Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 387. Five Steps Ahead
Angel tapped his fingers against the side of the chair.
But if Jake wasn't sincere? If this was an opening move in a slow, hidden campaign to destabilize Euphorion's control or test its response time… well, then the game had already started. And Angel needed to be several moves ahead.
He rubbed the center of his palm where his mana had surged earlier to sustain the Evil Eye. It was faint now.
From the hallway, he heard soft footsteps approaching—he recognized them immediately. The maids had finished. Rose would be walking in soon.
Angel leaned back, forcing himself into a more neutral posture. He didn't need to burden her with this right now.
The door opened quietly. Rose stepped in wearing a soft silk robe, her hair pinned back loosely, face free of the cosmetics she'd worn earlier during the celebration. She looked tired, but there was still something composed in the way she carried herself. Her eyes immediately landed on him.
"You haven't changed your clothes yet?" she asked softly, walking over.
"Just thinking," Angel replied. His voice came out a little hoarse from disuse.
Rose gave him a knowing look, sitting down beside him on the edge of the bed. "The spy?"
He nodded.
"And?" she asked.
He looked at her for a long moment before answering.
"According to what I saw, the coded message he was hiding… it's nothing dangerous. Just notes. Observations. Like a report. He claims Prince Jake wants an alliance, not conflict."
Rose tilted her head slightly, watching his face. "And do you believe that?"
Angel smiled faintly, but there was no humor in it. "Not yet. Maybe not ever."
She nodded once, understanding. "So what will you do?"
"For now, nothing," he said, his voice steady. "I've left it to Darius. He'll keep an eye on him. And I'll keep an eye on the message, just in case."
Rose reached over and placed her hand over his. "You always think five steps ahead."
Angel chuckled softly. "Someone has to."
Rose smiled faintly, but her eyes stayed on him, studying the way his shoulders held just a little more tension than usual. She could see it, even if he didn't say a word—the exhaustion pulling at him, the storm still swirling behind those sharp eyes.
She reached out again, fingers brushing his hand. "Is there anything I can help with?"
Angel paused. For a moment, it looked like he might say yes. Like maybe he'd let her in, just a little deeper. But then he gently shook his head, his voice low. "No… I'll change and get ready for bed. Hopefully, I can make a decision tomorrow. When my head's a little clearer."
She nodded, trying not to let the small pinch of disappointment show. "Alright."
He stood, stretching just enough for the soft fabric of his shirt to pull against his back. She caught a glimpse of the faded scars there before he turned and walked toward the wardrobe. Rose stayed seated on the edge of the bed, listening to the soft rustle of clothes and the click of metal buttons.
"Don't stay up too late," she said gently, watching his back.
He nodded.
By the time she slid under the covers, Angel had already returned from behind the changing screen. He looked more like himself now—barefoot, loose pants hanging comfortably on his hips. His hair had that slightly messy, freshly-unraveled look, and his eyes—though tired—still carried that constant undercurrent of alertness.
She watched him quietly as he settled into the bed beside her. For a moment, neither of them said anything. Rose tucked her arm under her head and just... observed.
She honestly didn't think he'd sleep. His mind was too sharp, always grinding through layers of problems, half of which he didn't even voice out loud. Especially with what happened tonight. She thought maybe he'd lie there in the dark.
But he didn't.
Instead, within minutes of lying back, Angel's breathing deepened. His chest rose and fell in slow, even rhythm, and his brow—usually knit with some hidden thought—was smooth for once. His hand lay near hers, still, relaxed.
Rose blinked, a little surprised.
She stared at him for a few long seconds before whispering, mostly to herself, "You actually fell asleep…"
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