I Need Someone to Stop My Three Brothers

Chapter 4: Night's Again, This Time It's My Own Fate, not them!!

That night, as the estate fell silent, and the moon hung low in the sky, I decided.

I was done being a passive player in whatever this twisted game was. If the Hero’s Guild thought I was connected to the Demon King, I needed to find out why. And the only way to do that was to dig into my past.

Somehow, I had to uncover the truth about my awakening, my connection to the Zanov family, and the dark forces that seemed to be stirring beneath the surface.

I was no stranger to danger, but this time, I wasn’t going to be the one getting stabbed in the back. Not again.

This time, I was going to take control of my own fate.

That night, the mansion was eerily quiet. The weight of everything that had happened pressed down on me like an invisible cloak, making it impossible to relax. My room, though lavish and warm, felt suffocating. The heavy velvet curtains blocked out the moonlight, and even the intricate tapestries on the walls seemed to loom over me.

I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. The Hero’s Guild, my mysterious awakening, and this strange new family were all swirling in my mind, refusing to let me rest.

If I’m somehow connected to the Demon King, how do I even begin to figure out the truth? I thought back to the faces of the Heroes, especially Leonhardt. His gaze had been sharp and intense, but something else in his eyes made me wonder if he knew more than he was letting on.

Frustration bubbled inside me. I couldn’t just sit here waiting for answers. If I was going to survive this—and take control of my own fate—I had to act.

I slipped out of bed and crossed the room, my bare feet silent on the cool marble floor. Pulling the heavy curtains aside, I glanced out the window. The Zanov estate was enormous, a sprawling compound that stretched as far as the eye could see, surrounded by high stone walls. In the distance, the moon's glow reflected off the glassy surface of a lake, and the garden below looked peaceful, bathed in silvery light.

I have to get out of here. Not permanently, just... for now. I needed space to think, and I certainly wasn’t going to figure anything out while locked away like a precious relic.

Without a second thought, I threw on a cloak, grabbed the small dagger hidden under my pillow (because, of course, I wasn’t going anywhere unarmed), and quietly opened the door. The hallway was dark, lit only by the dim glow of a few scattered candles. I slipped out, moving as quietly as possible, making my way through the maze-like corridors of the mansion.

I half-expected to run into one of my brothers—or worse, Grandfather—but the house was silent. Everyone must have already been asleep, or they were just trusting enough in the estate’s security not to worry about me wandering off.

As I reached the main floor, I spotted a side door that led out to the gardens. Perfect. I’d slip outside, clear my head, and maybe figure out my next steps before anyone even noticed I was gone.

But just as I was about to push the door open, a voice from behind stopped me in my tracks.

“Going somewhere, little sister?”

I froze, my heart leaping into my throat. Damn it. Busted.

Turning slowly, I saw Aldric standing a few feet away, his arms crossed over his chest and that infuriating smirk plastered across his face. His golden hair was tousled as he’d just rolled out of bed, but his eyes were sharp and alert.

I sighed, letting go of the door handle. “Could you not do that?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Do what? Catch you sneaking out in the middle of the night?”

“I wasn’t sneaking out,” I shot back, though even I didn’t sound convinced. “I just... needed some air.”

Aldric chuckled softly and took a step closer. “Sure you did. Because everyone goes for midnight strolls fully cloaked and armed.”

I glanced down at the dagger tucked into my belt and cursed under my breath. “Fine. Maybe I was sneaking out. But I just wanted to be alone for a bit. I’m not running away or anything.”

His expression softened slightly, though the amusement never left his eyes. “You’ve been through a lot, Estella. No one’s blaming you for needing space.”

I crossed my arms, feeling a little embarrassed. “Then why did you stop me?”

“Because if you’re going to leave the estate, you should at least have backup.” Aldric shrugged. “Who knows what kind of idiots might be lurking around out there, especially now that the Hero’s Guild is poking around. You may be capable, but I’d rather not have to explain to Grandfather why you disappeared.”

I stared at him for a moment, unsure how to respond. As much as I hated to admit it, Aldric was right. The last thing I needed was to run into trouble, especially with everything happening.

“Fine,” I muttered, “but I’m not asking for permission. I’m going, and if you want to follow, that’s on you.”

Aldric’s grin widened. “Fair enough. Lead the way, little sister.”

With that, I pushed open the door and stepped into the cool night air. The garden was even more beautiful up close, the scent of roses and lavender filling the air as we walked. The sound of our footsteps on the gravel path was the only noise in the otherwise silent estate.

We walked silently for a few minutes, the tension from earlier slowly easing away. Aldric kept a respectful distance, not prying into my thoughts, but always close enough that I knew he was watching over me.

“You really care about your family, don’t you?” I asked after a while, breaking the silence.

Aldric glanced at me, surprised by the question. “Of course I do. You’re family, Estella. Blood is everything to the Zanovs.”

“But why? Why do you care so much?” I pressed. “You barely know me.”

He stopped walking and looked at me seriously, all traces of his usual playful demeanor gone. “It doesn’t matter how long we’ve known each other. You’re one of us. And the family looks out for the family. That’s the Zanov way.”

I didn’t know how to respond to that. For so long, I had been alone—betrayed, hunted, and ultimately killed. The concept of family loyalty, of people willing to stand by me no matter what, felt foreign. Yet here was Aldric, my brother in this strange new life, offering me unconditional support despite everything.

“I... I appreciate it,” I said quietly, unsure how to express my mixed emotions.

Aldric’s smirk returned. “Don’t get too mushy on me now.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at my lips. As infuriating as he was, Aldric had a way of making things feel... lighter.

As we reached the edge of the garden, near the stone wall surrounding the estate, something caught my eye. A faint glow in the distance, just beyond the wall, barely noticeable in the darkness.

“What’s that?” I asked, squinting toward the light.

Aldric followed my gaze, his expression instantly sharpening. “Trouble.”

Before I could react, Aldric grabbed my wrist and pulled me behind a row of tall hedges, ducking us both out of sight.

“Stay down,” he whispered, his tone serious.

I peered through the leaves, my heart racing. The glow grew brighter, and soon enough, figures appeared on the other side of the wall—cloaked figures moving with purpose. There were at least a dozen of them, and they were carrying something—no, someone.

It was a body.

Aldric’s grip on my wrist tightened as the figures paused by the wall, murmuring among themselves. One of them pulled out a glowing orb and held it over the body, chanting something in a language I didn’t recognize.

“What are they doing?” I whispered.

“Nothing good,” Aldric muttered darkly. “We need to get out of here before they notice us.”

But just as he said it, one of the figures turned, his hood falling back to reveal glowing silver eyes.

My breath caught in my throat.

Silver eyes—just like mine.