Linus allowed himself a moment to take in his surroundings. The theater was gradually filling up, the air buzzing with anticipation as the chatter of Thornfield’s elite echoed off the walls. From his elevated platform, Linus had a clear view of the stage and the crowd, providing him the perfect vantage point to observe the performance and the interplay of power within the audience.

His eyes scanned the room, quickly picking out familiar faces. Captain Alaric, the city guard captain, sat near the front. His posture was rigid, and Linus could see the tension in his shoulders as he exchanged words with another officer.

Linus continued to scan the crowd, his gaze landing on a figure he had read in his reports—Scarface, the guild master. The description in the dossier had been precise: a tall, broad-shouldered man with a face that bore a jagged scar running from his left temple down across his cheek, a permanent mark of violence that served as a warning to those who underestimated him. Seated among his associates, their conversation appeared quiet but serious.

Based on everything Linus had gathered, there was no doubt in his mind that Scarface was calculating, already plotting his next move in the ever-shifting landscape of power.

As Linus prepared to settle in and observe more discreetly, the steady clink of boots against the theater’s floor caught his attention. He turned to see Captain Alaric approaching him, his expression was formal but amiable enough.

“Master Linus,” Alaric greeted, offering a brief bow of respect. "Good to see you here."

“Captain,” Linus replied, standing to return the courtesy. “I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight. Everything in order?”

Alaric nodded but glanced briefly at the crowd. “So far. However, given the recent... tensions, I thought it best to be here and keep an eye on things. In gatherings like these, you never know what might come to light.” He paused before gesturing to the surrounding audience. “I thought you might appreciate some introductions while we wait.”

Linus raised an eyebrow but nodded. It was an unexpected gesture but one he wasn’t about to refuse. “Of course, Captain.”

Alaric motioned him to follow, leading him into the thick of the crowd. They stopped near the front rows, where the city’s most influential families had already gathered.

“Master Linus, allow me to introduce Lord Augustus Kermes and his wife, Lady Evangeline,” Alaric began his voice in a formal but cautious manner. He seemed to understand the delicate weight of these introductions.

Lord Augustus stood tall and imposing, his broad-shouldered frame filling the space with an aura of quiet authority. His graying hair combed neatly back, framed a face marked with deep lines of experience. His sharp blue eyes moved over Linus with a discerning gaze as if measuring him up in an instant. He wore a dark velvet jacket, finely tailored, the Kermes family crest stitched onto the breast.

Beside him, Lady Evangeline was the picture of elegance and precision. Her raven-black hair was twisted into a sleek knot, exposing her long, graceful neck. She wore a deep green dress, cinched at the waist to emphasize her slender figure. As she offered a small, polite nod to Linus, her gaze flicked to him and then quickly scanned the room again, never lingering in one place for too long.

“Lord Augustus, Lady Evangeline,” Captain Alaric continued, his voice steady but with a slight edge, “this is Master Linus, recently arrived from the capital to assist Princess Mara in her efforts here in Thornfield.”

When Alaric introduced Linus, there was no surprise in the eyes of Lord Augustus and Lady Evangeline—they had clearly anticipated this moment. The Kermes family was far too informed to be caught off guard by his presence. Instead, their expressions remained carefully composed, a thin veil over the palpable tension that simmered beneath.

Lord Augustus’s features were as impassive as stone, but there was a flicker of something in his sharp blue eyes—a fleeting shadow of skepticism or perhaps a hint of controlled displeasure.

“Master Linus,” Lord Augustus greeted, his voice steady but with an edge of formality that bordered on icy.

Linus, undeterred, dipped his head respectfully. “Lord Augustus, Lady Evangeline, it’s an honor. I’m pleased to finally meet you both after hearing much about your leadership in Thornfield.”

Lady Evangeline’s smile tightened, a flicker of something unreadable passing through her gaze. “Yes, I imagine you’ve heard quite a bit already,” she said, her tone light but edged with a thin veneer of irony. “The capital always seems to know more about Thornfield than we realize.”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Linus, sensing the tension, smiled smoothly, unperturbed. "Indeed, Thornfield is fortunate to have such dedicated leadership. It’s rare to find those who balance the interests of the kingdom and the people with such care. It was nice meeting you today." he replied, his voice dripping with polite diplomacy.

"Shall we?" Linus gestured to Captain Alaric, smoothly transitioning from the Kermes family.

Alaric inclined his head and led Linus across the aisle. “And here we have Lord Henry Crimson, his wife, Lady Beatrice, and their son, Victor,” he announced.

The Crimsons greeted Linus with a different air than the Kermes family. Lord Henry Crimson was tall and gaunt, his sharp features framed by thinning dark hair streaked with gray. He wore a deep burgundy coat that fit his wiry frame perfectly. Beside him, Lady Beatrice was more animated, her hair swept into an elaborate bun, with tendrils artfully left loose. Her black gown matched her piercing eyes, which, unlike her husband’s, sparkled with quiet cunning as she assessed Linus.

