As far as Fyrenalda’s high society cares, “Cordelia” Hartlase was simply the ‘ambitious’ adopted daughter of the seemingly unassuming Count Elias Hartlase.

The mysterious ‘low-born’ noblewomen that managed to be engaged to the esteemed heir of the Ashwood Duchy after all, what’s not there for nobles to gossip about?

“Did she blackmail him?” noblemen hiss over afternoon tea, "Why else would he engage himself to someone with barbarian blood?”

“Or did he feel pity for her?” noblewomen snarled behind hand fans, “That no one would ever choose to love her?”

Regardless of the circumstances, “Cordelia” Hartlase is well known enough to be identified as the estranged fiancée of Julian Ashwood, but not well enough known to be acknowledged as anything outside of that.

Amaya thinks that's a shame, because it means people wouldn't get to know Kani like she does.

“It looks like Orion dropped us in the forest.” Amaya noted as she casually looked around, "Do you know where we are?"

Kani seemed to fall silent before pointing ahead on the trail, the door vanishing into a puff of dark blue shimmering smoke behind her as she did.

"…It's the forest in front of the estate." Kani confirms, "We just have to walk a bit, and then we reach the front gate."

"Then we are close," Amaya noted before leading Kani onto the path, "Let us start walking then."

So they do, side by side. Amaya muses to herself as she stares at the stars peaking behind the tall yet slim tree branches.

Hartlase County is a rather ‘unassuming’ territory. A piece of land that many people overlook in favor of something larger and more grandiose. The people in the territory move as if they are reading lines off a script, as if any deviation from the norm will be punished.

The servants of the estate were too silent. The knights were too guarded, the maids too formal. The master of the estate was rarely even there, tied to his duty to the Fyrenalda Empire.

And at the center of it all, is a young noblewoman hidden behind gate bars and hidden by a forest of large dark green trees.

“A place away from prying eyes,” Duke Atlas said when he was briefing her on the job, “Where people are buried in unmarked graves, but are never forgotten about.”

Despite the war having ended months ago, it still feels as if the place is still in mourning, as if it never truly ended for them. As if there was a dark rain cloud suffocating any sign of life.

Not that she could really blame them for feeling that way, some could say she's still mourning too.

Yet just for tonight, it seems the dark fog haunting the estate has lifted, the stars shining down on them behind a backdrop of midnight blue. A strangle miracle for a night as ominous as this.

Kani looked up at the sky, and watched the stars with a silent reverence. Amaya watches with a soft smile as the two of them walk.

It was during moments like these, she was glad that “Cordelia” Hartlase had made progress in opening up. Amaya remembered a time where the noblewomen went to great lengths to avoid talking to others, but now allows others to call her by her preferred nickname; ‘Kani’.

A name gifted to her by someone dear to her at the orphanage she has been adopted from, at least if Count Hartlase is to be believed.

“Don’t pry into their affairs too deeply,” Duke Atlas had firmly warned her, “Nothing good will come from it.”

She promised not to at the time, but she could tell when something was off with how the estate was managed, with how silent the young lady of the house was despite being in her early twenties. With how she regularly ‘zones out’ in the middle of conversations, with how she fidgets when the silence grows too loud. 

With how when she lies, she rubs her neck.

Amaya subtly glanced towards the young noblewomen and noticed Kani doing just that, seemingly equally lost in her own thoughts.

Amaya said nothing, continuing down the path as if she saw nothing, the trees gently blowing in the wind as they walked. Kani might not be aware of this, but it is noticeable for Amaya when Kani starts to slowly withdraw into herself further following her three-day fever.

Orion might have been right, that Amaya could just be imagining a problem that might not even exist, yet she can not help but worry for the noblewomen. Clearly, something has been bothering Kani, and for some reason, she will not tell anyone about it.

Yet Duke Atlas told her not to interfere, that the mysteries of the Hartlase are to remain undisturbed and buried six feet under, to not pry when 'unnecessary'. That her main job is to ensure that Kani remains alive and nothing more. Yet despite these warnings, she can’t help but feel unnerved by how…unassuming the eeriness is.

Some part of Amaya doesn't even know if it's her place to worry for Kani. She's not close to her like Taylor, nor someone Kani could relate to like Charlotte. Amaya felt herself grimace at the thought. The charcoal blue haired women glanced back at Kani, finally taking notice of the strange-looking envelope in her hands.

Amaya makes a note of it; however, she comments on something else that has been bothering her.

