Scarlett sat opposite Evelyne in the younger woman’s carriage as they traveled from Count Knottley’s estate, on their way back to the Hartford mansion for the night.

“…That went better than I thought it would,” Evelyne said after a while.

Scarlett looked away from the window and to the woman, considering her for a moment before giving a small nod. She then turned her attention back outside. “I suppose you are correct.”

It wasn’t as bad as she’d feared, at least. Although, if you asked her, the dinner had been somewhat awkward. Livvi had been the one that kept most of the conversation going. On more than one occasion, Scarlett had been unsure of what the proper response should be, and often, she had just leaned back on polite formalities in lack of anything better to say. Though she suspected it hadn’t always sounded as polite as intended.

Despite that, Livvi had kept a smile going almost the whole evening, and Scarlett had to admit that the diminutive woman’s cheerfulness helped to diminish some of the discomfort surrounding the whole situation. Perhaps that feeling was another remnant left behind by the original Scarlett, in some way. She’d noticed something similar the previous times she had interacted with Livvi. It was a bit like how things were with Garside.

She continued to vacantly observe the dark streets that passed by outside the window as they made their way into Freybrook’s northern district, her thoughts focused on the evening’s proceedings.

Eventually, she remembered something and turned back to Evelyne. “I had been meaning to inquire with you about how the matter of arranging passage to Faybarrow has gone. Did the merchant you were acquainted with agree to the arrangement?”

Evelyne looked up from a thin stack of documents in her hands. “Oh, right. Yes, I spoke with him this morning. The next time he was slated to visit Faybarrow was tomorrow evening, and he was supposed to return three days after that. He agreed to give the spot to you if you needed it, though we’ll have to compensate him for his losses.”

“That will not pose an issue. We are likely to gain far more from this venture than he could make in such a short period anyhow.”

The younger woman seemed to consider her for a few seconds. “You’re really expecting to find another set of Zuverian ruins, then?”

Scarlett nodded. “I am, yes. I trust that you have been in talks with the relevant members of Elystead Tower and the other mage organizations that might have an interest in buying what we recover this time?”

“Some of them, yes. Although I think the person I talked to from the Elystead Tower was the only one who truly believed me when I said we’d be making another discovery this soon. But they’re also the only ones that know we’re working together with one of their members on this, so…”

“That is quite all right. The opinions of the other factions will change after they see the fruits of this next excursion.”

“Are you sure you’ll be ready before tomorrow evening, though?” Evelyne asked. “That Mendenhall woman never said a specific time she would be here, did she?”

“She did not, no.” Scarlett shook her head. “But I sent her a message informing her that we were pressed for time. We will simply have to hope that she arrives on schedule.”

Evelyne shrugged her shoulders. “If you say so.”

The woman then went back to reading her documents.

Scarlett returned her attention outside, observing the young moon as it rose into the night sky.

A while later, as they were approaching the mansion, the connection to the [Obedience’s Solitude Loci] that now lingered at the back of her mind stirred. She shifted her eyes, gazing in the direction of that connection.

Not much had actually happened after establishing the connection earlier in the day. Or rather than ‘connection’, perhaps covenant would be a better description. The Loci originated in the Wandering Realm, after all, where fairies and other beings that struck covenants made their home. What she had made with the Loci probably wasn’t too different from that.

As for the Loci itself, she could feel that it was still familiarising itself with the estate and assimilating into the surroundings. She wasn’t sure how long it would take, but for the time being, she would just have to wait before testing things out further.

Soon, the carriage passed through the estate’s gates and up the graveled road towards the mansion’s primary structure.

“Ehm… Scarlett?” Evelyne spoke in an uncertain voice.

Scarlett turned to the woman, who had looked up from her documents, brows furrowed.

“Yes?”

“I wanted to ask…” Evelyne peeked out the window. “This was something I noticed when I picked you up as well, but there’s something different about the mansion today. I can’t quite put my finger on what, exactly, but I can tell it’s there. Is this because of something you’ve done?”

Scarlett eyed her. “…Your senses are quite astute,” she eventually said. “Yes, it is true that something has changed. It is related to the new custodian that I mentioned to you earlier today.”

“The reason you were talking to the gardener?” Evelyne asked.

“Exactly.”

“Who is this new custodian?”

Scarlett pressed her lips together. She wasn’t quite sure how to explain this part. “I suppose that it would be easier to show you.”

“Show me?”

“Yes. It is a rather unique situation, after all.”

The younger woman gave her a long look. “…I knew it was a good idea to stay quiet before.”

“…What is this?” Evelyne asked.

The woman stood next to Scarlett, and the two of them were in the hedge garden behind the mansion, looking down at the Loci on the ground.

“It is as I said.” Scarlett gestured towards the Loci. “That is the new custodian that I told you about.”

Evelyne turned to stare at her. “That’s a rock.”

“Technically, it is an emerald.”

“A very valuable rock.”

“It is quite valuable, yes.”

The two of them looked at each other for a few seconds.

