Lucius approached with light steps, as if he was floating. His dark robe seemed to have gotten darker, swallowing the faint rays of sunlight piercing the curtain. His tall figure exuded a menacing aura.

Philamina instinctively moved closer to me. Her innocent demeanor was replaced by a flicker of unease as she glanced between Alphonso and Lucius.

“Sir Lucius,” Alphonso said, stiffening but maintaining his composure, “I meant no harm. I was merely offering Lady Mia some advice.”

Lucius’s lips curved into a sinister smile. “Advice?” he mused, stepping closer where we sat. “How noble of you. But I would appreciate it if you don’t overstep next time. After all, you cannot compare to me, can you Senior Knight?”

The tension in the room was suffocating. Alphonso’s jaw tightened, but he said nothing further, his silence speaking volumes.

“Sir Lucius,” I said steadily, “Why are you here?”

He turned his piercing gaze on me, and for a moment, I felt as though he could see straight through my soul. “Why else, Lady Mia?” he said, his tone cryptic. “I heard of the incident with that knight, so I came to check on your condition my Lady”

“I am fine, as you can see,” I replied, forcing a calmness into my voice.

He tilted his head slightly, as if considering my words. “Fine?” he echoed. “You do not look fine, Lady Mia. You rather look...conflicted.”

“I assure you that I am well. I just need some rest,” I replied coldly. “Do not trouble yourself about me any further.”

Philamina stepped forward.

“Sir Lucius, please. Lady Mia needs to rest. If you have no urgent business here, I must ask you to leave.”

His face was hidden under his cape, but I could detect his gaze fixing her. And for a brief moment, I saw something almost imperceptible in his complexion – amusement, perhaps.

“As you wish, young Mistress,” he said with a mocking bow. “I will take my leave. For now.”

He turned to go but paused at the door, glancing over his shoulder. “Let me give you a real piece of advice Mia, not all who smile to you are your allies. The path you walk is treacherous and quite unique. So beware of your surroundings.”

With that, he disappeared into the corridor, his presence leaving a lingering chill that seemed to seep into the walls.

Philamina exhaled shakily.

“I don’t know how my brothers deal with him, but something about him feels... off.”

“Lady Mia,”Alphonso said after a moment, “You would do well to heed his warning, even if it seems absurd. Sir Lucius is not a man to be crossed lightly.”

I nodded slowly, the weight of his words sinking in.

*****

I spent this night alone. Philamina seemed exhausted so I insisted she return to her room for proper rest.

The quiet enveloped me as I sat in the vast, luxurious room. Despite its grandeur, spacious and beautiful furnishings, I hadn’t yet taken the time to appreciate it. Tonight, I can do it.

I wandered through the room, letting curiosity guide me. My fingers trailed across polished surfaces and intricate carvings as I explored. Eventually, I made my way to the grand closet.

When I opened it, I froze. Inside, to my astonishment, was an assortment of male clothing.

“Now that I think of it…This is Aloen’s room!” I realized, a flush of embarrassment creeping up my cheeks. “He is more of a gentleman than I thought. He let me sleep in his bed after finding me half-dead, I suppose, Hahaha!”

A nervous laugh escaped my lips, breaking the stillness of the room. Yet, as the thought settled, curiosity began to prick at the edges of my mind.

My eyes wandered back to the neatly arranged closet, then to the drawers nearby. Should I? The question lingered, tempting and mischievous.

Thinking back, he had already broken into my apartment, and rifled through my drawers without an ounce of hesitation or shame. The memory made me huff in annoyance.

“Fair is fair, isn’t it?” I muttered under my breath, glancing toward the drawers. “If he can invade my privacy, surely I can return the favor...for investigative purposes, of course.”

What secrets could Aloen possibly have? I was dragged into this, without knowing where I am nor what these people are!

I sat on the floor, my head full of rushing thoughts. As I stared at the ceiling, something shiny caught my attention from under the bed. I bent down and reached for it, pulling out a leather-bound book. Its cover was dark and aged, with no titles or markings to give it away.

I opened it slowly, careful not to damage the fragile pages. If I could guess, it would be a bedtime story, since it was hidden under the bed?

The first page was blank. So was the second. And the third. Page after page revealed nothing. The book was entirely blank.

I furrowed my brows, flipping through the blank pages with growing confusion. Its cover was mysteriously appealing, yet it held no content at all. At least no visible words or images, nothing.

I paused, holding the book open to the center, and tilted it under the light. Maybe there was something invisible, that could only be seen under specific conditions. My curiosity gnawed at me. What kind of code is this?

I slid the book back under the bed, too tired to guess. With a sigh, I turned my attention to the drawers.

But to my surprise, they were empty.

I walked back to the closet I had opened earlier, where I’d seen the neatly arranged men’s clothing.

Empty.

The racks and shelves were completely bare. Not a single item remained.

“What the hell?” I muttered, stepping back in disbelief. “I could swear there was a pile of men’s clothes here earlier!”

My pulse quickened, and a chill prickled the back of my neck. I scanned the room frantically, my thoughts racing.

Wait a minute…Something felt off.

I stood there, perfectly sober, perfectly awake, and undeniably alone in this room. The only possible explanation is that I am being watched

Or...the room itself was alive.

As this thought came to my mind, I felt the walls silently observing me.

“God! What am I even saying?” I whispered. “Seeing so much magic must have scrambled my brain.”

Well, I am not going to sit still, and allow them to keep me around like a pet or a prisoner. My fists clenched at the thought. Whoever set this trap would face me soon enough. I am nobody’s pawn.

I reached for the balcony’s window, gripping the handle and pulling with determination. It didn’t open. I tried again harder, but to no avail.

It was blocked. Sealed. To stop me from leaving I suppose.

Watching the tree leaves dancing gracefully in the fresh night breeze made me feel like a pathetic caged bird. This thought reminded me of the old man who sold tea next to the construction site. His wrinkled hands, the scar on his face and his piercing green eyes.

“What a weird thing to think about now...”

Suddenly I felt a sharp pain shoot through my chest, cutting off my train of thought. My breath hitched as I staggered, clutching at my side.

The wound – it’s reopening.

“On second thought, maybe I should have stayed put...Ugh, this hurts like hell” I gasped collapsing onto the floor. The plush carpet cushioned temporarily the agony radiating from my injury.

As I leaned against the cold ground, another thought came to my mind. Bitter, yet oddly comforting.

“Well, at least now,” I whispered, coughing blood onto the pristine carpet beneath me, “If I’m being watched…someone will come to save me”

I could hear loud footsteps rushing toward my room.

“Well, not even bothering to fake being late?” I thought, a smirk tugging weakly at the corner of my lips despite the pain.

I closed my eyes, letting my body go limp, waiting for the “culprits” to reveal themselves.