Birgham Esteate

Bayu and Bagas gazed in awe as they stepped into the Brigham Estate, a grand mansion built with intricate steampunk architecture. Towering metal pillars adorned with delicate engravings lined the main hall, while massive gears turned slowly along the walls, their steady motion like a living ornament, a testament to the region's technological prowess. Gas lamps cast a soft, golden glow, illuminating the space with an atmosphere that was both warm and imposing.

Dewi strode ahead of them with an air of unquestionable authority, her expression remaining cold yet resolute. As they entered the grand hall, she turned her gaze toward an elderly butler who had been waiting for her arrival.

"Clean them up first," she ordered, her voice carrying an unmistakable command. "Then bring them to the dining hall."

The butler, an old man with neatly combed white hair and a pair of clear spectacles, bowed respectfully. "Of course, Lady Brigham."

Without another word, Dewi turned and walked away, leaving the two of them in silent confusion. Bayu and Bagas exchanged glances, uncertain of what awaited them next.

The butler stepped forward, his expression warm yet composed. "Welcome, gentlemen. It seems you've had quite a rough night."

Bagas offered a polite nod, hoping to ease the tension. "Thank you for your concern, sir."

The old man let out a soft chuckle, his voice carrying both kindness and an air of formality. "Ah, no need to be so reserved. You are guests of Lady Brigham, which means you are special guests of this household."

Bayu, who had remained quiet up until now, finally spoke. "Forgive me, but… who exactly is Lady Brigham? And if I may ask, who are you?"

The butler raised an eyebrow slightly before offering a gentle smile. "Ah, of course. Lady Dewi Brigham is the head of the Brigham family, the ruler of Wiltshire. As for myself, you may call me Alaric. I have served as the head butler and caretaker of this estate for over two decades."

Bagas narrowed his eyes slightly, his instincts telling him there was more to this situation than met the eye. Still, he maintained his polite demeanor. "Then why are we being called special guests when we were clearly captured?"

Alaric chuckled again, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Because Lady Dewi does not take people into her home without reason. If you are here, then it means you have caught her interest in some way."

Bagas frowned, sensing something carefully hidden behind those words. But before he could press further, several attendants approached, offering fresh towels with precise, practiced movements.

Alaric stepped forward, his tone as composed as ever. "Gentlemen, I would advise you to freshen up before meeting Lady Brigham. It is customary for guests to present themselves in a proper state."

Bayu opened his mouth to protest, but one look at Alaric's unwavering expression told him there was little choice in the matter. With a resigned sigh, he took the towel from one of the attendants, exchanging a glance with Bagas, who merely gave a small nod.

Without another word, the two followed the servants to the bath chambers.

Bayu stepped outside, inhaling the crisp night air as it brushed against his face. "Hmm, I have to admit, this isn't half bad for prisoners," he mused, stretching his arms. "That bath was better than I expected for a place that's supposed to hold captives."

Beside him, Bagas shot him a sharp look. "Don't get too comfortable, Bayu. We still don't know what Lady Brigham really wants from us. Stay sharp and be respectful."

Bayu sighed, nodding in reluctant agreement. "Yeah, yeah. I get it."

Just as he spoke, Alaric appeared before them, standing tall with his hands clasped behind his back. His presence alone commanded a quiet authority, yet there was an undeniable air of warmth in his demeanor.

"Right this way, gentlemen," Alaric said smoothly. "Lady Brigham is expecting you in the dining hall."

Bayu and Bagas exchanged a glance before following him. As they moved through the mansion's dimly lit corridors, the faint hum of mechanical gears and the occasional whir of old but well-maintained machines filled the silence. The estate itself felt like a living entity, its intricate steampunk architecture a testament to its history and power.

Soon, Alaric led them through a set of grand double doors, revealing a vast dining hall illuminated by ornate brass chandeliers. A long table stretched across the room, adorned with polished metal embellishments and lined with neatly arranged candles that flickered softly.

Yet, what caught Bayu and Bagas off guard wasn't the grandeur of the hall—it was the lone figure seated at the far end of the table.

Lady Dewi Brigham sat in quiet elegance, her short blue hair framing a face of unwavering composure. Draped in a dress of fine, regal fabric, she exuded an effortless air of authority. In front of her was a plate of perfectly seared meat, which she carved through with slow, deliberate movements, seemingly unbothered by their arrival.

No other guests sat at the table. Only her.

