Rayleigh was left by himself, stunned. The usually bright, airy balcony full of colorful birds and plants turned colorless and claustrophobic.
A blue bird sat on Rayleigh's head and started relieving itself.
"Just my luck... So much for it being a paradise," the commander said as he put his face in his hands.
"Well, that's just hilarious, Rayleigh. You never cease to entertain" a voice came from the stairs. Between the statues stood duchess Melissa, wearing a smirk on her face.
"I'm really glad I could provide amusement for you, my lady" said Rayleigh while brushing away the bird's droppings from his hair.
"Well, in these trying times comedy is always welcomed. I see you spoke to uncle, mind sharing your conversation?" Melissa hid her face partially with a feathery fan while she entered the garden.
"Curiousity is a dangerous thing these days, duchess. I hear spies lurk around especially in castles," Rayleigh replied calmly.
"I hear spies don't lurk in castles as much these days. They're more interested in science labs and military academies," Melissa retorted with a smile.
Rayleigh took in a long breath, getting tired of this verbal game of chess. He didn't have the time for this.
"Duke Tiordan plans to punish Ereya. I don't know what he plans to do but be on alert. You should visit Ereya in the hospital."
That took Melissa by surprise and for a moment her cheeks flushed, turning bright red.
"I don't need to hear it from you. I had already made plans to visit Ereya. Of course I'll protect my niece !"
"I'm sorry to have offended you, my lady. I'm happy to know Ereya will be in your care. I'll take my leave then."
"Wait, Rayleigh. Do you think we ever had a chance? Us...together?" Melissa showed a rare moment of vulnerability.
"There was no chance from the start. I'm sorry." Rayleigh said while passing by Melissa and going down the stairs.
Melissa stood above the stairs, with a saddened look on her face. She looked hurt.
"You're not sorry. Liar."
***
After such a catastrophic event, being a commander of the Anti-Terrorist military unit, Rayleigh wouldn't have time to himself for the foreseeable future.
Now in his office, Rayleigh could finally catch his breath, or so he thought. A female officer handed him a holographic document.
"What is this?" Rayleigh asked, loosening his collar.
"Sir, this is the information we gathered up on the terrorist. We're still in the investigation phase."
Rayleigh hovered his hand above the hologram in order to get it scanned. Once it passed the scanning, he gained access to the top-secret file.
"No wonder. His personal information is almost blank. Here are just attacks that might connect to him. But there's no full name, current location or family record."
"Commander, we think that's the reason the Rising Dawn elders chose him for this job. His personal information is nonexistent. That's the reason for his long history of assassinations. He was never found out."
"An assassin hiding in the shadows, eh? The elders chose well. He's perfect for their dirty job." Rayleigh smiled grimly.
"Sir, should we send Zebed? This terrorist is highly skilled and the only thing we know about him is the name he currently goes by..."
"Ghalv." Rayleigh whispered to himself, frowning.
The commander threw the holographic device against the wall and left the office. Ghalv's holographic file flickered for a moment and then shut down.
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