Prince Michaelli never questioned whether Tuk was hiding something—he knew she was. The real question was why. What drove her? What was she after? The only thing left to determine was when she would slip—and how he would make her do it.

He was certain she wasn’t after the scrolls. That much, he had already ruled out. But that only raised a far more interesting question: what was her real purpose? Was she another piece in the rebels’ little game, or something far more entertaining?

After the hunting competition, Tuk was frequently summoned for discussions on court matters, often centered on the prince’s relationships—a subject that never failed to irritate him. Yet, she danced through the court’s scrutiny as if she had studied the game for years. Predictable. But even the most rehearsed performances had flaws. He only needed to press in the right place to make her crack.

Michaelli escalated his tactics, drawing her into confidential meetings where he deliberately spread false information about a neighboring kingdom’s military plans. He watched for leaks, betrayals, any sign that she wasn’t what she seemed. Days turned to weeks, weeks to months—yet no cracks appeared.

Sitting in a quiet chamber, Michaelli turned to Vision, a Crimson Rank spy assigned to watch Tuk from afar. The warrior’s luminous eyes, like shards of ice, contrasted sharply against his dark skin.

“Anything suspicious?” Michaelli asked.

“Nothing at all, Your Highness,” Vision replied. “Except for her constant grumbling in the gardens, muttering complaints about the mundane tasks you assign her, and… cursing—” He hesitated, amusement flickering in his sharp gaze.

Michaelli arched a brow. “Go on.”

“She seems harmless—incapable of handling the task of an assassin or a spy.” Vision admitted.

“Harmless?” He scoffed, leaning back. “She’s something, but harmless isn’t the word. What did she call herself again… ah, a bait.”

A slow smile tugged at his lips as he tapped his fingers against the table. “And where exactly is this little bird pretending to be from?”

“The reports claim she’s from Elthor.”

“Elthor?” Michaelli echoed, his tone caught between disbelief and something darker—amusement laced with curiosity. “You mean to tell me she’s from a land where women are taught to bow before they can walk?” He let the silence stretch, then added, “Fascinating.”

“For now, your task is done. I’ll leave this matter in someone else’s hands. Continue monitoring the east.”

Vision bowed before he left. “As you wish, Your Highness.”

Vision moved like a shadow through the dimly lit halls, his footsteps silent against the polished stone floor. It was a skill honed over years of training—one that had kept him alive in the service of the empire. Yet, for all his discipline, his body betrayed him the moment he turned the corner and collided with someone.

It was her.

The impact was sudden. Instinct took over, and before he could think, Vision’s hands closed around her arms, steadying her before she could fall. A breath of silence passed between them, both frozen in the unexpected closeness.

Tuk recovered first. “Oops,” she said, a lopsided grin forming on her lips. "Did we just have a k-drama moment?"

Vision’s grip tightened for half a second before he released her and stepped back, his movements controlled, precise. The veil over his face concealed his expression, but his piercing gaze betrayed his irritation. He had been trained to move unseen, unheard—this blunder was unacceptable. How had she slipped past his awareness? His fingers twitched slightly, the only outward sign of his frustration.

Tuk, on the other hand, seemed unbothered. “You know, if you wanted to make a strong first impression, you could’ve just said hello.”

He said nothing, merely adjusting his veil. He needed to leave before she asked questions. Vision turned sharply on his heel, intent on slipping away into the darkness once more, but before he could take a step, Tuk’s hand shot out and grabbed his wrist.

The contact sent an odd jolt through him. He had spent years avoiding touch, wary of unwanted interactions because of his ability—but she was different. There was no hesitation in her grasp, no calculated movement—just an act of instinct, as if she had no concept of fear.

Then, it happened.

His eyes gleamed, a flicker of light catching in them as the world around him blurred. A vision surfaced—hazy but unmistakable. Tuk stood before him, her hand extended, smiling brightly. But something was wrong.

That wasn’t his hand she was holding.

Vision’s gaze snapped downward, and his breath hitched. His own form stood still, untouched, while another hand—someone else's—clasped Tuk’s wrist, fingers curling around hers with a familiarity that sent a shiver down his spine. A face followed, one he knew all too well.

A future not yet written.

"You okay?" she asked, her voice dropping slightly as she steadied him. Her grip was firm but careful, as if sensing something was off. "You... look like you've seen a ghost."

Vision inhaled sharply before steadying himself, shoving the intrusive image aside. Now was not the time for distractions.

"Who are you?" she asked suddenly, studying him with open curiosity.

Vision exhaled slowly, pushing the intrusive image away. He had no time for this. “No one of importance.”

Tuk tilted her head, her gaze lingering on him with undisguised fascination. "Really? Because someone with eyes like yours shouldn’t be lurking in the shadows." She took a step closer, studying him with exaggerated scrutiny before squinting playfully. "I mean, they’re kind of impossible to ignore—like frost catching the last light of dusk."

A slow grin spread across her face, mischief sparking in her eyes. "Very mysterious. Very dramatic." She tapped her chin in mock thought before pointing at him. "Oh! Love the tan skin, by the way. Do you train under the sun?

Vision stiffened. Compliments were a foreign thing. He should have ignored her. Should have stepped back. And yet, for the first time in a long while, Vision hesitated.

Vision exhaled slowly, his fingers twitching at his sides. "His Highness is waiting for you," he finally said, his voice low and measured.

Tuk flinched, the weight of those words snapping her out of the moment. "Right," she muttered, rubbing the back of her neck before flashing him a quick grin. "Duty calls."

She turned on her heel and sprinted toward the prince's office, but not before glancing back at him. "I hope we meet again, Moonlight Eyes."

Vision remained still, watching her disappear down the corridor. With a quiet exhale, he finally let himself fade into the shadows.

And yet, as he moved, one thought refused to let go.

If she’s not an enemy… then why was she standing beside him?