I wasn't sure taking the brothers with me was the right call. Luten and Elliot, both in dress uniforms, looked focused enough. But I could tell this was more adventure than serious business for them.

  Tarian sat across from us in silence, clearly uncomfortable in his brand-new uniform that looked more cadet than soldier.

  Our car crawled through the morning bustle. Luten, seated opposite me, kept stealing glances at Tarian. Elliot stared out the window, catching glimpses of houses and shops flashing by.

  We rolled into the market district. Always lively here: merchants shouting their deals while buyers haggled over prices. The air carried scents of fresh bread, roasted meat, and some kind of herbs. At one square, a man hawked healing elixirs. I caught Elliot craning his neck for a better look.

  "Stop gawking. Nobody's selling that crap to you."

  He smirked but turned away fast. Luten seemed oblivious—his eyes locked on street musicians. Several kids danced to their tunes, forgetting the cold.

  When we left the market, the old quarters began. Narrow streets, houses with high roofs, cobblestone roads. These streets always gave me an odd feeling, like time had frozen here.

  "Think they'll ever tear this district down, Alice?"

  Elliot had a clear interest in architecture.

  "Doubt it. It's history. These houses have stood longer than you've been alive."

  We emerged onto the grand square. It seemed endless. At center rose a majestic cathedral with pointed spires reaching skyward. Massive doors of dark wood, decorated with golden patterns, reflected the sun. The temple's placement emphasized spirituality and faith's dominance in city life.

  To the cathedral's left stood the parliament building. It looked massive and stern. White stone walls adorned with columns bearing the kingdom's crests. An enormous dome towered above the main entrance, and statues of the first parliament members stood before the building. Wide stairs led to massive doors behind which the state's fate was decided.

  On the right sat the magical library. Its facade featured carved statues depicting great mages. Even from outside it looked mysterious. Seemed like if you got closer, you'd hear pages whispering.

  The road from the square widened, becoming a straight avenue leading to the palace. But we stopped before the parliament building. The driver opened the door, and I stepped out first.

  "Ready?"

  Luten adjusted his uniform while Elliot tried to look serious. Tarian just stayed quiet, trying not to stand out. We climbed the steps, and the doors opened before us into the very hall where the state's destiny unfolds.

  A strict, rough voice sounded behind me:

  "Lady Alice Veil, glad to see you in good health. During your absence, no incidents occurred."

  "Thanks for the report, Heinrich. How's the situation on the streets?"

  "All quiet according to reports, but on the way to parliament, seemed too few people to me."

  "You're right, I noticed too. Prepare for the worst."

  "As you wish. We'll strengthen security immediately."

  Heinrich looked tired today. His uniform resembled Elliot and Luten's parade dress, but darker in color with epaulettes and a couple medals earned in service. We were at an official meeting after all. Heinrich himself had a thin build with a long nose and sandy hair.

  Our goal here was to take observer seats above the main hall so I could explain everything to the brothers. People kept stopping us on the way for conversations with me. But thoughts about the incident with Camelia days ago wouldn't leave my head.

  The streets aren't so peaceful now, and she was responsible for security in many districts. According to latest reports, after meeting me she and her escorts headed toward the stadium. They found all bodies except hers. Camelia vanished without a trace.

  One of my subordinates approached and spoke rather quietly:

  "My lady, reports are coming in, you'd better come with us."

  "Fine, escort the children to the History Hall so they can find something to occupy themselves."

  The History Hall served as a repository of knowledge on various topics. Of course, it had a restricted section, but diverse information could be found right on the shelves without any barriers.

  I descended to the security zone located in the building's basement. There were numerous rooms connected by wide corridors like a spider's web. Also many barracks where soldiers could rest or nap. Staff cafeterias, utility rooms. But I headed to main headquarters where we'd established a communication point with all important city locations.

  The room's door was made of thick metal. Inside everything differed drastically from the rest of the building. Multiple desks with typewriters and phones that never fell silent for a second.

  "Lady Veil, we're receiving multiple reports of crowds in the streets!"

  The communications officer looked up from his desk urgently.

  "Has the chancellery been informed?"

  "Yes, ma'am!"

  "Where are they all coming from? How many? Give me a briefing."

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  "First reports came twenty minutes ago, masses of peasants arrived at the capital gates. Guards were raised to alert, but they couldn't hold the gates. Nobody raised the bridges, sentries didn't respond, so the mob broke into the city. Supposedly only a couple thousand approached the city, but others might join them inside."

  "So, clearly not just peasants coming. What about the gate posts?"

  "We can't contact them, all forces are directed to protecting important facilities."

  I glanced through the small window in the corner—commotion had already started. The square was empty, too empty. Soldiers were indeed gathering near it. A couple thousand? I think they could gather no more than five thousand, but someone's clearly helping them...

  "Request sent to Rivermoor Garrison?"

  "Yes, ma'am, they can be here in ten to fifteen hours."

  "Too late, fine, we'll try handling this ourselves. What about the palace?"

  "Palace under reliable guard, no danger to the king. Internal wall security remained reinforced since the recent riots."

  Someone's rocking the boat. And we noticed too late. But who? If I could understand who did this, I could understand why.

  After a minute's thought, I started issuing necessary instructions. This took too much time, and I forgot about the brothers. Only later did I remember and went upstairs. Need to get them out of here.

