[Haruka POV]
The light outside has shifted to a softer orange. The kind of sky that made the world feel slower. Quieter.
I hadn't moved from the couch in over an hour.
Levi's letter is set on the table, unread but not unseen. I had already memorised every word.
I heard the soft knock on the door. It opened gently, and Ray stepped in.
He didn't look like a bodyguard today. No earpiece. No blazer. Just his usual quiet, composed self, someone I never fully figured out.
He stood by the doorway, one hand tucked loosely into his pocket.
"I heard he gave you a letter." He said softly.
I didn't respond. Just stared out of the window.
I didn't need to answer. The redness around my eyes did it for me.
Ray's gaze shifted to me, calm but careful. "Did you cry?"
I stayed quiet for a beat. Then he said flatly, "You don't have to pretend you didn't notice."
Ray didn't smile. But his expression softened just slightly. He stepped inside.
"It's okay to cry, you know," he said, voice low. "It doesn't make you less valid. It doesn't make you weaker."
"I didn't cry because I'm weak." I muttered.
"I know."
I looked away.
Ray moved to the side table, placing a glass of water down without a word, then stood nearby without sitting, like he was waiting for something. Or maybe just being present.
I finally broke the silence again.
I hesitated… Then he asked, "Did you talk to him again after that day?"
Ray looked straight at me. No hesitation. "No."
"But he reached out, didn't he?"
Ray didn't answer right away.
Then he said, "It was your order not to let him through. Not to talk to him. I follow your orders, Charles."
There was no bitterness in his tone. Just calm, steady loyalty.
"...Right." I said quietly. "You always do."
A pause stretched between us. Heavy but not uncomfortable.
And then Ray added, "Even so… whatever he said in the letter, I think he's telling the truth."
I turned my gaze down to the floor, processing the weight of that sentence.
"He hurt me, Ray." I muttered quietly.
"I know."
"But he says he still loves me."
"And I believe him." Ray said without hesitation.
I looked up at him. Eyebrows furrowed. "Why?"
Ray paused, and for once, something cracked through his calm exterior. Not sentiment, not pity. Just, truth.
"Because he would give up everything to protect you. And he'd do it again without blinking."
I looked away again.
Ray's voice dropped even lower.
"I'm not here to tell you what to do. I'm here to protect you. Whatever you decide, I'll stand behind it."
Ray stood straight again and walked toward the door.
"I'll be outside if you need me," he said, then paused with one hand on the handle.
"And Haruka… even if you're not ready to open the door yet… don't lock it forever."
Then he left.
And I sat in the stillness again, the letter on the table like it was waiting… like he was waiting.
//SKIP TO THE WEEKEND//
I found Ray by the balcony, already dressed in a tailored black suit. He looked strangely formal, like someone preparing for a duel rather than a birthday party. He's leaving for Milan later.
"You're going now?" I asked, sipping my hot chocolate.
Ray turned, adjusting his cufflinks. "Yeah. My grandfather would murder me if I'm late to his birthday party. The man's 80 and still throws a better party than others."
I leaned back against the sliding. "I thought you said you wouldn't leave me alone. 24/7 surveillance. Your words."
"My words still stand." He turned to face me fully now, stepping away from the balcony. "That's exactly why I'm not just leaving you. I've already discussed with Chris and arranged everything. You'll be staying at Auclair's main residence while I'm gone."
My fingers curled around the mug. "What?"
"Chris agreed to it," he added quickly, clearly anticipating my protest. "Your parents and grandparents are not going to be there when you arrive. They will be attending Levi's engagement ceremony, which means the place is basically empty. And with security levels there, even Claude would think twice before making a move."
"The engagement." I echoed flatly, eyes narrowing.
Ray didn't flinch. "I know. But that means the place is practically empty. No one will know you're there. I've already spoken to the head of the household staff. You'll have privacy."
This time, I walked towards the balcony, looking down at the garden below. "So basically, a gilded cage."
"A safe one," Ray corrected. "And temporary."
I stayed quiet, pretending to consider it while already planning my exit.
Ray sighed. "Look, I don't like leaving you, but it's just one day. Less than that. I'll be back before the sunrise."
I shrugged, pretending to be indifferent. "You're not my babysitter, Ray. I'll survive a few hours without you."
Ray raised a brow. "Are you sure about that?"
