"I can only escort you this far,"
Catherine Carter led Leonard Churchill to the viewing platform on the second floor.
As a lady of the Lionheart Family, it would be unthinkable for her to personally escort a male guest off the premises.
Recognizing this, Leonard bowed politely, "Thank you, Miss Carter."
Catherine responded with a carefree laugh, "If you survive, save your thanks for next time. I believe you should focus on how to escape now. The item you're carrying is highly sensitive. Even with my escort, your escape isn't guaranteed."
Leonard's demeanor remained unperturbed. With a graceful hand-kiss farewell, he grinned "Then... till next time."
As he laughed, he glanced at the Silver Mist Rose standing before him and then quietly retreated a few steps, fading into the darkness.
As he disappeared from view, a complex expression flickered across Catherine's crystalline eyes.
Her fingers played with a gold coin, her thoughtful gaze deepening as she pondered something.
....
