Chapter 7 : The Hidden Knight in Armour
With the ball hosted by the Duchess still a week away, Ariana decided to utilize her free time to delve deeper into the mysterious attacks on her empire. Her research led her to a startling discovery – the slums, a place she had previously overlooked, seemed to be a hub for secret meetings among assassins. The more she learned, the more she became convinced that there was more to the slums than what came to surface
Determined to uncover the truth, Ariana disguised herself in a black robe. She made her way to the slums, her heart pounding with anticipation. As she navigated the narrow, winding alleys, she was struck by the sheer desperation that seemed to cling to every crumbling building.
The air was thick with the stench of decay and neglect. Ariana's eyes adjusted to the dim light, and she began to notice the frail children, their eyes sunken, their skin pale. One of them, a tiny boy with a mop of messy brown hair, clung to her robe, begging for food. Ariana's heart went out to him, and she felt a pang of guilt for not having anything to offer. She murmured a few comforting words and continued on her way.
As she turned a corner, Ariana stumbled upon a dilapidated shed. The wooden boards were weathered, and the door hung crookedly on its hinges. Despite her reservations, Ariana's curiosity got the better of her. She peeked inside, her eyes scanning the dim interior. That was when she saw him – a man with chiseled features and piercing eyes that seemed to bore into her very soul.
Ariana felt a shiver run down her spine as their eyes locked for a fleeting moment. There was something unsettling about his gaze, something that made her feel like he was sizing her up, weighing his options. She quickly withdrew, her heart racing with anticipation. The man's eyes seemed to hold a monstrous intensity, and Ariana couldn't shake off the feeling that she had just narrowly escaped danger.
She hastened her pace, eager to put the slums and their secrets behind her. As she emerged into a bustling street, Ariana took a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She scanned the area, reassuring herself that no one was following her. With a renewed sense of determination,after a while,Ariana made her way to the library, seeking solace in the musty scent of old books and the comforting silence of the reading rooms.
The next day, Ariana decided to take a walk, hoping to clear her mind and process the events of the previous day. She found herself back at the library, settling into a cozy corner with a stack of books. As she delved into her reading, Ariana became aware of a presence beside her. She turned to see Levi Ryker, his black hair perfectly styled, his red eyes gleaming with an inner intensity.
Ariana felt a flutter in her chest as Levi sat down beside her, his eyes locked onto hers. He began to play with a bookmark, his fingers deftly manipulating the slender piece of leather. Ariana felt a surge of annoyance, but before she could say anything, Levi looked up, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"Sorry," he said, his voice low and husky. "I couldn't help myself."
Ariana raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "What are you doing here, Levi?"
Levi shrugged, his shoulders barely rising off the seat. "Just thought I'd keep you company. You look like you could use some."
Ariana felt a warmth spread through her chest, despite her initial reservations. There was something about Levi that put her at ease, something that made her feel like she could trust him. As they talked, Ariana found herself opening up to Levi, she had found solace and comfort in talking to him.
But as their conversation drew to a close, Levi's expression turned serious. "Ariana," he said, his voice low and urgent. "Always look out for yourself, okay? Stay safe."
Ariana felt a shiver run down her spine as she met Levi's gaze. There was something in his eyes, something that made her feel like he knew more than he was letting on. But before she could ask him anything, Levi stood up, his movements fluid and effortless.
"I'll see you around, Ariana," he said, his voice dripping with a subtle flirtation.
As Ariana watched Levi walk away, she couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder. Who was this man, really? And what secrets was he hiding behind those piercing red eyes?
Little did Ariana know, Levi Ryker had been watching over her, protecting her from the shadows. On the day she visited the slums, a group of assassins had been sent ...to kill her, but Levi Ryker had caught them and eliminated them without her knowledge. He had been keeping a close eye on her, aware of the dangers that lurked in every corner of the empire. And as he walked away from Ariana, he couldn't shake off the feeling that she was getting closer to the truth, that she was starting to unravel the threads of a conspiracy that threatened to destroy everything.
Levi's thoughts were interrupted by a figure emerging from the shadows. It was one of his trusted allies, a man named Lucas.
"What news do you bring?" Levi asked, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Lucas hesitated before speaking. "The Duchess's ball is not what it seems. There are rumors of a plot to overthrow the empire, and the ball is just a distraction."
Levi's expression turned grim. "I need you to dig deeper. Find out who is behind this plot and what their ultimate goal is."
Lucas nodded and melted back into the shadows, leaving Levi to his thoughts. The game of cat and mouse was heating up, and Levi knew that he had to stay one step ahead of the enemy if he was going to protect Ariana and the empire.
Meanwhile, Ariana was too busy trying to make sense of the strange occurrences that had been happening around her. She couldn't shake off the feeling that someone was watching her, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
As she walked back to her quarters, Ariana noticed a piece of parchment on the ground. She picked it up, and her heart skipped a beat as she read the message scrawled on it:
"You're getting close to the truth. Be careful."
Ariana's eyes scanned the surrounding area, but she saw no one. She felt a shiver run down her spine as she realized that she was indeed in grave danger. But she was determined to uncover the truth, no matter what it took.