Alfred felt a chill run down his spine as he caught the gleam in Maya's eyes. It was the same crimson hue that had unnerved him during the airship encounter. That brief moment when her composed demeanor had slipped, revealing something far darker, something lurking beneath the surface.
Her smile, wide and unsettling, only amplified the unease. He hadn't seen her like this in quite some time. The way her words lingered in the air, laced with obsession, made him question how far his Lady was willing to go to ensure this individual remained by her side.
For the first time in years, Alfred, the ever-composed butler, felt a flicker of intimidation from the girl he had watched grow into a refined woman.
"Isn't it better to keep things open for the person you hold dear?" Her voice was still smooth and gentle, but the undercurrent was unmistakable. "So that they can never leave your side."
