Tap. Tap. Tap.

Remlend's shoes tapped lightly against the quartz floors of the Frey Manor.

It was a conscious effort. There would have been no sound if he didn't think about it. Not that it would have mattered even if he stomped through the hallways—no one would have been able to notice him anyhow.

His eyes rested on a reflection of himself in a large hanging mirror.

Ordinary. Even in his own eyes, his appearance was so ordinary and unmemorable that he wouldn't have been able to describe his own unique characteristics to someone else, even if his life depended on it. Was his hair brown? Maybe a dark blonde? But then there were those tones of copper.

Remlend ran his left hand through the strands of his hair.

Was he even considered handsome?

No. He shook the thought immediately away. How could someone be considered such if no one can even remember them?

His hand fell to his side, and he continued walking through the long hallway. A melancholy feeling took over, one that hit him from time to time but that he usually managed to suppress.

I want to be seen.

As a child, he never had such a feeling. He had way too much fun sneaking around and taking what he wanted. No one ever noticed. Or if they did, it was easy enough to put the blame on someone else.

And then puberty hit. Suddenly Remlend wanted to be seen. Fantasies of having a normal romantic relationship like anyone else filled his mind. He even fell in love with a girl. Not that she even knew he existed, literally. It took a week of being away from her to completely forget who he was the next time she saw him.

After that instance, Remlend put every ounce of effort into studying and searching for a cure for the cursed condition that rendered him unremarkable. But even after scouring every library and even sneaking into the private libraries of the most connected nobles, he didn't find an answer.

But someone found him. In the most heavily guarded and secretive libraries that Remlned had managed to break into, for the first time, someone appeared that could see him and remember him.

***

"What are you doing in my library, sweet child?"

A woman's voice echoed in the dimly lit library as the moon cast its pale glow through the stained glass windows.

Startled, Remlend lifted his gaze from the book before him, currently opened to a chapter that covered the Curse of the Golden Eyes.

It was the middle of the night, and the woman speaking stood shrouded within the shadows. However, by her elegant dress and perfect posture, Remlend immediately recognized her as the matriarch of this house.

"I beg your pardon, my lady," Remlend hastily rose and bowed, his eyes avoiding the piercing gaze of the matriarch. "I noticed a misplaced book and merely intended to return it to its rightful place. I shall take my leave now."

"No, I mean, what were you doing here in the first place? I don't recognize you. You're not one of the servants in my employment."

Remlend flinched.

He had been caught many a time in the libraries of nobles, but he always managed to get by. After all, the nobles seldom tracked every servant within their vast estates, and his curse often rendered him invisible. He simply blended into the walls.

"You are correct, my lady. This is our first encounter. I have been working on your estate for the past month under the employment of Nigel," Remlend quickly responded.

There had been two instances of sneaking about where Remlend's presence was questioned, and by providing a quick and simple explanation, the questioner was usually satisfied.

The matriarch, however, seemed unconvinced. With a determined stride, she approached Remlend. Her features were illuminated by the gentle glow of the red light stone that Remlend had been using to read in the darkness.

"No… I know everyone who works on my estate, and you certainly are not one of them."

Her brown eyes turned down, scrutinizing the open book Remlend had left open.

"The Curse of the Golden Eyes," she murmured, tapping the book with her heavily ringed hand. "Did you truly break into my library to study this?"

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Uneasy, Remlend shifted his weight.

He had never been confronted in such a manner. Usually, he could swiftly excuse himself and erase any memory of his presence. The only ones who could genuinely perceive him were long gone—his parents and siblings.

“No,” Remlend replied. "I was hoping to find a way to lift my curse."

"Is that so?" she replied. However, Remlend couldn't tell by her tone if that was surprise or confirmation in her voice.

"I'm cursed to be a wallflower," Remlend explained. It was almost reflexive. This woman seemed to notice him, and it made him want to tell her more, even if he felt deep down that she'd forget their conversation given a bit of time.

"Let me guess, this isn't the first noble's library you've trespassed," the woman stated, her words laced with intrigue and caution.

Remlend nodded solemnly. "No, it is not."

"And I assume this curse of yours is the driving force behind your actions?"

Remlend affirmed silently, his lips sealed in response.

"It's a dangerous sport, sneaking into the libraries of nobles, you know," the matriarch continued. "But it is quite impressive that you remained undetected until now."

Remlend maintained his silence, his gaze fixed upon the aging matriarch. He couldn't help but wonder what she was alluding to. The fact that she hadn't summoned her guards to apprehend him indicated she had something in mind—a proposition.