The surrounding servants remained motionless, their presence more like silent sentinels than attendants.

Bayu and Bagas hesitated for a moment, but before they could fully process the scene, one of the servants swiftly placed plates before them. Thick, succulent steaks—cooked to absolute perfection—rested atop their dishes, accompanied by an assortment of roasted vegetables and golden, crisp potatoes.

Despite his lingering suspicion, Bagas couldn't deny the scent of the meal was enticing. And for a brief second, even his wariness wavered.

Bagas leaned in slightly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Wow, this… this is incredible. The food here is far better than what we get at headquarters."

Bayu merely nodded, his gaze fixed on Dewi Brigham, who sat at the head of the long dining table, calmly chewing her meal. The flickering candlelight cast shadows over her sharp features, adding an air of quiet authority to her presence.

But their brief moment of appreciation was cut short as Dewi finally spoke, breaking the heavy silence.

"Welcome to my estate," she said smoothly, her voice both composed and commanding. "I trust you're enjoying your dinner."

Bayu and Bagas stiffened slightly, exchanging a quick glance before forcing themselves to remain composed. Dewi's piercing gaze swept over them, sharp and calculating.

"I imagine you must be wondering why you were brought here," she continued, her tone unreadable.

Bagas met her gaze cautiously, still on edge. "Of course, Lady Brigham. But we also understand that we are merely guests here."

Dewi's lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "Guests, indeed. But that doesn't mean I don't know exactly who you are… Vanguard Legion."

Bagas froze. The name struck like a thunderclap in the quiet room. Bayu, in the middle of taking a bite, went completely still, his fork slipping from his grasp and clattering onto his plate.

Both of them stared at Dewi, shock evident on their faces. They had gone to great lengths to conceal their true identities—how did she know?

"How does she know who we are?" Bayu muttered under his breath, barely moving his lips.

Bagas furrowed his brow, his eyes never leaving Dewi. "I have no idea."

Dewi observed their reactions with amusement before taking a slow sip of her tea. "Relax. While I may know your identities, they are safe here."

Bagas, still wary, leaned forward slightly. "And how exactly do you know that we're with the Vanguard Legion?"

Dewi set her cup down gently, her gaze steady. "You underestimate how far information travels among the nobility. When orders from the capital were issued to form a special unit against the Shattered Star, it didn't go unnoticed. We knew, but we chose to remain silent."

Bagas exhaled slowly, considering her words. "You're right. The Vanguard Legion was formed to combat the Shattered Star. But we operate under the guise of mercenaries to conceal our real mission."

Dewi nodded, taking in his explanation with a look of quiet interest. "I see… so every operation you conduct remains classified," she mused, bringing her cup to her lips once more.

She leaned back in her chair, her gaze shifting between the two men as if silently assessing them. The luxurious feast spread before them suddenly felt secondary to the tension crackling in the air.

"If you've had enough to eat," Dewi finally spoke after a long silence, "there's something I need to tell you."

Bagas, who had begun to relax slightly, straightened up and responded, "What is it that you wish to say, Lady Brigham?"

Dewi carefully set down her fork and knife on her plate before meeting their gazes with a serious expression. "I will be contacting your commander, informing him that his subordinates are currently in my mansion."

Bayu and Bagas exchanged startled looks.

"How… how do you even have a way to contact Mr. Wren?" Bayu asked, still in disbelief.

Dewi's lips curled into a faint, unreadable smile. "The Brigham family has its own ways of obtaining information. Do not worry. Perhaps by tomorrow morning, you will be retrieved by your people."

Bagas held his breath, sensing there was more behind Dewi's words than she was letting on. However, he chose not to press the matter further.

"So… what happens after you contact Mr. Wren?" he asked cautiously.

Dewi rose gracefully from her seat, inhaling deeply as her sharp gaze lingered on the two men. "At the very least, you are permitted to stay here until morning. You need rest after everything that has happened. After that… we shall see."

Bayu and Bagas had little choice but to accept her decision. They simply nodded, understanding that, for now, they had to go along with whatever Dewi had planned.

"Thank you, Lady Brigham," Bagas said, though there was a hint of hesitation in his voice.

Dewi offered a small smile and nodded. "Don't worry too much. Get a good night's rest. We will discuss further in the morning."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Bayu and Bagas alone at the table, each lost in their own thoughts. The once-tense atmosphere had slightly eased, but uncertainty still hung in the air.

