The first light of dawn was just beginning to spill through the tall windows of the von Trapp mansion as Johann quietly made his way down the hallway. The house was still and silent, the rest of the family not yet stirring from their beds. Johann, ever the disciplined naval officer, had always been an early riser, his internal clock finely tuned from years of rigorous training.

As he approached the staircase leading down to his study, a soft noise caught his attention. The faint sound of a window closing echoed from the direction of the bedrooms, specifically from where Georg's room was located. Johann paused, his sharp instincts kicking in. He stood still, listening intently, his eyes narrowing in thought.

The footsteps that followed were soft, almost tentative, as if someone was trying to move without being noticed. Johann waited in the shadows, watching the hallway carefully. A few moments later, the door to Georg's room creaked open slightly before being carefully shut again.

Johann remained in place, his mind turning over the possibilities. Georg's door had opened, but there had been no sign of him coming down the stairs. That meant his son had just entered his room, not exited it. But where had he been at such an hour? The question hung in the air, and Johann couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that accompanied it.

As he stood there, his thoughts began to zero in on one possibility. The gardener's cottage. It was the only place nearby that made sense, given the direction Georg had come from. Johann's brow furrowed as the pieces started to fall into place. Georg's late-night excursion had likely taken him to see Maria.

The realization made Johann's jaw tighten, but he forced himself to remain composed. He didn't confront Georg, though the urge was strong. Instead, he continued down the stairs, his expression carefully neutral as he entered his study.

Once inside, Johann closed the door behind him and moved to his desk, the heavy oak furniture offering a sense of solidity as he sat down. His study was his sanctuary, a place where he could think clearly and plan his next moves. As he settled into his chair, Johann's mind raced with a mixture of concern and determination.

Georg's actions confirmed what he had feared—the boy's attachment to Maria was stronger than he had realized. Johann had hoped that his son's affection for the gardener's niece would fade with time, but it was clear now that this was no passing fancy. Georg was willing to defy him, to risk his future, for the sake of this relationship. He stood and pulled on the brass bell. As the butler entered the door, Johann requested that the gardener be summoned.

Moments passed by as the heavy wooden door creaked as it opened, and Franz, the von Trapp family's gardener, stepped inside with a wary expression. He was a man in his late fifties, with graying hair and a weathered face that bore the marks of a hard life. Years of labor in the gardens had given him a rough, stoic demeanor, but there was a flicker of unease in his eyes as he faced Johann.

"Franz," Johann began, his voice steady and authoritative as he gestured for the gardener to take a seat. "I have something important to discuss with you."

Franz nodded slowly, his movements careful. He had known Johann von Trapp for over a decade now, and though he had initially resented working for the man, he had come to understand the value of loyalty—especially when it was tied to a roof over his head and a steady wage. Johann had helped him out of a deep hole years ago when his debts from drinking and gambling had nearly swallowed him whole. Becoming a gardener for the von Trapp family had been his only way out, and he had worked hard to prove his worth. The thought of being indebted again made Franz uneasy, but he also knew that his position here was not something to take lightly.

"What can I do for you, sir?" Franz asked, his voice gruff but respectful as he took the offered seat.

Johann leaned back in his chair, his piercing blue eyes never leaving Franz's face. "I have reason to believe that my son, Georg, has been visiting your niece, Maria, late at night."

Franz stiffened, his gaze flickering with a mix of surprise and something darker—something protective, perhaps, though it was difficult to discern. He hadn't expected this conversation, but he knew better than to show his cards too soon. Instead, he kept his expression neutral. "I wasn't aware of any such visits, sir," he replied carefully. "Maria's a good girl. She keeps to herself most of the time."

Johann nodded, acknowledging Franz's words, but his expression remained stern. "I believe she is, but I also believe my son's affections may be leading him down a path that is... less than suitable for his future. I need to know the truth, Franz, and I need your help to find it."

Franz swallowed hard, understanding the weight of the request. He knew that Johann was not a man who made idle threats or requests. This was serious. Yet, there was a pang of guilt twisting in his gut. Maria was his niece, after all, and despite their strained relationship, he didn't relish the idea of betraying her. Still, Johann had helped him out of a terrible situation once, and his loyalty—complicated as it was—lay with the man who had saved him from ruin.

"What exactly do you need from me, sir?" Franz asked, his voice low.

Johann leaned forward, his expression intent. "I need evidence, Franz. Proof that Georg has been visiting Maria's room. Something that can confirm my suspicions without any doubt."

