The next day the corridors of the academy were busy again, filled with chatter after the practicum had wrapped up. Saely, Rapheldor, and Vencian stepped out together, their pace uneven among the crowd.

Vencian noticed first. Saely wasn't breaking away with her usual wave or smile. She walked at their side without much of a word, her gaze fixed ahead.

Rapheldor cleared his throat. "You seem different today, Saely. Is something wrong?"

She gave a quick shake of her head. "I'm fine."

Vencian tilted his chin, his voice edged with a touch of curiosity that always seemed rehearsed. "What about your friend? You normally run straight to her."

"She won't be around for a while," Saely said, shifting her satchel higher on her shoulder. "She managed to trip on some nonsense, hurt herself, and now she's on leave. Nothing serious."

She gave a short nod to both of them, then walked off down the hall without another word.

Rapheldor frowned after her. "That was unlike her."

"Indeed," Vencian said. "Though, it seems our attention should move to Elias instead. Have you seen him this morning?"

"Not once. Let's look around."

They left the corridor together, their words sparse, but the search gave them purpose. The academy grounds had too many corners and side halls, but Elias had a habit of staying in visible places.

And they found him soon enough.

He was standing with a girl, speaking low. Vencian stopped in his tracks, eyes narrowing.

Before Rapheldor could open his mouth, Vencian grabbed his sleeve and hauled him toward the nearest pillar, pressing both of them into its shadow. Rapheldor almost stumbled, catching himself against the stone.

"What are we doing?" he whispered, baffled.

Vencian didn't take his eyes off the pair. "Isn't it obvious? We need to know if our friend is tying himself to some scandalous woman." His words carried a curl of sarcasm, though he looked as if he meant them.

Rapheldor blinked at him. "That's your cousin."

"Which makes it more important." Vencian's reply was brisk, leaving no room for argument.

They leaned closer, straining to catch the conversation. The voices reached them faint, scattered between bursts of laughter from other students walking by.

Vencian managed to pick out Aline's tone first. "…he's been distant…"

Elias answered, his voice low. "…the same with me too. Just give him more time."

Vencian drew back a fraction, his frown deepening. He decided they were speaking about him, and the realization made the eavesdropping feel like a waste of effort. It wasn't as though Aline and Elias meeting was strange. He could recall past afternoons when the three of them had spent time together. This term had only scattered their group, nothing more.

He shook off the thought and forced himself to focus again as Aline steered the talk toward Elias himself.

"The event's coming soon," Elias said, quieter than before. "In less than two months. My brother's engagement… the crown prince with Adarynn Dawnforge."

The word engagement pressed itself into Vencian's mind. His mother had mentioned something of the sort in her last letter. If it was to be held in the capital, then it meant he would be dragged there as well, standing as the family's representative. The thought alone pressed a dull ache behind his eyes.

Meanwhile Elias and Aline carried on with their quiet talk, nothing too sharp, nothing worth all the effort Vencian had put into listening. Eventually they stepped apart.

Rapheldor turned and gave him a look that spelled out everything without words. It said this entire stunt was unnecessary. Vencian only lifted a shoulder in reply, as if to say one never knew for certain.

Aline walked past their hiding spot, unaware of the two noblemen tucked behind the pillar. When she had moved out of sight completely, they stepped out and joined Elias.

Elias noticed them approaching. "You two look like you've crawled out of the wall itself. Where were you hiding?"

"Nowhere," Rapheldor said too quickly. He glanced at Vencian. "We thought it would be better to join you after your… chat."

Elias raised a brow but let it pass. "Fine then. I was only discussing ordinary things."

"Ordinary things," Vencian repeated with the faintest smile. "That must be refreshing."

Elias shook his head, but he didn't explain further. The matter closed without effort, which suited Vencian well. They fell into step together, the sound of their shoes carrying along the stone corridor.

Rapheldor slid his hands behind his back. "Are you coming to the fencing yard this week, Elias? Last time you disappeared before the bout even began."

"I was called away," Elias said, his tone even. "Though perhaps I should appear, if only to put you back in your place."

"That's brave talk," Rapheldor shot back.

"Brave, but predictable," Vencian added, dry as ever.

Elias gave him a look that was more amused than offended. The back-and-forth carried on lightly, the talk circling around classes and schedules, until their path bent into another hall.

From ahead came the familiar stride of Professor Thalverin, robes brushing against the floor. At his side walked Roselys, her arms filled with papers. She kept pace without effort, her eyes lowered until, for a second, they lifted toward the three of them.

Vencian felt it—her glance landing squarely on him before slipping away again. He knew she had meant it, and he knew it was not without reason.

They didn't think much of the glance, chalking it up to passing curiosity.

The three of them walked together a little longer, talk coming and going in small bursts, before the hallway forked.

"I'll head this way," Elias said. "See you later."

Rapheldor gave a wave. "Don't vanish again."

Vencian kept on with them for several more steps, then slowed. "I forgot something. Go on ahead."

Rapheldor raised a brow. "Again?"

"Yes, again." Vencian's answer was clipped, but it was all he gave before turning down another passage.

He moved at an unhurried pace, scanning the corridor. He expected to catch Roselys trailing behind her professor, maybe carrying another bundle of papers.

Instead, a hand caught his sleeve and yanked him sideways. The door shut quick behind him, the room swallowed in shadow.

He turned sharply—and met Roselys's eyes.