Helena made her way toward Charles's office, Seraphina following closely behind.
"Lady Helena—" Seraphina called out.
Helena tried to open the office door, but it was locked.
"Is there something you want?" Seraphina asked cautiously.
"Give me the key to the door," Helena demanded.
Seraphina turned to the butler and said, "Bring the key to Charles's office. Quickly."
Just then, Charles came rushing down the hall. "Mother, what do you want from there?"
Helena glared at him. "Don't act innocent, Charles. I know everything."
Seraphina looked confused. "What do you mean, Lady Helena?"
She turned to Charles, her voice trembling. "Charles, tell me what's going on."
Charles gently placed his hands on her arms. "Seraphina, please go to your room. I'll explain everything later."
The butler returned and offered the key to Helena, but Charles snatched it from his hand.
Helena's anger flared. Without hesitation, she kicked the lock. The door burst open, and she stormed inside.
"Mother, what are you doing?!" Charles demanded, following her.
Helena began rummaging through the office, pulling out files and documents. She reached the last drawer—it was locked. Taking a small knife, she pried it open.
Charles stood frozen, watching in silence.
Inside the drawer was a notebook, an album, a stack of letters, and several boxes containing small gifts.
Helena opened the album. Her eyes darkened as she flipped through photos—pictures of Charles and Edward, some of them deeply intimate, even inappropriate.
She stared at Charles with fury and grabbed him by the collar. "I told you since childhood to stay away from him!"
"I told you I didn't want to marry anyone else! I wanted Edward!" Charles shouted, tears spilling from his eyes.
Helena slapped him hard. "You shameless son of mine! How did you end up like this?!"
Without another word, she stormed out of the house. Her knights were waiting beside the horses. Helena mounted hers, and the knights followed in silence.
Seraphina entered the office quietly. Charles was kneeling on the floor, crying silently. She approached him, gently placing her hand on his shoulder before kneeling beside him.
"Why are you crying?" she asked softly.
Charles didn't respond. He stood up in silence and walked out of the office, leaving Seraphina alone. She remained kneeling for a moment, then slowly stood and followed him out, quietly closing the office door behind her.
She made her way to Jonathan's room. He was sound asleep. Seraphina stepped closer and looked at his face. Her eyes fell on his earring, and a thought crept into her mind.
Is he really Jonathan? Then... where is Julian?
Troubled by the thought, she headed to the kitchen, where the butler and Bertram were busy with their duties.
"What do you both think?" she asked them. "Is the boy truly Jonathan—or is he Julian?"
The butler looked uneasy. "I've noticed something odd, my lady. I thought he was Julian, but Lord Charles insisted he's Jonathan. Perhaps... he is Jonathan."
Bertram chimed in. "I believe he's Julian. I noticed the earring. Master Jonathan always wore his on the right ear, and Master Julian on the left. The boy wears it on the left. But then again, both their ears are pierced, so it's hard to be sure."
Seraphina nodded thoughtfully. "I want you both to observe him carefully. Watch everything he does. At night, write it all down and leave the notes on my desk."
They bowed. "As you wish, my lady."
She left the kitchen.
—
Meanwhile, Helena returned to her estate. She quietly opened the guest room door. William lay asleep on the bed, while Aclaric—still in his knight's uniform—slept beside him in an uncomfortable but protective posture. They looked like two small children, peaceful and unaware of the chaos around them.
Helena looked at them with a gentle smile. She adjusted the blanket to cover them better, tucking William in more comfortably before quietly leaving the room.
Back in her chambers, she changed out of her uniform and lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The image of the burning house haunted her thoughts. Her heart ached as she whispered to herself:
What now... What about William?
-----
Morning Light
Walter sat at the dining table, swinging his legs slightly as Bertram gently fed him spoonfuls of warm porridge. His small eyes wandered around the empty chairs before he asked softly,"Is Mother and Father still sleeping? They didn't come for breakfast. And… Brother is still at her mother's house?"
Bertram gave a small smile and replied, "They're just tired, my lord. They're resting. As for Lord William, he'll be back soon."
Walter's expression dropped into a pout. His big, round eyes turned downcast, and Bertram noticed immediately. With a gentle pat on the boy's head, Bertram added,"Don't worry. Your tutor will be here soon, so let's get you ready, hmm?"
"Yeah…" Walter mumbled.
Bertram lifted him off the chair, took his small hand, and led him to his room. There, he helped Walter change into his fresh clothes and fixed his hair neatly. Walter stared at himself in the mirror, his gaze unfocused as if something dark and heavy clouded his thoughts.
Just then, the butler entered the room and gave a respectful nod."My lord Walter, the lady is calling you to the lounge."
Walter blinked and nodded slowly. "Okay… I'm coming."
Bertram took his hand once more, guiding him down the hallway. In the lounge, Seraphina sat gracefully on the sofa, her posture calm but unreadable.
Walter quietly sat down across from her, with Bertram standing protectively behind him.
Seraphina looked at him for a long moment before speaking in a gentle tone,"Walter… what do you think? Do you want William to stay here with us?"
Without hesitation, Walter nodded eagerly."Yes! Of course. He's my older brother."
Seraphina was silent, her gaze softening. After a brief pause, she nodded."Alright. As you wish."
She stood, smoothing her dress, and left the lounge without another word.