Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 393. Delicate Information
Angel didn't move, but the air in the room dipped a few degrees colder.
"And you decided not to mention that earlier because…?"
"Because it's delicate," Darius said, not backing down. "If this conversation leaked out or was twisted even slightly, it could be taken as an act of aggression. We both know that. A prince sending spies without informing his own king? That's not something I want to see start a war over."
Angel was quiet for a moment.
Then he leaned back, nodding slightly. "Smart."
That was all he said.
Cley finally exhaled, very softly.
Angel drummed his fingers on the wood again. "So Jake's watching me."
Darius didn't speak, but the answer was clear.
Angel stood slowly, walking around his desk and standing near the window again. He looked out, one hand resting on the edge of the frame.
"And he sent a man who didn't flinch, didn't lie, didn't resist," he muttered. "Interesting choice."
Darius stood too, but waited.
Angel didn't turn around. "Thank you for telling me. I needed to know if you'd say it."
Darius didn't ask what would've happened if he hadn't. He wasn't sure he wanted to know.
"I trust you, Darius," Angel said finally. "Don't make me regret it."
"You won't," Darius replied quietly.
Angel gave a small nod. "Go. I'll handle the rest."
Darius didn't move right away. He stood near the desk, fingers curling slightly at his sides like he wanted to say something but wasn't sure if he should. The tension hadn't lifted. Not completely. Even with Angel's calm demeanor, the whole situation still felt like a tightrope walk—one wrong step, and kingdoms would start sharpening their swords.
Darius cleared his throat, eyes steady on the king's back. "Just to make sure, Your Majesty... are you planning to do something? I mean... to Prince Jake? Or maybe Harmonia?"
Angel turned his head slightly, just enough to glance back over his shoulder. "No."
It was simple. Flat. Not cold, but not soft either.
Darius raised a brow. "No?"
Angel fully turned then, arms crossed loosely, leaning against the edge of the window frame. "Like I said last night—just make sure that spy is really from Harmonia. That's our first step. It'd be a mistake if he was from someone else entirely, trying to push us and Harmonia into gutting each other for their amusement."
Darius nodded slowly. "Yes, Your Majesty. I'll make sure of it. I'll triple-check the messenger routes and his background, cross it with everyone I know in court back home."
Angel's jaw tensed slightly, but his voice stayed calm. "Good. Because as much as I want to believe this was a simple misstep, I can't let my guard down. Not now. Not ever."
Darius hesitated again, then stepped forward a little. "Still... it doesn't mean you're happy with Prince Jake's choice, right?"
Angel scoffed. "Not even close."
Cley, who had been standing off to the side, watching the exchange quietly, finally stepped forward. "That makes sense. I mean, if someone snuck into my office just to watch me work, I'd throw a chair at them."
Angel smirked faintly at that, but the humor didn't reach his eyes. "If Jake wanted to talk, he should've sent a diplomat. Or asked for a meeting. Something official. This? This is a message in itself. And not a polite one."
Darius rubbed the back of his neck. "He's young. And ambitious. Maybe a bit too much. He's trying to get ahead of things before they spiral out of his control."
"Then he should learn better ways to approach people he doesn't want as enemies," Angel said. "Sending a spy to someone's coronation isn't exactly... welcoming."
Silence hung in the air for a moment. Even the wind outside had gone still, pressing against the tall windows like it was listening in.
Darius nodded again. "I understand. Still... I believe he's not planning anything violent. Not now. He's just trying to find his footing before his father dies."
Angel's expression didn't change. "We'll see."
There was a long pause before Angel added, quieter now, "But trust only goes so far, Darius. If it turns out he was playing a longer game—if he's trying to sow chaos here while acting friendly—I won't hesitate to strike."
Darius's throat bobbed slightly. "Understood."
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