Warlock Ch 185. I Don't Need to Behave All High And Mighty
With their goodbyes said, the two of them set off toward Cassius's place. The journey wasn't long, but it gave Damian enough ti to let his mind wander. Evelyn walked beside him.
When they arrived, the door opened almost imdiately, one of Cassius's shadow servants greeting them with its usual silent efficiency. Damian stepped inside, his grin wide and disarming. "Yo!" he called out, his voice breaking the stillness of the entryway.
Cassius, lounging in his usual armchair with a cup of tea in hand, barely spared Damian a glance. "Don't 'Yo!' ," he said flatly, his tone laced with irritation. "Why do you act more immature than before?"
Damian shrugged with exaggerated nonchalance. "Well, it's better to act like this than as my usual 'all-mighty warlock who can do anything' self. Boring, don't you think? No one here knows who I really am except you two, and I'm still officially your apprentice. I don't need to behave all high and mighty. That's exhausting."
Cassius huffed, setting his cup down on the table and waving a hand. A shadow servant instantly appeared, clearing the tea set with practiced precision. "And? Why are you here?" he asked, shifting his sharp gaze to Evelyn. "That's a question for you."
Evelyn's expression didn't falter. "I'm coming with you," she said simply. "Let's just say I've decided to go on an adventure."
Cassius raised a skeptical brow, but Evelyn continued without pause. "Besides, Victoria once ca to . She didn't get much out of , of course, but she did ntion that I'm welco to visit her anyti. I'm taking her up on that offer now."
Damian, who had been leaning casually against the wall, turned to Evelyn in surprise. "She ca to you?"
Evelyn smirked, folding her arms across her chest. "You'd be amazed how many people ca to see Cassius and after you were declared dead by the council. So were curious. So were desperate. Others… Well, their intentions weren't exactly noble."
Cassius interjected, glancing at Damian. "Isn't it a little obvious? Your presence will point out that he"—Cassius gestured vaguely in Damian's direction—"is Kaelan."
Evelyn shook her head. "No, not really."
Cassius frowned. "Why not?"
Evelyn's gaze turned contemplative. "I don't know. Maybe it's because they're looking too hard for Kaelan to resurface exactly as he was. They expect the sa mannerisms, the sa way of talking. They don't think soone like you would adapt, let alone act this… carefree."
"Carefree, huh?" Damian muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
"But there's more to it than that," Evelyn continued. "Among all the people who ca to us, there were so with motives I couldn't quite place. They seed… different. I couldn't tell whether their intentions were good or bad, so I treated them all as if they were bad. Better safe than sorry."
Cassius leaned forward slightly, his interest piqued. "And what do you think Victoria's intentions are?"
Evelyn's face darkened with thought. "I don't think it's as simple as revenge. If she really wanted that, she wouldn't be extending offers or inviting us to her estate. She has another goal, but I can't figure out what. And I'm not about to make wild guesses based on instinct alone. That's why I was so adamant about keeping Damian far away from her."
Cassius nodded, his expression unusually serious. "Fair enough."
Damian looked between them, his brow furrowed. "But if it's not revenge, then what? What would she do to if she doesn't want to settle so old grudge?"
Evelyn hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I… I'm not sure," she admitted. "She could try to manipulate you, use your na or power to further her own goals. Or… perhaps she's seeking sothing only Kaelan knew."
"Like what?" Damian pressed.
Evelyn shook her head, frustration evident in her features. "I don't know. But I don't like the possibilities."
Damian fell silent, his mind racing with the implications. Victoria had always been a wildcard in his mories—or the fragnts of them he had. He didn't trust her, but he couldn't ignore the nagging curiosity that pulled at him. He needed to know the truth, even if it wasn't what he wanted to hear.
Cassius broke the tension with a sharp sigh. "Well, whatever her intentions, we'll find out soon enough. For now, focus on what's ahead. This mission isn't just about answers—it's about survival. Don't forget that."
Damian nodded, though his thoughts remained heavy. Evelyn reached out, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. "Whatever happens," she said softly, "I'm here."
Her words, simple as they were, grounded him. He managed a faint smile. "Yeah," he said quietly.
Cassius stood abruptly, signaling the end of their conversation. "If you're done with your sentintal chit-chat," he said, his tone dry but not unkind, "we've got preparations to finalize. And Damian—try not to destroy anything on the way out."
Damian smirked faintly. "No promises."
Evelyn rolled her eyes, muttering sothing about how he never took anything seriously, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips. She turned to Cassius, who was calmly observing them with his usual unreadable expression.
"So," Evelyn said, breaking the silence. "Are we going to her place?"
Cassius shook his head, glancing toward the door. "No need. She'll co here. In fact…" He paused for a mont, tilting his head as though sensing sothing. "She's already at the entrance."
Evelyn's eyes narrowed, and Damian imdiately straightened up. "Wait, what? How long has she been there?" Damian asked, a tinge of unease creeping into his voice.
Cassius didn't answer, instead gesturing for them to follow. "Co on."
They made their way to the entrance, the air around them thick with an unspoken tension. Damian's mind raced with possibilities. He hadn't interacted with Victoria much in his fragnted mories, but the pieces he did recall were… complicated.
When they reached the entrance, Victoria was already standing there, her elegant figure frad by the dim light of the estate's entryway. She looked impeccable as always, her crimson cloak cascading behind her like liquid fire. Her piercing gaze swept over the trio before landing on Cassius.
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