Paris stormed out of Levi's chambers, her heels echoing down the hall like a drumbeat of rage. The guards stationed outside exchanged nervous glances but wisely remained silent. Inside, Sabi stood frozen, her heart racing as if it might leap out of her chest. Paris' threat hung in the air like a storm cloud, and Levi's nonchalant composure only deepened her anxiety.
Levi turned to Sabi, his expression softening. "Don't worry about her," he said, reaching for her trembling hands. "Paris knows better than to make good on her threats. She's all bark and no bite."
Sabi pulled her hands away, pacing the room like a caged bird. "You don't understand," she whispered. "She's dangerous. And Mateo…" She trailed off, her voice quivering.
"Mateo?" Levi's eyes narrowed. "The guy she's having an affair with?"
Sabi hesitated, fear warring with the guilt that churned in her gut. "I saw them together… in Paris' chambers… before the Dowager Duchess…"
Levi's jaw clenched, and his eyes darkened. "Go on," he urged, his tone calm but steely.
"Before she collapsed, she saw them too, that's why she was in that condition" Sabi continued, her voice barely above a whisper, "They asked me to leave, they are the ones that asked me to leave the palace, I didn't want to leave initially but the threats..."
Levi froze. "What do you mean?"
"I'm scared for the Dowager duchess, she saw what they didn't want her to see and they could try to..."
Levi's entire body tensed as realization dawned. "Hurt my grandmother?"
Sabi nodded, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Honestly, I am scared"
Levi didn't wait for her to finish. He grabbed his coat and stormed toward the door. "Stay here," he commanded. "Don't leave this room, Sabi. No matter what."
"Levi, wait!" Sabi called after him. "What are you going to do?"
He paused at the doorway, his expression unreadable. "I'm going to end this once and for all."
***
"Hey you!," Levi said coldly, his voice like ice referring to Mateo, who wasn't aware of Levi's knowledge. The other palace's servant who were friends with Mateo was there too, and the other male servant Mateo was having an affair with.
Mateo stammered, his usual charm faltering under Levi's piercing glare. "Your Majesty..."
Levi's lips curled into a humorless smile. "I know you're fucking my wife... My ex wife," he said, stepping closer.
Mateo's face paled. " Your Majesty, I would never..."
"Save it," Levi snapped, cutting him off. "I know everything, Mateo. About you. About Paris. And I'm here to warn you, you have done enough, and I wouldn't want to see you near any one of my family members including Sabi"
Mateo's eyes widened in panic. "I—I don't know what you're talking about—"
Before he could finish, Levi grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall. "You don't get to lie to me!" Levi growled, his voice deadly quiet. "I've tolerated your existence long enough. But trying to hurt my grandmother? Threaten Sabi? That's where I draw the line."
Mateo squirmed, but Levi's grip was unyielding. "You can't prove anything," he hissed, though his voice trembled with fear.
Levi leaned in closer, his eyes blazing. "Get out! Get him out of here!!!"
Immediately, the other guards dragged Mateo out of his sight.
***