As they reached the edge of town, Mayor Vancourt gestured toward a grand estate that stood slightly apart from the other buildings. The stone walls rose tall and imposing, surrounded by manicured gardens that contrasted sharply with the tension still hanging in the air.

"This is where you will be staying," he said, his tone clipped, the urgency of the recent attack still fresh. "It is the estate reserved for royal visitors. Please settle in. We have prepared accommodations for you. There are matters we must discuss, but I am sure you would like to rest first."

Mara nodded thoughtfully, though her eyes held the cold edge of someone still on high alert. The ambush earlier had changed everything—this town, the mayor, and even the streets they walked through were no longer viewed with neutrality. Everything had to be questioned. Every move would now need to be made with care.

"Thank you, Mayor," Mara said, her voice calm yet clipped, reflecting the lingering tension between them. "We will join you shortly."

As they neared the entrance of the estate, a servant awaited them, standing at attention. He bowed low, his movements practiced and precise. "Welcome, my Lord, my lady," he said in a smooth, deferential tone. His eyes flickered to Mara with barely concealed reverence. "Princess Mara, it is an honor to serve you. I am Gerard and shall be at your service throughout your stay."

"Show them inside, Gerard," Mayor Vancourt ordered quickly, his voice betraying a slight nervousness he hadn’t shown earlier. His composure had slipped since the attack, and though he tried to keep his tone even, the fear was palpable.

Gerard bowed again, his steps soundless on the polished stones as he led them through the grand entrance and into the estate.

"Princess Mara," Gerard said as they moved deeper into the estate, "your quarters are prepared in the main house, upstairs. My Lord Linus," he continued, turning to him, "you will be staying in the guest house, which connects to the main residence via the back hallway. Both have been prepared to ensure your comfort and privacy."

Mara’s gaze swept the estate, noting the layout and the exits with an experienced eye.

"Thank you, Gerard," Mara said, her tone cool but polite. It was clear, however, that rest was not her priority. Not yet. Not until she had assessed every inch of this estate, every potential threat it might conceal.

As they entered the estate’s foyer, the guards around Mara shifted uneasily, still on edge. Linus, too, felt the weight of the events hanging heavily in the air.

"We’ll settle in," Mara said, her voice sharp as a blade. "But the matters we need to discuss cannot wait long. Let's meet tomorrow and talk." Her words hung heavy in the air, the tension unbroken as they proceeded further into the estate.

Linus nodded, understanding her unspoken message. Another servant named Quentin escorted Linus and Marcus, along with a few of Mara’s guards, to the guest house. Though less ornate than the main estate, the smaller building was still impressive. Linus scanned the surroundings as they entered, noting the strategic vantage points and exits.

Meanwhile, the rest of Mara’s guards moved with military precision. Some spread out to scout the estate, their sharp eyes searching for anything out of place. They swept through corridors, examined the perimeter, and noted potential vulnerabilities.

Outside, Thornfield’s city guards were posted around the estate. Mayor Vancourt had been swift in responding to the earlier attack, doubling security as promised. Armed sentries patrolled the grounds, their presence a reminder that Thornfield was on high alert.

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Once they were alone, Linus allowed himself a moment to gather his thoughts. He leaned back slightly, his expression calm but his mind racing beneath the surface.

Things had gone mostly according to plan. The ambush on Mara had been orchestrated by his own hand. He had needed a tangible reason to justify a more open investigation into the many tangled powers at play in Thornfield. The attack provided that. Now, with security tightened and tensions high, he had the perfect cover to begin his work.

However, there was one element he hadn’t anticipated.

That presence. The one he had felt lurking from the moment they arrived in the town. It had been there long before the attack—watching, biding its time—and remained even as the ambush unfolded. Whoever or whatever it was, they vanished as soon as the attack concluded. The fact that no one else had sensed it, not Mara nor her guards, unsettled Linus more than he cared to admit.

He knew his men—the ones responsible for the attack—wouldn’t be caught. They were too skilled, and even if they were somehow discovered, there were no threads leading back to him. He had covered his tracks with careful precision, as always. But the unknown presence—that was a move he hadn’t expected.

Someone else was in the shadows, playing a game as subtle and dangerous as his own.

Linus’s lips curled into a slight smile, though his eyes remained cold. Interesting, he thought. Looks like Thornfield is going to be even more intriguing than I anticipated.

There was more to uncover here than just the power dynamics of the town’s families and factions. Something else was at work—something hidden beneath the surface, just like him.

Sometime later that night, there was a soft knock at the door. Gerard appeared in the doorway, bowing slightly, his demeanor respectful and composed.

"My Lord," Gerard said, his voice even, "I wanted to see if you required anything during your stay. Is there anything I can assist you with?"

Linus looked up, his expression thoughtful. After a moment, he stood, smoothing his tunic as he approached Gerard. "Actually, yes," he replied, his voice carrying a subtle curiosity. "Why don’t you show me around the estate? It’s always useful to know the lay of the land."

Gerard bowed his head slightly, acknowledging the request. "Of course, my Lord. I would be happy to show you around."

As Linus followed Gerard through the hallways of the estate, his eyes were momentarily drawn to a figure in one of the common rooms. A woman stood there, diligently cleaning the furniture. Her dress, though simple in design, was expertly tailored to accentuate her feminine curves. The soft, clinging fabric draped over her form, tracing her contours with a discreet allure that was difficult to ignore. The neckline hinted at her cleavage, inviting his gaze, while the warm, earthy tone of the fabric complemented her olive skin.

Linus paused, his eyes lingering on her. Her hair was pulled back into a sleek, sophisticated bun, emphasizing her high cheekbones and almond-shaped eyes.

The servant called her Isabel and introduced her. "This is Isabel. She will primarily attend to Princess Mara’s needs, my Lord." Gerard said.

"My Lord," Isabel bowed, her voice soft and respectful. Her lips, full and inviting, quivered slightly as she spoke. They were a natural rosy hue, plump and slightly swollen, glistening with a subtle, inherent shine that made them look irresistibly soft.

Linus's eyes traced the curve of her neckline. The swell of her breasts, like ripe, succulent peaches, pressed against the fabric of her dress, drawing his gaze with their tempting allure. The gentle slope of her waist, reminiscent of the smooth curve of a finely crafted hourglass, beckoned him to explore further.

His gaze continued its journey, following the line of her hips down to her legs, which were revealed intermittently by the swaying hem of her dress. The swaying offered tantalizing glimpses of her smooth, toned legs, elegant and enticing.

Linus acknowledged her with a nod, a slight smirk playing on his lips. Isabel had sparked something in him, a desire to alleviate the monotony of his duties with a new, more personal diversion.

As they walked away, Gerard leading them further into the manor, Linus' thoughts indulged in a more personal game with Isabel, one that he would thoroughly hope to play pretty soon.