The garden was already behind him.
Richard looked back for a few more seconds, watching the high walls of the estate gradually disappear behind the bare branches of the trees.
The winter wind stirred the folds of his dark cloak, while the tip of his cane tapped softly against the stone path in time with his steps.
He still wasn’t used to it.
The cane.
This body.
His new name.
The fact that the people around him looked at him as though he was supposed to know the answers to questions he hadn’t even had time to ask.
Richard turned away.
Enough.
He had spent too long watching.
Too long trying to piece everything together in his head without actually doing anything.
Now he had his first real goal.
To understand the state of House Ravenhart.
If he truly had to live under this name, then he should at least know what had come with it.
The road to the main gates passed through the estate’s service grounds.
Here, the manor looked completely different.
No neatly trimmed bushes, marble statues, or wide windows reflecting the winter sun.
Only stables, warehouses, workshops, and long wooden buildings, most of which had long since stopped looking new.
Some were still holding up reasonably well.
Others were not.
In places, roof tiles were missing.
The wooden walls had lost their paint, and moss had pushed its way through cracks in the old stonework.
One of the outbuildings was noticeably leaning, and Richard couldn’t help but pause to look at it.
Two workers were trying to replace a rotten beam against the wall.
A little farther away, a man was cursing at the wheel of an old cart.
Richard stopped.
“How long has it been broken?” Sebastian, walking beside him, looked at the cart.
“About a week.” Richard frowned.
“And it’s been sitting here all this time?” “We have others.” “Then why wasn’t this one repaired?” “There were more important expenses.” The answer came calmly.
And that was exactly what Richard didn’t like.
He looked at the cart again.
“What expenses?” Sebastian fell silent.
“Taxes.” Richard slowly turned his head.
“Taxes?” “Yes, my lord.” He leaned both hands on his cane.
“How much debt does the estate have?” Sebastian stopped.
Richard did too.
For several seconds, they stared at each other in silence.
“I asked you a simple question.” “I know.” “Then why are you silent?” Sebastian sighed.
“Because you only recently got out of bed after a serious illness.” “And?” “I wanted to give you at least one day before telling you how bad things really are.” Richard felt irritation rising inside him.
“Don’t do that.” “My lord?” “Don’t decide for me what I’m allowed to know.” Sebastian’s expression grew more serious.
“Very well.” He lowered his eyes for a moment.
“We have a debt to the Crown.
Two more to trading houses.
The family also owes money to a bank in the capital.” “How large?” “Large enough that another poor harvest would become a serious problem.” Richard looked at the old cart.
Now it no longer seemed like a simple broken thing.
A symptom.
“Why did you say ‘another’?” Sebastian didn’t answer immediately.
Richard slowly raised his eyes.
“What happened last year?” “The harvest was poor.” “And the year before?” “Better.” “So it isn’t just one bad year.” “No.” Sebastian continued walking.
Richard followed.
For the first time that day, something stronger than curiosity stirred inside him.
Anxiety.
And the feeling was unpleasantly familiar.
He didn’t yet know who it belonged to.
Him, or the man whose body he was wearing.
They passed the stables.
The horses snorted softly behind the wooden partitions.
One of them, a huge black stallion, suddenly struck the stall with its hoof.
Richard flinched.
And in that same instant, the world changed for a moment.
Warm fur beneath his palm.
The smell of leather.
Cold air.
Snow.
And someone’s voice: “Don’t approach him from behind, my lord.” Richard blinked.
The stable was there again.
He tightened his grip on the cane.
“Are you all right?” Sebastian asked.
“Yes.” The answer came too quickly.
Sebastian noticed.
But fortunately, he didn’t ask.
They walked a few more steps.
Then Richard saw someone he hadn’t noticed before.
A man stood beside a stone wall, apparently waiting for them.
Dark clothes.
Dark hair.
Short and lean.
At first glance, completely unremarkable.
But the longer Richard looked at him, the stronger the feeling became that something about this man was wrong.
Not his appearance.
His calm.
People who had nothing to fear did not stand like that.
Sebastian stopped.
“Kain.” The man gave a short nod.
“Sebastian.” Richard shifted his gaze between them.
“You know each other.” “For a long time,” Sebastian replied.
Kain looked at him.
