Chapter 123

ELIZA’S POV The sun filtered through the leaves as I led them through the path that opened to the estate's central courtyard. My voice was steady even though I was still angry at Isabella’s words. But I refused to let her throw me off. Not now. "This crest here," I said, pointing toward carving on the archway above us, "dates back to the Second Era. You’ll notice the intertwined serpent and flame motif. It was often used by noble families who had ties to both the Elemental and Shadow clans. But what’s most fascinating is that this specific design only appears in a handful of manuscripts. One in particular—the Fourth Edition of The Northern Chronicle." I saw Edmund tilt his head, intrigued. But before I could continue, Isabella spoke. "How would you know that?" she asked. I turned to her, "Because my father had the fourth edition. Bound in raven leather. It was a gift from my grandfather when he returned from the Northlands." The silence that followed was almost satisfying. Edmund’s bro