Adrian watched Lord Faolan walk away, feeling the tension between them like a thick, unspoken challenge. He could feel Faolan's mistrust simmering beneath the surface, but it didn't bother him—not in the way the older man likely intended.

Faolan's words were predictable, his hostility more of a minor annoyance than a real concern. Adrian had encountered men like him before: those who were resistant to change, threatened by anyone who disrupted the established order.

No, Faolan wasn't the problem.

Adrian's mind was elsewhere—focused on the greater threat that was incolved in the destruction of his kingdom, Meridia: the Shadow Court. They were still out there, plotting in the shadows, waiting for their moment to strike.

And yet, here he was, sitting in council meetings and offering advice on tax payments and resource distribution, when he needed to be gathering intelligence.

He hadn't forgotten his mission.

But each hour spent blending into life in Zarpha felt like a delay, a distraction from the real danger lurking in the dark corners of the continent.

The Shadow Court operated like a cancer, spreading silently until it was too late to fight back. They had already taken Meridia from him, and Adrian wanted to make them pay before they strike again… Zarpha—or any other kingdom.

As he stepped out of the council chambers, he paused in the hallway, considering his next move. He needed to send word to Zack, his new ally who was currently overseeing the Count's manor.

Playing the role of interim Count after he had killed count Keyz, Zack now had resources and contacts at his disposal that could prove invaluable, especially if there had been any recent developments regarding the Shadow Court.

Adrian had promised to keep him informed, and now was the time to do just that.

Adrian glanced around, spotting a guard stationed near the entrance to the chamber. Taking a deep breath, he approached the young man, who straightened upon noticing him.

"Excuse me," Adrian began politely. "I need to send a letter—where's the nearest place I can do that?"

The guard blinked for a moment, clearly recognizing Adrian's status but unsure of how to address him. "Uh, the kingdom's post office, sir. It's just outside the palace walls, near the main marketplace."

"Thank you," Adrian replied with a nod before making his way toward the exit. His mind was already composing the letter in his head, drafting what needed to be said.

He needed to know how things were progressing on Zack's end, and more importantly, he needed to know if the Shadow Court had been active in the surrounding territories.

The streets of Zarpha were bustling as always, filled with the sounds of merchants hawking their wares, the clatter of horse-drawn carts, and the lively chatter of townsfolk.

The air was warm, carrying the familiar scents of fresh bread and grilled meats from the various food stalls that lined the streets. Adrian walked through the marketplace, his hood pulled low to avoid unnecessary attention.

Yet, as he moved through the crowds, he caught more than a few glances cast in his direction. Whispers followed him, and he could feel the curious eyes on his back.

Some of the people recognized him—not as the queen's advisor, but as the hero who had killed the chimera not long ago.

"Isn't that him?" he overheard one man say to another as they passed by.

"Yeah, the one who slayed the beast," the other man replied, his tone filled with admiration. "I heard he's working with the queen now."

Adrian kept his head down, ignoring the murmurs. Fame had its drawbacks, and the last thing he needed was to draw unnecessary attention to himself.

He reached the post office soon enough, a modest building tucked between a tailor's shop and a bakery. Inside, the scent of ink and parchment hung in the air, the walls lined with cubbies filled with letters and parcels waiting to be sent.

The clerk behind the counter looked up as Adrian entered, his eyes widening slightly in recognition. "Good day, sir. How can I assist you?"

Adrian stepped up to the counter and asked for a sheet of parchment, quill, and ink. The clerk quickly provided them, and Adrian found a quiet corner of the office where he could write.

Sitting at the small wooden desk, he dipped the quill into the ink and began to draft his letter to Zack.

*************

Zack,

I hope this letter reaches you without delay. I've made it to the kingdom of Zarpha and will be here for a while. Things are moving slower than I'd like, but there's much to be done here.

Any news about the Shadow Court? If you've heard anything—anything at all—about their movements, send word to me immediately.

If there's anything from my end, I'll update you as things progress.

—Adrian

*************

Satisfied with the letter, Adrian sealed it with wax and handed it to the clerk. "Make sure this gets sent to the Count Keyz's manor. It's urgent."

The clerk nodded quickly, taking the letter with care. "Of course, sir. It will be sent out with the next dispatch."

Adrian thanked the man and left the post office, stepping back into the bustling streets. As he walked, his thoughts drifted back to the council meeting and the tension with Lord Faolan.

It was clear that not everyone in Zarpha's leadership trusted him, and Faolan's words had revealed a deeper suspicion about the women he traveled with.

Adrian knew the goddesses were bound to attract attention—how could they not? Lilith, Ava, Medea, and even Selene were not ordinary companions. Each of them had power and presence that set them apart, and it was only a matter of time before people started asking questions.

But for now, they were scattered throughout the kingdom, each working on their own mission. He knew Ava would be in the marketplace, Medea in the barracks, Selene in the fields and Lilith somewhere in the place… or not.

Adrian found himself wondering what and how they were doing at this very moment.

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