Chapter 9: A Villain's Charade
The big hall of the crown prince's palace was filled with quiet grace.
Lords and ladies, dressed in fine silks, greeted each other with polite nods as the large double doors opened.
Gabriel walked in first, standing straight, with a look of caution on his face.
Lirian followed behind, walking carefully and slowly, but her lips curled up with hidden fun.
Across the hall, Crown Prince Raphael was standing, the perfect example of royal charm.
His black hair shone under the chandelier's glow, and his easy smile held the room's attention as he leaned slightly toward a nervous young noblewoman.
When his eyes fell on Lirian, his smile broadened into something more entertaining.
"Ah, Lady Lirian," Raphael said smoothly, stepping forward.
"I wondered if I'd have the pleasure of your company again. And here you are, a sight to see among these dull walls."
Gabriel stiffened. "Your Highness," he said curtly, but with a tone that was more of a warning.
Lirian dipped into a graceful curtsy. "Your Highness," she replied in a light and teasing tone. "You flatter me too much."
"Impossible," Raphael said, offering his hand.
"Would you allow me the honor of a dance later? I've yet to recover from the last."
Lirian hesitated, her pulse quickened.
But before she could respond, a squawk shattered the moment.
"DANGER!" Pedro shrieked from the rafters, his wings flapped wildly again.
The hall froze.
Heads turned, whispers rippled, and Raphael's easy smile faltered.
The crown prince held such meetings in fancy halls to send a message to the other lords.
When they got news about someone's treason, Raphael liked to confront and humiliate them in public.
"What is the meaning of this?" a lord barked.
"You're here early," Raphael smiled.
"I've received a letter. I want answers from these bold accusations, prince."
Raphael ignored him and moved to sit on his golden chair; one wouldn't dare to call it a throne.
Pedro swooped down on Lirian's shoulder. "DANGER!"
All eyes went to the lord in question, a wiry man with a thin mustache.
"Why would this bird yell danger? You know, they say animals often feel negative energy," Raphael stated.
"What? Another treason?" someone murmured.
"Ridiculous! This... bird is deranged!"
"Lord Graf… the letter I sent you, accusing you of scheming to poison me, was true. The maid confessed."
Lord Graf pulled back, instinctively grabbing his fancy sleeve.
Gabriel's eyes narrowed.
He walked forward, his black boots echoing against the marble floor, and stopped mere inches from the accused lord.
His presence was threatening enough for one to confess immediately just by looking at him.
"Show me," Gabriel demanded. "Show me the letters you sent to the enemy."
"I will not!" the lord said, taking a step back.
Raphael raised a hand, keeping his golden eyes on him.
"My lord, if you have nothing to hide, then there is no harm in complying. And this bird… it often predicts the right things."
The man hesitated, his face paled instantly.
"I am a loyal servant of the crown. I would never betray the prince, and I won't be accused of the word of a bird!"
But Gabriel wasn't waiting.
Immediately, he grabbed the lord's arm and wrenched the sleeve back.
A small vial tumbled out, shattering on the floor in a puff of green smoke.
The murmurs intensified.
"He came here to poison the prince himself!"
"Treason!"
"Poison," Gabriel said coldly.
Gabriel tightened his grip as the lord struggled.
"You came here with treachery in your heart."
The lord's pale expression didn't vanish… but he looked more blue.
He stammered, looking at Raphael. "Your Highness, I... I was coerced! I swear it wasn't my—"
A terrible slice interrupted him as Gabriel pushed the man back; his knife was covered in red liquid.
The hall fell silent as the lord crumpled, blood pooling beneath him.
"He's been stabbed!"
"He's dead!"
"The duke killed him!"
Gasps went through the crowd.
Raphael's face grew serious, but some worry showed in his eyes.
Gabriel turned to face the room.
"This is what happens to traitors," he said, his voice like ice. "Let it be a warning."
"Heh!" By accident, Lirian let out a laugh.
Gabriel immediately looked at her, not understanding that what Lirian was seeing was his hypocrisy.
After all, he was the one to die at the end.
'But when do his reasons start?' she wondered silently.
"Lirian!" he barked suddenly and made her flinch.
Before she could respond, Gabriel closed the distance between them.
He grabbed her wrist; his grip felt like ironclad, and pulled her closer.
"Are you enjoying your games with the crown prince?" he hissed at her like a silent snake.
Lirian's eyes widened. "What are you doing?" she whispered back.
Raphael stepped forward, his composure slipping just enough to show irritation.
"Gabriel, unhand her. Whatever this is, it's unseemly."
Gabriel turned his glare to the prince, his lip curling in a sneer.
"Unseemly? You dare speak of decorum while you flirt with another man's wife?"
The hall collectively held its breath.
"Wife?" Raphael echoed, his tone seemed balanced enough to prove authority, though his jaw tightened.
"Lady Lirian belongs to no one, least of all you."
Gabriel's fingers on Lirian tightened. "Say that again, princeling."
"Gabriel, stop," Lirian hissed, pulling at his arm.
But Gabriel wasn't going to listen.
He walked closer to Raphael.
"Let me make something clear." He glared at the prince.
"If you so much as look at her again, I'll carve that smug grin off your face."
Raphael's smile returned, though it didn't reach his eyes.
"You're free to leave, Gabriel," he said coolly. "Take your wife and go."
The dismissal was careful and planned, but Gabriel didn't flinch.
He held Raphael's glare for a long moment; the atmosphere between them crackled like a storm was about to break.
Then, with a sharp tug, he pulled Lirian toward the doors.
"Come," he growled.
Lirian glanced back at Raphael, who watched them go, though his clenched fists couldn't be hidden.
As the doors slammed behind them, the hall continued with hushed whispers.
"That man," Raphael murmured to himself, and his smile returned slowly, "is either a fool or a devil."