The halls became quieter the further Anna walked. It wasn't a dead silence, because the Graham estate never truly went silent, there was always the faint hum of machinery or the sound of staff moving through the corridors like shadows, appearing and disappearing before you could even blink. But compared to the chaotic energy of the Core Room, this part of the mansion felt like a different world. It was calm, warm, and for the first time all morning, Anna felt like she could actually lower her guard.Mariam stopped in front of a tall door designed in gold and black. The design was simpler than the massive obsidian panels they’d stumbled through earlier, but there was something about the wood that felt inviting. "Your mother is inside," Mariam said gently, her voice barely above a whisper.Anna nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. "Thank you," she managed to say. Mariam gave a polite, single nod and stepped back into the hallway with Avery.Anna stood there for a long second, he

“Mariam.”The voice was calm and easy, but it had that natural weight to it that made you stop and listen without even thinking about it.Both women froze. Mariam turned around first, as smooth and composed as ever, but the second she saw who it was, she dipped her head in a quick, respectful bow.“Young Master.”Avery followed her lead and just stiffened up. Robert was standing at the far end of the long hallway, one hand shoved casually in his pocket. He looked relaxed, but with the morning sun hitting him from the tall windows behind, he looked almost like a glowing silhouette— untouchable and completely in control of the space.For a heartbeat, Avery couldn't even find her voice.Mariam started to lower her head even more. “Y…Young Master— ”Robert blinked and immediately waved his hand, a small, genuine smile appearing on his serious face. “No, no… let’s not do all that.”Mariam stopped halfway, looking a bit confused.“There’s no need for all the formalities, you've done enough

The wind brushed through the trees with a soft rustle, but something about the rhythm felt off, like the air itself was holding its breath.Robert took a step forward. Every movement was quiet and deliberate, his boots barely making a sound on the gravel path. As he moved toward the treeline, the bright morning sunlight started to fail him, thinning out into long shadows cast by the thick branches above.He stopped just a few feet away from the dark figure.For a heartbeat, there was nothing but silence. Then, Robert’s expression shifted. A faint, almost imperceptible blue glow flickered deep in his eyes— not a flash of light, but a steady hum of energy that seemed to pull the details of the world into focus.Recognition hit him instantly."...Aaron."Robert spoke the name calmly, his voice steady as if he’d been expecting this encounter all along. The figure in the shadows let out a long, quiet breath that sounded almost like relief."Young Master..."Aaron stepped into the light. A