Winter had settled fully.
The world beyond Ravencourt lay quiet under layers of white, but within the estate, movement had begun again. Patrols resumed. Trade routes reopened. And for the first time in weeks—
Aleron stepped beyond the estate walls.
---
The town below Ravenfall was alive, even in winter.
Merchants called out from snow-dusted stalls. Smoke rose from chimneys. People moved quickly, wrapped in thick cloaks against the cold.
Aleron walked alone.
No escort.
No knights.
Just a simple dark coat, blending into the crowd.
His eyes, however—
Missed nothing.
---
From a rooftop above, someone watched.
A figure crouched lightly at the edge, boots silent against the wood.
Her gaze followed him.
"…So that's him."
Sarah.
Her eyes were sharp, calculating — but not hostile.
Curious.
Very curious.
"The one they keep talking about…"
She tilted her head slightly.
"…Let's see if you're worth the noise."
---
Aleron moved through the market, stopping briefly at a stall.
Coins exchanged hands.
A simple purchase.
Normal.
Everything looked normal.
---
And that's when it happened.
A slight brush.
Barely noticeable.
A shift in weight.
A presence that appeared—
And disappeared.
---
Aleron didn't react.
Not immediately.
He took two more steps.
Then—
"…You're good."
His voice was calm.
Quiet.
But precise.
Behind him, a figure froze for just a fraction of a second.
Then smiled.
"Well… that's disappointing."
Sarah stepped forward casually, flipping a small coin between her fingers.
Aleron's coin.
She held it up slightly.
"You noticed."
Aleron turned slowly.
His eyes met hers.
And for a moment—
The world around them faded.
---
"…You wanted me to."
Aleron's tone didn't change.
It wasn't a question.
Sarah's smile widened slightly.
"Maybe."
She stepped closer.
Too close for a stranger.
"But most people don't notice at all."
Her eyes scanned him — not his face, but his posture, his stance, his balance.
"Your awareness isn't normal."
Aleron extended his hand slightly.
"Return it."
Sarah looked at the coin.
Then at him.
"…Make me."
---
Silence.
Snow fell softly around them.
The crowd continued moving, unaware.
---
Aleron moved first.
Fast.
But not aggressive.
His hand reached—
But Sarah was already gone.
A step back.
A shift.
Light.
Precise.
She moved like she wasn't bound by weight.
"Too slow."
Her voice came from his side now.
Aleron turned—
But again, she wasn't there.
Instead—
Behind him.
"…Better."
Aleron stopped moving.
His expression didn't change.
But his focus sharpened.
He wasn't chasing anymore.
He was reading.
---
Sarah watched closely.
Every micro movement.
Every shift in breathing.
"…There it is."
She whispered it softly.
Excited.
---
This time—
She moved first.
A direct approach.
Faster than before.
Closing the distance in an instant—
Her hand reaching toward his side—
---
Aleron caught her wrist.
Clean.
Precise.
No wasted motion.
---
For a split second—
Neither of them moved.
---
"…Got you."
Aleron's voice was low.
Controlled.
---
Sarah looked down at her wrist.
Then back up at him.
And slowly—
She smiled.
Not playful this time.
Genuine.
"…Yeah."
Her voice softened slightly.
"You did."
---
Without resistance, she released the coin into his hand.
But she didn't pull away.
Instead—
She leaned slightly closer.
"Now I know."
Aleron's grip didn't tighten.
But he didn't let go either.
"…Know what?"
---
Sarah's eyes locked onto his.
Sharp.
Certain.
"You're not just rumors."
A pause.
"…You're dangerous."
---
A moment passed.
Then—
She slipped free.
Not by force.
But by timing.
A small twist—
And she was already stepping back.
---
"Don't worry," she said lightly, turning away. "I'm not your enemy."
She glanced over her shoulder.
"Not yet, anyway."
A faint smirk.
Then—
She disappeared into the crowd.
Just like that.
---
Aleron stood still.
The coin in his hand felt heavier than before.
Not because of its weight.
But because of what it meant.
---
"…She wasn't testing my awareness."
He muttered softly.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…She was measuring it."
---
Far away—
On a higher road overlooking the town—
A carriage stood still.
Luxurious.
Silent.
Watching.
---
Inside, a young man sat, his gaze fixed on the distant figure of Aleron.
His expression—
Twisted slightly.
"…So that's him."
The son of Malverik.
---
Behind him, an older knight spoke carefully.
"Your father speaks highly of him."
Silence.
Then—
A quiet scoff.
"…Yeah."
His grip tightened slightly against the window frame.
"Too highly."
---
His eyes darkened.
Not with anger.
But something colder.
---
"…He's dangerous."
A pause.
Then, softer—
"…And I don't like it."
---
The carriage door opened.
Cold air rushed in.
---
"Prepare the men."
His voice was calm.
Controlled.
But beneath it—
Something unstable stirred.
---
"If he's going to be a problem…"
A slight smile formed.
Not friendly.
Not sane.
---
"…I'll deal with him myself."
---
Back in the town—
The snow continued to fall.
Unaware.
Uncaring.
---
Two paths had just crossed.
One in curiosity.
One in jealousy.
---
And Aleron—
Stood right in the middle of both.
---