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"That's a terrible system."

"I agree."

"Has anyone told him?" I ask.

"Repeatedly."

We reach the bridge overlooking the lower training grounds. Several Dawn Wing first-years wave as they pass. Caelen returns each greeting by name. Every single one.

"You know all of them."

"I'm supposed to." He looks at me briefly.

"You remembered everyone's name after two weeks?" "I remembered them before the semester started."

I shouldn't be surprised. He's always been like that. When I was little, he knew the names of every stable hand, every guard and every cook working in Father's estate. He used to tell me that people deserved to be remembered. I wonder where he learned that. Certainly not from Father.

"How's Dawn Wing?" I ask.

Caelen exhales. "Tired."

"Already?"

"They're good." He smiles proudly. "Just young."

I smile. "I know the feeling."

He bumps my shoulder lightly. "You'll stop feeling like you have to prove yourself."

"When?"

"I'll let you know."

The warmth between us settles into another comfortable silence. It's familiar. Safe. For a little while, I almost forget the journal hidden beneath the Academy. The missing pages. The carved catalogue. Almost.

"Eir." I look up. His voice has changed. Softer. More careful. "Something's bothering you."

"No."

He gives me a look. "The answer is yes."

"I've just been busy."

"I know."

I look down. "I don't know what you want me to say." "The truth." The words land gently. Not as a demand. An invitation.

I look away. Students continue crossing the bridge around us. Laughing. Talking. Completely unaware that somewhere beneath their feet, someone erased pieces of history with a knife. "I can't." I admit quietly. The answer hurts more than I expected.

Caelen doesn't respond immediately. He leans his forearms against the stone railing, looking out over the valley.

When he finally speaks, he doesn't look at me. "I'm not going to push." Relief and guilt arrive together. "But..." He turns his head slightly. "If it ever becomes something you can tell me I'll be here." No conditions. No disappointment. Just certainty.

I nod. "I know."

"And if it isn't something you can tell me." His smile returns, smaller this time. "Then I'll trust you have a good reason."

My throat tightens. "Thank you."