Theodore Brightwell stood motionless at his bedroom window, his posture rigid with anticipation. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the manicured estate grounds, but his eyes weren’t focused on the pristine gardens or elegant fountains. Instead, they tracked the approach of a tiny speck in the distance – a carrier pigeon winging its way directly toward him.
With practiced grace, he extended his arm. The bird alighted on his sleeve with barely a rustle of feathers, its small claws gripping the expensive fabric. Theodore’s movents were deliberate as he retrieved the ssage from its carrier, his expression betraying nothing. Only after the pigeon had taken flight did he turn from the window, unfolding the paper with careful precision.
A cold smile spread across his features as he absorbed the letter’s contents. Without hesitation, he channeled his power, allowing flas to spark from his fingertips. The paper blackened and curled, reduced to nothing but gray ash that filtered through his fingers like dark snow.
"It seems I should pay my brother a visit," he mused aloud, his pleasant tone at odds with the calculating gleam in his eyes. "After all, a good younger brother should always take care of his elder brother." The words dripped with hidden aning, though his face maintained its mask of innocence.
The walk through the family estate took re minutes, each step asured and unhurried. Though guards were posted at regular intervals along Sebastian’s portion of the property, they parted before Theodore without question. Their automatic deference spoke volus about the frequency of his visits.
The mont Theodore slid open the door to Sebastian’s quarters, a wave of sickly-sweet air assaulted his senses. He smoothly produced a handkerchief, pressing it to his nose to filter out the drug-laden atmosphere that hung thick as fog throughout the room. The scene before him was decadent in the worst way – his elder brother sprawled across an ornate chair while attendants fawned over him, their movents unnaturally slow and vacant.
"Oh! Look who has finally rembered his elder brother!" Sebastian’s voice carried a note of artificial cheer.
Theodore dipped into a slight bow, his smile never wavering. "You must be joking. How could I forget my elder brother? I was just looking for a good gift to bring."
Sebastian’s face lit up with perverse excitent. He practically leaped from his chair, throwing an arm around Theodore’s shoulders with exaggerated affection. "I was just joking, no need to be so serious!" His laughter held an edge of mania. "What did my younger brother bring this ti? One from the empire? A beast girl? Or maybe a nun from the holy church?"
"No, it’s not that this ti around," Theodore replied, watching his brother’s expression fall before adding, "But what I brought is even more valuable." His pointed gaze caught Sebastian’s attention, cutting through the older man’s drug-induced haze.
Sebastian’s deanor shifted instantly, previous joviality replaced by sharp focus. "Follow ," he commanded, leading the way to his private chamber. Once inside, he rounded on Theodore. "Stop beating around the bush! What is it?"
"It’s information. Information on Adelaide," Theodore revealed. "She was seen leaving father’s office this afternoon. If you go now, you should be able to catch up before she reaches the academy."
Sebastian’s laughter bood through the room. "This is indeed a good gift!" He clapped Theodore’s back with enough force to make a lesser man stumble. "When I beco the head, I’ll definitely not let you lose out."
Theodore maintained his pleasant smile even as disgust roiled in his gut. What family head? he thought. Why don’t we see if you can survive first? Outwardly, he remained the perfect picture of a grateful younger brother. "Thanks, brother."
But Sebastian wasn’t finished. He caught Theodore before he could complete another bow. "We are all brothers, no need for that," he declared. "Instead, I want you to co with when we capture her. It’d be a waste to miss such a scene. When all her arrogance collapses and she begs for rcy... hehehe!"
Theodore’s surprise wasn’t entirely feigned. This developnt suggested his brother wasn’t quite as addled as he appeared – insisting on Theodore’s company revealed a level of suspicion he hadn’t anticipated. Refusing now would only raise more red flags.
"I’ll listen to what you say," Theodore acquiesced smoothly. As Sebastian’s satisfied laughter filled the room, Theodore’s mind was already racing ahead. Let’s just go along with it. I expected such a developnt anyway. His thoughts remained carefully hidden behind his mask of brotherly devotion, even as he began calculating his next move in this deadly ga of family politics.
…
Adelaide sat in her elegantly appointed carriage, surrounded by stacks of ticulously organized docunts. Her pen moved across the papers with practiced efficiency as she reviewed contracts, reports, and correspondence from her rapidly expanding network of informants. The gentle swaying of the carriage barely registered as she imrsed herself in her work.
Three days had passed since the catastrophic events of the academy entrance exam. The incident had forced Crono Academy to temporarily suspend all activities, citing the need for both investigation and reconstruction. During this ti, Ambrose had remained unconscious, with Hualing maintaining an almost fanatical vigil over him. Adelaide’s brow furrowed as she recalled how the maid had even turned away dical professionals, refusing their assistance with an intensity that bordered on madness.
Sothing about Hualing had changed since that day. Though she still exhibited her usual personality, there was a subtle difference that Adelaide couldn’t quite pin down. It was as if soone had taken a familiar painting and altered just a few brushstrokes – the overall image remained the sa, but sothing felt off. Perhaps the trauma of the incident has made her paranoid, Adelaide mused, before dismissing the thought. It wasn’t her primary concern.
Instead, she focused on her own role and contributions. The mory of her helplessness during the crisis still stung – watching as others demonstrated their exceptional abilities while she stood powerless on the sidelines. Marcus with his genius swordsmanship, ihua wielding her mythical-ranked talent, and Hualing... Adelaide shook her head slightly. Hualing was already a monster before, and now she had awakened a talent of undisclosed rank, rocketing to nearly B-rank power.
But Adelaide refused to let this disparity in combat ability discourage her. Let them have their battles, she thought determinedly. This is my domain. She was building sothing far more subtle but equally valuable – a network of information and influence that would prove indispensable to Ambrose’s future plans. By the ti he regained consciousness, she would have sothing worthy to present to him, sothing that would prove her value beyond any doubt.
The carriage lurched to an abrupt halt, violently interrupting her thoughts. Before she could call out to her driver, a panicked voice rang out from outside.
"We are under attack! Ru—" The guard’s warning cut off in a wet gurgle.
Adelaide’s eyes widened in horror as crimson spray painted her carriage window. Through the bloody mist, she watched helplessly as a sword blade retracted from her guard’s chest, his body crumpling like a discarded puppet. A familiar figure stepped into view, casually tossing the guard’s corpse aside.
"Hello there, sister." Sebastian’s voice carried a twisted warmth that made her blood run cold. "Your elder brother has really missed you. Why don’t you get off and we can catch up?"
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