Chapter 185: Fires Sparking

The embers in the common room fireplace cast flickering shadows across the floor as Edwin, unable to sleep due to the day's excitement, crept towards the stairs leading to the sleeping quarters. He paused at the top, drawn by a hushed conversation coming from the dimly lit hallway below. Squinting through the darkness, he saw Lucian and Indra, their figures silhouetted against the faint light filtering in from the courtyard. Their voices were low and strained, laced with an emotion Edwin couldn't quite place. He strained to hear, catching snippets of their conversation. "...foolish..." Indra's voice trembled, "...forget it..." Suddenly, Indra leaned forward, and Edwin's breath hitched in his throat. He couldn't make out the details, but he saw a flash of movement – a touch, a kiss. Then, Indra retreated abruptly, her voice filled with shame. "I shouldn't have done that," she whispered, her words echoing in the stillness. "Please, forget it ever happened." Before Edwin could react,