And something Richard hadn’t expected flickered across his face.
Pain.
It vanished almost instantly.
“My lord.” Richard frowned.
“Have we met?” Kain didn’t answer at once.
“Yes.” A simple answer.
And yet Richard felt an unpleasant chill.
“Who are you?” “The one who makes sure you stay alive.” “A bodyguard?” Kain gave a faint smile.
“If that makes things easier for you.” Richard looked at Sebastian.
“Does he always answer like that?” “When he thinks the question is wrong, yes.” “So I asked the wrong question?” “You asked a question that was too simple.” Richard looked at Kain again.
There was nothing remarkable about him.
No imposing build, no weapon displayed for show, none of the theatrical confidence many hired guards liked to flaunt.
Yet Richard somehow felt safer around him.
And that frightened him.
Because he didn’t know why.
Some part of his mind already knew Kain.
Knew how quickly he could move.
Knew that when this man was nearby, danger became less likely.
Richard tightened his fingers around the handle of his cane.
That knowledge did not belong to him.
Or at least, he thought it didn’t.
“How long have you served the family?” “Long enough.” “And me?” Kain met his eyes.
“Longer than you think.” Richard held his gaze.
“Then why don’t I remember your face?” “Because there are many things you have forgotten, my lord.” Kain turned and walked ahead.
Richard watched him go.
“I don’t like him.” Sebastian raised an eyebrow.
“Is that mutual?” Richard smiled faintly.
“I didn’t say I don’t trust him.” “But you thought it.” “You’re becoming too observant.” “It’s part of my job.” “I’m beginning to understand why the two of you have put up with each other for so long.” For the first time during their walk, Sebastian smiled.
“Then I’ll arrange for Kain to accompany us.” “I didn’t ask for him.” “That is precisely why he’ll come.” Richard wanted to object, but changed his mind.
Sometimes it was easier to let people believe they knew what they were doing.
For now.
They passed through the gates.
Before them stretched the lands of the Ravenharts.
Snow lay in a thin layer over the fields, and the line of the forest darkened in the distance.
On the horizon, the northern sky looked almost black, as though winter was deeper and harsher there than here.
For the first time, Richard saw the estate not from a window.
It was enormous.
And with that came a much heavier sense of responsibility.
This wasn’t just a manor.
Beyond its walls were fields, forests, villages, people, taxes, debts, contracts, and obligations.
Far too many things to leave unattended.
“How far is the capital?” he asked.
“Twelve days on horseback.” “And the nearest major House?” “Eight.” “Who?” “The Valkreyns.” The name meant nothing to Richard.
But Kain, walking a little behind them, quietly said, “They don’t like us.” Sebastian shot him a brief look.
“Kain.” “What?” “Not now.” Richard stopped.
“Why don’t they like us?” Kain looked at him.
“They want the northern lands.” “Ours?” “Yours.” “And what stopped them from simply buying them?” “Your predecessor refused to sell the forest.” Richard frowned.
“Why?” “Because the forest belonged to the Ravenharts.” “And?” Kain gave a slight shrug.
“Then they offered another price.” Richard felt an unpleasant chill.
“What price?” “Enough to make some people decide that the owner could be persuaded another way.” Sebastian turned sharply toward him.
“Enough.” Richard slowly looked at the butler.
“No.
Let him speak.” “My lord…” “I want to know what kind of world my family lives in.” Sebastian was silent for several seconds.
“We’ll talk about this at home.” Richard understood that continuing now was pointless.
But he remembered.
The Valkreyns.
He would remember that name.
After some time, the first city houses came into view.
Richard had expected to see poverty.
He was wrong.
The city was alive.
But that life reminded him of a man who had been sick for too long and was still walking only out of habit.
The smithy was working.
The shops were opening.
People were talking in the streets.
Children ran between the houses.
But once he looked closely, he saw something else.
Sagging roofs.
Empty stalls.
Old clothes.
Closed workshops.
Too many elderly faces.
And too few young ones.
Richard walked slowly down the street, his cane tapping against the stone.
“How many people live here?” “About four thousand.” “There used to be more?” “Almost twice as many.” Richard stopped.
“How many years?” “Six.” Six years.
Not war.
Not famine.
Not plague.
Just six years of slowly leaving.
The people hadn’t disappeared.
