"Webs of Intrigue"

Evelyn entered her uncle's study with a mixture of apprehension and dread. The atmosphere in the room was heavy, thick with a tension that seemed to crackle in the air. Gareth Clark, with his imposing posture and scrutinizing gaze, stood waiting for her, his back to the door, gazing out the window, his hands clasped behind him.

"Uncle Gareth, Evelyn reporting," she said, her voice steady but firm.

"Evelyn," Gareth acknowledged, his smooth, melodious voice contrasting sharply with the severity in his eyes. "I have some questions for you."

Evelyn took a deep breath, bracing herself for the interrogation. "About what, Uncle?"

"About the mission I entrusted to you," Gareth replied, his gaze intensifying. "About Leonard."

Evelyn felt a knot forming in her throat. She knew she couldn't hide the truth from her uncle for much longer. "I... I found him," she admitted, hesitating. "He's in Gothia. I've been following him for a while now, but I have nothing to report."

"And what is he doing?" Gareth pressed, his voice icy. "What are his plans?"

Evelyn hesitated for a moment, carefully considering her words. She couldn't reveal everything to her uncle, not yet. But she also couldn't outright lie. "He's training," she answered, choosing her words with caution. "He seems determined to become stronger."

Gareth stared at her for a long moment, his blue eyes piercing through Evelyn's leather armor. "And what else?" he pressed. "Why do I sense there's something you're not telling me?"

Evelyn felt a chill run down her spine. She knew her uncle was a master at detecting lies and deceit. "I... I discovered he's being followed," she confessed, avoiding Gareth's gaze.

"Followed?" Gareth repeated, raising an eyebrow. "By whom?"

"I don't know," Evelyn answered, feeling her hands begin to sweat. "But I'm sure they're not guild members. They seemed... professional." Evelyn took an insignia out of her pocket and handed it to her uncle. "Here, Uncle, it was with one of them..."

Gareth walked over to his mahogany desk and sat down, leaning back in his chair, an enigmatic smile forming on his lips. "Interesting," he murmured. "It seems the King has other cards up his sleeve." He said this as he evaluated the royal insignia.

Evelyn frowned, confused. "What do you mean, Uncle?"

"The King no longer trusts us, Evelyn," Gareth explained, his voice taking on a grave tone. "He suspects we're withholding information about Leonard, that we're protecting him, and here's the proof."

Evelyn felt a pang in her chest. "But why?" she questioned, incredulous. "Why would King Edward do this?"

"Edward has his reasons, Evelyn," Gareth responded, avoiding her gaze. "Reasons that are not for us to question."

A heavy silence settled in the room, the tension increasing with each passing second. Evelyn sensed there was more behind those words, something her uncle wasn't telling her. But she knew it was pointless to press him. Gareth was a master manipulator, after all.

"And what will we do?" Evelyn asked, finally breaking the silence.

Gareth looked at her with his cold, calculating eyes. "We will do what we always do, Evelyn," he answered. "We will survive. We will adapt. And we will protect our interests."

He paused, his gaze fixating on Evelyn. "And you, Evelyn, have a new role to play. Forget about this mission with this Leonard."

Evelyn straightened up, standing at attention, her ears perked. "What can I do for the family, Uncle?"

"You will go to the capital," Gareth ordered. "You will investigate what's happening there and find out what King Edward's plans are for our family." He paused. "Do not get involved with Leonard; something smells fishy to me about this whole story with the king."

Evelyn felt a wave of apprehension wash over her. The capital was a dangerous place, full of nobles and spies, where any misstep could be fatal. But she couldn't refuse the mission. It was her duty to her family, to her clan.

"When should I leave?" she asked, her voice firm, despite the fear gnawing at her.

"As soon as possible," Gareth replied. "Time is of the essence; after the death of the spies, things got tense behind the curtains."

"I'm sorry, Uncle, I had no choice..." Evelyn said regretfully.