Eventually, Evelyne sighed. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”

Scarlett nodded her head. “Indeed I am.”

“I can’t believe this is the sort of thing that’s becoming normal for me,” Evelyne mumbled, returning her attention to the Loci. “So, is it an artifact of some kind, then?”

“It is,” Scarlett said. “You can simply refer to it as the ‘Loci’. It has an ego of its own, even though it is not particularly developed.”

“You mean it can hear us?”

“In theory, it is able to hear anything that occurs within the boundaries of its domain, which coincides with the borders of the estate. Whether it can understand any of what it hears, however, is another matter.”

Evelyne’s eyes widened slightly at that. “Wait, everything?” She looked back at Scarlett. “So it even knows when we’re…” she trailed off, an uncomfortable expression on her face.

Scarlett frowned. She hadn’t even thought of that, and she would have preferred if it stayed that way. From her connection to it, she suspected that the Loci probably didn’t even understand how humans worked. But, still…

Could she perhaps exclude certain locations from the Loci’s domain, just to be sure?

Clearing her throat, she continued. “I will look into what can be done on the subject. But I recommend you do not pay it too much thought.”

Evelyne knitted her forehead together. “How am I supposed to do that now that I know? What even is the point of this? Are you trying to keep watch of the servants?”

“It is primarily to keep the people here at the mansion safe, and to ensure intruders do not make their way in.”

“This ‘Loci’ can do that?”

“It can, yes.”

“And you’re sure it’s not dangerous?”

Scarlett glanced at the Loci. Due to the covenant, it was practically glowing to her senses. “I am certain, yes.”

“…I’d prefer it if it wasn’t here at all, to be honest,” Evelyne said.

“An understandable sentiment. However, I ask that you trust in me when I say that it was a necessary addition to the estate under the current circumstances.”

The woman eyed her. “Is it to stop anything like what happened to the courtyard from occurring again?”

Scarlett met her gaze. “Yes.”

For a moment, Evelyne closed her eyes and massaged the bridge of her nose. Then she turned back to the Loci.

“…Alright. I think I understand. But do you think you could at least give me a report or something about exactly what it does and who it affects? I’d like to know what it is that we’re adding to the mansion in a situation like this.”

“I am currently familiarising myself with the details myself,” Scarlett said. “But I will endeavor to provide you with details as soon as I am able.”

“Thank you.”

“It is of no matter.”

“By the way, you should probably tell Garside about this as well. If this thing is going to act like some sort of custodian, then it would be good if he knew.”

Scarlett gave another nod. “I will do so.”

“Yes, well… Good.” Evelyne let out a shiver. The woman wasn’t wearing much more than her jacket at the moment, and it was cold this late at night. “I think I’m going to go in now. I’ll be leaving again in the morning, but I’ll check in with you first before I do.”

“Very well.” Scarlett greeted a short goodbye as Evelyne left, then returned her attention to the Loci. It almost seemed to pulsate slightly as she observed it.

Well, it was certainly an interesting artifact, at least. She was curious about how it would develop in the future.

Almost a full day later, Scarlett was waiting in front of the mansion as evening approached. She’d spent most of the morning and afternoon going through her office and parts of the library for documents related to her betrothal with Leon, but had yet to find anything of note. There had to be something though, so she would continue with it later, when she had the time. There wasn’t really a need to rush it, either.

With her arms crossed, she peered down to the estate gates, where a smaller cart had pulled up and was moving towards the mansion. Eventually, it reached and stopped close to Scarlett. A younger man in simple cotton clothing and a brown cap glanced at her and the large manor behind her somewhat nervously as he climbed down from the cart and walked to the back, where Adalicia stepped off.

The wizard was dressed in a thick blue robe that suited the declining weather, with a thick tome fastened to her waist. Next to her, the young man started offloading four wide suitcases from the cart.

“Miss Adalicia.” Scarlett walked over and greeted the woman before gesturing to her own carriage a short distance away from them. “I am afraid we have little time left for receptions. We will soon have to be off. Our passage through the Kilnstone is scheduled in less than an hour.”

A brief look of surprise crossed the older woman’s face, but she gave a short nod. “I apologize for the late appearance, then. I presume we’re leaving for the place you spoke of in the letters? My assumption had actually been that would not be for another day or two.”

“Unfortunately, this was the best I could arrange on such short notice,” Scarlett replied. The two of them started walking over to the carriage. She waved for two servants that were standing to the side to help carry Adalicia’s luggage over and place it in the trunk at the back of the vehicle. “I see that you have brought several belongings with you.”

“It’s equipment related to what we discussed last time. It’s not often one has the opportunity to explore what might be a set of undiscovered Zuverian ruins, untouched since The Severance.”

“I suppose you are correct.”

They climbed inside the vehicle, where the rest of the party was waiting.

“These are my retainers,” Scarlett said, gesturing to the others that were in the carriage’s cabin. “Miss Hale is experienced with healing and other supportive magic, and Fynn is quite proficient at protecting us from most that seek us harm. The other two are Mister Thornthon and Miss Astrey, members of the Shields Guild currently working under my employ to aid with excursions such as this one.”

