Chapter 4 - The Black List and the Hidden Truth

After a few knocks on the door, silence settled over the surroundings. Well before the sun reached its peak, Selena stood before the grand entrance of Leon's estate, taking a moment to steady her breath while glancing around. No matter how many times she came here, the place always exuded an eerie blend of grandeur and unease. The intricately carved gates, the meticulously maintained garden, and the stifling quiet—it was as if the entire estate was frozen in perpetual midnight, despite the daylight.

"Welcome to the Blackwood estate, my lady."

The guard greeted her with polite formality, but Selena merely offered a fleeting glance as she passed. Even after three years, some still called her "my lady," remembering her former status as the daughter of House Blanchard. As she walked through the corridors, the servants didn't openly whisper about her disheveled appearance, her clothes stained with dust and scratches. No doubt, Leon had ensured that no one dared display outright hostility toward her.

At the end of the corridor, she reached the library. It wasn't unfamiliar—she had been here before. The towering bookshelves, the heavy curtains, and the softly glowing chandelier overhead remained unchanged from her last visit. The only difference was that today, Leon was waiting for her at the entrance.

"You arrived sooner than I expected."

Leon ran a hand through his neatly combed black hair, offering her a quiet, knowing smile. As always, his expression carried an undercurrent of cunning amusement. Selena instinctively tensed, her guard rising, but she maintained a calm facade as she stepped into the library.

"I came as soon as I received your letter. Out of courtesy."

She shut the door behind her with deliberate force. Leon, unfazed, raised his wine glass in a casual gesture before taking a sip. Drinking wine at this hour—he truly had no sense of urgency.

"Well then, about that document you retrieved."

He got straight to the point.

"I had some experts decode the markings on it. Someone went to great lengths to obscure the details, but fortunately, I have the right people for such work."

The document Selena had found in the ruins appeared to be a fragment of the infamous Black List. But what had struck her the most was the presence of a name she never expected—Michel de La Rhone, her father's longtime advisor. Crossing her arms, she spoke firmly.

"So, did you discover anything new? What did it say?"

"Calm down. First, we need to understand why Michel de La Rhone was branded a traitor."

Leon lifted a sealed envelope from the table and placed it before her.

"I heard he became a fugitive overnight. Does that match what you know?"

"Yes. But I don't know if he was truly a traitor or if he was framed in the same conspiracy that destroyed my family."

"Then you'll have to find out for yourself."

Leon slid the envelope closer to her.

"This contains records of the last city where he was spotted. But don't assume it's the full truth. These kinds of leads often contain just as much misinformation as they do facts."

Selena unfolded the envelope and skimmed its contents. It listed locations where Michel had reportedly stayed over the past year, alongside a note suggesting that he was likely hiding under an alias.

"If I track him down, I'll finally know whether he truly betrayed my father."

She already suspected that this journey would be anything but easy. If Michel had deliberately disappeared, it meant powerful nobles had been searching for him and failed. How could she succeed where others had not?

"You realize this will put you in danger."

Leon's smirk sharpened as he leaned forward slightly.

"But you've survived until now. I'd wager you have the talent to keep surviving."

Selena clenched her fists, suppressing the irritation bubbling inside her. Picking a fight with Leon was useless. Instead, another name surfaced in her thoughts—Camilo Erheim.

Once her fiancé, their engagement had been broken after her exile. However, rumors hinted that Camilo had some connection to Michel de La Rhone. If that was true, he might have valuable information.

"…What do you know about Camilo Erheim?"

Leon let out a short laugh.

"Camilo? Now there's an interesting character. He claims neutrality, but in truth, he's entangled in multiple factions. Meeting him won't be easy."

"But I have to. You already know he was once my fiancé."

"Of course. Though I doubt your reunion will be a pleasant one."

Their conversation inevitably led to a conclusion—to find Michel, Selena needed to approach Camilo. Even if Camilo only saw their meeting as a business transaction, she had no other options. Leon, meanwhile, watched with his usual air of detached amusement, as if wondering whether she truly knew what she was getting into.

"When I find Michel, you'd better keep your promise," she said. "Hand over the rest of the Black List's information."

"Obviously. I told you—I'll trade information for information."

Leon set his empty glass down and stepped toward her, his shadow stretching long across the room. His dark eyes gleamed with something unreadable.

"But let me ask you this—do you really want the truth?

If you uncover why your father was killed, if you expose the traitors, will that truly be enough? Or is it revenge you seek?"

Selena hesitated, gripping the envelope tighter.

"You once told me that truth alone doesn't bring happiness."

Leon nodded slowly.

"Exactly. The truth, vengeance, and the honor of your lost family… they're all intertwined, aren't they?"

A silence hung between them as they locked gazes. Selena didn't answer. Maybe Leon was right—truth alone wouldn't be enough. And whatever lay at the end of her search would undoubtedly bring more chaos, more conflict. But she had already set foot on this path. There was no turning back now.

A few days later, before she could search for Michel, she had to face Camilo Erheim.

Rumors suggested that Camilo had been maneuvering through noble society, carefully maintaining a precarious balance between factions. While he outwardly claimed neutrality, whispers suggested he was making strategic alliances behind the scenes.

Standing outside the Erheim estate, Selena felt a flicker of unease. The mansion was still as lavishly decorated as she remembered, its grand entrance adorned with fresh flowers and polished gold accents. The guards stationed outside eyed her warily but admitted her the moment she gave her name.

Camilo greeted her with a bemused smirk.

"Well, this is a surprise. Alive and well after all these years? I suppose I shouldn't be shocked—you never were the type to die easily."

Selena gave him a dry smile.

"It's been a while. But I'm not here for pleasantries."

For the first time since their engagement had been broken, they were face to face. No love, no tenderness remained—only calculated interest.

"I need information, Camilo. About Michel de La Rhone."

Camilo leaned back in his chair, drumming his fingers against the table.

"Ah, Michel. I might know something. But tell me, why are you so determined to find him?"

"There are rumors that he betrayed my father. But something doesn't add up. I need the truth."

Camilo chuckled, shaking his head.

"Of course, it's always about family honor with you. Fine. I'll help. But in exchange, I have a favor to ask."

Selena's eyes narrowed.

"Name it."

"There's an upcoming noble gathering. I want you to attend."

Selena sighed.

"Another ball? You do realize I'm in no position to stroll into such places."

"I can arrange that," Camilo said smoothly. "But I need you to observe certain people. Watch them, listen to their conversations, and report back to me. If you do that, I'll give you Michel's location."

Another dangerous deal. Another test.

Selena exhaled sharply, knowing she had no choice.

"Fine. I'll do it."

Thus, her path was set once more—toward a grand ball where betrayal lurked behind every smiling mask. And, as always, in the shadows, Leon was watching.