Viscount John's eyes studied Aidan as the boy pulled out a chair and settled beside Sophia.
"Aidan, this is Viscount John," she said, her tone light but with authority. "His lands touch the edge of the empire—right near the border—and he is also our neighbour."
Aidan offered a slight bow, his gaze steady as he met the viscount's eyes.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Viscount John," he said, a faint smile playing at his lips. "I've read quite a bit about your family."
His tone carried the ease of someone well-prepared, yet his words held genuine curiosity.
"I didn't expect we'd cross paths so soon."
Viscount John's brows lifted slightly, an intrigued glint in his eyes. He rested a hand on his chin, lips curling into a faint smile.
"Well, well," he said, voice smooth with amusement. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised by how well you handle yourself, young man."
He leaned back slightly, his gaze thoughtful.
"Believe it or not, the pleasure is mine, young man," Viscount John said, his voice carrying a note of genuine interest. "It's not every day one meets the heir of House Wilson—and to be the first, well, that's quite the privilege, even among nobles."
Aidan chuckled, his eyes briefly drifting past Viscount John. His voice grew a little heavier than he meant it to.
"What does it matter if someone meets me early or late, Viscount John?" he said, his tone casual but thoughtful. "Everyone has their own time for things to happen. Maybe our time to meet was fated."
The viscount paused at Aidan's words, then smiled slightly.
"Fate, you say? Isn't that too big a topic for a boy your age?"
Aidan smiled lightly before speaking, his tone thoughtful.
"Age, you say?" He paused, leaning slightly forward. "Age doesn't dictate maturity, Viscount John. While I can't say age is just a number, as it's true that people see and suffer through many things as they grow."
"Let me ask you something," Aidan said, his voice calm but firm. "Do you measure a man's worth by his years alone, Viscount?"
Viscount John fell silent, his lips pressed. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something—but Aidan spoke before he could.
"It's their behaviour, Viscount John. Their life lessons, their hardships, their philosophy, and their surroundings. Don't you think that matches the weight of what I'm saying?"
Viscount John took two slow sips of water, setting the glass down with a soft clink. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he looked at Aidan.
"It seems I underestimated you," he said warmly.
Perhaps it's not just me… many others will too, he thought, the smile lingering as his gaze briefly dropped in reflection.
Viscount John had subtly shifted the way he addressed Aidan. No longer "young man"—now "little heir." Though Aidan's position hadn't been officially declared, not yet, not before the age of ten, everyone already knew. It was unspoken but certain: he was the next in line.
Aidan shook his head slightly.
"There is no need, Viscount John, for any apologies. I just said what I felt. Anyway, I do wonder what could be so urgent to bring you here yourself?"
Aidan's eyes lingered on the viscount, a flicker of curiosity behind his calm expression.
Nobles didn't leave their estates on a whim—not without a summons, an invitation, or something arranged well in advance. Matters between houses were usually handled through representatives—spoken words carried by someone else.
Yet here Viscount John sat, in person.
Viscount John shifted in his seat, his eyes drifting toward Sophia as if asking if he should say it or not. Aidan caught the glance but dismissed it. Beside him, Sophia gave the faintest nod. Viscount John began to explain the purpose of his visit.
Aidan listened attentively, understanding the situation, interjecting a few moments for him to fully grasp the picture.
"I see… this Count Caleb sounds like trouble," Aidan said quietly, his brows knitting into a frown.
Aidan knew he wasn't in any position to help—even if he wanted to. But he also doubted the matter was as serious as it seemed. After all, it was just a piece of land. From what he'd understood from his mother's words, the only reason she hadn't sent a convoy or even a message was because there were deeper matters at play—something Count Caleb was still being investigated for.
Another reason being that she was going forward with the investigation while keeping imperial law in mind.
After explaining the situation, Viscount John turned his gaze away from Aidan, while the little heir fell silent, as if in his own thoughts.
Lady Sophia blinked, her gaze snapping away from Aidan to settle on the viscount.
Her eyes narrowed. "If you have no further matters to discuss, Viscount, you may take your leave."
"My apologies, Lady Sophia," John said, his tone calm but firm. "There is one more matter I'd like to bring up."
Sophia bluntly said, a bit irritated by the never-ending work, "Speak," her gaze looking straight at him.
For someone like Viscount John, it felt as if he had somehow annoyed Lady Sophia—though he had no time to dwell on why. He shifted focus, going straight to the matter at hand.
"Duchess, as you may know…" Viscount John's voice grew heavier, more deliberate. "The dark forest…"
The words barely left his mouth when he felt a sharp gaze land on him. He glanced briefly at Aidan, noticing his jaw clenched tight. Despite the noticeably unusual behaviour from the little heir, Viscount John continued, his eyes shifting to Sophia again.
"… It's surrounding. It has been behaving strangely for years. But recently, the situation has worsened." He paused, the weight of his words settling in the room.
"The mana that's been gathering there is… unlike anything we've seen before. It's starting to congeal—almost like mist. Something is happening, and we don't know what yet."
"The familiars also seem to be acting unusually," Viscount John continued, his voice lowering. "As if they're afraid of what's to come."
He took a deep breath, his hand reaching for his forehead. A thin sheen of sweat gathered there, and he looked at it for a moment before pulling out a handkerchief to wipe it away.
Lady Sophia remained silent, her eyes narrowing slightly. It was true—her familiar had also started acting strangely, almost as if it sensed danger.
Aidan who heard the dark forest name felt an unexpected chill run down his spine. For some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was going to see this dark forest… very soon.
In his vision, or in real life he just wasn't sure.