It's another morning
Sabi woke up the this morning to an eerie silence in the palace. The usual buzz of servants and chatter seemed muted, as though the entire household was holding its breath.
She had spent another night in Levi's chamber. No one is aware of her presence in the palace, Levi didn't care to know why she never wanted to step out. He just wanted to keep having her all to himself, making love to her as much as he wants.
She stretched lazily, the events of the previous day swirling in her mind like a hazy dream.
Levi had already left again, the lingering scent of his cologne on the pillows the only proof he had been there. A note, similar to the one before, was tucked neatly on the nightstand.
"Good morning, Sabi. I'll be at the clinic most of the day, but I'll be back in the evening. Rest, eat, and stay safe. – Your Sweetheart"
Sabi couldn't help but smile. The man who once seemed unapproachable now felt so... tender, she felt like a queen already. If she had Levi all to herself, it's the best thing that can happen to her.
'Is this greed creeping in?'
She brushed her fingers over the note, her heart fluttering despite the unease gnawing at her from the secrets of Paris and Mateo she carried.
***
Meanwhile, at the clinic, Levi stood beside the Dowager Duchess' bed, his expression a mix of worry and relief. Her vitals were stable, and the doctors assured him that there were no immediate signs of danger.
He sat beside her, taking her frail hand in his. "You're the strongest woman I know, Grandma," he whispered. "You've fought through worse. I need you to pull through this too."
As he spoke, memories of Paris panicking outside his chamber that morning flashed his brain.
She had said she came to enquire how the duchess is doing but, she seemed rather anxious.
'Could it be that Grandma knows something about her affair?' he asked himself as he gently kisses the Duchess' hands.
***
Paris and Mateo were far from idle.
"We can't keep waiting," Mateo hissed, pacing back and forth in her chambers. "The longer we do nothing, the more risk there is. What if she wakes up?"
Paris bit her lip, her eyes darting to the door as though expecting someone to burst in at any moment. "We'll stick to the plan," she said, though her voice wavered. "You'll go to the clinic tonight. Make it look like natural causes."
Mateo crossed his arms. "And what about Sabi? She knows too much. If she says anything to Levi—"
"She's left, remember? She packed her bags and left," Paris snapped.
"Uh, I think she came back." Mateo said.
"What do you mean?"
"I heard some of the guards outside gossiping, it seems the Duke, went to plead with her. I don't know if she eventually agreed, but I haven't seen her in the palace since then so... I guess she's gone, right?"
"That bitch! Why would Levi beg her to stay? What nonsense infatuation is that?" Paris yelled.
Mateo smirked. "Infatuation, huh? Sounds like you're jealous."
Paris glared at him. "Jealous? Don't be ridiculous. I'm the one Levi married. Notjing is changjng that! I am his wife, not that pathetic little maid. She's nothing."
Mateo gave her a ridiculous look and smirks.
***
Sabi wandered aimlessly through the Levi's chamber, unable to shake the feeling that something terrible was looming. She wanted to leave that chamber badly but she was scared of being caught by Paris or Mateo.
She found herself in the library, a place she rarely visited. The quietness of the room was both soothing and suffocating. She trailed her fingers along the spines of the books, her thoughts spinning.
As she reached for a particularly ornate book, she heard footsteps behind her. She spun around, her heart pounding, only to see Levi standing in the doorway.
"You scared me," she said, clutching her chest.
"Sorry," Levi said, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice. He stepped closer, his piercing gaze locking onto hers. "What are you doing here?"
"I... just needed some air," Sabi stammered, avoiding his eyes.
Levi tilted his head, studying her. "Are you sure?" he said, his tone soft but accusing. "What are you scared of Sabi?"
"Scared? No...," she lied, but the words felt hollow.
He took another step closer, his presence overwhelming. "Sabi, I can tell when someone's lying to me. What's going on? Are you hiding something?"
Her throat tightened. The words were on the tip of her tongue, but Paris and Mateo's threats echoed in her mind.
"It's nothing," she said finally, forcing a smile. "I'm just... overwhelmed."
Levi didn't look convinced, but he let it slide. "Fine. But if something's wrong, you'll tell me, won't you?"
She nodded, though her heart felt heavy. She knew she had to tell him, before things goes worse. She wouldn't forgive herself if anything happened because of her fear to expose Paris and Mateo.
***