"So, how did you manage to escape in the first place?”

Kani takes some time to respond before mumbling her response: "…the garden gate."

"Excuse me?"

"I used the garden gate."

Kani gave no further explanation for her escape attempt, so Amaya decided to turn her attention towards the envelope.

"Okay then, what's in the envelope?" Amaya attempted again, "Did you get it from Orion?"

Kani seemed to tense up when the envelope was mentioned.

"It's..uh…some research papers on medicines."

Amaya furrowed her eyebrows before commenting in a baffled tone.

"You left your father's estate… for some research papers?" Amaya questioned. Kani seemed to stare at her for a few seconds before lamely nodding. 

Amaya could feel herself developing grey hairs with how reckless Kani has been acting.

"Seriously, if you are going to sneak out, have a better reason for it." Amaya scolded.

Kani grumbled something that sounded suspiciously like, "There's not going to be there next time."

Amaya chose not to comment on it at this moment, as the moment she took another step on the path, she felt something pierced her skin. 

She felt herself suddenly become rigid, and looked out into the trees, feeling a bit of sweat form on her forehead. the stabbing feeling of unease in her heart returning.

"Amaya?"

Amaya keeps looking around, trying to spot something that might be watching them behind the trees. This never happened when she was with someone.

"…Amaya?"

In that moment as she stands still, she spots something. She can't make out whether it's a human, but on the left side of the path, someone or….something is standing there, waiting behind the trees. It could just be a random person in the woods, or a random animal.

Or it could be something, or just be another false alarm. Like when she accidentally accused a villager of stalking her at the food market. She felt so embarassed when she realized

"…Amaya??" Kani pleaded, "What's going on…??"

Amaya slowly drops her stance and faces Kani. She looked into Kani's worried brown eyes. She takes a deep breath and resolves herself. “It's…it's nothing, let's just focus on getting you back home.”

Amaya grabs Kani by her hand and drags the young noblewoman quickly through the path.

“It's too late for us to be out here anyway," Amaya rambled in a soft yet reassuring tone as they rushed past the supposed figure, "Only the gods know what is out in that forest at this hour, next time just bring an escort with you, promise?”

“...Okay," Kani said weakly as they rushed through the path. 

The feeling was still there, like a needle digging deeper into Amaya's skin. Someone was following them, Amaya realized, and she couldn't figure out why. She felt Kani tug on her sleeve, and point to an alternate path.

"There's a path on the right side," Kani said quickly, "Between the trees, it's not that fast, but we would have more cover."

Amaya pondered on this for a moment, before nodding. "Good idea."

Kani squeezed Amaya's hand tightly, and managed to guide her to the path in the trees with what little energy she had. It's a bit narrow, but it seems to be more shady yet relaxing.

"Is there a similar path on the left side?" Amaya pondered as Kani led them through.

"There is a path on the left side too," Kani explained, "But…it seems someone is using it…"

A beat of silence passed between the two of them, the tree branches swaying in the wind as they both took in that statement. 

"Let's steer clear of them, ok?" Amaya finally said, "They are probably just someone who got lost, but it's better to be safe than sorry."

The pair continued on the underdeveloped path, doing their best to avoid getting caught in the thorny bushes. Amaya kept her guard up as she led the young noblewomen through the forest bathed in moonlight.

Suddenly, Amaya felt that intense chill again and quickly turned around to see the shady-looking figure a few feet away.

Kani let out a surprised noise and hid behind Amaya. Despite them being somewhat close in age, that didn't stop the charcoal blue haired women from standing defensively in front of the young noble.

The hooded person in a strange cloak attempted to approach them, but Amaya nudged Kani to back away, keeping her out of view of the strange figure.

"Hey!" Amaya shouted, "Don't come any closer!"

The stranger stops, but doesn't respond to her.

“What in the abyss is your problem?" Amaya hissed, "Stalking two people through the woods so late at night?"

[ …her.]

"Huh?"

Amaya couldn't really tell what the figure was saying; she could make out a few words at a time. There was something strange about his voice, it sounded muffled yet strangely…static like.

[ Give….]

"If you got something to say, say it and leave us alone!" Amaya shouted as she gritted her teeth, "We have somewhere to go

However, at that moment, Kani froze up and tugged Amaya's hand harshly. Amaya glanced back at her with a tense yet worried expression.

"We have to…!!!"

"What??" Amaya whispered in confusion before looking back to see that the figure had come closer to them. Amaya suddenly noticed that the figure wasn't alone. In the trees, there were two other strangely cloaked people.

