arm wrapped tightly around her waist, dragging her violently toward a side passage.

Her basket crashed onto the ground, its contents scattering across the stones.

Caelith struggled desperately. Her hand flew instinctively toward her hair.

The hairpin. The black iron hairpin. Her fingers found it.

But the man’s grip was too strong—she could not pull it free.

"Stay still!" A hoarse male voice snarled beside her ear.

She was dragged into a narrower alley where several shadowy figures already stood waiting.

Her blood turned cold.

Then suddenly, a scream tore through the night. The hand over her mouth abruptly loosened.

Caelith stumbled forward several steps before spinning around.

Erian!

His entire body was splattered with blood—she could not tell whether it belonged to him or to the others. In his hand was a wooden staff he must have snatched from somewhere nearby, and he was already fighting several men at once like a beast cornered unto death.

"Run!" he shouted at her.

Caelith could not move. Instead, she ripped the iron hairpin from her hair and clenched it tightly in her hand, her eyes fixed on the attackers.

Erian stood alone against three or four armed men.

Blows rained down upon him again and again, yet he refused to retreat even a single step. He guarded the alley entrance with terrifying stubbornness, shielding her behind him no matter how many strikes he endured.

The men grew furious.

"Damn it! Where did this madman come from?!"

"Kill him first!"

A blade flashed through the darkness.

The sword slashed across Erian’s shoulder, tearing it open.

Blood sprayed into the air. Caelith’s eyes opened wide with fright.

Without thinking, she rushed forward.

One of the men had his back turned toward her. She drove the iron hairpin with all her strength into his lower back.

The man screamed in agony, and the blade flew from his hand and clattered onto the stones.

Caelith seized it immediately. Her hands trembled violently as she gripped the weapon and stepped in front of Erian.

She did not know how to wield a blade, but she knew how to fight desperately.

Just then, chaotic footsteps thundered from the alley entrance.

"They’re here!" Lance’s voice rang through the air.

Imperial guards in black uniforms surged into the alleyway. The thugs panicked instantly, scattering in every direction, though two were dragged to the ground before they could escape.

Lance rushed toward Caelith. The moment he saw the blood covering her clothes, his face turned pale with terror.

"Miss Emberlyn! Are you hurt?"

Caelith shook her head numbly. The knife slipped from her fingers and clattered onto the ground.

"Erian, however..."