They had simply packed their things one day and gone.
Richard looked at an old stone wall.
A crest had been carved into it.
A raven and a wolf.
Two beasts looking in opposite directions, yet united beneath a single shield.
The crest of House Ravenhart.
Once, it had probably represented strength.
Now it seemed as though even the stone itself was tired of carrying it.
They passed two city guards.
Richard couldn’t help looking at them.
Their weapons looked old.
“Is that all the guard?” “No.” “How many in total?” Sebastian gave him the number.
Richard frowned.
“That’s not enough.” “I know.” “Why aren’t there more?” “Because they need to be paid.” Richard closed his eyes.
Again.
Money.
Everything here came down to money.
Roofs.
Guards.
Land.
People.
Even safety.
They continued on.
Trade was noticeably livelier in the central square.
Several carts stood around the market, vendors loudly calling to customers, while the smell of fresh bread drifted from one of the shops.
Richard noticed a large store on the corner.
It stood out sharply among the others.
A new facade.
Clean windows.
Full shelves.
“Who owns it?” “One of the wealthiest merchants.” “Business is good?” “Better than most.” Richard noticed a new lock on the door.
“He’s protecting himself from thieves?” Sebastian looked at him.
“Not only that.” A few minutes later, they entered.
The merchant greeted them politely, but cautiously.
Richard did not introduce himself.
Let him assume he was simply a wealthy traveler.
They spoke about trade, prices, and supplies.
The merchant tried to sound confident, but Richard noticed how often he glanced toward the door.
It opened.
Three men entered.
Nothing remarkable.
Simple clothes.
Ordinary faces.
Calm movements.
But the merchant immediately fell silent.
He took a small pouch from beneath the counter and placed it in front of one of the men.
The man took the money.
“Until next week.” “All right.” They left.
Richard stared at the closed door for several seconds.
“What was that?” “Payment for peace,” Sebastian replied.
“Extortion.” “Yes.” “And the guards do nothing?” Kain, standing by the window, answered, “The guards see nothing.” Richard looked at him.
“Should they?” “They should.” “Then why don’t they?” “Because some people are paid to be blind.” Richard felt anger rising inside him.
At the city.
At the guards.
At the people collecting money from those who couldn’t protect themselves.
But along with the anger came something else.
Rage.
Sharp.
Foreign.
He tightened his grip on the cane.
For a moment, another city flashed before his eyes.
Sunny.
Loud.
Full of people.
He stood in this very square.
Only he was younger.
And beside him…
A small hand.
Richard blinked.
The image vanished.
He saw winter again.
Old houses.
Kain.
Sebastian.
And a little boy nearby.
Three years old.
Blond hair.
A wooden horse in his hands.
The boy was animatedly telling his mother something.
And then a name appeared in Richard’s mind.
Theo.
He stopped.
The world seemed to lose its sound for a moment.
A memory flashed before his eyes.
A fireplace.
A warm room.
A child’s laughter.
“Papa, look!” A little boy reached toward him.
Richard saw himself.
Young.
Confident.
Tired.
“Later, Theo.” “But you promised.” “I said later.” Another fragment.
Theo sitting on the floor.
His eyes full of tears.
“Are you leaving again?” “I have things to do.” “And tomorrow?” “We’ll see.” Richard felt a heaviness in his chest.
The next memory came even more sharply.
A little hand reached toward him.
And he stepped back.
“Not now.” Richard opened his eyes sharply.
He was breathing heavily.
“My lord?” Sebastian stood beside him.
Richard looked at him.
“I have a son.” Sebastian slowly nodded.
“Yes.” “Theo?” “Yes.” Richard swallowed.
“How old is he?” “Three.” Richard lowered his gaze.
He didn’t know this child.
But his body did.
His memories did.
And, worst of all, his heart seemed to know him too.
“What was his father like?” Sebastian fell silent.
“I mean me.” “Do you want the truth?” “Yes.” Sebastian looked directly into his eyes.
“You loved him.” Richard waited for him to continue.
“But love does not always mean being present.” He felt something painfully tighten inside him.
“Does he remember me?” “Of course.” “What kind of me does he remember?” Sebastian did not answer.
And that was enough.
Richard turned away.
He suddenly realized that he was afraid to meet his own son.
