the hidden threat

Mukouda stirred awake in the middle of the night, his body still sinking into the absurdly soft bed of Reynard's estate. The moonlight filtered through the grand window, casting an eerie glow on the ornate furniture.

Something felt off.

Kaelgyr was still sitting by the window, his golden eyes glowing faintly in the dark. His ears twitched, and his tail flicked restlessly.

Mukouda rubbed his face. "Kaelgyr… you haven't slept?"

The wolf didn't turn. "We are being watched."

Mukouda's drowsiness vanished instantly. He sat up, his heart pounding. "Huh?! Where?"

Kaelgyr narrowed his eyes. "Outside. In the trees beyond the mansion walls. Three figures. They've been there for hours."

Mukouda felt a chill crawl down his spine.

"…Are they bandits?"

Kaelgyr exhaled through his nose. "No. They're too disciplined for that. They have the scent of warriors."

Mukouda swallowed hard. "Oh great… I really didn't wanna get assassinated in my sleep."

Suddenly, a soft knock came at the door.

Mukouda and Kaelgyr tensed immediately.

A voice whispered from the other side. "Sir Mukouda… are you awake?"

Mukouda frowned. It was a young girl's voice.

Cautiously, he walked to the door and cracked it open. Standing there was a nervous-looking maid with long brown hair, gripping the hem of her dress anxiously.

She glanced left and right before whispering urgently, "You need to leave. Now."

Mukouda's stomach dropped. "W-What?"

The maid gulped. "Please… Lord Reynard is not what he seems. You and your companion are in danger."

Kaelgyr's ears twitched sharply.

Mukouda glanced at the wolf. He already knew.

The maid's hands trembled. "He—he called for a secret meeting tonight. With the city's military officers. He's… he's planning something involving you."

Mukouda felt the air leave his lungs.

"Oh crap."

Kaelgyr stood, stretching his limbs. "I knew it. That human's aura reeked of deceit."

Mukouda clenched his fists. "Of course… of COURSE the random friendly noble turned out to be shady! I should've known! I—"

The maid covered his mouth with her hand. "SHH! If they hear us, you'll be dead before sunrise!"

Mukouda's eyes widened. He nodded quickly, and she slowly removed her hand.

She glanced around nervously again. "There's a servant exit at the back of the mansion. You can escape through there, but you have to go now."

Mukouda's heart raced. "Why are you helping us?"

The maid hesitated. Then, she whispered, "Because Lord Reynard has… done this before."

Mukouda felt a cold wave of fear wash over him.

She continued, voice shaking. "You're not the first 'guest' he's taken an interest in. Others have come before you… and none of them ever left."

Kaelgyr's fur bristled. "Hmph. So the noble is nothing but a vulture, preying on the unsuspecting."

Mukouda had a thousand questions, but there was no time.

Taking a deep breath, he nodded. "Alright… let's go."

The maid led them through the dimly lit hallways, her steps quick but silent. Every so often, she'd peek around a corner, ensuring the coast was clear.

Mukouda's heart pounded with every step. He was NOT built for this kind of tension!

Kaelgyr padded beside him, his keen senses on high alert.

Finally, they reached a small wooden door at the back of the estate. The maid turned to Mukouda.

"This leads to a path behind the gardens. If you follow it, you can slip out through the servant's entrance in the back wall."

Mukouda let out a breath of relief. "Thank you so much—"

A sudden loud voice rang through the halls.

"WHERE IS HE?!"

Mukouda's blood froze.

The maid's face turned pale. "T-That's Lord Reynard!"

Heavy footsteps thundered from the direction of the dining hall.

"FIND HIM IMMEDIATELY! HE CANNOT BE ALLOWED TO ESCAPE!"

Mukouda felt a cold sweat drip down his back.

The maid shoved the door open. "GO! NOW!"

Kaelgyr grabbed Mukouda by the collar and tossed him onto his back.

"Hold on."

Mukouda barely had time to react before Kaelgyr sprinted forward at full speed.

The wind whipped past his face as they shot through the garden like a blur. The sound of guards shouting behind them grew distant as Kaelgyr's powerful legs carried them through the estate grounds.

Mukouda risked a glance back.

Through the mansion's open doors, he saw Lord Reynard standing in the main hall.

His face was twisted in rage.

And then Mukouda saw something that made his stomach drop.

Behind Reynard stood a group of high-ranking military officers—and among them was a tall man in black armor, his eyes glowing with a sinister red light.

The moment their eyes met, Mukouda felt his breath leave his body.

Kaelgyr growled. "That man… is not normal."

Mukouda had no idea who that knight was…

But something told him that this was far from over.

And if they ever crossed paths again…

It wouldn't end well.