After dinner, the mansion didn't return to normal.
The noise decreased, the lights became softer, and everyone went their separate ways, but the atmosphere didn't fade. It stayed there, spread through the corridors, trapped in glances that didn't meet for long.
Scarlett was outside.
I saw when she left.
I didn't say anything at the time. I waited a few minutes, watching the rest of the group disperse. Lyannis and Elara were still organizing the kitchen. Rai'kanna had disappeared down the corridor, probably looking for something to occupy her mind. Vespera was leaning near the window, looking outside without really focusing on anything specific.
Liriel wasn't visible.
But I knew she was nearby.
I went to the outside area.
The air was colder there. The night had advanced, and the clear sky made the stars well defined. The garden was wide, silent, with the soft sound of leaves moving in the wind.
Scarlett was standing near the fence, looking at the city in the distance.
She didn't seem surprised when I approached.
"Do you always come here after dinner?" she asked, without turning around.
"Sometimes."
Short silence.
"You don't like staying inside when there are too many people."
It wasn't a question.
"Depends on the company."
She let out a small sigh.
"I see."
I stopped beside her, keeping a comfortable distance.
For a few seconds, we stayed silent.
No rush.
But that wouldn't last.
"You didn't have to come," she said.
"Neither did you."
She gave a slight smile, almost imperceptible.
"Yeah."
Silence again.
But this time, heavier.
I didn't look away.
"You're hiding something."
Direct.
No beating around the bush.
She closed her eyes for a moment.
As if she already expected it.
"Does everyone think that now?"
"Not everyone."
"But some."
"Yes."
She nodded slowly.
"Makes sense."
"So?"
She took her time to answer.
Enough to show she was choosing every word.
"It's not something I can talk about."
"Or don't want to."
"Both."
Honest answer.
For the first time.
I kept my eyes on her.
"Does it involve us?"
She hesitated.
A little.
But she hesitated.
"It might."
That was enough.
"Then it does."
She exhaled slowly.
"Not the way you're thinking."
"And what way am I thinking?"
She turned her face toward me.
Her eyes met mine.
And this time, they didn't look away.
"That I'm a threat."
Silence.
I held her gaze.
"Are you?"
Simple question.
Difficult answer.
She stayed quiet for a few seconds.
And then…
"No."
The answer came firm.
No tremor.
No doubt.
But even so…
It didn't feel complete.
"But?"
She looked away this time.
"But that doesn't mean there isn't a problem."
That was the closest to a confirmation.
Or a warning.
Before I could respond, light footsteps came from the side.
Liriel.
She didn't try to hide that she was there.
She simply approached, stopping a few meters away.
"I figured you'd be here," she said.
Looking at me.
Then at Scarlett.
Scarlett said nothing.
Liriel crossed her arms.
"So?"
She looked directly at Scarlett.
"Are you going to keep this up?"
"With what?"
"With this half-truth."
The air grew heavier.
Scarlett took a deep breath.
"I already said I can't talk."
"You can," Liriel replied. "You just don't want to deal with what comes after."
"You don't know what you're talking about."
"I know enough."
Silence.
I watched the two of them.
This wasn't just suspicion anymore.
It was confrontation.
"Then say it," Liriel continued. "Or leave."
Direct.
No room for compromise.
Scarlett closed her eyes for a second.
When she opened them, her gaze had changed.
Stronger.
More determined.
"If I leave, does that solve it?"
"It solves it for you," Liriel replied. "For us too."
"It doesn't," I said.
Both of them looked at me.
"If there's something involved, leaving doesn't change anything."
Liriel frowned slightly.
But didn't disagree.
Scarlett stayed silent.
Thinking.
Weighing.
The wind blew stronger for a moment, slightly moving her hair.
"I'm not against you," she said.
Calm.
But firm.
"But I'm not completely on your side either."
Liriel didn't react immediately.
Neither did I.
"That doesn't help," Liriel said.
"I know."
"Then why are you here?"
Silence.
Scarlett looked at me.
For longer this time.
Without looking away.
"Because I needed to see."
"See what?" I asked.
She hesitated.
But answered.
"If it was worth it."
That lingered in the air.
Heavy.
Direct.
Without full explanation.
But enough to change everything.
Liriel uncrossed her arms.
"That's not an answer."
"It's the most I can give right now."
"It's not enough."
"I know."
Silence.
No one moved forward.
No one stepped back.
The stalemate was there.
Clear.
And inevitable.
Scarlett took a step back.
"I'm not going to cause trouble here."
"You already did," Liriel said.
Scarlett didn't respond.
She just looked at me one more time.
And this time…
There was something different in that look.
It wasn't just hesitation.
It was decision.
"I'm going to resolve this."
"How?" I asked.
She turned her face, already walking away.
"My way."
And she started walking.
Firm steps.
Without looking back.
Liriel watched in silence.
So did I.
No one tried to stop her.
Because, at that moment…
It became clear.
This wasn't just suspicion anymore.
It was the beginning of something bigger.
And the worst part…
It hadn't even truly begun yet.