Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 2566

Nightingale climbed the stairs to the third floor and walked straight into the man’s study. She set the keychain down on his desk. “I’m sorry, sir. I thought it was just a regular trinket, so I brought it to Hedya without asking you first.”

Gab was reviewing several documents in his hand. At her words, he glanced at the keychain, nodded mildly, and said, “Go back and stay with Hedya.”

“Yes, sir!” Nightingale answered respectfully, but her curiosity got the better of her. “If I may, Father Gab—may I ask who gave this to you?”

Gab slowly looked up from his papers. “Someone you know.”

Nightingale’s mind raced as surprise flickered across her face. “You’ve met Sylvia?”

Of all people, only she would pull a playful stunt like gifting Gab a keychain.

He gave a brief nod, his expression as unreadable as ever. “I have.”

Nightingale’s features softened with nostalgia. “Is she in Country C? Is she… doing well?”

Gab’s eyes lingered on the keychain. After a quiet moment, he replied, “She’s well.”

“That’s wonderful.” Nightingale smiled wistfully. “I know I’ll never see her again, but I’ll always remember her. If you ever meet her again, Father Gab, would you tell her I miss her?”

As she finished, she noticed an uncharacteristic warmth flicker across Gab’s face. He looked up at her. “I will.”

But when she looked again, his composure had returned—steady and reserved, as always. Nightingale almost thought she’d imagined it. She stepped back. “I won’t disturb you any longer. I’ll head back—good night, sir. Try to get some rest.”

Gab only murmured a quiet acknowledgment, lowering his gaze to the documents once more.

The night was peaceful. Only in the distance, beyond the training grounds, did bright lights still burn. Out there, men pushed themselves through endless drills, night and day, hoping to catch the eye—and the favor—of the most powerful man in Silver Valley.

Countless recruits passed through those grounds each year, but a rare few managed to become unforgettable.

Gab reached for the keychain, closing his hand around it before rising to return to his room.

Just a little longer—a few more days, perhaps, and he would have an answer for her.

***

Three days later

Gab was watching the trainees on the field when Bruce hurried over. “Gab!”

They made their way together to the observation tower’s lounge before Bruce spoke again. “Giles has been moving fast lately. Two days ago, he swallowed up a small arms dealer in Pesou. Yesterday, he made contact with an officially recognized mercenary group from Country H. They’re in the final stages of negotiating a major arms sale.”

Country H bordered Country C, and tensions along the frontier were running high. For Giles to sell a huge cache of weapons to Country H at a time like this—he must have sensed something was brewing.

Gab’s lips curled in a cold, dismissive smile. “He thinks having Country H at his back will keep him safe?”