Valerie looked at him and could not help but feel her heart tighten. She stepped forward, gripped Andrew's hand, and said softly, "No matter what happens, I'll be by your side. So don't worry!"

…

"Sir, someone's here asking to see Mr. Johnston!"

An apprentice holding Andrew's handwritten letter bowed to the figure ahead.

The man turned around. He was tall and elegant with long hair cascading over his shoulders. He said flatly, "Harlan, don't you know Mr. Johnston is in seclusion? I already told you, he's not seeing anyone. Tell them to leave!"

The man was Roman Lawrence, one of Mount Lourneau's senior elders. He was Luther's eighth junior apprentice and currently managed Mount Lourneau's secular affairs.

Harlan Kopernik, the apprentice who had come forward, replied respectfully, "Sir, I know Mr. Johnston is in seclusion, but Ms. Reyes has come again. I figured since she isn't an ordinary person, I thought you should make the call."

Roman snorted. "So what if she's from the Reye