I smiled faintly. "Positive."
He studied me for a long second, then exhaled slowly. "Don't go anywhere."
"I won't." The lie is smooth on my tongue.
//SKIP//
[Auclair Main Residence - Afternoon, Day of Levi's Engagement]
The house was quiet. Almost too quiet.
Security patrolled every entry point. Every window. Even the maids looked unusually alert. Ray had made sure I'd be wrapped in protection like a glass figurine while he's gone.
But protection wasn't what I wanted today.
Not when he was standing next to someone else in a room full of cameras, smiling for the world. Not when our story had been pushed aside like it never happened.
I stood in the private library, facing the towering shelves with their meticulously organised rows. My fingers traced the binding until I found it. Third shelf. The seventh book from the left.
Click.
The hidden panel creaked open, revealing the old stone passage that ran beneath the estate. The one only I knew existed.
I stepped inside without looking back.
No cameras. No sensors. No eyes.
Exactly what I needed.
About 30 minutes later, I arrived at my house. Seems like no one noticed I left the house. Not yet.
The familiar scent hit me the moment I walked in. Warm wood. Faint jasmine. A breeze through the half-open balcony door.
Nothing had changed.
And yet… everything had.
As for my fur babies, I had sent them to the pet hostel for a while. I'm afraid I couldn't take care of them properly. But the main reason is… I'm afraid they might remind me of him.
I walked across the polished floors slowly, almost as if I were afraid to disturb the quiet.
When I reached my bedroom, I went straight for the drawer. Inside, wrapped in a soft cloth, was the small black velvet box.
My hand hovered over it before finally picking it up.
I opened the lid.
There it was.
The bracelet. Sleek. Elegant. Engraved with H.C.A and L.A.
I could still hear his voice when he gave it to me. The way he said, "Wear it. Always."
Back then, I hesitated.
Back then, I was afraid.
But today… I was ready.
I slipped it on slowly, the metal cool against my skin… but it didn't feel cold.
It felt right. Like it belonged.
A soft smile tucked at the corner of my lips as I touched the bracelet. Just for a second.
And then…
Snap.
My body stiffened.
A sharp scent invaded my senses. Sweet. Chemical. Wrong. It's chloroform.
I barely had time to turn before a cloth was shoved against my mouth and nose. The hand behind it is strong, too strong to fight off.
I struggled, flailing an arm toward the nightstand, but my muscles were already going numb.
Wait…
My vision blurred. My knees buckled. My mind screamed it as my body began to give out.
Claude…?
Then everything went black.
[Unknown Location - Unknown time]
I woke up in a bedroom I'd never seen before. It was quiet, almost too quiet and oddly luxurious. Soft sheets, polished furniture, sunlight filtering through thick curtains. Nothing about it screamed "kidnapping," except for the fact that my hand was tied to the chair.
I blinked slowly, the world tilting sideways as I fought through the fog in my brain.
Chloroform.
Right. That scent. That split second before darkness swallowed me whole.
I inhaled shakily through my nose.
"Claude…"
His name scraped against my throat like broken glass. I knew this was his doing. He couldn't face me in daylight, so he sent shadows. Like a coward.
I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to control my breathing.
Think.
How long had I been out? An hour? Two?
Did anyone know I was missing?
My breathing had just begun to steady when the door creaked open with an almost theatrical slowness.
I looked up, and there he was. Claude.
"You sure took your time to wake up," he said, smooth and condescending. "Just like a sleeping beauty."
Claude Bernard stood in front of me, dressed casually, the faintest smirk playing on his lips as if he were greeting an old lover instead of a hostage.
I kept my face blank despite the pounding in my chest.
"What do you want?" I asked, hoarse but calm.
Claude took a step closer, hands folded behind his back. His eyes were dark with amusement and something far more dangerous.
"What do I want?" He echoed, tilting his head slightly. "You, Mr. Haruka Charles Auclair. I want you."
He moved in slowly, circling behind me like a predator circling prey.
"The moment I first laid eyes on you, I knew. That elegance. That defiant gaze. That perfect face… God, your beauty is incomparable. Just looking at you makes me feel insane in the most exquisite way."
I clenched my jaw, turning my head away. Revolted.
He leaned in, close enough that I could feel his breath against my ear.
