CHAPTER 14: SUDDEN VISIT

This will be a great opportunity for the both of you," the Chief said, his voice calm but carrying an underlying authority that made the room seem smaller. "You see, Aeris needs some time to... cool down after her recent venture into the capital."

Aeris’ head dropped slightly, her peach-colored hair falling like a curtain across her face. She pressed her lips together, as if trying to hide the faintest flicker of embarrassment—or maybe irritation.

"Cool down?" Edward’s mind raced, trying to guess what could have pushed someone like Aeris to require cooling down. But he didn’t have to wait long.

The Chief’s gaze shifted toward his daughter, his expression steady but serious. "She killed one of the royal guards in a duel."

"Royal Guards?" Confusion flickered across Edward’s face. Then, as if to answer, a faint memory resurfaced—Selene’s grandfather, Ormund, had once told him about the strength of the Royal Guards. To join their ranks, one had to be at least Green Stage, with most being Yellow. The number of Royal Guards was limited, and their leader was none other than a White Stage mage named Darius.

"The royal family isn’t too keen on her at the moment," the Chief continued, his tone measured, though Edward could hear the subtle tension underneath. "The duel was conducted according to the old rules. Legally, they cannot punish her for the death of the knight. But... they are displeased. Very displeased," he added, glancing briefly at Aeris.

Aeris shifted on the sofa, her black eyes darting toward Edward before snapping back to the floor. There was a strange mixture of pride and unease in her expression. Pride that she had bested a royal guard, and unease that the repercussions could still ripple outward in ways neither she nor her father could control.

The Chief leaned forward slightly, his hands resting on the polished surface of his desk. "Aeris," he said, voice commanding, "Edward here is a very skillful young man. You will mentor him and help him with his..." He paused, eyes flicking to Edward as if searching for the right word. "...ventures," he said finally, his uncertainty of the word clear in his tone.

"Ventures?" Confusion flickered across Edward’s face. He simply wanted to solve crimes. The word seemed the least suitable for what his goals actually were.

Suddenly, the Chief stood up, snapping Edward’s attention back to him. "I have matters to attend to, so I will leave the two of you to it—"

But before he could finish the sentence, a loud knock echoed through the Chief’s office. Then another. And another, each one more insistent than the last. The sound shifted quickly from a polite tapping to violent banging.

The Chief’s brows furrowed as he strode toward the door, opening it hurriedly. Standing there was a girl with black hair, her face streaked with tears, and her dress and arms covered in blood.

"Selene?" Edward’s voice rose instinctively.

He stood from his chair, his heart hammering in his chest. The girl’s wide, tear-filled eyes met his, and he felt a sharp, inexplicable feeling of dread.

But before he could take another step forward or speak, Selene’s voice came, ragged and barely audible through her sobs. "G-Grandpa... he... he’s dead."

The moment the words left her mouth, she collapsed to the floor, breaking down in tears.

"Ormund’s dead?" Chief muttered, more to himself than anyone else. But he quickly shook the question away.

He helped the girl up and guided her to the couch before his gaze landed on his daughter.

"Aeris, bring her some water!"

The girl didn’t need to be told twice, as she was already on the move.

Just as the Chief helped her to the couch, Edward noticed something that should not have been there. Between the large spatters of crimson, there were tiny, almost imperceptible droplets of blood on her clothing.

"Blood mist," he noted.

A chill ran through him, and confusion flickered across his mind.

"How could it have gotten there?"

His instincts ran wild, his mind racing for answers.

Then—

"Edward!" Chief’s voice cut through the haze.

"Huh?"

"You’re coming with me!" With that, the Chief turned and left.

Edward followed, but not before taking one last glance at the girl’s dress.