Their son, Victor, looked more aloof, his casual stance and slightly rumpled attire suggesting he had little care for the formalities of the evening. His hair, unruly and tousled, complemented his handsome but sullen face, which was fixed in an expression of bored detachment.

Linus offered a polite bow, sensing the difference in atmosphere compared to his previous introduction. "Lord Henry, Lady Beatrice, Victor. I’ve heard the Crimson family has long been a pillar of Thornfield."

Lord Henry raised an eyebrow, the barest hint of a smirk curling at the corner of his lips.

Lady Beatrice, however, took over seamlessly. "It’s always good to see someone from the capital taking an interest in Thornfield," she said, her voice smooth but with a subtle sharpness. "I heard you’ve come to assist Princess Mara. Quite the responsibility, isn’t it?"

Linus smiled, catching the thinly veiled curiosity behind her words. "It is, but it’s one I’m happy to undertake. Thornfield has much to offer, and the princess is keen to see it prosper." His tone was diplomatic, but he could feel Lady Beatrice’s probing gaze lingering on him.

Victor, who had remained silent up to this point, let out a soft scoff. "Prosper?" he muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Linus to hear. He crossed his arms, shifting his weight lazily from one foot to the other. "Thornfield’s doing just fine without royal intervention."

Lady Beatrice shot her son a quick, warning glance, but her expression quickly smoothed over. "Victor has a way of speaking his mind," she said with a smile, though her tone had an edge. "But I’m sure he didn’t mean to question the princess’s intentions."

Linus’s smile didn’t waver. "Of course," he replied easily, his eyes flicking briefly to Victor before returning to Lady Beatrice. "I understand that Thornfield values its independence. My role here is simply to support the princess however I can. Any changes made will be in the town’s best interest."

Victor, however, didn’t seem satisfied with Linus’s response. "Best interest according to who?" he challenged, finally turning his gaze fully toward Linus, his eyes narrowing. "The capital doesn’t always understand what Thornfield needs. We’re not some... province to be managed from afar."

Lord Henry finally stirred, his voice low and measured. "Victor," he said quietly, the weight of the single word silencing his son’s protest. He then looked at Linus, his expression unreadable but his tone cordial. "Forgive my son. He’s young and... passionate about Thornfield’s autonomy. We’ve managed things here for generations, and change—especially from outside—can sometimes be unsettling."

Linus inclined his head slightly, sensing the undercurrent of tension. "I appreciate the sentiment, Lord Henry. Change is never easy, especially when it comes from unfamiliar places. But I assure you, the princess is here to preserve Thornfield’s strengths, not undermine them."

Lady Beatrice watched the exchange closely, a flicker of amusement crossing her face. "Well, it seems we’ll all have to wait and see what unfolds," she said lightly, though her tone carried an unmistakable hint of calculation. "I’m sure you’ll find Thornfield a rather... unique place, Master Linus."

Linus met her gaze and gave a polite nod. "I have no doubt," he replied. "And I look forward to working alongside those who know it best."

As Alaric guided him away, Linus could still feel the eyes of the Crimson family lingering on his back—sharp, assessing, and unmistakably wary. Linus knew exactly what lay beneath their measured expressions.

Both the Crimsons and the Kermes family had built their lives around the status quo, their influence woven deeply into the fabric of Thornfield’s politics. And now, with Princess Mara’s unexpected involvement and Linus as her envoy, they had every reason to be concerned. The delicate power they’d spent generations cultivating stood on uncertain ground, and the very presence of someone tied to the capital threatened to upend their hold on the town’s future.

Linus’s smile deepened slightly, unseen by the families behind him. They might mask their fears behind polite words and veiled barbs, but the undercurrent was clear: both houses saw them as a harbinger of change they couldn’t yet control. And that, he knew, was what unsettled them most.

After a few more pleasantries, Alaric led Linus away to introduce him to a few other key figures in the room.

As Linus settled back into his seat, he noticed Scarface observing the same interplay. The guild master’s eyes darted between the Crimsons and the Kermes, his expression unreadable. The mercenary leader was likely assessing potential opportunities, weighing the benefits of aligning with one family over the other.

Linus could see more than just the stage from this elevated vantage point. The theater had become an arena, not of physical combat, but of words, glances, and power plays. Thornfield’s most influential players were all gathered in one place, each with their own agenda.

Linus smirked to himself. Tonight wasn’t just about a performance. It was an opportunity to learn, observe, and position himself carefully in this intricate web of power. Every smile, every exchange, every glance was part of a larger game. And Linus was determined to make the most of it.