She lifted her fingers with her thumb tucked in.

"Four years. Come work for me for four years, and after that, in addition to the payment you'll receive for your efforts, I'll provide you with a cure to your cursed predicament."

Remlend blinked at this, and then his eyes narrowed.

"How do I know you're not lying? Do you really know how to cure me?" he asked.

The woman smiled. "Remlend, my sweet child, this is hardly the situation where you can ask questions like that and attempt to bargain."

He felt a shiver move up his spine.

How did she know my name?

Moreover, looking at the matriarch closely, he realized she didn't have any guards with her because she didn't need any. She was clad in artifacts of priceless value—antique artifacts without any adverse side effects.

"You have a deal," Remlend replied.

Not that he would have been able to refuse it even if he wanted to.

***

Remlend turned the hallway's corner, and his eyes were drawn to the grand paintings adorning the walls. Each portrait depicted a member of the esteemed Frey family, their stoic gazes following his every step.

The Freys were the second family that he was hired to spy on. Two years had passed since he began relaying his findings, and only half a year remained on the deal he made three and a half years ago.

Soon, I'll be rid of my life as a wallflower. However, not yet.

He still needed to collect and provide information to his employer. And for that, being a wallflower was the ideal position. Especially when spying on someone as ruthless as the Freys.

Exiting the confines of Frey Manor, Remlend found himself traversing the bustling streets of East Genise. The grocery market was winding down, most vendors having already packed up their stalls. He approached a sizable wooden caravan, its wares neatly stored away and the merchant preparing to depart.

"Greetings, an order of these spices from the Naples region, please." Remlend handed the man a parchment with scribbled in ingredients.

On inspection, that's all that the paper appeared to have. However, when doused in the juice of the Moonberry Blossom, the secret text would appear. Runic seals were far more secure, but they brought unnecessary attention. And by the looks of it, the Freys were on higher guard than usual ever since Kaiden and Denise had betrayed the family.

Remlend gazed out of the corner of his eye at the shadow that had been tailing him ever since he left the manor. He recognized him as one of Micah's people. As of late, all members serving the Freys had shadows following them whenever they made their way out of the manor. Micah was clearly adamant about stomping out any other conspiracies.

Not that Remlend was concerned about getting caught. If anything, he needed to allow the shadow to follow him properly so that the report on his movements wouldn't be missing—that might potentially cause some raised eyebrows.

The large merchant accepted the parchment with a nod. "Come back in two days. I'll have your wares then."

Two days were when Remlend would collect his owed payment. And twice that, in four days, was to be their next meeting, where Remlend would relay his latest findings on the developments of the Frey Merchant Guild.

"Hah!" The merchant commanded his horses, and the caravan took off.

Remlend watched as the caravan gradually disappeared from sight before turning his gaze upward. The sky stretched out in a vast expanse of vibrant blue, the sun casting its warm rays upon the world below.

He relayed in detailed terms the movements of Micah, Elizabeth, and Terrell Frey within his messages to his employers. Today's message would be of particular interest, as it detailed the Frey's meddling in the quarterly vote on the Noble Council.

However, the individual he found of personal interest was the second son, Luca Frey. Based on the little he had read about the Golden Eye Curse, he was confident that the curse had activated for the young man.

If they knew what I knew, they would have wanted me to report on him as well.

He pulled out a pocket watch.

Ah. The young master should be returning soon from the Ashford Bakery. I ought to get going.

Remlend turned on his heel and walked back toward the Frey Manor.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

"Young master Luca, you have returned." Remlend held the carriage door open and greeted me in the courtyard. He was as perfect an attendant as ever. "I presume you will not be attending any remaining lessons today?"

I frowned, realizing that I had unknowingly set the wrong precedent.

"No, please inform Professor Whistle that I'll be attending a late lesson with him," I replied, stepping out of the carriage into the sunlit courtyard.

I gazed up at the imposing Frey Manor before me. If I were to make any progress in understanding my family's background within the complex world of Adovoria's politics, I needed to take my lessons seriously.

"Very well," Remlend bowed. "And as for your remaining lessons?"

I waved my hand dismissively.

"Only the history lesson," I said.

Although it would have been wise to attend all the others as well, I didn't have the mental or physical energy to undergo any more than this.

One step at a time.

"Ah, and where is Louis?" I asked. I looked about, hoping to catch sight of him. I needed him to show me the Frey Merchant Guild's inventory currently at risk that I could try selling off in the Game Store.

"He ought to be in the cellar at the moment reviewing the latest shipment," Remlend replied.

"Perfect." I nodded. "Then that's where I'll be going."