The third day after Kael's return began with steel.
The estate's training ground rang with the sound of practice blades, clashing armor, and shouted orders. The Lion's Teeth had begun morning drills again—only now, they weren't alone.
For the first time in two decades, the sons of high nobles joined the field.
Voluntarily.
Not to serve the Duke.
But to train under Kael.
---
Reshaping the Thorn Guard
Kael stood before the bannered courtyard.
His command had been formalized. A new division was being raised—loyal not to the council, but to him directly. Elite knights, chosen from both the Lion's Teeth and promising young nobles.
They were to be called:
> The Crimson Bloom.
A symbolic gesture, perhaps. But one that shook the political foundation of the estate.
Lord Trevane, predictably, voiced his outrage in a council meeting that afternoon.
"You're building a private army!"
Kael didn't blink.
"I'm ensuring my house can fight threats within and without. What you call rebellion, I call preparation."
Lady Merien, interestingly, stayed quiet.
So did Duke Aldric.
When pressed, the Duke simply said:
"Let the boy bloom."
---
Training Begins – Rin vs. Serentha
Elsewhere on the grounds, Rin sparred furiously with Serentha.
The younger girl moved with enthusiasm if not polish—sloppy footwork, late parries—but she never backed down. Serentha offered no leniency. Every mistake was punished.
By the sixth fall, Rin stayed down longer than before.
"Done?" Serentha asked.
Rin wiped her bloody lip and stood again. "No."
Serentha smirked.
"Good."
They reset.
Nearby, Lyra watched quietly, arms folded.
"She's going to break herself."
Kael appeared beside her. "Or she'll harden."
"You really believe she can fight on your level?"
Kael was silent.
Then: "Not yet. But she has the one thing even nobles can't buy—resolve."
---
An Uninvited Guest
That night, as Kael reviewed the estate's updated personnel structure in his office, a knock interrupted his silence.
It was a servant girl—young, clearly nervous.
She bowed and whispered, "My lord… a guest has arrived. He's waiting in the west atrium. He bears no seal."
Kael stood immediately.
The west atrium wasn't open to visitors.
Lyra, reading near the hearth, rose as well. "Trouble?"
Kael nodded. "Maybe."
Together, they walked through the corridors—candlelight flickering off the thorned stone carvings. A strange tension crept in, as if the estate itself held its breath.
When they arrived—
—a man stood in black robes, no insignia, no escort.
Just a mask.
Silver, faceless.
Kael's hand went to his blade.
"You're either very stupid or very brave."
The man didn't move.
"I come with words. Not weapons."
"Velcras?"
The man gave a shallow nod.
"I am not an assassin. Merely… a herald."
---
The Herald's Offer
Kael crossed his arms. "Speak."
The herald bowed.
"The Circle extends a second truce. The Root need not grow here. We offer knowledge. Power. Even peace—if you will stand aside and allow the bloom to complete."
Lyra's voice was cold. "You think we'll bow to threats dressed as offers?"
"No," the herald said softly. "We think you'll break before the bloom does."
Kael stepped forward.
"I destroyed three monoliths. Killed your general. Crushed your rebellion."
"And in doing so," the herald said slowly, "you proved you are exactly who we hoped."
Kael's gaze sharpened.
"You see… our enemy was not the Thornborn. Our enemy was the one who forgot what he was."
The herald reached into his cloak and dropped something.
A single petal.
Black.
Thorned.
Still fresh.
Kael's breath caught.
> It was the same as the petal from the Vault.
"Think on it," the herald said, then vanished in a blink—leaving only silence and the petal behind.
---
The Roots of Doubt
Back in his chamber, Kael stared at the petal.
It didn't rot.
Didn't curl.
Didn't die.
Lyra sat across from him, arms on her knees.
"They're getting bolder."
"They're getting desperate."
"They know something we don't."
Kael nodded.
"I need to go back down."
"To the Vault?"
He didn't answer.
Because in the back of his mind…
…the whispers had returned.
> "Three chains broken."
> "Four thorns bled."
> "You are almost ready."
---
Final Scene – A Plan in Motion
Rin returned from training, bruised and grinning.
Serentha tossed her a canteen. "You lasted longer today."
"I think I even landed a hit."
"You grazed my armor. Barely."
"It still counts."
Serentha actually smiled.
They didn't notice the noblewoman watching from the garden balcony above.
Lady Merien.
She turned from the window.
And whispered to her attendant:
"Begin the preparations."
"For what, my lady?"
She smiled thinly.
"For the marriage offer."
---
End of Chapter 68