CHAPTER 541: BACK HOME FOR A VISIT (2)

As the train eased to a halt at the station, Liam stepped down onto the platform, the warm afternoon air brushing against him the moment he emerged. He slid his hands into the pockets of his black pants, taking a slow moment to absorb his surroundings. The place felt unfamiliar—too polished, too orderly—and nothing like the station etched in his memories.

’This station looks nothing like the one I remember,’ he thought, his eyes trailing over the scattered crowd. The people moving about were few, and each was dressed in official uniforms or finely crafted noble attire, giving the entire place an air of rigid formality.

"Hey, Mabel," he called out in a faint tone, not bothering to turn as she stood just a step behind him. "Is this station only meant for kingdom officials—knights and all that?" he asked calmly.

Mabel’s voice came steady and composed. "Yes. The myst-infused locomotives are restricted to officials and high nobles. Because of that, they have their own designated stations, separate from the regular ones."

’Yeah, I figured,’ Liam mused, observing the way some of the officials paused to glance at them—curiosity flickering in their eyes, most likely drawn by Mabel’s unmistakable Royal Corps uniform and the quiet, assessing presence she maintained beside him.

"I see... seems useful," he muttered. Then, with a slight sidestep glance toward her, he added, "Anyway, would you mind changing your attire? Don’t take it the wrong way, but I’d appreciate not drawing attention to myself while we’re here. And you being in your Corps uniform is doing exactly that."

Mabel absorbed his words silently, her gaze shifting through the station and catching every curious stare lingering their way.

"I understand your concern," she said after a measured pause, "however, changing my attire isn’t something I can do. As your protector, I must remain in the state where I’m most prepared to respond to threats."

Liam held her eyes for a moment, swallowing the urge to roll his own. The logic was sound—annoyingly sound—but no less inconvenient.

"However," Mabel continued, "I can activate my invisibility spell so no one will be able to see me. That way, I can avoid attracting attention and still perform my duties effectively."

As soon as she said it, Liam turned to her fully, a faint grimace tugging at his expression.

Catching it immediately, Mabel added, "I know how much you despise invisibility spells, but you’ll have to deal with it this time."

Liam felt an unpleasant flicker in his chest at the reminder. He had never shaken the memory of Professor Kaine infiltrating his dorm under invisibility—striking without warning, without even the courtesy of a visible presence. That experience had cemented his dislike, if not hatred, for that particular spell. The idea of someone watching him unseen, so close yet impossible to locate, always left a chill lingering beneath his skin.

After a long quiet moment wrestling with the thought, he exhaled sharply.

"Alright then. Do what you think is best," he muttered. "Just... don’t make me feel uncomfortable."

With that, he began walking toward the station’s exit, boots tapping lightly against the polished floor.

Behind him, Mabel followed without missing a step. Her form shimmered faintly for a heartbeat before fading from sight, her presence melting into the air even though she was still right there.

As they stepped outside the station, Liam and Mabel—hidden perfectly within her invisible form—were greeted by the familiar hum of Nystra City. Carriages rolled steadily along the cobblestone paths, wheels clattering in practiced rhythm, while waves of pedestrians streamed past them, each person wrapped in their own hurried purpose.

"Now this is a scene I’m familiar with," Liam muttered under his breath, his gaze drifting slowly across the bustling street as if reacquainting himself with an old memory.

He stood there for only a quiet moment before a coachman, dressed in a neatly pressed, dark-toned uniform, walked toward him with calculated composure. The man’s approach made Liam’s posture shift, his demeanor sharpening as he prepared for whatever this unexpected arrival meant.

Before tension fully settled into his muscles, Mabel’s soft, steady voice brushed past his ear, easing the instinctive edge rising in him.

"Relax. He’s one of the personnel Her Majesty assigned to assist you during your stay here," she said, her tone effortlessly calming. "No need to be on guard."

Liam exhaled quietly and angled his head ever so slightly, glancing toward the place he assumed she stood. With that brief reassurance, his attention returned to the approaching coachman.

