The Unseen Disturbance

Chapter 5 — The Unseen Disturbance

The Grand Duchy of Valemont had faced countless threats throughout its history.

Border conflicts.Political schemes.Magical disasters.The Valemonts had survived them all because they had one principle.They never ignored a disturbance.No matter how small.

Three days after Evelyn Veyne's arrival, the first unusual report reached the Grand Duke.It came from the western villages under Valemont protection.At first, it appeared to be nothing serious.

A farmer reporting unusual crop damage.A few villagers complaining of strange dreams.Animals becoming aggressive without reason.The kind of incidents that usually disappeared after investigatio

Inside the Grand Duke's study, Adrian Valemont read through the reports silently.Sebastian Crowell stood beside him.

"The first report arrived five days ago."

"And the second?"

"Three days later."

"And now?"

Sebastian placed another document on the desk.

"Another village."

Adrian's expression remained calm.

"Same symptoms?"

"Mostly."

Sebastian hesitated.

"There is one difference."

Adrian looked up.

"What?"

"The victims all describe the same thing."

A pause.

"They say they felt as if something was searching through their minds."

The room became quiet.Because of recognition.Certain types of magic left certain types of traces.And this one was unusual.

When Evelyn entered the dining hall that evening, she immediately noticed the difference.The atmosphere was quieter.Focused.

Evelyn took her seat.

"Something happened."

It was not a question.

Leon looked at her.

"You noticed?"

Evelyn looked at them.

"Was that not obvious?"

Cassian pointed at her.

"That."

"What?"

"You say things like that and make people forget you are new here."

Evelyn smiled slightly.

"I will consider that a compliment."

"It was not."

"I accepted it anyway."

After dinner, Adrian requested Evelyn's presence.This time, she knew it was not a simple conversation.The report was placed before her.She read through it carefully.

Adrian observed her reaction.

"You recognize something."

Evelyn looked up.

"I recognize similarities."

"To what?"

She was silent for a moment.Then answered:

"Old magical records."

Adrian noticed something different.She was not avoiding the subject.She was choosing how much to say.

"You have studied Nocturne extensively?"

Evelyn looked back at the report.

"Everyone who carries a dangerous power should understand it."

The answer was reasonable.But Adrian noticed the wording.Not anyone.

Someone who carries it.

Leon entered the room shortly after.

"The investigation team is preparing to leave tomorrow."

Adrian nodded.

"Good."

Leon looked at Evelyn.

"She will not be joining."

A pause.Evelyn glanced at him.

"I was not aware I had been invited."

Cassian, who had followed Leon inside, immediately spoke.

"That sounded like something Leon would say."

Leon ignored him.

"She has just arrived."

"Which means?"

"Which means she should not be placed in danger."

Evelyn leaned back slightly.

"I appreciate the concern."

Leon looked surprised.

"But?"

She smiled faintly.

"But if the reason I am being kept away is because of Nocturne, then I believe that defeats the purpose of bringing me here."

The room went silent.Because she was right.They had invited her because she was part of the Valemont bloodline.But they had also brought her because her power mattered.

Adrian studied her.

"You wish to go."

"Yes."

"Why?"

Evelyn looked at the report.

"Because something about this does not feel random."

Leon frowned.

"You can tell that from a report?"

"No."

She paused.

"From the lack of information."

That answer caught Isabelle's attention.

"What do you mean?"

Evelyn tapped the document.

"If this was an uncontrolled magical accident, there would be destruction."

She looked at them.

"But there is only disturbance."

A pause.

"Someone is affecting something carefully."

The room became still.Because that was not the observation of someone inexperienced.

The decision was made.Evelyn would accompany the investigation team.Not as a weapo but as someone whose knowledge might be useful.

The next morning, the team prepared to leave.Leon, Cassian, and several Valemont knights would accompany her.Isabelle remained behind to manage household matters.Lillian stood near the entrance watching them prepare.

"You are not afraid?"

Evelyn looked at her.

"Of the investigation?"

Lillian shook her head.

"Of people."

The question was unexpected.Evelyn looked at the younger girl.

Then smiled.

"People are usually easier to understand than magic."

Lillian tilted her head.

"That sounds like something someone says after having trouble with both."

Evelyn laughed softly.

"You are observant."

"I learned from my family."

A small silence followed.Then Evelyn smiled.

"I think I will have to be careful around this family."

"Why?"

"Everyone notices too much."

For some reason, Lillian looked pleased by that answer.

As the carriage left the Grand Duchy, Evelyn looked back only once.The estate grew smaller in the distance.

Far away, in the western villages of Valemont territory, a man stood before a ruined magical formation.

The experiment had failed.But then he received the report.

A girl had arrived at Valemont.A girl with black hair and Crimson eyes.And the impossible combination of two opposing powers.

The man smiled.

"So the lost child finally returned."

He looked at the damaged formation.

"Perhaps the answer was never hidden in the magic itself."

A pause.

"Perhaps it was hidden in her."

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