Franz hesitated, the internal struggle evident in the way his eyes flickered down to the floor for a brief moment before he looked back at Johann. "With all due respect, sir, I've never known Maria to be the kind of girl who would invite a man into her room. She's... well, she's not like that."

Johann's gaze hardened, though he kept his voice measured. "I understand your hesitation, Franz. But this is not about Maria's character. It's about ensuring that my son's future remains on the proper course. I need to protect him from making a mistake that could cost him everything."

Franz felt a knot tighten in his chest, the words hanging heavily between them. He didn't want to be the one to confirm Johann's suspicions, but he also couldn't refuse the man who held his livelihood in his hands. Johann had been good to him, offering him work and a place to stay when no one else would.

"I'll see what I can do," Franz finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. He felt the weight of his decision settle over him, knowing that whatever he found—or didn't find—could change everything for Maria.

Johann nodded, a small, satisfied smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "That's all I ask, Franz. Do this, and you'll have my gratitude. And remember, this must remain between us. No one else can know what we're discussing."

"Of course, sir," Franz replied, rising from the chair. He gave a curt nod and turned to leave.

⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

Franz waited until he was certain that Maria had left the cottage, heading off to her job as a companion to an elderly woman in the village. He had never paid much attention to the details of Maria's work; to him, it was just another way she contributed to the household, and it kept her out of his way. Today, though, he was grateful for her absence. It gave him the opportunity to carry out Johann's request without interruption.

As he approached Maria's room, Franz felt a cold detachment settle over him. Any lingering guilt he might have felt had been pushed aside by the promise of Johann's reward. Money had always been a powerful motivator for Franz, and if finding something incriminating in Maria's room would secure his future, then so be it.

He opened the door to her room slowly, stepping inside and closing it behind him. The room was small and modest, just like the rest of the cottage. The small, sparsely furnished space was simple and unassuming, much like Maria herself. She had kept it neat, with a few personal items carefully arranged on the small desk by the window. Franz's eyes scanned the room, searching for anything that might confirm Johann's suspicions.

He started with the desk, rifling through the drawers with methodical precision. Old letters, a few small trinkets, nothing out of the ordinary. But as he reached the bottom of one drawer, his fingers brushed against something that felt out of place—a small piece of folded paper. He pulled it out and unfolded it, his eyes narrowing as he recognized Georg's handwriting.

It was an address. Franz stared at the paper for a moment, realizing that this was exactly what Johann had been looking for. A direct connection between his son and Maria, something that would undoubtedly raise Johann's concerns even further.

Franz folded the paper back up and slipped it into his pocket, his face expressionless. He didn't linger in the room any longer than necessary, quickly putting everything back in its place before leaving as quietly as he had entered.

The walk back to the von Trapp mansion felt longer than usual, but Franz kept his mind focused on the task at hand. When he reached Johann's study, he knocked on the door and waited for permission to enter.

"Come in," Johann's voice called from within.

Franz stepped inside, closing the door behind him. Johann was seated at his desk, his gaze sharp and expectant as he looked up at Franz.

"Well?" Johann asked, his tone laced with anticipation.

Franz reached into his pocket and pulled out the folded piece of paper, handing it to Johann without a word. He watched as Johann took it, unfolding it carefully and reading the address written in Georg's familiar script.

For a moment, Johann said nothing, his eyes fixed on the paper. Then he looked up at Franz, a satisfied glint in his eyes. "Good work, Franz. This is exactly what I needed."

Franz nodded, his face impassive. He knew better than to ask what Johann planned to do with the information. It wasn't his concern. All he cared about was the promise of payment.

Johann reached into a drawer in his desk and pulled out a small pouch, the leather of the pouch audible as he handed it to Franz. "Here's your payment," Johann said, his tone dismissive. "You've done well. I trust you'll continue to keep this matter between us."

"Of course, sir," Franz replied, taking the pouch and tucking it away without bothering to count the cash. He knew Johann was a man of his word, and the weight and thickness of the pouch told him all he needed to know.

As Franz left the study, he couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and unease. The money was a welcome addition to his meager earnings, but there was a nagging sense of foreboding in the back of his mind.

Back in the study, Johann leaned back in his chair, the address still clutched in his hand. His mind was already working through the next steps of his plan. He would use this information wisely, ensuring that Georg's attachment to Maria would not interfere with his future. The von Trapp name and legacy were at stake, and Johann was prepared to do whatever it took to protect them.