Autumn | December 8, 1777 | Morning
Morven's gaze suddenly fixed on an old wooden box hidden behind the dusty clutter in the storeroom. "Hey… Tutor, there's something back there… among the old things!"
The tutor turned in surprise, stared at him for a moment, then asked: "Where?"
Morven pointed toward the far corner, behind the glass-paneled cabinet against the wall. "Right there…"
The tutor followed his finger, noticed the box, and raised an eyebrow. "Hmm… Shall we open it?"
Morven gave a small, excited smile. "Why not…!"
The tutor walked over, opened the upper glass door of the cabinet, and carefully pulled out the small wooden box. He wiped the thick layer of dust from its surface with his sleeve, glanced sideways at Morven, took a deep breath, then turned and walked back. When he reached the boy, he bent slightly and held the box out. "Here… the box you wanted."
Morven had been watching his tutor the entire time without saying a word, just following every movement. When the box was offered to him, a quiet joy lit up inside him, though he kept it hidden behind a calm face. He took it gently. "Thank you, Tutor…"
He slowly lifted the lid. The tutor was fighting hard against his own curiosity. Morven opened the box fully, but before he could see what lay inside, the world around him went pitch black.
A voice echoed in his ears:
"Wake up."
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Early morning, November 21, 1797 | Morven's house
Morven jolted awake, breathing fast, a cold sweat covering his skin. He pressed a trembling hand to his forehead and squeezed. "The box… the box…"
He clenched his teeth, pressed harder, and suddenly roared: "Damn it all…!!!"
The bedroom door flew open with a bang. Marcus burst in, panic written across his face, and immediately tripped, collapsing onto the floor. "I was terrified…!"
Morven blinked in shock, pulled his hand from his forehead, and stared. "What happened, Marcus…!?"
Marcus, still sprawled on the rug, clawed at the floor and let out a few shaky laughs. "That idiot scream of yours! Seven in the morning… why are you yelling like that?! I thought someone was attacking you!!"
A faint smile crept onto Morven's lips. "So you were scared…"
Marcus slowly pushed himself up and glared at him. "Of course I was scared…!"
Morven chuckled softly. "Marcus… you look exactly like a cat that's just been thrown into water and then yanked back out."
Marcus clenched his fist. "Is mocking me the only thing you ever do!?"
Morven calmly pushed the blanket aside, sat on the edge of the bed, and smiled at him. "Get up. Something just came to mind."
Marcus sighed. "What now?"
Morven stood, straightened the sleeves of his nightshirt, and spoke quietly. "I think… after ten whole years… it's time I paid a visit to Blacktide Manor. Time to say hello to Father again, Marcus."
Marcus's eyes widened for a second, then his expression turned instantly serious. "Understood, sir."
Morven gave a faint smile. "Just comb that jade-green hair of yours properly first… it's a complete mess."
Marcus stared at him for a moment, then broke into a grin. "Now you're criticizing my hair too? Fine, I get it…"
Morven glanced toward the door with his eyes, silently telling Marcus to leave. Marcus caught the look, stepped back calmly, and closed the door behind him.
Morven stared at the closed door for a few seconds and murmured to himself: "Maybe a visit… won't be so bad after all…!"