The days that followed Lorenzo De Luca's arrival were a whirlwind of tension and secrecy. He moved through the palace like a shadow, his presence unsettling the carefully curated routines of the royal household. Servants whispered about him in hushed tones, and nobles kept their distance, unsure of how to approach a man whose reputation preceded him.
Seraphina, however, had no such luxury.
It was mid-afternoon when she found herself reluctantly standing outside the library doors. Her father had insisted she "entertain their guest," though she doubted Lorenzo was the type of man who found poetry or ancient manuscripts particularly captivating. Still, the King's command was absolute.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed the doors open and stepped inside.
Lorenzo was already there, seated in one of the leather armchairs near the towering bookshelves. He looked strangely at ease in the regal setting, a dark figure amidst the warm golden light streaming through the stained-glass windows. A book lay open in his hands, though his eyes weren't on the pages.
"Princess," he greeted without looking up, as though he'd sensed her the moment she entered.
"Mr. De Luca," she replied, keeping her tone neutral.
He finally lifted his gaze, the corners of his mouth curving into that infuriatingly subtle smirk. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
She stepped closer, forcing herself to remain composed under his scrutiny. "My father asked me to ensure you feel... welcome during your stay."
"Ah," he said, closing the book with a soft thud. "And does that include keeping an eye on me?"
His bluntness caught her off guard, but she refused to let it show. "If you think I'm here to spy on you, Mr. De Luca, you give yourself far too much credit."
His chuckle was low and amused, and it sent an unwelcome shiver down her spine. "Relax, Princess. I'm only teasing."
She sat across from him, folding her hands neatly in her lap. "I'm curious, though. Why the sudden interest in an alliance with our kingdom? Men like you don't usually involve themselves in politics."
"Men like me?" he echoed, his tone almost playful.
"You know what I mean," she said, holding his gaze. "Your... reputation doesn't exactly align with royal diplomacy."
For a moment, he simply studied her, his expression unreadable. Then he leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. "You're right. I'm not here for politics. I'm here because your kingdom is a key to something far greater. Your father understands that. Do you?"
The weight of his words hung between them, and she couldn't help but feel there was more to his presence than he was letting on.
"What is it you want, Mr. De Luca?" she asked softly.
His eyes darkened, and for the first time, she saw a flicker of something raw beneath his composed exterior. "I want what's mine," he said simply.
Before she could press further, the library door creaked open, and a servant stepped inside. "Your Highness, the King requests your presence in the throne room."
Relieved for the interruption, Seraphina rose to her feet. "Enjoy your reading, Mr. De Luca," she said, her voice laced with polite detachment.
But as she turned to leave, his voice stopped her.
"Be careful, Princess," he said, his tone low and enigmatic. "In a world like this, the lines between ally and enemy blur far too easily."
She didn't reply, but as she walked away, her heart raced with questions she wasn't ready to face.
TBC...