“Pleasure to meet you all.” Adalicia smiled as she sat down next to Rosa. “I am Adalicia Mendenhall, a member of Elystead Tower.”

“I believe I have mentioned this before, but she is an expert that will be joining us this time,” Scarlett explained, taking a seat beside the woman. “She has experience in analyzing Zuver technology and their methods, so I am sure her assistance will prove beneficial for us in the coming days.”

The members of her party all greeted Adalicia. The woman’s attention seemed to pause on Shin as he greeted her. “Forgive me for asking, but you wouldn’t have any relations to the Kereq tribe?” she asked.

He blinked at the question. “My parents were part of it, but I mostly grew up in Wildscar,” he answered.

He seemed to examine her. Both their skin tones were slightly more tanned than what was most common here in the empire. “Do you have ties to them as well?”

“Oh, only barely. My grandmother hailed from the Steppes, and I spent some time hearing stories from her when I was young. But it is rare that I meet people with similar connections.”

“Mm. Same goes for me,” Shin said.

Scarlett observed the two for a moment, then shifted her attention out the window as her party started getting more familiar with the wizard. They were cutting it a bit close time-wise with leaving this late, but it seemed like they would make it.

It felt somewhat odd, leaving on another trip this soon after returning from Autumnwell. But at the same time, it didn’t. Most of her time in this world had been spent moving back and forth between different places like this in some fashion or other, so it wasn’t as if she hadn’t grown used to it. Not to mention that the ruin they would visit this time wasn’t close to as dangerous as Abelard’s Doll Mansion. With the support of a grand wizard on top of that, she was expecting things to be relatively calm these coming days.

As they traveled through Freybrook’s districts, Adalicia didn’t appear to have any issue blending in with Scarlett’s party. Eventually, they reached the square that housed the city’s Kilnstone.

There, they had to wait in line for around forty minutes—which was apparently a comparatively short waiting time for normal people, Adalicia told her—before it was their turn. The coachman handled the talks with the Kilnstone officials, and soon they were let through when it was their turn. Scarlett was accustomed enough to traveling through Kilnstone now that the teleportation itself barely caught her attention, and then they found themselves at their destination.

Like Freybrook, Faybarrow was located in the southern parts of the empire, housing a large harbor that opened into the Innisling Sea. The city itself was a lot smaller than Freybrook when it came to the area, but the population density seemed to be a lot higher as they saw masses of people walking about the streets even as it was quickly becoming darker.

“We will be spending the night at an inn,” Scarlett told the others as the carriage slowly made its way through the packed lanes leading away from Faybarrow’s Kilnstone. “Expect to rise early tomorrow morning. Most likely, most of the day will be spent on traveling to our destination and locating the specific coordinates for the ruins, so be prepared. I hope all of you took my warnings into consideration and brought something to entertain yourselves.”

“Which inn are we staying at?” Rosa asked.

“I believe it was called the White Armadillo,” Scarlett answered.

Evelyne had informed her it was one of the better inns in the city. At least of the ones you could get a room in without reserving weeks in advance, or simply having the right connections. Being a baroness still got her this much, though.

Rosa let out a low whistle. “That’s where a lot of fancy people stay.”

Scarlett looked at her. “You know of it?”

“I played there once.”

“Truly?” She studied the bard. “I will admit, that was not what I would have expected.”

“Oi.” Rosa leaned forward in her seat, looking past Adalicia and at her. “I can be sophisticated when I need to.”

“I have witnessed this ‘sophistication’ of yours,” Scarlett said. “I believe we have very different definitions of the word.”

Rosa shook her head exaggeratedly. “Oh, woe is me. Not even my dear employer—whomst with I have braved innumerable treacherous situations—has confidence in my ability to baroquely articulate myself in front of others.”

Scarlett raised a brow. “‘Baroquely’?”

The bard nodded confidently. “Baroquely.”

“You sound like one of those street performers who hold doll shows in Elystead,” Allyssa said with a grin.

“Why, you!” Rosa turned to stare at the girl. “You dare compare my oratory talents to the verbosity and crudeness of those commonplace performers?” She wiped away an imaginary tear. “Truly, all appreciation for pure art has perished.”

Scarlett stared at her. “Are you finished?”

Rosa cocked her head to the side, then nodded her head. “I think so, yes. Though I could probably push a few more out if you want me to.”

Scarlett raised her hand. “No, that will be quite all right. I do not believe anyone would wish to hear more of that.”

Adalicia seemed to have watched this interaction with slight amusement, and finally spoke. “I have been to that inn as well, actually. It is rather pleasant.”

“Is that so?” Scarlett shifted her attention to her. “Then I suppose I will have to take your word for it.”

“Oi!” Rosa gave her an aggrieved look.

Scarlett simply looked out the window again as the carriage continued traveling through the city, pushing down the small smile that had threatened to form on her face. It had been some time since she had genuinely teased someone and enjoyed it. Perhaps Rosa was rubbing off on her.