Not because Theo might reject him.
But because he might accept him.
And see in him a man who no longer existed.
Or did he?
Richard looked at his hand.
It was чужой.
But now he wasn’t sure that only the body was not his.
Where did he end?
And where did Richard Ravenhart begin?
“I want to see him,” he said.
“Today?” Sebastian asked.
Richard shook his head.
“Tomorrow morning.” He paused.
“And I want all the documents concerning the debts.” Sebastian looked at him in surprise.
“My lord…” “All of them.” “There are many.” “Then we’ll start today.” The butler was silent for several seconds.
Then he slowly nodded.
“Very well.” Something in his expression had changed.
Richard noticed it.
For the first time, Sebastian was no longer looking at him as a sick man who needed time.
He was looking at him as the head of the House.
Kain, standing nearby, said nothing.
But Richard noticed that he continued to watch him carefully.
As though he were testing him.
As though he were waiting for the moment when this new Richard would make a mistake.
And for some reason, Richard couldn’t shake the feeling that Kain had already seen such a mistake once before.
The journey back passed in near silence.
Snow began to fall more heavily.
Richard thought about Theo.
The debts.
The Valkreyns.
The people collecting payment for “peace.” The guards who closed their eyes.
And Kain.
He was certain of only one thing.
Kain knew more about the old Richard than he was saying.
And perhaps he knew exactly what had happened before his death.
When the walls of the estate appeared ahead, Richard felt relieved.
But the feeling vanished almost immediately.
People were standing by the main gates.
Too many people.
Sebastian slowed his steps.
“What is happening?” One of the guards noticed them and hurried over.
“My lord.” He was breathing heavily.
“What happened?” The guard glanced at Sebastian.
“A letter was found in your study.” Richard frowned.
“From whom?” “We don’t know.” “To whom?” The guard swallowed.
“To you.” Richard tightened his grip on the cane.
“Did anyone enter the study?” “No, my lord.” Sebastian went pale.
“I locked it myself.” Kain was already looking toward the windows of the main house.
“Who found the letter?” “A maid, sir.” “Was the door locked?” “Yes.” Kain said nothing.
Richard looked at him.
“What?” Kain slowly turned his gaze toward him.
“Nothing good.” They climbed the stairs.
The study door stood open.
Silence reigned inside.
A black envelope lay on the desk.
No crest.
No seal.
Only his name.
To Richard Ravenhart.
Richard approached.
The cane tapped softly against the floor.
He picked up the envelope.
And at that exact moment, his fingers froze.
Not because he was afraid.
But because the paper evoked a strange sensation.
He had held an envelope like this before.
Once.
Somewhere.
But the memory did not come.
Only the feeling.
Anxiety.
Deadly anxiety.
Richard opened the letter.
Inside was a single sheet.
*If this letter has found its way into your hands, then what I feared has happened.* Richard’s eyes moved lower.
*Richard Ravenhart is dead.* The room fell silent.
Sebastian froze.
Kain stepped closer.
Richard continued reading.
*If you truly are him, then you have nothing to fear.* *But if you are not, then remember one thing.* *Do not trust the person who is the first to tell you how Richard died.* Richard slowly lowered the letter.
No one in the room moved.
He looked at Sebastian.
Then at Kain.
Neither spoke.
And for the first time since waking up, Richard understood one simple thing.
He had been searching for the answer to why the old Richard had died.
But perhaps he had been asking the wrong question.
The question was not who had killed Richard Ravenhart.
The question was who already knew that he was dead— and why someone had decided to warn the man who had taken his place.
Richard slowly folded the letter.
“Sebastian.” “Yes, my lord?” “I want to know everything.” The butler remained silent.
Richard leaned on his cane and looked at the crest above the fireplace.
The raven.
The wolf.
The symbol of a House that had survived generations.
And now, it seemed to be slowly dying with the last man who carried its name.
“Starting with my father,” Richard continued.
“And ending with what happened to me.” Kain allowed himself the faintest smile for the first time that day.
But there was neither warmth nor relief in it.
Only the weariness of a man who had been waiting for this moment for far too long.
“Then, my lord,” he said quietly, “you’d better prepare yourself for a truth you may not like.” Richard looked at him.
“I think I’m already getting used to it.”