CHAPTER 3 - SILENT EYES
The night after the attack passed with an eerie stillness. Lucien didn’t sleep
He paced the balcony of his estate, shirt half-buttoned, cigarette burning between his fingers—but untouched
The world was quiet. Too quiet. Like it knew something had shifted
Inside the surveillance room, twelve monitors played a silent loop
Every hallway, every gate, every corner. But only one screen held his attention
She was alone in the eastern courtyard, kneeling, cleaning her gun under the moonlight
No wasted movement. Every motion sharp, practiced, brutal in its grace
Lucien leaned closer to the screen
Lucien D’Arcavo Delacroix (ML)
She doesn’t blink (Mutters to himself)
Daniel King (ML's Right Hand)
Would you, if you lived like her? (Standing behind him, arms crossed)
Lucien didn’t answer. He watched her adjust the sight on her weapon, test the clip, slide it into place without so much as a pause
Daniel King (ML's Right Hand)
She’s not like your old guards
Lucien D’Arcavo Delacroix (ML)
No (Barely a whisper) She’s not like anyone
At dawn, Lucien found her again
She was in the lower courtyard now, sharpening a blade with rhythmic strokes. Her expression was unreadable—stoic, focused
She didn’t acknowledge his approach, but he knew she heard him. She always did.
Lucien D’Arcavo Delacroix (ML)
You ever rest? (Asks her from a short distance)
Rhea Virelis (FL)
(Doesn't look up) Rest is a luxury. I don’t waste time on luxuries
Lucien leaned against the stone railing, watching her work
Lucien D’Arcavo Delacroix (ML)
I’ve seen killers, soldiers, and bodyguards. None of them move like you
Rhea Virelis (FL)
That supposed to be flattery?
Lucien D’Arcavo Delacroix (ML)
No, It's observation
Silence hung between them like a blade
Rhea Virelis (FL)
I need eyes at the eastern docks tonight, there’s movement in the dark
Rhea Virelis (FL)
Someone’s watching the estate
Lucien D’Arcavo Delacroix (ML)
Already doubled the men, But I'll put Daniel in, too
Rhea Virelis (FL)
You trust Daniel?
She nodded once, as if filing it away
Lucien D’Arcavo Delacroix (ML)
(Steps closer, voice lower) And what about you? Do you trust anyone?
He expected that. Still, hearing it made something in his chest tighten
Lucien D’Arcavo Delacroix (ML)
Not even me?
She stopped sharpening. Looked up. Their eyes locked
Rhea Virelis (FL)
I trust what you’ll do if I fail. You’ll replace me
Lucien D’Arcavo Delacroix (ML)
(Exhales slowly) You’re wrong
Rhea Virelis (FL)
(Eyes narrow) Am I?
Lucien D’Arcavo Delacroix (ML)
(Takes a step closer) I’ve never had anyone like you under my roof
Rhea Virelis (FL)
I’m not under your roof, I’m over your grave, if it comes to that
Lucien D’Arcavo Delacroix (ML)
(Smiles darkly) You talk about death so casually.
Rhea Virelis (FL)
I live beside it. It’s the only thing that doesn’t lie
Lucien D’Arcavo Delacroix (ML)
You always this poetic before sunrise?
She sheathed the blade and stood. Taller than he expected. Steadier than anyone had a right to be after everything she’d done the night before
Rhea Virelis (FL)
No, Usually I'm bleeding by now
Rhea Virelis (FL)
(Walks past him without another word)
And Lucien stood there, watching her go, realizing something that made his fingers curl around the railing
She didn’t need protection
But he wanted to protect her anyway
And that, he knew, was the first sign of danger
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