A while after Gregorio left, a sharp knock echoed through Ramiro's study.
"Co in," he said, rubbing his temples.
The door creaked open, revealing Esteban and Luzia standing side by side. Luzia stepped in first, arms crossed, wearing an expression that suggested she was already plotting her next complaint.
"Dad," she said flatly.
Ramiro looked up, his face brightening at the sight of her. He stood and walked over, effortlessly scooping her up in his arms. "How was your day, Luzia?"
She sighed dramatically. "Why did you bring that tutor? Was it to torture ?"
Ramiro chuckled, though the look in her eyes told him she wasn't joking. "Eh? Not at all. I just wanted you to have the best tutor in the whole empire."
Luzia gave him a deadpan stare. "Right. And what, exactly, does 'best' an to you? Because to , it ans a man who doesn't think my handwriting is an affront to civilization." She held up her ink-stained fingers. "Look at this. I'll be scrubbing ink out of my nails for days."
Ramiro fought to suppress a smile. "Gregorio is thorough."
"Gregorio is a nace," Luzia muttered. Then she straightened. "Anyway, I thought I'd get to learn so magic today."
Did Luzia have magic in the novel? She died too soon to know, but as Ramiro's daughter, surely she should... right? she thought.
Ramiro's smile faltered slightly, but Luzia caught it. He shifted her weight in his arms, glancing briefly at Esteban before responding. "You can't learn actual magic yet."
Luzia narrowed her eyes. Yet? She tilted her head, scrutinizing him. "Why not?"
Ramiro hesitated, smoothing a hand over her hair. "You're not ready."
He's hiding sothing, she thought, watching him carefully. But she let it slide—for now. "I see," she mumbled, deciding to switch topics before he started asking too many questions.
"Dad, how was your visit to the Magic Tower?" she asked casually.
Ramiro exhaled, visibly relieved by the change in subject. "It was okay. Everything went a little smoothly."
"Oh, right!" Luzia perked up. "What about the Sunshine Orphanage redevelopnt? Is it going well?"
Ramiro smiled. "Yes, it is. In a month's ti, it'll be done. Right, Esteban?"
Esteban gave a respectful nod. "Yes, my lord."
Luzia clasped her hands together thoughtfully. "I'd like to visit them soon."
Ramiro raised an eyebrow. "Tomorrow, then?"
"Sounds good." She replied, thinking, After all, I did promise Alicia that I'd visit.
Before the conversation could continue, another knock ca at the door.
"Co in," Ramiro called, setting Luzia down gently.
The door opened to reveal Beatriz, the head maid, standing with her hands neatly clasped in front of her. "My lord, my lady, dinner is ready."
Luzia exhaled dramatically. "Finally."
Ramiro chuckled. "Co on, then. Let's go."
As they made their way to the dining hall, Luzia walked beside Ramiro, hands behind her back, her expression unusually thoughtful.
"Dad," she began, "what kind of magic do you think I'd be good at?"
Ramiro glanced down at her, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Why the sudden interest?"
Luzia shrugged. "I dunno. It's just... well, you're amazing at magic, and I figured, being your daughter, I should have so talent too." She looked up at him, eyes sharp. "Unless... you're hiding sothing from ?"
Ramiro chuckled nervously. "Luzia, magic isn't just about talent. It requires patience, discipline—"
"Ugh, here we go," Luzia groaned, throwing her hands up. "Esteban, back up here—do I not have patience and discipline?"
Esteban, who had been quietly following them, cleared his throat delicately. "My lady... I would rather not comnt."
Luzia shot him a glare. "Coward."
Ramiro laughed, shaking his head. "See? That temper of yours. Magic and strong emotions don't mix well and temper is a strong emotion."
Luzia rolled her eyes. "I have excellent control. I haven't thrown a single thing at Gregorio... yet."
Ramiro gave her a knowing look. "Yet."
They reached the dining hall, where the long table was set with an array of dishes. The sll of roasted at and fresh bread filled the air, making Luzia's stomach grumble loudly. She quickly glanced around, hoping no one heard it, but Beatriz, standing by the table, arched an eyebrow.
"I see soone's hungry," Beatriz said with a smile.
Luzia huffed and took her seat. "I was starving actually, but then my tutor decided to waste my energy on useless things like learning."
Beatriz smirked. "How terrible."
Ramiro sat at the head of the table, watching the exchange with amusent. "Eat first, complain later."
Luzia picked up her fork with a sigh. "Fine."
As she dug into her food, she couldn't help but feel that sothing wasn't quite right.
'He's definitely hiding sothing. And I'm going to find out what.'
---
After dinner, Luzia sat in front of her vanity, already dressed in her nightgown, while Elena carefully undid her hair, letting it flow down her back. The maid's touch was practiced and gentle, though her expression remained distant and aloof as always.
Luzia studied Elena through the mirror, her lips pursed in thought. "Hey, Elena."