"But Levi doesn't appreciate you the way I would. He wastes your worth on quiet moments and gentle words. I would worship you."
I snapped my head toward him, glare sharp. "You're sick."
He laughed softly, amused. "And you're intoxicating."
Suddenly, a buzzing sound echoed through the room.
Claude pulled a sleek phone from his pocket and glanced at the screen. That's my phone. He chuckled darkly. "Look at that. Your loyal little bodyguard keeps calling. Should I answer?"
Before I could say anything, he answered the call and turned on the loudspeaker.
"Charles, where are you?!" Ray's voice came through, tight with panic.
Claude raised his brows mockingly and replied, "Relax. The princess is safe here. I wouldn't want to harm him."
"You bastard!" Ray snapped. "Let Charles go, or I'll reveal every file we collected about you. In three seconds, you'll be finished."
Claude's smile widened, venom curling in his tone. "Oh? A threat, Mr. former MI6 agent? Careful. A leak like that might just drag your precious master down with me. I wonder how the world would react if they saw their beloved young master getting fucked by another man."
There was a sharp intake of breath. Ray's voice lowered into something lethal. "You bastard… what do you want?"
Claude's reply was pure poison. "What else? Your young master, of course. Now that Levi Ackerman is playing the part of loyal fiancé, I'll be taking Haruka Charles Auclair for myself."
"You sick.." Ray cut off, voice trembling. "How the hell did you even bypass Haruka's house security system?"
Claude's grin deepened, eyes sparkling. "Ah, now you're curious? Of course I did a background check on you. Joined MI6 at 20. Became their youngest SS-rank agent at 21. Known as one of the best hackers in the world. And at the age of 22, the princess requested you to be the young master's bodyguard."
He paused. "Codename: Bourbon."
My eyes widened slightly. Ray's codename? I never knew he had one.
Claude's voice darkened with satisfaction. "But you're not the only one with skills, Bourbon. There's someone else. Someone who can match you line for line, byte for byte."
Ray's voice came low, disbelieving. "You don't mean…"
Then a voice cut in, smooth and cold. "Long time no see, Bourbon."
The voice said, entering the room.
"James," Ray growled. "You're working for Claude now?"
The person called James chuckled. "Well, let's just say your clean little knight still owes me a few scars. Claude pays better, and watching you panic is worth every second."
Claude chuckled and turned back to me. "So, Mr. Bodyguard," he purred, "why don't you stay put and let me have my fun with the young master here? You wouldn't be able to find him that fast anyway."
He moved to end the call, but Ray's voice surged through, one last time. Low, pain, but sure.
"Charles… I'm glad you're wearing it."
I blinked, confused for a second until I looked down.
The bracelet. Still snug around my wrist.
"He'll come for you." Ray said.
And the line went dead.
Claude's eyes glittered with cruel amusement as he took slow steps towards me, voice dripping with contempt.
"He'll come for you?" Claude scoffed, laughing darkly. "Who? Levi?" He shook his head with a sneer. "Hahaha. Of course he won't. He's too busy playing the perfect fiancé. Planning his wedding, pretending everything's fine. He doesn't even know where you are right now."
I swallowed hard but said nothing.
Claude's gaze sharpened, as if savouring every word he's about to unleash.
"You know why I never confront Levi with brute force?" He folded his arms, eyes locked on mine. "Because I know better than anyone how strong Levi Ackerman is. Stronger than your loyal bodyguard, even. Fifty men wouldn't be enough to take him down."
He leaned in just slightly, voice low and venomous.
"But strength isn't everything. His mind… that's his weakness. And you? You are the perfect weapon to break him. Just like I did 6 years ago."
Claude chuckled softly, the sound hollow and dangerous.
"I've waited a long time for this moment. And I never imagined it would come so soon. Thanks to Levi's foolish engagement and… your bodyguard's inconvenient family matters."
He straightened, eyes gleaming with malicious delight.
"So, why don't we stop wasting time? Let's have some fun."
Suddenly…
BANG!
The heavy door behind Claude crashed open with a thunderous slam.
Levi stepped inside, every inch the deadly force he was known to be. Eyes cold, muscles coiled, ready to strike.
For a moment, neither of them moved. Claude was clearly shocked.
Only one word escaped my lips, barely a whisper, but filled with everything.
"Levi."
TO BE CONTINUED!!!