After that brief training session, and once Felt had finally managed to steady her own spinning head, the sun had nearly set completely below the western horizon, painting the sky above the estate in fading gradients of orange and violet, slowly giving way to the deepening dark of night.
Merope stood in front of the estate’s entrance, her white cloth perfectly composed once more, the blue cord at her waist wrapped as neatly and securely as always.
Beside her, Elsa had already changed into something more practical for movement, her kukri tucked neatly at her hip, while Felt stood in the doorway, her face still carrying traces of worry even though she’d stopped voicing her objections.
“Alright, let’s head out,” Merope said, drawing a deep breath, her smile returning full of resolve even as her heart pounded, bracing itself for a night that would decide so much.
“Ready whenever you are.”
Felt looked between the two of them for a moment before finally letting out a long sigh.
“Be careful, okay? I mean it. If anything happens…”
“I’ll be fine,” Merope cut in gently, offering her friend a reassuring smile.
“Don’t even joke about that,” Felt cut in quickly, shuddering at the memory of what had happened in the sitting room just days ago.
“Just—be careful. Period.”
Merope laughed softly, then turned to face Elsa.
“Alright, let’s go.”
The two of them stepped out from the estate grounds together—one with a light, spirited stride full of energy, the other with a calm, measured pace that concealed a quiet watchfulness in every movement—heading out into a night that would bring them face-to-face with the other factions, and one step closer to the secret that had lain buried beneath Merope’s lost memories for so long.