’Would’ve been nice to hear all this before we left,’ he thought, irritation flickering beneath the surface of his calm expression. ’Does Her Majesty think withholding intel actually benefits me? And what happened to subtlety? Boarding a train reserved for kingdom officials was already bad enough, but now a coachman waiting for me at the station? People are going to assume I’m some high-ranking noble. Tch... what a hassle.’

"You must be Sir Hunter," the coachman said once he reached him, stopping with a respectful dip of his head. "I’m Devon, and I’ll be your coachman for the duration of your stay. It’s a pleasure to meet you." He extended a steady hand.

Liam took the offered handshake, firm but courteous. "I’ll be in your care, then," he responded with polite restraint.

"Excellent. This way, please," Devon said as he gestured toward the street ahead.

Liam followed without hesitation, and Mabel moved right alongside him—silent, unseen, ever vigilant.

’I can’t believe he actually felt the need to tense up when I’m literally right here,’ Mabel grumbled inwardly, still mildly annoyed at his earlier reaction. ’As if I’d let anyone get near him without knowing. To think he doesn’t trust me enough... Tsk.’ A beat passed, and she let out a mental sigh. ’Then again, it’s not entirely his fault. With how much of this was forced onto him, he was never the type to accept having a personal protector. He’s basically an assassin-type knight himself—like me.’

That reminder dulled her irritation as she perched her emotions back into place. ’Focus on your duty. Don’t let something so small get under your skin.’

Devon guided Liam to the carriage waiting by the curb. Contrary to what Liam expected—flashy decorations, an emblem of the crown plastered across its panels—it was surprisingly plain, a simple vehicle with no gaudy embellishments.

Soon enough, the carriage rolled forward, weaving through the busy streets of Nystra. Liam sat alone inside, resting his elbow near the window as he watched the passing scenery, while Mabel kept to the roof above him, her invisible form stretched in a balanced crouch as she scanned for anything suspicious.

After several minutes of quiet travel, something familiar tugged at Liam’s attention. Through the window, he spotted the large fountain standing proudly at the heart of the city—a stone monument built to honor Nystra’s founder, a healer who had guided their people through the darkest years of the Demon War. The flowing water glittered beneath the sunlight, casting patterns across the cobblestones just like it had the first day he arrived here.

The sight stirred an old memory, one he had almost forgotten he cared about. He recalled walking these same streets beside Dr. Dain, the man’s persuasive words guiding him toward a choice that would alter his life entirely.

A faint smirk tugged at Liam’s lips at the memory, subtle yet undeniably real.

Soon, the Silverhart estate came to view as the carriage approached it and slowly slowed down as it came to a stop infront of the house.

As the carriaged stopped, Liam didn’t wait for Devon to open the door for him, not because he was in a haste but because he had no intention of getting used to the life of a noble. So he opened the door himself and got down from the carriage.

As he did, he took in the sight of the estate infront of him as he lifted his head slightly. The Silverhart house looked just like he had remember it, sizeable yet modest as ever.

As he took in the familiar sight, without moving his head, he side glanced at both directions as he picked up multiple presence around.

’It seems they really take their jobs seriously.’ Liam thought as he picked up the presence of the Royal Corps members who were assigned to watch over the Silverharts by the Queen.

Without paying it much attention, Liam walked up a stairs to the main of the estate and raised his hand to knocked buy froze for a moment only to let out a calm breath and knocking.

There was silence for a moment before Liam felt a familiar approaching presence from behind the door. As he stood there and watched the door slowly creak open, his eyes met the familiar face of Ane, a slender woman with dark brown hair tied in a neat bun. The most trusted maid of the Silverharts.

As she opened the door and her eyes settled on the young man with familiar crimson eyes, Ane’s eyes widened slightly as she immediately recognized who it was.

"Liam?" She muttered under her breath.

A faint smile tugged at Liam’s lips as he spoke.

"It’s been a while, Ane."