The room glowed with soft light from the television. A random drama played, unimportant, though Lyra sat cross-legged on the couch, focused. "Wait, why is she crying again?" she asked.
"Because it's episode ten," Sera replied, leaning back with her arms crossed. "Everyone cries in episode ten." Lyra blinked. "That's predictable."
A knock interrupted them. The maid stepped in. "Miss Lyra. Miss Sera. Sir Liam has returned. He asked for both of you in the dining room."
Silence followed. The atmosphere shifted instantly. Lyra sat up straighter. "Us? Why is he calling us?" She turned to Sera, curious. "Do you know anything?"
Sera's eyes narrowed. "…No." A lie, or perhaps just a guess she didn't want to confirm. She stood. "But it's not something casual."
Lyra swallowed. "…That sounds scary." Sera gave her a small look. "Stay calm. Don't overthink."
They walked side by side down the hallway, each step heavier than the last. The silence pressed in, the air colder.
Liam was already there, standing at the head of the table. Not sitting. Not relaxed. Just watching. His eyes followed Lyra with every step she took toward him. Sera stayed slightly behind, silent, observing.
Lyra stopped across from him. "Why did you call us? Something important? Or just suddenly feeling formal tonight?"
Liam leaned back slightly, ignoring Sera completely. "Next week. I'll be attending a gala." His gaze sharpened. "You're coming with me."
Lyra exhaled slowly, closing her eyes for a moment before opening them again. "You know the consequences, right? I can't handle events like that. You saw what happened last time." She crossed her arms. "Why don't you bring your future wife? Or Sera? She's literally always with you."
Sera muttered under her breath, "…Don't drag me into this."
Liam didn't hesitate. "Sera can't go. Everyone already knows her as my PA. I need someone unfamiliar. You're the only one suitable."
Silence filled the room. Lyra stared at him. "…You're forcing me."
"I'm asking you," Liam said evenly. "But yes. You don't have a choice."
Sera finally stepped forward. "Sire, you know this isn't a good idea. She's not stable in crowds. And if something happens…"
"Nothing will happen." Liam's voice was sharp. Final.
Lyra looked down, her fingers tightening around the edge of the table. "…Okay. If you insist." The words were quiet, reluctant, but they sealed her fate.
Sera's expression darkened. Because she knew this wasn't just a gala. This was a setup. And Lyra was walking straight into it.
The tension hadn't settled, not even a little. It lingered in the air, thick and suffocating, wrapping around everyone in the room.
Lyra still stood where she was, trying to process everything that had just unfolded, her thoughts tangled and unclear.
Then a voice cut through the silence. Sharp. Annoyed. "What???" All heads turned at once.
Clarissa Vane stood at the entrance, arms crossed tightly over her chest, her eyes immediately locking onto Lyra. She paused for a moment before stepping forward, her gaze hardening.
"…Wait. She's coming with you?" Disbelief laced her voice, irritation following close behind. "Liam, what is this? I thought it was just the two of us going to the gala." Her eyes narrowed, sharp and unwelcoming. "I don't like her following you around."
Lyra blinked, slightly taken aback by the sudden hostility. "…She's… bold," she whispered under her breath, more to herself than anyone else.
Before the tension could settle, another voice cut in. Cold. Controlled. "…Clarissa. What are you doing here? It's already night." Sera stepped forward, her gaze steady and unyielding. "You're not his wife already. Don't act like this house belongs to you."
Clarissa scoffed, clearly unimpressed. "…You again." A smirk tugged at her lips. "Can you just shut your mouth? You're always so annoying."
She took a step closer, her tone sharpening with every word. "You're just an assistant. Not the lady of this house. Know your place." Sera's expression darkened instantly, ready to retaliate …
"Enough." The single word cut through everything like a blade. Silence fell. Liam stood up slowly, his eyes cold as they swept across both of them. "…Both of you."
His gaze settled on Clarissa. "I told you to behave. Especially in front of Sera." His voice lowered, firm and unwavering. "She's, my person."
Sera raised a brow slightly, her lips moving silently, serve you right.
Clarissa froze. Her expression tightened, her hand clenching slightly at her side. But she said nothing. Instead, she turned back to Liam, her voice softer now but no less sharp.
"…So? Explain." A pause. "Why is she going with you?" Her eyes flicked toward Lyra again, jealousy clear and unhidden. Silence stretched again, heavy and suffocating. Clarissa's gaze remained fixed on Liam, waiting… demanding.
This time, he didn't hesitate. "…She'll be alone in this house that day." A brief pause. "So, she's coming with me." His tone was calm. Controlled. Final.
"Sera has work to handle." He glanced at Sera briefly before returning his attention to Clarissa. "I won't leave Lyra here by herself."
Sera didn't respond, but her eyes narrowed slightly. That's not the only reason.
Clarissa remained silent, but inside, everything burned. "…Too troublesome…" Her fingers curled slowly. "…Why is she always important to him…?" Her gaze shifted toward Lyra… cold, sharp, filled with something dangerously close to hatred. "…I hate her… so much."
Lyra blinked again, still trying to make sense of everything happening around her. "…It's just a gala…" she murmured softly. "…Why does it feel like a war?" The room fell into silence once more.
Liam leaned back slightly, as if settling into the weight of what had yet to be said. Then, without hesitation, he spoke. "…Clarissa will be staying here." A brief pause followed. "…Starting today."