"Yes, my lady?" Elena responded without pausing her work.
"Assassins have heightened senses, just like swordsn, right?"
Elena's hand stilled for a brief mont before she resud combing. "Hmm, yes," she said, her tone carrying a hint of pride beneath her usual cool deanor. "But assassins surpass swordsn when it cos to perception. Our senses are far sharper."
"Perfect!" Luzia spun around in her seat to face Elena, eyes gleaming. "Sleep here with tonight."
Elena blinked, clearly caught off guard. "My lady, I... I am just a maid," she said hesitantly, a rare trace of uncertainty flickering in her expression.
Luzia waved a hand dismissively. "You're my maid, and I want you to sleep here."
Elena's brows furrowed. "Why... my lady, there must be a reason."
Luzia hesitated for a beat before leaning in slightly, lowering her voice. "I haven't told Dad this, but... I feel like I'm being watched at night while I sleep."
Elena's posture stiffened instantly, her hand tightening around the brush. "Watched?" Her voice was sharper now, laced with a dangerous edge. "Who would dare?"
"I don't know," Luzia admitted, shifting uneasily. "It's just... a feeling. But it's weird. And creepy."
Elena's gaze darkened, her jaw clenched. "If soone is lurking around, I will find them."
"So you'll stay?" Luzia asked hopefully.
Elena gave a firm nod. "Of course, my lady. I'll watch over you tonight."
Luzia exhaled in relief and grinned. "Great! Now, let's catch this creep."
Elena allowed the faintest hint of a smirk to tug at her lips. "Yes, my lady."
Later that night, the bedroom was bathed in soft moonlight filtering through the sheer curtains. Luzia lay curled up under the covers, her eyes half-lidded but alert, listening to the faint rustling of leaves outside. Elena sat silently on a chair near the bed, her posture straight and unwavering, like a statue carved out of the darkness itself.
"You know," Luzia mumbled sleepily, "if I didn't know better, I'd think you're a ghost the way you sit there without moving."
Elena didn't even blink. "It's necessary, my lady. A careless movent could alert unwanted eyes."
Luzia peeked at her from beneath the blanket, whispering, "Do you think I'm imagining it?"
"No," Elena said firmly, eyes scanning the dimly lit room. "Instinct is rarely wrong, my lady. And if you feel sothing, it's worth investigating."
Luzia bit her lip and nodded, reassured by Elena's certainty. But even with Elena's presence, an unsettling weight pressed on her chest. She turned to face the ceiling. "You're staying awake all night, aren't you?"
"Of course," Elena replied.
"That's... kind of creepy, you know." Luzia sighed, rolling onto her side. "Well, wake up if sothing happens. And try not to stare at too much—I'd like to think I sleep gracefully."
Elena's lips twitched slightly. "As you wish, my lady."
Silence fell over the room, save for the rhythmic ticking of the ornate clock on the wall. Luzia gradually drifted into a restless sleep, her breathing soft and steady.
Hours passed, and the deep of the night settled in. Elena remained perfectly still, her sharp gaze flitting to every shadow and subtle movent within the room.
But Elena knew better.
Her eyes moved to the window, narrowing.
A figure, his silver hair billowing in the night wind, walked in through the balcony.
'An assassin?' The figure thought.
The figure smirked, catching Elena's eye, but didn't seem concerned by her presence. He chuckled softly and shook his head, as if enjoying so private joke.
Casually, he approached Luzia's bed and sat on the edge, his presence so quiet it almost seed unreal. He reached forward, delicately brushing a strand of Luzia's hair away from her face.
'As expected of my master... she was able to remove the first obstacle with the little hint I gave her... And it looks like she rembered a bit more without my help,' the figure mused, smiling warmly at her as he gazed down.
"I wish to show you more, but I don't think it is ti for that yet..."
Luzia stirred in her sleep, her brows furrowing, a slight tension crossing her face.
'She's waking up. I should leave,' the figure thought, his expression softening as he rose.
As Luzia's eyes snapped open, she sat up, her gaze darting instinctively to the edge of the bed.
"My lady?" Elena's voice was steady, but there was an edge to her words as she stood, positioning herself between Luzia and any potential threat.
Luzia's eyes narrowed, her mind racing. I swear I heard that sa voice... The silver-haired person was here again.
"Did you see anyone?" Luzia asked, her voice low but sharp.
Elena's jaw tightened, and her fists clenched at her sides. I couldn't detect this intruder at all. She shook her head, eyes unwavering. "No, my lady. I've been awake this entire ti."
Luzia's pulse quickened. Even Elena didn't notice him... She swallowed hard, glancing around the dimly lit room. Was it just her imagination? Or had he really been here?
Slowly, she pulled the covers tighter around her, her thoughts racing. What's really going on?
Elena's voice cut through the silence, firm yet laced with an unusual edge. "My lady... it seems you are the only one who can sense this presence."
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