The following day, the first light of dawn barely broke the horizon when Linus began his sword practice on the open ground of the manor. The air was crisp, the sounds of his blade cutting through the stillness as he moved with precise, practiced grace. His mind was focused, yet the weight of the investigation loomed in the background, driving his determination.

As he practiced, the sound of approaching footsteps drew his attention. Mara stormed into view, her expression thunderous, already dressed in sparring attire. Her presence was commanding, her movements brisk and filled with barely restrained fury. She wore a fitted, sleeveless red tunic with straps that left her shoulders bare, the fabric clinging to her curves and accentuating her toned physique. Her breeches were made of supple leather, allowing for easy movement, and her boots were sturdy yet flexible, designed for combat.

"Linus," she called out, her voice clipped and intense. "I need a sparring partner."

Linus paused mid-swing, lowering his sword and regarding her with a calm yet curious expression. His eyes couldn't help but linger on her form for a moment, appreciating how her attire highlighted her athletic build. "Of course, Princess. But let's move to the training room," he suggested, sensing an opportunity. "It will give us more privacy and allow for a more focused session."

Mara nodded, her jaw set, and they made their way to the manor's training room without another word. The room was spacious, with high ceilings and walls lined with weapons and training equipment. The soft glow of early morning light filtered in through narrow windows, casting long shadows across the floor.

As they entered, Linus closed the door behind them, sealing off any potential interruptions. He turned to face Mara, studying her posture—the taut muscles in her arms, the clenched fists, the fire that blazed in her gaze. Whatever had sparked her anger was driving her to seek release.

Linus stood ready, his sword poised, his eyes locked onto Mara. "Ready when you are," he said, his tone respectful yet probing.

Mara wasted no time. With fierce determination, she moved in, testing Linus's defenses with a quick feint before lunging forward, her sword aimed at his shoulder. The clash of their swords rang out, echoing through the room. Linus parried, his focus unyielding as he deflected her initial strike.

Undeterred, Mara launched into a rapid series of aggressive attacks, her movements fluid and powerful. Each strike was faster than the last, forcing Linus to step back, deflecting each blow with measured precision. The dim light cast flickering shadows, making it harder to predict the next move.

"You're particularly fierce this morning," Linus commented, deflecting a heavy blow.

Each time her tunic straps slipped slightly with her movements, revealing glimpses of her smooth, bare shoulders, Linus found it increasingly challenging to maintain his composure.

His eyes lingered on Mara's form, noting how her muscles flexed under her fitted sparring attire. "Did something happen?"

Mara's eyes flashed with frustration. "I had an early morning visitor from Tradewood," she said curtly, not elaborating further as she launched another series of strikes. She feinted high, then swung low toward Linus's legs. He anticipated the move, hopping back just in time and countering with a swift riposte aimed at her side.

"They informed me that Jared, the drama actor, was one of their spies," Mara continued, her voice strained with effort. Linus sidestepped her thrust, his mind working to piece together her agitation. "And?" he prompted.

"They wouldn't tell me what he was doing here or what he was investigating," she replied, her frustration growing. She paused momentarily, then resumed her assault with renewed vigor.

Linus parried her blows, his mind racing with possibilities. "So maybe they could help with information that could aid the investigation?" he suggested.

Mara shook her head, irritation flashing across her features. "But they demanded that I find the perpetrator. It wasn't a request—it was more like a command."

Linus maintained his focus, deflecting a powerful downward strike. "I see. That explains your frustration," he said, admiring the determined set of her jaw and the fire in her eyes. "If they had your interests—or your mother's—at heart, they would have put more pressure on the royals when she died."

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Mara's attacks grew fiercer, each strike a release of her pent-up frustration. She didn't respond immediately, focusing instead on the rhythm of their sparring. Linus watched her every move, appreciating how her body moved with strength and elegance.

"You have no friends and family, Princess," Linus continued, parrying another powerful blow. "Just people who want to use you for their benefit."

