The Hightowers were the most mysterious of the Four Grand Dukedoms.
Unlike the other three, Brightwater, Ravenscroft and Astranova, they preferred to keep entirely to themselves.
Their house almost felt as though it did not exist even while it very much did.
Perhaps that was why people often said the same thing about them.
They are there even when you do not see them.
Another reason for such whispers was the type of magic House Hightower specialized in.
They were masters of curses, divination and strange obscure magics most people found unsettling.
Within the Empire they were considered the foremost authority when it came to paranormal phenomena and ancient shamanic arts.
Some theorized they deliberately isolated themselves because they were secretly experimenting with forbidden magic.
No one ever proved such theories.
Mostly because anyone reckless enough to say such things publicly ended up dead.
It served as a simple reminder.
They were still a Great House.
Silence was not weakness.
And so the world moved on while House Hightower quietly protected its countless mysteries.
Damon had never once found reason to approach a member of House Hightower and frankly speaking he had never needed to.
They were never in his way.
He had no enemies among them and had no desire to make any.
Truthfully if every noble family behaved like the Hightowers then perhaps the world would be a much better place.
Of course there was the issue of Lord Hightower fathering a bastard child.
That being Emilia.
Still Damon doubted she had suffered too greatly, not that he was denying she had likely suffered in some way or another.
Terra Hightower wore a soft almost unreadable smile as she quietly observed him.
Then she tilted her head slightly.
"Are you thinking of my sister?"
She asked it so naturally it almost felt as though she had plucked the thought straight from his mind.
Damon shook his head slowly.
"Why would I be doing that?"
"Because people have a tendency to compare."
She lazily brushed a strand of blonde hair behind her ear before gesturing lightly toward herself.
"We look nothing alike and yet we share the same father. Noble society enjoys discussing such things."
Her lips curved faintly.
"The legitimate child and the bastard."
Damon kept his expression calm though internally he had no idea why she had decided to approach him in the first place.
"I assure you that does not interest me."
His answer came with deliberate boredom.
"Is that so?"
There was something faintly amused in her voice now.
"What does interest you? I am rather curious about the inner workings of your mind."
For a moment Damon simply stared at her.
Terra Hightower was undeniably beautiful.
Tall.
Elegant.
Curves in all the right places.
And yet none of those things were what stood out.
It felt like there was something wrapped around her.
A strange fog he simply could not see through.
Something hidden.
Something dangerous.
Damon instinctively tried to appraise her.
The only thing revealed to him was a single magical attribute.
Fog.
"Is that so."
He answered slowly.
She nodded.
"Yes."
Then after a brief pause she smiled again.
"Though I do wonder... between myself and my sister, who do you think is more beautiful?"
Damon glanced at her properly this time, unconsciously comparing the two sisters.
There was no doubt both women were beautiful.
But each possessed a completely different kind of allure.
Emilia was the cold domineering type.
The kind of woman capable of stealing an entire room’s attention simply by walking into it.
Terra was different.
Terra simply felt powerful.
Mysterious.
Beautiful in a way that unsettled him.
To put it simply.
She possessed the beauty of a snake.
A creature so mesmerizing one might stare in awe right until the poison entered their bloodstream.
Well... good thing I have poison resistance.
"Well?"
She asked softly.
"Which is it?"
Damon shrugged lightly.
"I can’t make judgments about a married woman. Especially a friend’s wife."
"Hmm."
She stared at him quietly.
"That is a lie."
Damon narrowed his eyes.
It would certainly be unpleasant if she possessed some kind of lie detection skill.
"Oh really?"
His voice remained calm.
"Is my reputation for recklessness that well known?"
She slowly shook her head.
"That is not it."
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"You do not think of Xander Ravenscroft as a friend."
The instant those words left her lips Damon froze.
Just for a fraction of a second.
His eyes became noticeably colder.
Of course he did not consider Xander a friend.
Xander was a blasted fool.
"Is that so..."
He whispered though internally unease had begun creeping up his spine.
She nodded softly.
"I heard the two of you had a falling out."
Then her smile deepened ever so slightly.
"Ah... unfortunate things keep happening to my sister lately."
She folded her arms behind her back.
"Now her newborn child has apparently been stolen straight from his cradle by some unknown figure."
Damon kept his face perfectly still.
No reaction.
No twitch.
No sign.
What was she implying?
Was she suspicious?
Did she know something?
No.
Impossible.
She couldn’t have found anything.
Then suddenly she stepped closer.
Far too close.
Because she was slightly shorter her lips were now near his ear.
Damon felt warm breath brush against his skin.
Then he felt her hand gently settle against his shoulder.
And she whispered.
"You have many secrets..."
A pause.
Then softer.
"But not nearly as many as Amon."
The world seemed to go silent.
In that exact moment Damon felt his entire body tense.
His gaze turned ice cold.
A thousand thoughts rushed through his mind at once.
Remorseless.
The skill activated instantly.
His emotions stabilized.
His heartbeat slowed.
His breathing normalized.
Then he turned his head slightly until his face was inches from hers.
"Is that so."
His voice was calm.
Dangerously calm.
"I happen to be interested in yours as well."
His eyes narrowed faintly.
"The secrets."
For several seconds she simply stared back at him, their faces dangerously close.
Then she smiled.
"In that case..."
She leaned back slightly.
"You agree to help us then."
Her eyes glimmered strangely.
"I do love men with mysteries."
A pause.
"You..."
Another pause.
"And Amon."
Damon blinked.
"...What?"
She tilted her head.
"The Princess offered for you to join us on our mission."
She clasped her hands together.
"We intend to hunt down the Unknown Order."
"The Unknown Order..."
Damon muttered, immediately feeling tension leave his body.
So that was what this was about.
"Yes."
Her smile remained thin and unreadable.
Just then another voice suddenly came from behind him.
"The Heaven Spear has already been prepared."
Abellona stepped forward with her usual composed expression, though Damon could immediately sense something dangerous hidden beneath it.
"We brought it with us."
She folded her arms beneath her chest.
"Of course..."
Her crimson eyes narrowed slightly at him.
"The Empire has a few conditions regarding its loan."
For reasons Damon could not explain...
He had never felt so relieved to see her.