Curiosity tugged at me, so I leaned over Klara’s shoulder, trying to catch a glimpse of what she was scribbling. It wasn’t just a copy of my words, but something more—almost too perfect, like the kind of thing you’d find in a textbook. Maybe that was the Pope’s plan all along, introducing me to Klara so we’d end up writing a book together. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder why she’d summoned me here with such urgency. Even now, with a noble title to my name, it seemed there were still people who could pull me along by the hand, whether I liked it or not.
Or maybe it has something to do with the second sudden murder of a Cardinal, which threw a wrench in our appointment.
Whatever the reason, I tried not to let it bother me too much. The thought of sifting through piles of old, crumbling junk for years made my heart sink. Instead, I figured we could use our time for something better—maybe even start a draft for a magic textbook. I’d always wanted to write one, so I could point to it whenever someone pestered me with questions. With Klara here, eager as ever, it felt like the perfect moment to begin.
I shared my idea with Klara, and she lit up, her grin almost wild as she dove into her notes. I tried to ignore just how much energy she poured into it, focusing instead on dictating the beginnings of what might someday be my hit book:
Ruby’s Beginner’s Guide to Magic.
Time slipped away from us, the hours blurring together as Klara’s notebook filled with my words. I barely noticed how much we’d written until the heavy door to the vault creaked open, and someone I hadn’t expected stepped inside.
“Ruby?! Where the bloody hell are you?!”
It was Janus, his figure half-hidden behind a pile of rubble, impatience written all over his face. I had no idea why he’d come, but a guilty knot twisted in my stomach, as if I’d done something wrong. My voice came out hesitant when I answered him.
“I’m here, Janus!”
The moment he heard me, Janus hurried over, Elio trailing behind with that ever-present, amused smile. Janus’s expression softened a little when he saw me, but the anger hadn’t quite left his eyes. When he finally stood in front of me, I couldn’t bring myself to meet his gaze. His look felt heavier than any scolding.
“I have been worried sick. Do you have any idea how late it is?”
What? Had it really been that long? Only now did I notice the hollow ache in my stomach, a quiet reminder that I hadn’t eaten since breakfast.
“I’m really sorry, Janus. I didn’t mean to make you worry like that. Klara and I just got carried away, I suppose. How late is it? Noon, maybe? It’s hard to tell down here.”
Janus gave Klara an accusing look, which made her visibly shrink before he fixed his eyes back on me.
“Sigh, It’s way past noon; it’s actually about to get dark soon.”
Had we truly been down here for that long? Not that I think Janus would lie about something so small, but it still felt unreal. We must have let ourselves get swept up in the work, losing track of everything else.
“Then I’d better go, goodbye, Klara. We will finish the book next time.”
At least we’d made good progress on our first draft, so it didn’t feel like the day had slipped away for nothing. Janus clearly disagreed, though, taking my hand and leading me to the door with the weary patience of a parent dragging along a stubborn child. I let him, not fighting it, but just as we were about to leave, a thought tugged at me. I glanced back at Elio, who had been quietly smiling the whole time.
“Elio, tell Lucrezia that I want to start healing people soon. And if it takes longer than a week, I’ll start on my own.”
His smile faded, replaced by a troubled look, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. Maybe seeing those desperate pilgrims every day had worn down his compassion, but mine still ached for them. The thought of passing by them again today made my chest tighten.
Janus and I climbed out together, step after step, until we finally reached the surface. We passed through one of the grand entrances, and I paused for a moment, watching the setting sun paint the black Cathedral stone in streaks of orange, red, and a hint of purple. For a heartbeat, it almost looked too beautiful to be real, as if I was watching a wonder from another world.
I really had been down there for nearly a whole day. Guilt pricked at me, sharp and sudden. He must have been so worried. I might have learned to trust the church enough to believe they wouldn’t harm me, but Janus only had my word to go on. Maybe he’d even feared they’d changed their minds and I was in danger after all.
Janus led us to an already waiting carriage with, oh no, Joel and Collin as drivers and even the twins on horseback escorting the carriage, all armed to the teeth. It was enough that Janus was mad at me, but did the others have to be here? This is so embarrassing. Without even saying anything, I sat down in the carriage waiting for Janus, who was busy talking with his brothers.
“She is fine. Did you really have to ruin our evening just for this?” Jack asked, irritation in his voice.
But Janus wouldn’t hear it and replied,
“I think you can go one day without chasing skirts in some brothel.”
“Hey, not in front of Ruby; you are ruining my reputation.”
“You ruined that yourself, Jack,” said Joel.
Meanwhile, William could hardly hold back his laughter as he listened to his brothers bickering. Janus finally used that moment to enter the carriage as well.
“As if you are one to talk. Hey, Ruby, this fool has been begging me to take him with me every day now.”
“Don’t listen to this lying bastard.”
Now I had to hold back my laughter too, since I didn’t dare laugh in front of the still angry Janus. Their argument lasted almost the whole way back to the Yuwen estate, and I saw the three brothers in a completely new light.
After a quick snack and a bit of tossing and tumbling on the bed, Janus held me tighter than ever that night, as if afraid I’d slip away again if he let go. He barely spoke, just held me close throughout the night. Lying there, I couldn’t shake the ache of guilt—I could feel the tension in his arms, the way he only relaxed once I was finally beside him. I really had made him worry far more than I reckoned. I promised myself I wouldn’t let it happen again.
By the next day, I had almost completely forgotten that promise because today was promised to be truly awful, as I awoke in pure horror. It was the day for my first tea party.
