Page 1 of Eternal Thorns

PROLOGUE

Silas' fingers trembled as he laid out the documents across his study desk. Each page contained enough evidence to destroy not just careers, but entire noble houses. The lamplight caught on official seals and elegant signatures, making the corruption they represented somehow worse.

“You don't have to do this,” Kai said from his position by the door. His friend's face held equal parts pride and fear. “Once you send these to the Crown investigators, there's no going back.”

“Look at this.” Silas held up one particularly damning contract. “House Blackthorn agreed to redirect aid meant for drought victims. Three villages starved so some nobles could line their pockets.” The paper crinkled in his tightening grip. “And my father signed off on it.”

The evidence had started appearing on his desk two months ago. Small things at first - discrepancies in aid distribution, unusual patterns in trade agreements. But as he dug deeper, following paper trails through the family archives, a pattern of systematic exploitation emerged.

“They'll exile you for this,” Kai warned. “Best case scenario.”

“I know.” Silas stared at his reflection in the window, wondering if he'd recognize himself after this choice. “But I can't just watch while they destroy people's lives.”

His quarters in the family manor felt suddenly oppressive, centuries of Ashworth portraits staring down at him with painted judgment. The corruption he'd uncovered went deeper than simple greed. House Ashworth, along with their noble allies, had spent generations building a network of exploitation that would make any crime lord proud.

A knock at his door made them both jump. “Master Silas?” Old Jameson's voice carried genuine concern. “Your father requests your presence in his study. Immediately.”

“Fuck.” Silas gathered the most damning documents into a leather folio. “They know.”

“Here.” Kai pulled a sealed letter from his jacket. “My contact in the Crown Investigation Bureau. Get these to her tonight, before they can stop you.”

Their eyes met in perfect understanding. They'd grown up together, servant's son and noble heir, sharing secrets and dreams. Now they shared something more dangerous - the choice to do what was right over what was safe.

Silas moved through the manor's shadows with practiced stealth, leather folio clutched against his chest. Growing up here had taught him every secret passage, every squeaky floorboard to avoid. Tonight, that knowledge might save more than just his pride.

The evidence inside the folio felt heavier than mere paper. Trade agreements showing redirected aid meant for drought victims. Contracts detailing systematic exploitation of border towns. His father's signature appeared on too many pages, each elegant stroke damning House Ashworth further.

“Coast is clear.” Kai's whisper barely carried from his position at the corridor's end. His friend had spent yearsperfecting the art of invisible servitude - now those skills served a higher purpose.

Moonlight painted silver paths through leaded windows as they crept toward the servants' entrance. The night guard's routine gave them exactly seven minutes between rotations. More than enough time, if nothing went wrong.

A floorboard creaked overhead. They both froze.

“Someone's in the library,” Kai breathed.

Silas nodded. His father often worked late, reviewing contracts and negotiations. But the footsteps sounded wrong - too quick, too purposeful. Someone else was awake tonight.

They pressed against the wall as a figure passed the connecting corridor. Cousin Regina's pearl necklace caught moonlight as she hurried toward his father's study. Her usual smirk was replaced by grim determination.

“She knows,” Silas mouthed to Kai. Somehow, she'd discovered what he planned to expose.

“Back stairs,” Kai gestured. “Now.”

They abandoned stealth for speed, taking the narrow servants' steps two at a time. Behind them, voices rose in alarm. Regina must have reached his father's study and found the preliminary evidence he'd planted there.

The kitchens offered multiple exits, all well-oiled by staff sneaking out for midnight liaisons. Silas headed for the pantry door while Kai went for the main entrance - splitting up would confuse any pursuit.

“Crown Investigation Bureau offices,” Kai reminded him. “Ask for Inspector Chen. She's expecting you.”

“Be careful,” Silas gripped his friend's shoulder. “They'll question the staff first.”

“Please.” Kai's grin carried more bravado than humor. “I've been lying to nobles since I could talk.”

Shouts echoed from above as Silas slipped into the garden. He kept to the deeper shadows, grateful for the moonless night. The folio's contents would shatter carefully maintained alliances, expose generations of exploitation. His father would never forgive him.

But the evidence was real. The suffering it documented affected real people who'd trusted the noble houses to protect them. Some prices were worth paying, if they bought even a chance at justice.

Guards ran past his hiding spot, torches cutting through darkness. He counted their footsteps, waiting for the perfect moment. When their light faded, he ran.

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