After dropping Adyr off at the Draven mansion, Malrik bid him farewell and left, promising they’d et again soon and that next ti, he’d introduce him to others as well.
The sun was already low in the sky, casting long shadows across the stone courtyard. A soft breeze moved through the hedges, carrying with it the faint scent of the evening al being prepared sowhere deeper in the estate.
"Lord Adyr," the knights at the courtyard gate saluted him, their silver armor catching the last light of the day. Though they weren’t used to seeing a practitioner up close, they held their posture firmly, if a little tense.
Adyr nodded silently and passed through the main gates.
Vesha approached from across the courtyard, walking briskly with two maids following behind. The fading light brushed against her hair and shoulders, warming her silhouette as she smiled.
"I was worried you’d end up staying at that inn again. Welco back," She said.
"I don’t think I can stay there peacefully anymore," Adyr replied with a small chuckle. With his identity now known, it wasn’t exactly practical to sleep in public inns anymore.
Vesha nodded, still smiling. "If you’re hungry, I’ll let the kitchen know. You can check your room while they prepare sothing."
"I’ll take the offer," Adyr said as they stepped through the grand doors of the mansion.
He wanted to find a quiet corner, sowhere undisturbed, to subdue the Sparks he had acquired and wrap up his work in the Dawn Land before anything else distracted him.
Vesha led the way with confident strides. Adyr followed at a calm pace, and behind him trailed the two maids, quiet, composed, yet visibly tense.
Their movents were asured, but their eyes betrayed them, stealing glances at him whenever they thought he wouldn’t notice. They studied his every gesture, every shift in expression, as if committing him to mory.
Adyr’s height stood out more than usual here. For a Velari, he was tall, noticeably taller than most n they had likely served.
The Velari race differed from humans only in a few aspects: slightly pointed ears, generally shorter builds, and minor bone structure variations. Otherwise, they could have passed for the sa species. In a world where humans didn’t seem to exist, Adyr blending in as a Velari was effortless.
To the maids and everyone else, his presence was unusual but never suspicious.
The hallway they walked down stretched on like a quiet, luxurious labyrinth—wide and high-ceilinged, lit softly by the evening light pouring in through tall windows on one side. Along the walls hung a variety of paintings in ornate fras, and here and there stood elegant tables topped with exotic vases and carefully arranged flowers. After walking for quite a while, Vesha finally stopped in front of a large door with golden detailing and opened it.
"Here it is," she said. "It’s been cleaned and kept simple, but if you want anything added, just call one of the maids and tell them what you need. There will always be one waiting outside your door."
Adyr stepped inside and gave the room a quick glance.
Warm light stread through the glass-paneled doors that opened into a private, enclosed garden. As Vesha had said, the room was simple, but clearly prepared with care. The faint sll of fresh paint lingered in the air, softened by incense, and told Adyr that the room had likely been redone while he was out on his shopping trip.
In the center stood a large bed—borderline regal, with fresh white sheets and a pile of spotless pillows. The wooden flooring beneath was partially covered by a finely woven carpet. At first glance, it seed new, but the subtle wear along the edges didn’t escape Adyr’s eyes. It was likely an antique, sothing that had co from a collector rather than a store.
Other than a few wardrobes, nightstands, and a door leading to a private bathroom, the room was open and spacious.
In truth, it was larger than what Adyr was used to. He’d never cared much for big rooms, but this wasn’t just a place to sleep. It was a fortress—sowhere to entrust his body during logout. And for that, it was more than suitable.
"It’s good. I like it," Adyr said with a faint smile. Then he added, "If possible, I’d like so guards stationed in the garden and outside the door at all tis. Especially when I’m asleep."
Vesha paused for a second, then gave a calm, reassuring nod. "Of course. I’ll handle it."
She’d already anticipated a request like this. Given what she believed about the curse affecting him, his caution felt entirely reasonable. In fact, she had chosen this room specifically because of its location, deep inside the mansion, connected to an enclosed garden, and more secure than even Lord Orven’s chambers.
It wasn’t just the quietest room in the estate, it was also the most strategic.
"Do you prefer eating your dinner in your room, or would you like to join us in the dining hall?" Vesha asked with a hopeful tone.
"I’ll eat in the room. I need to sleep afterward," Adyr replied simply.
Vesha looked slightly disappointed but accepted it without protest. After all, Adyr was a practitioner. No one could expect to share casual als with one at any ti they pleased. Even if most people didn’t fully understand what practitioners did, they all knew they were always occupied with sothing.
Of course, that "sothing" was their Sanctuaries, though most only knew of them through books or teachings in church sermons.
"Do you have anything specific you’d like to eat? You can also give a list to one of the maids so the kitchen can keep it prepared in case you want it later," Vesha offered.
Adyr was quietly amused by the care he was receiving. He was being treated almost like a king. Still, having everything at his command wasn’t unpleasant—it gave him a sense of control.
"Anything is fine," he said.
"Okay. Have a good rest," Vesha replied, then turned and walked off down the corridor with lively steps, heading toward the kitchen.
Adyr watched her go for a mont, quietly observing her from behind. She was small in stature, but her role was anything but. He found himself once again certain that he had chosen the right person to trust in this world.
The only thing she lacked was being a practitioner herself or soone with combat strength. But what she lacked in muscle, she more than made up for in intelligence, likability, and influence. And for now, that was more than enough.
After entering the room, the first thing Adyr did was lock the doors. Then he began a quick but thorough sweep, checking every corner of the room and the garden beyond the glass doors. His gaze moved with steady intent, scanning for anything out of place—small signs, subtle irregularities, anything that didn’t belong.
It wasn’t just his past as a serial killer that made him this cautious. He was in unfamiliar territory, and that alone was reason enough to treat every new space like a potential threat.
Once he was satisfied that nothing was wrong, he lit a few wall-mounted candles, their soft glow warming the room with a quiet, muted light. Then he closed the curtains, sealing the space in calm, controlled darkness.
And when he was finally done, he turned his attention to the Sparks he was about to subdue.
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