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Dark Moon Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 364. Someone’s Still Watching
🕑 Added 2025-01-16 16:03:20 +0000 UTCThird Arc (Fallen Heart) - 364. Someone’s Still Watching
Angel adjusted the fabric of his tunic, smoothing it down as he glanced briefly at his reflection in the mirror. The scars were hidden beneath the dark material now. He wasn’t one to dwell on things he couldn’t change, but every now and then, they caught him off guard. The trauma was still there.
A knock on the door came. The door creaked open, and a servant stepped in, carrying a neatly folded blazer. “Your Majesty, the blazer is ready.”
Angel turned, nodding slightly in acknowledgment. The servant approached, holding out the blazer with practiced care. Angel shrugged it on, the finely tailored fabric settling over his shoulders. He took a moment to adjust the lapels and smooth out any creases before reaching for the badge that symbolized his status—the crest of Euphorion, intricately designed in gold and black.
He pinned it to his collar with steady fingers, the action so familiar it felt automatic. His gaze drifted back to the mirror, taking in his appearance. Everything looked perfect—sharp lines, clean edges, a polished image of a king. And yet, his expression remained stony, unreadable, like a mask he wore out of habit.
“Do you require further assistance, Your Majesty?” the servant asked, his tone respectful, his posture rigid.
Angel shook his head slightly. “No. You may leave.”
The servant bowed deeply before turning and leaving the room, the door closing quietly behind him. For a moment, silence filled the space. Angel exhaled slowly, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly now that he was alone.
He went out and moved to an armchair near the window and sat down, tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest. Rose would still need some time to finish changing—women’s dresses were far more complicated than men’s outfits, after all. He didn’t mind waiting, but sitting idle wasn’t exactly something he was good at. If he wasn’t working, planning, or handling something urgent, he felt… restless.
It was a weird habit, one he hadn’t shaken even after years of ruling. Moments of quiet often felt more unnerving than the chaos of battle or politics. And now, with the earlier attack still fresh in his mind, that familiar restlessness crept in again.
Instead of letting it fester, Angel leaned back in the chair, closed his eyes, and activated his Evil Eye skill. Immediately, the world around him shifted in his mind’s eye, giving him a bird’s-eye view of the palace grounds. The heightened awareness washed over him as he scanned the area, looking for anything out of place.
The guards were in position, patrolling their assigned areas with practiced precision. The Black Devil soldiers, ever discreet, moved in the shadows, their presence barely noticeable unless one knew exactly where to look. Everything seemed calm for now, but Angel knew better than to trust appearances. Whoever had sent those assassins earlier wasn’t likely to give up so easily.
His gaze drifted toward the outer edges of the palace, where a few guests were still mingling in the gardens. Among them, he noticed a man who seemed slightly out of place—his posture too rigid, his movements too cautious. Angel’s eyes narrowed as he focused on the man, but after a moment, the figure moved on, blending back into the crowd without incident.
‘Nothing concrete yet,’ Angel muttered to himself, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest. ‘But someone’s still watching. Waiting.’
His thoughts were interrupted by the faint sound of footsteps approaching the door. He deactivated his Evil Eye skill and opened his eyes just as the door swung open to reveal Rose. She stepped into the room, her new gown flowing elegantly around her.
“Sorry to keep you waiting,” she said, a hint of apology in her tone as she adjusted one of her earrings. “They were determined to make sure every little detail was perfect.”
Angel stood, offering her a faint smile. “It was worth the wait. You look… stunning.”
Rose blinked, caught slightly off guard by the unexpected compliment, before a small smile spread across her lips. “Thank you. You don’t look too bad yourself.”
He chuckled softly, his eyes briefly flicking to the badge on his chest. “Well, I had less to work with. Easier to get ready when all you have to do is throw on a blazer.”