"We have to run…!!!"

Kani takes off running, dragging Amaya along with her. The figure seemed to notice them running and shouted at them:

[ Give ‘her’ to us...!!! ]

He started chasing after them, his teammates right behind him. Amaya took charge of leading Kani away from the strange hooded figures. Kani let out a yelp as some of the arrows made of sickly magenta magic narrowly missed her, hitting a tree branch instead. However, Amaya held her steady, and they rushed through the woods, running off the path to the estate.

As they ran, Amaya tried to weave her way through the undefined path, doing her best to avoid getting hit by tree branches and bushes. Suddenly, they come across a small clearing, and Amaya use it as a way to swerve to a different direction, narrowly managing to hide.

[ Where did they go? ] One of the hooded figures shouted, strands of their long light blue hair peaking out of the hood.

[ Doesn't matter, they can't have gone far. ] Another hissed, this one with grey-ish brown hair. [ Keep looking. ]

They went down another path through the clearing, narrowly missing the two girls hiding nearby.

"Ok, I think…I think we're good." Amaya assured as the two of them took cover behind the trees

As this happened, Kani looked as if someone punched her in the gut. "Why now….Why are they here…."

Amaya doesn’t hear her, looking around her before noticing her satchel bag slung over her shoulder. She turns to see how Kani stares at the envelope with such a haunted expression. How her fingers dug into it like it was a life line. Amaya pressed her lips together, and gently touched Kani’s shoulder.

"Kani, put the envelope in here," Amaya said as she opened the bag, "It will be safe."

Kani looked hesitant for a moment before nodding and carefully handing it to her in the dark. Once Kani does, Amaya hands the bag to Kani and stands up. "Ok, now stay here."

Kani immediately stood up as she protested. "Wait…I'll come with.."

"No, I'll distract them and give you an opening to escape." This was premeditated, the fact that people were waiting for people to kidnap Kani was proof enough.

Amaya gritted her teeth in anger at the realization. She could lead them away and help buy Kani enough time to reach the estate.

"I…This…this is my fault," Kani spluttered weakly, "I…I’m sorry…"

Amaya's eyebrows softened as looked at Kani, trying to make sense of what she was saying.

"This isn't your fault." Amaya said firmly to the dark purple haired noble, "You are not responsible for this."

"But…!"

Suddenly there was some rustling from near them, and magenta arrows flew through the air. Kani, in a sudden moment of clarity, pushed Amaya out of the way. The arrows hit the tree, and magenta vines erupted from the arrowhead, stabbing and ripping the tree to shreds.

Amaya watched as the color drained from Kani's face.

"Despicable…!” Kani hissed to herself as her eyes flared with resentment, "What despicable people…!!!"

[ There they are!! ]

Amaya lets out a curse as she grabs Kani's hand and they start running through the woods again, doing her best to back track the estate.

Kani's eyes widened as she spotted something on the path. "Amaya…! Stay away from the leaf piles!”

“What, why?!”

“Just do it!!” Kani desperately shouted as she pointed as they came near the leaf piles. Amaya takes Kani's advice, swerving past them to the best of her ability, and doing her best to help Kani avoid them as well.

The two hooded figures are hot on their trail, following them through the path.

"I see the gate…!!" Amaya shouts as she noticed the estate slowly coming into view.

The closer they realized that there was a person waiting for them beyond the outer gate.

A man wearing a dark blue guard uniform leaning against one of the spines of the gate. He seemed to be fiddling with something in his pocket before looking out into the forest with a solemn expression. His dusty brownish bronze hair gently flowing in the wind, the light accentuating his muted pink highlights.

Amaya felt relieved. Once she gets Kani through those gates, she can finally handle the stalkers.

"Hey!!!" Amaya shouted at the guard, "Help us!!"

The guard snapped out of his daze as he saw the two approach the gate. His greyish purple colored eyes widened when he noticed their horrified faces.

"Miss Amaya…?" He questioned before noticing Kani's horrified expression, "Lady Cordelia…what’s going on?!”

Amaya wordlessly picks up Kani and then throws her over to Oliver. Kani let out an involuntary yelp before she found herself in the hands of her personal guard, the satchel still on her person. Oliver looked equally as confused and looked to Amaya for some explanation.

However, Amaya didn't give him any; she just gave him the command.

“No time," Amaya ordered, "Take your lady inside the gate and order the estate under lock-down.”