Both sheathed their weapons, the tension in the room slowly dissipating.
Vane glanced at Celine, his expression calm but serious.
"Then why didn't you come here and ask me directly?"
Celine raised an eyebrow, a faint, mocking smile playing on her lips.
"You are a strategist, Sir Vane. You should know better than to reveal your plans openly, especially when you're surrounded by enemies."
Vane exhaled, snapping his fingers to release the magical lock on the door. He slowly took a seat, reaching for the map on his desk, but paused, glancing up at Celine as she walked toward his table.
"So… you're really not one of Julius's women?" he asked, his voice low and cautious.
Celine's eyes sharpened behind her fan, her voice cold and firm.
"I am not a whore like the other women who spread their legs for him. I would never let a man like that touch me. I have no interest in dirtying myself with someone like him, who is nothing but filth and arrogance."
