The silence didn't last.
At first, it felt peaceful. Eliana rested against Sebastian, her head lightly on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. His arms remained around her, firm yet gentle—as though he had no intention of letting her go.
For the first time since the ball… she felt safe.
But something shifted. Subtle. Almost imperceptible.
Sebastian's body tensed. Eliana frowned slightly.
"Sebastian?" she whispered.
He didn't answer. His gaze had moved—toward the door, sharp and alert, like a predator sensing something in the dark. The warmth in the room thinned.
"What is it?" she asked softly.
"Stay here," he said quietly.
Her chest tightened.
"What's wrong?" she pressed.
"I said stay here."
This time, his voice carried authority—not harsh, but absolute. Eliana's stomach tightened. She knew better than to argue.
A knock echoed through the room—three slow, measured taps.
Sebastian moved toward the door, every step silent on the polished marble.
"Eliana," he said over his shoulder, "not a word."
"…Alright," she replied, holding her breath.
A guard appeared outside. His head was bowed, but tension ran through his posture.
"My prince," he said. "There has been an intrusion."
The word settled like a weight.
Sebastian's jaw tightened.
"Report," he demanded.
"An intruder was found in the east wing," the guard said. "Unconscious. No signs of forced entry."
Impossible.
"Alive?" Sebastian asked.
"Yes, my prince."
A pause. Then—
"There are… marks."
Sebastian's eyes darkened. Something subtle, but dangerous flickered in them.
"What kind of marks?" he asked.
The guard lowered his voice.
"…Bite marks."
Eliana's chest tightened. The room suddenly felt colder.
Sebastian went completely still—controlled. Too controlled.
"Who knows?" he asked.
"Only the inner guards. The area has been contained."
"Good." His voice was calm again. Too calm.
"Keep it that way."
"Yes, my prince."
Sebastian closed the door slowly, then turned to face Eliana. Unease was written across her face.
"Sebastian… what does that mean?" she asked.
His gaze held hers, heavy and unreadable.
"It means something entered this palace tonight… that shouldn't have."
A chill ran down her spine.
"But how?" she whispered. "The palace is protected—"
"They didn't enter," he corrected quietly.
His dark eyes locked on hers.
"They slipped through."
Her fingers curled around the sheets.
"Stay in this room," he said. "Do not open the door for anyone. No matter who it is."
"Sebastian—"
"I mean it." His tone left no room for doubt. He stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"I'll return soon."
As he moved toward the door, Eliana spoke, almost instinctively:
"Does this have anything to do with Adrian?"
Sebastian froze. Slowly, he glanced over his shoulder. The look in his eyes was unreadable—dark, serious, and dangerous.
Danger wasn't coming.
It was already here.