Solace of Darkness

Chapter 3

Evenia’s dreams had been relentless. Each night for the past three days, she was haunted by images of the forest. Gnarled branches twisted into grotesque shapes, crimson eyes pierced through the darkness, and the thief’s enigmatic smirk lingered like a taunt. She would wake up drenched in sweat, her heart racing as if she had been running for miles.

The unease weighed heavily on her, leaving her sluggish and disinterested in her usual routines. She had spent most of the past three days lazing in her chambers, alternating between restless naps and aimlessly flipping through books. Today was no different. She leaned against the cushioned chair by her window, her chemise nightgown loose and slightly wrinkled from her lack of care.

In her hands was a worn tome recounting the accounts of knights and mercenaries who had dared to venture into the Erebus forest. Some had never returned, swallowed whole by the forbidden woods. Others had come back changed, their memories fractured or entirely erased. One account, in particular, caught her attention—a knight who claimed to have heard the forest "sing" to him, luring him deeper into its heart.

Evenia frowned, running her fingers over the faded ink. There was something about the forest’s pull that resonated with her. Was it the same pull she felt each time she gazed at the barrier? Was it connected to the thief’s cryptic words?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a sharp knock at her door.

“Lady Evenia,” Mary's hesitant voice came from the other side. She is serving her now as Anna's replacement. “The Duke has requested your presence at lunch.”

Evenia blinked, the book momentarily forgotten in her lap. Lunch with the Duke? It was such an odd request that for a moment she wondered if Mary had misheard. The Duke had not invited her to dine with him in years—if ever. Their interactions were few and far between, limited to brief acknowledgments in the halls.

“Lunch?” she repeated, her tone laced with disbelief.

“Yes, my lady,” Mary confirmed.

Evenia set the book aside and stood, stretching slightly. The idea of sitting at the table with the Duke, Helena, and Ethan filled her with a deep sense of repulsion. The thought of their judging eyes, their subtle remarks about her appearance, her habits—it was exhausting before it even began.

A smile that didn’t reach her eyes curled her lips. If they expected her to play the part of the dutiful daughter, she would do so on her own terms.

The guards stationed outside the dining hall exchanged awkward glances as Evenia approached. She was still in her chemise, a flowing white nightgown that clung delicately to her frame. The neckline dipped just enough to be considered improper for the setting, and her hair was only loosely tied back, a few strands framing her face.

One of the younger guards, unable to hide his flustered expression, shifted nervously and almost lost his balance. Evenia’s golden eyes flicked toward him, her expression unreadable. She walked past him as if he didn’t exist, her bare feet soft against the polished floor.

Inside the dining hall, the chatter among her half-siblings ceased abruptly as she entered. Helena and Ethan stared at her, their expressions ranging from shock to thinly veiled disdain. The Duke, seated at the head of the table, lifted his gaze from his plate, his brow furrowing slightly.

“Evenia,” Helena said, her voice dripping with disapproval. “Do you truly have no shame? Showing up like… that?”

Ethan chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. “I suppose we shouldn’t expect much from someone who doesn’t understand basic decorum.”

Evenia ignored them, her steps unhurried as she made her way to her seat. She slid into the chair gracefully, resting her hands on her lap as if she were dressed for a royal ball instead of lounging in her nightgown.

“I wasn’t aware there was a dress code,” she said coolly, her golden eyes locking onto Helena’s emerald-green ones.

Helena’s lips pressed into a thin line.

The Duke cleared his throat, his deep voice cutting through the tension. “Evenia,” he said, his tone low but firm. “You were summoned to dine with us, not to parade yourself like a servant lacking propriety.”

Evenia turned her gaze to him, her expression as calm as ever. “Forgive me, Father. I assumed the urgency of your summons meant my presence was more important than my attire.”

Helena scoffed. Ethan smirked, clearly entertained by the exchange.

“You’re insufferable,” Helena muttered under her breath.

Evenia’s sharp hearing caught the words, but she pretended not to notice. Instead, she turned her attention to the food on the table, delicately picking up a piece of bread. “If this luncheon is merely an opportunity to critique my manners, perhaps we should move on to the true reason for this… rare gathering.”

The Duke’s jaw tightened, but he allowed the remark to pass. He set his goblet down with a soft clink and leaned forward slightly. “There has been an incident. A suspicious individual was seen infiltrating the duchy three nights ago.”

Evenia’s hand froze mid-motion, though her expression betrayed nothing.

“The knights have been put on high alert,” the Duke continued, his gaze sweeping over the table. “This is not a matter to be taken lightly. We do not know their intentions or their origins, but they were last spotted near the western gardens.”

Ethan leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. “Do you think it’s some petty thief or something more serious?”

“Serious enough,” the Duke replied. “And until we’re certain, I expect all of you to remain vigilant. This includes you, Evenia.”

Evenia met his gaze, tilting her head slightly. “Vigilant, Father? Against a single intruder? Surely your knights are capable of handling such a minor inconvenience.”

Helena’s jaw tightened. “You’d do well to take this seriously. Or is that too much to ask of you?”

Evenia turned to her half-sister with a faint smile. “You’re right, Helena. Taking this seriously is far too much effort for someone like me. I’ll leave it to you to carry the burden.”

Ethan laughed outright, earning a glare from Helena.

“Enough,” the Duke said, his voice cutting through the air. “You are dismissed, Evenia. Return to your chambers if you insist on behaving like a child.”

Evenia rose gracefully, her nightgown whispering against the floor. She inclined her head slightly, a mockery of respect. “Of course, Father. Thank you for the delightful meal.”

Without another word, she turned and left the dining hall, her calm demeanor hiding the storm brewing within her. The thief had been spotted, and the Duke’s reaction confirmed what she had suspected—there was more to his presence than mere coincidence.

The forest’s pull felt stronger than ever, and Evenia knew that whatever lay beyond the barrier, it was far from over.