Their swords clashed repeatedly, the intensity of their movements reflecting the underlying tension. Mara's eyes flashed with a fire that matched the ferocity of her strikes. "They treat me like... a pawn," she admitted, her voice low and emotionless.

"And they will throw you out when your usefulness is over," Linus added, his voice calm but cutting. "Including me."

The fight intensified, their movements becoming more desperate and aggressive. Mara's relentless assault forced Linus to retreat towards a corner. Using the confined space, he deflected her sword upwards and slid to the side, switching their positions.

"However," Linus said, dodging a particularly vicious swing, "you can use things to your advantage as well."

Linus, now near the torches, used their light to momentarily blind Mara. He stepped forward, his sword aimed at her exposed shoulder, and with a swift, calculated move, Linus cut one of her shoulder straps, causing it to fall loose.

The suddenness of the action brought their fight to a halt. Mara stood there, breathing heavily, her exposed shoulder gleaming with sweat. Linus lowered his sword, stepping closer to her, his eyes blatantly staring at the now more visible cleavage on one side. His gaze lingered, the lust in his eyes unmistakable.

He watched a single bead of sweat trace a tantalizing path from her shoulder, gliding down the smooth curve of her skin to the top of her chest before disappearing into the enticing valley between her breasts.

The rise and fall of her chest with each heavy breath accentuated her curves, making the moment even more intoxicating. Linus's eyes followed every movement, his mind captivated by the sensuality of her form. The thin fabric of her sparring attire clung to her damp skin, highlighting the contours of her body in a way that made it difficult for him to look away.

"But if you lose your cool," he said, his voice low, "you give your opponent just the opportunity they are looking for."

He held her gaze, the tension between them palpable. Mara was acutely aware of his intentions, the way his eyes roved over her exposed skin, lingering on the curve of her breast where the fabric had slipped.

Linus paused, seemingly savoring the sight of his handiwork, his voice a husky rumble when he spoke, "Just like now. Would you say I made the most of our current situation?"

Mara remained silent, her chest rising and falling with each heavy breath, her eyes locked on his, feeling the heat of his gaze as it traced her form.

"You will play well into their hands," Linus concluded, his tone a mix of warning and challenge, his gaze still lingering on her cleavage. "And that is something you cannot afford to do."

With deliberate slowness, he reached out and gently brushed hair from her face, his fingers lingering a moment longer than necessary.

"Remember, Princess," he murmured. "Control is everything."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Mara standing alone in the training room, the weight of his words and his gaze hanging in the air.

As Linus walked down the corridor and entered his own quarters, his mind buzzed with thoughts. He couldn't help but think that something big might be happening if the Tradewood family was also involved. The fact that they wouldn't reveal their intentions to Mara, their family's first-born grandchild, spoke volumes.

Settling into his study, Linus paced the room, replaying the events in his mind. "So the Tradewoods might also be looking for the thing that the mayor and the two people from the inn were talking about?" he thought. "If so, what is it, and how valuable could it be?"

He paused, staring out the window at the manor grounds, lost in thought. The Tradewoods were a powerful and influential family known for their cunning and resources. If they were involved, it meant whatever Jared was investigating was of significant importance.

"But if it's not that," Linus continued, "what am I missing?"

Linus sank into the chair by his desk, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the wood. His instincts told him that whatever Jared had uncovered, it was the linchpin tying everything together. "The mayor, the inn's visitors, and now the Tradewoods… all have stakes in this game. If I can understand their motives, I can start to unravel the truth."

He leaned forward, deep in thought. "Whatever it is, it’s powerful enough to make enemies of allies and allies of enemies."

The Tradewoods’ influence over Mara suggested deeper family politics at play, but their involvement also indicated that there was something much more valuable at stake than just a routine investigation. Linus knew that if he didn’t find out soon, he would be blindsided by forces far more powerful than he could control.

Resolved, he turned back to his desk, the flicker of determination sparking within him. There was no going back now. The answers were out there, buried in the shadows of Thornfield, hidden among the secrets people whispered but dared not say aloud.

And Linus was determined to uncover them—no matter the cost.