"You had a choice, but it's up to you to judge whether it was really the right one," he said in a cold, judgmental tone.

"My father always said I should pro..." Evelyn was saying when Gareth looked into her eyes, like two spears impaling their prey. It was a clear sign telling her to shut up and not to speak her late father's name.

Evelyn nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility on her shoulders. She bowed to her uncle and left the office, her mind racing.

She had a new mission, a new challenge.

Above all, a new opportunity to protect Leonard, but not being by his side, worried her to the point of her heart aching.

She needed comfort and solace. She headed to Monte Lichtwelt to visit her father. Within that imposing aura of a warrior woman and her battle armor, there was still a hopeful and sensitive heart that longed for a better future.

That day, the gray sky of Dunkel stretched over the flowery Mount Lichtwelt like a heavy cloak, mirroring the melancholy Evelyn carried in her chest.

She walked among the gray tombstones, her steps slow and silent. The cold breeze knocked petals into her hair and rustled the leaves of the centuries-old trees in the great maze garden.

Evelyn stopped before a striking tomb, adorned only with a marble tombstone worn by time. She knelt and touched the inscription tenderly, her fingers tracing the letters that formed her father's name: "Alistar Clark."

A lone tear escaped her eyes, sliding down her cheek and falling onto the cold stone.

"I don't even know why I'm crying... This has become so common..." she whispered. "Father," her voice a silent murmur. "I need your strength. I need your wisdom. Guide me on this winding path, where the shadows of doubt and danger surround me."

She remained there for a long moment, in silence, just feeling her father's presence in her heart. Memories of childhood, of the happy moments they shared, flooded her mind, bringing a bittersweet comfort as they mingled with memories she also wanted to forget.

Evelyn stood up, her eyes fixed on her father's tombstone. "I won't fail," she promised, her voice firm and determined. "I will honor your name and our family's legacy."

With one last look at her father's grave, Evelyn turned and walked towards another tomb, not far away. It was a simple but well-kept tombstone, with fresh flowers adorning its base. On it was engraved the name of Leah Winter, Leonard's mother.

Evelyn touched the tombstone reverently, her fingers feeling the cold texture of the marble.

"Leah," she whispered, her voice full of emotion. "I hope you are protecting me. I hope you are guiding Leonard on his journey. And I hope that, one day, you can forgive my sins. I will protect Leonard, no matter the cost."

She stood up, feeling a new determination take hold of her.

Evelyn was not alone in this fight. She was strengthened by her ancestors, the love of her family, and the hope of a better future. With that strength, she would face any obstacle, overcome any challenge, and protect Leonard with all her might.

Evelyn turned away, leaving that labyrinth of flowers. She knew that the responsibility she carried weighed generations; it wasn't just any mission.

As she approached the gates of Gothia, Evelyn noticed unusual activity. Guards were patrolling the walls with more attention, and a group of merchants waited anxiously for the gates to open.

Evelyn hid in the shadows, observing the scene cautiously.

She saw Leonard standing, reading a small scroll as some modest carts arrived. He put the scroll away and got into the transport, and then they headed towards the south road out of the city.

His face was serious, marked by sadness and determination. He gripped his swords tightly, seemingly clinging to the final hope amidst a sea of uncertainty.

Evelyn felt a pang in her heart. She wanted to run to him, hug him, and comfort him. But she knew she couldn't.

Not yet.

She had a mission to fulfill, a secret to keep. And, above all, she had to protect Leonard, even if it meant watching him from afar.

"Wait for me, Leo," Evelyn thought, as she watched the cart disappear over the horizon. "I will come back to you. And when that day comes, I will tell you everything and fight by your side."

Evelyn turned and walked towards the stable to get her horse. She had a long way to go and many dangers to face. She knows Roland was in the capital as well, so she could have a good ally at least. 

Anyway, in her heart, the flame of hope still burned strong, fueled by all the feelings she had nurtured for Leonard. She was willing to risk everything for him, even without knowing if it would all be worth it.