"What a long day," Bagas muttered, exhaling slowly. "I never expected our mission to end like this."

"Yeah… especially not by getting captured by the ruler of this territory," Bayu replied, staring blankly at his now-empty plate. "This is truly your bad luck."

"It is," Bagas admitted, then smirked slightly. "But maybe not entirely. We ended up meeting Lady Brigham, and instead of being imprisoned, we're being allowed to stay. There's definitely something bigger at play here."

"Well, let's just hope things go better from here on out," Bayu said, attempting to reassure himself.

Bagas merely nodded in agreement, offering no further words. With that, the two of them stood and made their way toward the rooms that had been prepared for them.

As soon as they reached their rooms, they threw themselves onto the beds, their bodies heavy with exhaustion after an entire day filled with tension and unexpected events. However, despite closing his eyes, Bayu couldn't shake off his unease. Thoughts of Dewi, of what might happen next, swirled endlessly in his mind.

"Bagas," Bayu murmured softly, trying to wake his friend. "Do you think we're really safe here? Lady Brigham… she could cause trouble for us."

Bagas shifted slightly in his bed, unbothered. "Relax, Bayu," he replied in a drowsy voice, thick with sleep. "She's just a local ruler. Trouble with the mafia? Not our concern. Besides, if she does try anything… we can always escape."

Bayu sighed, still restless. "But what if something happens to us? If Lady Brigham is really angry, we have no idea what she might do."

Bagas let out a small chuckle, clearly not taking Bayu's worries seriously. "You're overthinking this. It's nothing serious. Just go to sleep."

Bayu frowned, unsatisfied with that response. He turned onto his side, trying to calm himself, though the unease remained.

Then, suddenly, he awoke.

His eyes snapped open, his breath slightly uneven. He turned toward the window and saw that the sky was still shrouded in darkness.

With slow, deliberate movements, he reached out for the pocket watch resting on the bedside table. Flipping it open, he saw the hands pointing to 2 AM.

"Ah, it's only 2 AM," he murmured softly, feeling slightly anxious about how slowly time seemed to pass.

Closing the watch, he turned toward the small table beside the bed and picked up a glass of water, hoping to soothe his dry throat. As he drank, his gaze suddenly fell upon the bedroom door—it was slightly ajar, with a faint light seeping through the gap.

Curious, Bayu carefully stepped forward, making sure not to wake Bagas, who was still fast asleep. He approached the door and peeked outside, his eyes tracing the source of the light. It was coming from an office room nearby. The door to the office was slightly open, and through the gap, Bayu could see Dewi sitting at her desk, engrossed in reading and writing several documents. The warm glow from the desk lamp cast a soft light over her face, highlighting her tired yet resolute expression.

Then, without looking up from her papers, Dewi suddenly spoke.

"Hey. I know you're watching me."

Bayu jolted, nearly stepping back in surprise. But before he could react, Dewi continued, her voice firm and icy.

"If you dare run away from there, I will kill you right here."

A chill ran down Bayu's spine. Unsure of what to do, he hesitated before finally pushing the door open slightly wider. As he stepped inside, he was met with Dewi's sharp and unwelcoming gaze.

"Ahh… Hello, Lady Brigham," Bayu stammered, his voice laced with nervousness. "Sorry for disturbing you…"

Bayu stood at the threshold, trying to steady his breathing after the unexpected shock. Dewi remained seated, her expression unreadable as she gazed at him with an unsettling calm. The night air carried a chilling stillness, making the room feel heavier despite its cool atmosphere.

"Something wrong?" Dewi's voice was as sharp as a blade, cutting through the silence. "Planning to run away? Or were you spying on me?"

Bayu quickly shook his head. "No, I just… saw the light and got curious. I didn't mean to intrude."

Dewi exhaled sharply, shaking her head as if he were nothing more than a mild annoyance. "If that's all, go back to sleep," she said, returning her focus to the documents in front of her.

Curiosity stirred within him as he studied the portrait. There was a quiet strength in the older man's stance, a warmth in the woman's gentle smile, and a determination in the young girl's eyes—one that mirrored the woman sitting before him now. The image felt like a remnant of a life that had long since been lost, preserved only in fading memories and a gilded frame. Bayu hesitated for a moment, then silently turned away, leaving Dewi to her solitude, the weight of her past still lingering in the dim glow of the office light.