Sera's brows lifted instantly, surprise breaking through her usual composure. "…Excuse me?" Lyra blinked slowly, clearly trying to catch up. "…Staying… here?"
"…Until next week," Liam continued calmly, as if the situation carried no complication at all. "Her family is attending the event in Vance. She'll be alone."
His gaze shifted briefly toward Clarissa. "I met them earlier. So, I brought her here."
Clarissa lifted her chin slightly, a small, satisfied smirk forming on her lips. "…Problem?" she asked, her eyes sliding toward Sera in open challenge.
Sera inhaled slowly, very slowly. "…No," she replied after a pause. "…Of course not." Her smile was tight. Controlled.
"…It's your house." Lyra looked between them, clearly lost in the tension threading through the room. "…So… we're all going to the gala… together?"
Clarissa answered before anyone else could. "…Obviously." A smirk tugged at her lips. "…Since I'm his fiancée." Her gaze shifted toward Lyra, slow and deliberate. "…And you're just… extra."
"…Watch your…"
"…That's enough." Liam's voice cut in sharply, final and unquestionable. The table fell silent again but this time, it wasn't just tension lingering in the air. It was rivalry. Clear. Unavoidable.
"…That's all for tonight." Liam's voice sliced cleanly through the atmosphere. "…You're all dismissed."
There was no warmth in it. No softness. Only control. Lyra nodded lightly. "…Okay." A small smile appeared on her lips. "Good night, Liam."
Without hesitation, she stepped closer and gently patted his hand. Casual. Natural. As if it meant nothing at all. Then she turned, walking away toward her room without looking back.
Silence followed. Heavy. Clarissa's eyes tracked Lyra's every step, darkening with each second. Her jaw tightened, her hands slowly curling into fists.
"…Was that necessary?" she finally asked, her voice sharp and cold. Liam didn't look at her. "…What?"
Clarissa stepped forward. "That." A pause. "She's getting too bold with you." Her eyes narrowed. "Don't get too close to her." Another beat passed before she added, quieter but more dangerous, "I think she's trying to take you away from me."
Only then did Liam look up. Calm. Unbothered. "…Clar." A brief pause. "She does that every night." Silence. Clarissa froze. "…What?"
"…It's her habit," he said simply. "I'm not changing it." That hit harder than anything else. Because that wasn't tolerance. That was acceptance.
"…Yeah." Sera finally spoke, her tone casual, a small smirk playing on her lips. "That's true." She crossed her arms, her gaze sliding toward Clarissa. "Anything else you want to say, my lady?"
Clarissa's expression darkened completely, but she said nothing. Because for the first time, something settled painfully into place. She wasn't the closest one to him. Not even close.
And that simple, careless touch had drawn a line. One that couldn't be ignored anymore.
"…Good night, Sire."
"…Good night, Miss Clarissa." Sera walked away… calm, but fast. The moment she disappeared; the air shifted again. Liam stood up without hesitation, heading toward the stairs.
Clarissa followed. Of course, she did. "Liam." Her voice was sharp. "Where did you even find that woman? You're not the type to let women get close to you."
He didn't stop walking. "Sera is a woman too. Did that stop me before?"
Clarissa's expression tightened. "I can get close to whoever I want," Liam said, his voice low, cold. "At least until I get married. So don't interfere."
Clarissa stopped. That line cut deep. "I'm your fiancée," she pressed, her voice dropping, more serious now. "My father trusted you. He told you to take care of me. Did you forget that?"
Liam didn't flinch. "I didn't forget. But that doesn't mean control."
Clarissa's tone sharpened. "I already tolerated Sera because she's your assistant. But now another woman?" Her eyes flicked toward Lyra's room. "Getting close to you like that? I HATE it so much."
Liam looked at her, cold, unmoved. "…Then get used to it." Silence felt heavy. That wasn't negotiation. That was warning.
Clarissa stood frozen. Because for the first time, she realized something terrifying. She might have the title fiancée. But she didn't have him. Not even close.
--------------------------------------------------
The room was dim, quiet. Liam lay on his bed, eyes almost closed. Then the door opened. He didn't move much, just a slight reaction.
"…Sera?" His voice was low, lazy, eyes still shut. A faint smirk formed. "What do you want? Want me to tell you a bedtime story so you can sleep?" A soft chuckle. "Hmm?"
Sera stood by the door; arms crossed. "No. I don't need that." She stepped forward. "I came to ask something."
Liam finally opened his eyes slightly. "…Then ask."
"Why bring your fiancée here?" Her words were straight, no hesitation. "You could've taken her to your condominium. More time together. More privacy."
Liam let out a small breath, turning his head slightly to look at her. "…I'm not married yet. Why would I stay alone with her? Doesn't look good." His tone was calm, almost careless.
Sera didn't blink. "…That's not the real reason." Silence stretched. "I'm worried about Miss Lyra," she continued, her voice softer now but serious.
"Clarissa will disturb her again. I don't want Lyra's mind to be burdened. You don't want that either… right?"
Liam didn't answer immediately. He stared at the ceiling, thinking. Because this time, Sera wasn't wrong. Not at all. "…I'll handle it," he said at last. Low. Controlled. But not convincing.
Sera turned toward the door. "…You better. Before things get worse." She left. And the room fell silent again. But this silence wasn't peaceful. It was warning.
TBC