Chapter 1349

Hayden stood frozen, staring at the shards of his broken cup scattered on the floor. The pieces weren't particularly sharp, but they could easily tear skin, perhaps even slit a wrist. Slowly, he bent to pick up a fragment, his mind lost in a haze of dark thoughts. Before he could move further, a hand gripped his wrist, pulling him back sharply.

"Be careful, Your Highness. You'll cut yourself," a voice cautioned.

The sudden pain in his wrist intensified as the grip tightened. The shard was swiftly removed from his hand. The man who appeared was dressed in black, his silhouette swallowed by the shadows, seemingly a part of the darkness itself. Hayden had no idea how many such individuals served in his household. Everywhere he went, he felt the weight of unseen eyes upon him.

These people were more than skilled; their martial arts were advanced, their inner force formidable. They wielded weapons and hidden blades with frightening precision. Even with Violet and the others nearby, the pressure never lessened. He'd hoped Violet and her companions might sense these watchers, but they were like ghosts—silent, invisible, untouchable. Yuvan's suicide soldiers were nothing compared to them.

When the man released Hayden's wrist, dark bruises were already forming. He felt utterly powerless, even in the face of his own death. Despair flooded him as he sank to the floor. The man in black showed no concern and vanished into the shadows.

The next day, Violet and her companions prepared to leave Willowbrook Estate. Before departing, Violet bid farewell to each person individually. She thanked Hayden, Chaya, Sonny, and lastly, Gordon. Standing before Gordon, she smiled warmly. "While we were staying at the manor, the hardest work fell on you. You took care of everything—food, drinks… When I have more time, I’ll invite Prince Hayden and all of you to the Glimmering Tower for a meal."

Gordon, his back slightly hunched, smiled humbly. "Please don't mention it, Ms. Spencer. It's our duty. You shouldn't trouble yourself over such things."

Violet waved her hand dismissively, her smile bright. "No trouble at all! It'll be a pleasure. You're doing us a great favor."

Gordon thanked her repeatedly, smiling as he saw them to the gate. As Violet turned to leave, she saw Hayden standing in the morning light. His initial expression lacked warmth, but he forced a smile when she looked back. He seemed more worn than usual, the signs of a sleepless night etched in his eyes.

Violet ran back. "Take care of yourself, Your Highness. You should throw that pipe away."

Hayden's gaze lingered on her. He seemed to want to convey a message, but knew the unspoken rules. He remained silent, his expression heavy with unspoken thoughts, before finally saying, "Don't worry, Gordon and Chaya will keep an eye on me."

Violet returned his smile, her eyes twinkling. "Good, then rest easy."

The three rode off, laughing and chatting about their stay at Willowbrook Estate. Their conversation ceased only upon reaching Bell Monarch Estate. They dismounted, handed their horses to the stableman, and quickly entered without a second glance.

Unlike their departure from Willowbrook, they now felt watched from the moment they mounted their horses. This unsettling feeling persisted. They'd hoped to see Carissa before leaving, but learned she'd already departed for Capital Guard headquarters at dawn.

They informed Jacob and Kyle of their unsettling feeling about Gordon, believing his martial arts skills were more advanced than they appeared. Violet turned to Bun and Cynthia, her expression serious. "There's something else I'm wondering if you two noticed. When we left, I told Prince Hayden to stop smoking his pipe. He said Gordon and Chaya would be watching him. That can't just be my imagination. He meant it literally."

Cynthia paused, recalling. "I think he did say that. But Chaya should be fine, don't you think?"

Bun nodded slowly. "Chaya should be harmless, but his mention of Gordon raises a red flag. It makes me wonder if Prince Hayden was trying to warn us."

Violet agreed, her face hardening. "Yes, it's highly likely. I can't shake the feeling that Gordon is no simple man. It also felt like we were being watched on our way back."

Jacob and Kyle exchanged a glance. Gordon might actually be Nicholas, who'd already entered the city. If so, the Nicholas supposedly keeping an eye on things in Nerovia—sipping wine and listening to music—was an impostor. It was a clever distraction. Jacob quickly sent a message via carrier pigeon to the scouts in Nerovia, instructing them to expose the false Nicholas.