The last thing Ronald had said moments ago was:
"Stop keeping everything inside."
Thorn froze for a moment.
He hadn't expected to hear those words from his father so directly.
He remained where he stood, his eyes fixed on the old man, while countless thoughts passed through his mind—none of which he voiced.
But before he could respond…
A small voice broke the silence.
"Father!"
Thorn turned.
Theo was running toward him excitedly, clutching the pink candy tightly in his hand.
"Grandfather! Father! Taste the sweets the kind man gave me!"
Thorn bent slightly and lifted his son easily into his arms.
The boy smiled proudly as he held the candy up in front of his father's face.
"The kind man… King Morven…"
Thorn's smile faltered for a moment.
He no longer paid attention to Theo's words in his embrace, as if the world had paused for a heartbeat.
There was something in those words…
He didn't like it.
He didn't know why.
But hearing his son describe the king so simply stirred a faint unease within him that he couldn't explain.
And at that moment…
The sound arrived.
Far along the quiet road leading to the villa, the slow rhythm of approaching hooves broke the silence.
Someone was coming.
Thorn slowly lifted his head.
The wheels of a carriage rolled over the stone road, drawing closer with each passing moment.
He glanced at his father.
"It seems we have visitors."
Outside, the villa's lone guard moved toward the gate.
And moments later…
The carriage appeared.
It wasn't as extravagantly luxurious as the one that had brought Sylis back from the royal banquet earlier.
Yet there was something imposing about it.
The dark wood of the carriage was polished to a mirror-like shine, and the kingdom's emblem was deeply engraved on its side.
Two well-trained horses pulled it with discipline and steadiness.
Beside it, a lone rider sat astride his horse.
His armor bore the mark of the royal guard, but its design was different—more elegant, reserved only for knights of higher rank.
Even the driver wore the same royal insignia.
This was no ordinary escort.
The knight dismounted from the carriage.
He appeared to be in his early thirties.
Tall.
Calm.
A man whose very posture spoke of years of military discipline.
Thorn recognized him immediately.
Sir Alex.
In recent years, he had become well-known in the capital,
distinguished in several border campaigns,
and had earned the king's personal trust after uncovering a corruption scandal within the royal guard.
A knight of this rank rarely undertook simple or trivial tasks.
Which made his presence here… unusual.
"What is someone like him doing here?"
Thorn wondered silently.
Then came the sound of knocking.
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Three light, deliberate taps.
---
Inside the villa
Inside, Sylis was putting the finishing touches on lunch with Laura's help.
The sound of dishes stopped the moment they heard the knocks.
Sylis and Laura exchanged glances.
Sylis wiped her hands on her apron.
"Who could it be at this hour?"
---
At the door
On the terrace, Thorn had already moved.
He descended the three stone steps calmly.
Meanwhile, Ronald pulled Theo onto his lap so the boy wouldn't run after his father.
Thorn arrived just as the third knock faded.
But the knight hadn't noticed his approach.
Who is this man? How did I not feel him approaching?
The knight thought as he finally turned.
His gaze swept the villa with a practiced sharpness, noting exits, guards, and even minor details—the sign of a man trained to notice everything. Yet, even he seemed taken aback by the calm defiance in Thorn's eyes.
He lifted his eyes and studied Thorn quickly.
Then, after a brief pause, he cleared his throat.
"Ahem."
Thorn remained silent.
His expression revealed nothing.
"Is this the villa of Baron Thorn Ironwood?"
"Yes."
"I am he."
The knight hesitated slightly.
This man…
carried the same authority as His Majesty himself.
Finally, he asked:
"Is Lady Sylis here?"
Thorn's gaze hardened slightly.
"Yes."
Then he added:
"And what business do you have with her?"
The knight offered a polite smile.
"I am a messenger from the royal palace, sir."
Then he said clearly:
"I have come under royal orders to escort Lady Sylis to the palace for the comprehensive staff examination."
---
Behind the door
Sylis had been about to open the door.
But she stopped.
Completely.
The moment she heard her name, it felt as if an arrow had pierced her chest directly.
She could not move.
---
Outside the door
Thorn spoke calmly.
"Very well."
Then he added:
"Wait here. I will come as well."
The knight looked confused.
"My apologies, sir… the order concerns the staff only."
Thorn's voice did not change.
Nor did his expression.
"Then she will not go."
Behind the door…
Sylis felt as if her heart had nearly stopped.
The knight's face turned pale.
He had never seen anyone challenge a royal order so openly.
He straightened his shoulders and spoke with greater firmness.
"These are royal orders, Baron."
But Thorn did not step back.
"If she is going to the palace…"
His eyes remained fixed on the knight.
"...then I will accompany her."
A brief silence followed.
Then the knight sighed.
"I will return later."
He turned with a hint of irritation, his cloak lifting slightly in the dust.
He mounted his horse.
Clicked his tongue.
"Move."
The carriage began to move.
And moments later…
It disappeared down the road it had come from.
---
Thorn remained standing atop the three steps.
His eyes fixed on the road.
Inside…
Sylis was still standing behind the door, unable to move.
Ronald had watched everything.
He hadn't heard every word.
But…
he understood enough.
And he looked at his son with calm eyes…
as if they knew more than they revealed.
---
On the road to the palace
Alex clenched the reins of his horse as he rode alongside the carriage toward the palace… into the heart of the imperial capital, while the House of Ironwood lay on the outskirts.
Dust rose behind them on the road.
Alex gritted his teeth.
"That man…"
Few nobles would dare refuse a royal messenger so openly.
Yet Thorn Ironwood had not hesitated.
No anger.
No fear.
Only quiet refusal.
Alex raised his eyebrows slightly.
Most noble families were obsessed with titles and the favor of the court.
But that man…
didn't seem to care about his position at all.
Ironwood…
The name brought back an old memory.
Seven years ago, that family had not been noble.
Merely skilled craftsmen.
Carpenters renowned for their work in the royal workshops.
They made wooden training swords for young princes.
Hunting bows.
Arrows and crossbow bolts commissioned by the royal court.
Many princes had learned their first sword stance with blades crafted by the Ironwood family.
But everything changed after that night.
The assassination attempt.
Alex remembered the story clearly.
Ronald Ironwood had been among the attendants escorting the royal carriage.
And his son…
that calm young man, Thorn,
had been the first to notice the danger.
The arrow aimed at the king had never reached its target.
Not after that.
Following the incident, the king granted the family land,
a villa,
and a title.
The Ironwood family.
Alex exhaled slowly.
"Still…"
He narrowed his eyes slightly toward the road ahead.
"This does not explain why Baron would defy a royal order with such calm."
---