Chapter 58: The Unseen Chains
The Grand Dukedom of Everhart stood as an unshakable fortress, its towering walls bathed in the glow of the setting sun. Inside the estate, a chilling silence hung in the air, broken only by the occasional rustling of leaves in the evening breeze.
Leonhardt Valerian Everhart stood at the edge of the training grounds, his fiery red eyes locked onto the horizon. A faint golden glow flickered in the depths of his irises, mirroring the last remnants of daylight.
He clenched his fists.
It had been years since he was reborn in this world, yet the seal remained unbroken. The weight of time pressed against his soul like invisible chains, binding him to a powerless existence. He could not allow it to continue.
Not when she was still out there.
Somewhere.
Sealed.
Alone.
His lips pressed into a thin line. Aetheria.
The name echoed in his mind like a whisper carried by the wind. Even now, his heart ached with a dull, unrelenting pain. Had she suffered? Had she waited, just as he had?
He closed his eyes and took a slow breath.
It didn't matter.
Soon, he would be strong enough to tear apart the heavens themselves if that was what it took.
The sound of approaching footsteps snapped him back to the present.
"Young Master," came the deep, composed voice of Ser Rowan, his personal knight and one of the Everhart family's most trusted warriors.
Leonhardt turned his gaze to the man.
"The Grand Duke has summoned you."
Leonhardt's expression remained unreadable. Without a word, he strode past Ser Rowan, making his way toward the central estate.
A Father's Warning
The grand study of Aldric Everhart was dimly lit, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows across the polished wooden floors. Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with ancient tomes and documents of strategic importance.
Aldric sat behind his desk, his crimson eyes sharp as he observed his son's entrance.
"You have been restless lately," he remarked, his voice calm but weighted with unspoken meaning.
Leonhardt met his father's gaze without hesitation. "I am preparing."
Aldric leaned forward slightly, his fingers tapping against the armrest of his chair. "For what?"
A pause.
Then, Leonhardt answered with quiet certainty, "For the future."
The Grand Duke studied him carefully. There were moments when his son's presence felt far beyond his years, as if he carried the weight of a thousand lifetimes.
"You are only ten," Aldric said at last, his voice carrying a rare hint of something close to concern.
Leonhardt did not react. Age meant nothing to him. What was a decade compared to the eternity he had already endured?
Aldric sighed. "You will be accompanying me to the Imperial Palace soon. The Emperor himself wishes to evaluate you personally."
Leonhardt's eyes flickered with a brief hint of interest before settling back into cold calculation. The Imperial Palace… it was another obstacle to overcome, another step closer to his ultimate goal.
"I understand."
Aldric watched him for a moment longer before speaking again. "You are strong, Leonhardt. But strength alone will not always be enough."
Leonhardt's lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smirk. "Then I will make sure I have more than just strength."
Aldric chuckled softly. "Good. See to it that you do."
With that, the meeting was over.
As Leonhardt turned to leave, he paused just before exiting the study.
"You already know, don't you?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Aldric did not answer immediately. Then—
"Yes," the Grand Duke admitted. "There are forces moving in the shadows. And they are watching you."
Leonhardt's fingers curled slightly.
Let them watch.
If they dared to stand in his way—
He would crush them.
The Everlasting Moonlight
That night, Leonhardt stood at his window, staring at the moon hanging high in the sky. The silver light bathed the landscape below, painting everything in a pale glow.
His heart clenched.
The moon… it reminds me of you.
Did she still dream beneath the same light? Did she still reach for him, even in the darkness of her prison?
He exhaled softly.
No matter how long it took—
No matter what stood in his way—
He would find her.
And this time… he would never let her go.