  Reaching the first floor, I encountered more and more people. Many decided to try leaving for their residences. Others—to stay put. Staff tried removing valuables from windows and preparing for the worst. Politicians remained at their posts. Bill discussions should be in full swing now.

  In one corridor a flower caught my attention. Nobody else noticed it, but it was strange. A small violet flower had grown through the parquet inside the building. Only one person with such magic and access to this building could do this. But still I decided the children's safety took priority over investigation. Though silver hair flashed in the crowd.

  I headed toward the History Hall. My main task was collecting the brothers as quickly as possible. The street crowd was growing, and I understood everything wasn't going as planned.

  Luten and Elliot were at the hall's far end, engrossed in examining old engravings. Tarian stood near them, staying alert. He immediately noticed my approach.

  " Lady Alice, has something happened?"

  I still tried hiding my anxiety:

  "We're leaving. Now."

  Elliot rolled his eyes in annoyance.

  "Already? We just started..."

  "This isn't up for discussion. Follow me!"

  We quickly headed for the exit, but as we approached the door, a powerful explosion suddenly shook the building. The sound was muffled but deafening, and the floor seemed to sway beneath our feet. Luten instinctively shielded Elliot while Tarian drew his sword, standing before us.

  "What was that?!"

  I looked around, trying to determine where exactly the explosion occurred. Light smoke began rising in the corridor, and people ran from neighboring rooms in panic. Screams and footsteps intensified.

  "Stay close. Tarian, cover them."

  We moved toward the exit, but outside came the clang of alarm bells. Obviously, the guards decided to cordon off the building.

  When we reached the main vestibule, panic already reigned. People crowded at the massive doors, but nobody could leave. Outside, through large windows, I spotted silhouettes—a crowd of protesters had surrounded the square. Their shouts and drum beats drowned out even footsteps.

  An officer I knew hurried to me. His face was tense.

  "Lady Veil, we have a problem. Protesters have blocked all approaches to parliament."

  "How is that possible? They were just entering the city."

  "The mob's too large. They've taken main roads, and we're trying to contain them. Small streets might be dangerous."

  I clenched my fists, holding back irritation. The explosion was just the beginning, and now we're trapped, surrounded.

  "Fine, open the secure rooms, direct this circus there."

  "Yes, my lady!"

  I glanced at Luten and Elliot. They stood near Tarian, who watched everything attentively.

  "Alice, what should we do?"

  "Find shelter. That explosion might not be the last."

  We turned into a side corridor, trying to get away from the main crowd. Another boom thundered in the distance, stronger this time. The building's walls shook, and plaster rained from the ceiling.

  We passed corridor after corridor at a quick pace. At one point we crossed the main hall because the building had collapsed in the middle. At that moment I bumped into a fleeing parliamentarian, also the opposition leader in parliament.

  "Mr. Sebastian Marso, the nearest room is the other way, come with us."

  Sebastian looked disheveled and nervous.

  "Ah, oh yes. Lady Alice Veil. The most illustrious and magnificent House Veil. I... I was heading to my office."

  "And why were you going there?"

  "I... Um... I need to retrieve important papers, without them I can't finish my project."

  "Sebastian, please, better come with us. Papers aren't worth your time."

  I looked at him more carefully. Sebastian looked strange: cheap trousers, wrinkled shirt, dirty jacket. This wasn't his style at all. But what caught my attention most was a red flower, neatly placed in his jacket pocket. Wait.

  "Dear Sebastian, won't you tell me where you got that flower?"

  His face already looked frightened, but now he looked more like a teenager whose mother found out he'd been expelled. After a small stutter he spoke:

  "This flower? It's a small artificial flower, that's how an otherworlder I negotiated with a couple months ago described it."

  "An otherworlder... Let me remember."

  I'd read about this case. Sebastian was being watched and suspected of treason. All this time they found nothing strange about him.

  "Please milady, hurry to the room, it might be dangerous here."

  "A gift? Somehow I doubt otherworlders hand out such souvenirs left and right. What's happening, Sebastian?"

  He opened his mouth to say something, but suddenly footsteps sounded behind him. A woman appeared in the corridor. Her white hair and strict posture were familiar. Camelia.

  She looked perfect as always: dark blue dress, stern gaze, cold smile. But something was off. Her manners seemed too flawless, as if deliberately put on display.

  "Oh, Sebastian, what an unexpected meeting."

  Her voice was warm, but I caught barely noticeable tension in it.

  "Camelia? What are you doing here?"

  "Working, Lady Veil. Like you. Though our tasks might differ slightly."

  Her gaze shifted to Sebastian, and her smile widened.

  "But tell me, Sebastian, you haven't forgotten what we discussed?"

  He paled. His hands nervously fidgeted with his jacket.

  "I... I just..."

  I kept glancing at the children occasionally. They didn't know what to do but clearly felt the tension in the air. Luten and Tarian were ready to fight while Elliot wondered what was happening.

  I stepped forward, standing between them.

  "Sebastian? Explain yourself."

  Camelia just smirked.

  "Lady Veil, you're so strict. Must everything be laid out immediately? Sometimes it's better to leave... fog."

  "I'm not in the mood for riddles, Camelia. Clarify your purpose."

  I tensed, feeling her words grate on my nerves.

  "Really? And I thought you loved solving complex puzzles. Like, for instance, figuring out which of us here is the enemy?"

  Camelia's voice carried a subtle threat.

  "You didn't answer my question, Camelia. What are you doing here?"

  She didn't answer. Just looked at Sebastian as if expecting him to say something for her.