Chapter 1139

After dinner, Rafael and Carissa cornered Kyle, dragging him into the study. He was pushed into a chair, his escape thwarted by their flanking maneuver.

“This is undignified—utterly undignified!” Kyle protested, his tone laced with scholarly pretension. “Stop this pushing and shoving!”

Despite his objections, he remained seated, pinned by the curious gazes of his junior guild members. He sighed. “Ask your questions,” he grumbled.

Rafael spoke first. “We’ve noticed Isaac spending considerable time at Silverstone Estate lately. Is this an assignment from Sage Adrian or Sage Everett? Is Marshal Prince involved?”

Carissa followed, her tone more serious. “Isaac’s been looking at Vivi strangely tonight, and he’s no longer opposing her. It’s unusual. Do you know what’s happening?”

Kyle knew when discretion was needed. Isaac's background could remain hidden from most, but not from these two. Adrian had long ago confided in Kyle about Isaac’s past, suggesting occasional guidance. Life was unpredictable; some things shouldn't be clung to too tightly. He'd spoken to Isaac, who considered the Pathfinders Guild his family, dismissing any other concerns.

“Isaac is Oliver and Caspian’s younger brother, from the Earl of Silverstone’s family. Viola is his older sister, and Zoey is his sister-in-law. He’s been going back and forth due to trouble at the estate. Evelyn is ill and needs Snowdrop Pills, which he possesses.”

Rafael and Carissa were stunned. Their numerous theories hadn't included this.

Carissa gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. Lowering them, she asked, “How did he end up at the Pathfinders Guild? Did his father send him? Is Madam Prince his mother? Why hasn’t anyone looked for him?”

Kyle began, “It’s a long story, but I’ll keep it brief. His father, David Prince, the previous Earl of Silverstone, was obsessed with spiritual practices. When Isaac was born, David had just returned home, a decorated military man, to inherit his title.”

“For Isaac’s Lunar Blessing Ceremony, David consulted a spiritual master to interpret his fortune. The master predicted great fortune for the parents, but suffering for the boy himself. He suggested naming him Seraphina and raising him as a girl to protect him and ensure lasting prosperity.”

Carissa frowned, interrupting. “If Isaac’s fate was so detrimental, why raise him as a girl?”

Kyle hesitated, his brow furrowing. “The spiritual master claimed girls were worthless and easier to manage.”

Carissa almost swore but checked herself, this being far from the first such story she’d heard. In villages near the Pathfinders Guild, boys dressed as girls with feminine names were not uncommon. Villagers explained it was to protect precious boys' lives from jealousy and bad luck, similar to women hiding pregnancies to avoid jealous spirits. Even the Earl of Silverstone's family followed this belief.

Just how worthless could a girl be? she thought.

Kyle continued, “When Isaac was four or five, his health remained poor. Doctors couldn't cure him. The spiritual master, a charlatan, claimed Isaac needed a temple upbringing for divine blessing.

“At five, Isaac was taken to the master's remote temple, forced into labor. His fragile health couldn't withstand it. Months later, they expelled him. The charlatan still collected money from the Prince family annually.

“Later, Evelyn, missing him deeply, visited. The charlatan could no longer hide the truth. But when she arrived, the temple had burned down. A novice priest claimed Isaac started the fire, perished in the blaze, along with other novices.”

Kyle omitted many details. Those months at the temple were some of the most painful and unforgettable memories of Isaac's life.