Alaric did not sit right away.
He stood near the door, hands in his pockets, eyes moving around the room as if he were checking for hidden threats. Seren watched him quietly. This was the first time he had entered her space. It felt strange. Personal.
"You don't trust easily," she said.
"No," Alaric replied. "And neither do you."
She closed the door and leaned against it. "Then why are you here?"
"Because someone inside my company is leaking information," he said. "And because you react to danger faster than my own people."
"That doesn't mean I'm on your side."
He turned to face her fully. "It means you understand how betrayal works."
Seren crossed her arms. "You're asking me to help you."
"I'm asking you to observe," he corrected. "Watch people. Listen. Tell me when something feels wrong."
"And what do I get?"
Alaric did not answer right away. That told her more than words.
"Protection," he finally said. "If things turn ugly."
Seren laughed softly. "They already are."
Their eyes met. The air felt tight again.
"I won't spy," Seren said. "But I'll tell you if I notice something."
"That's enough," he replied.
He turned to leave, then stopped.
"Don't wander at night," he added. "It's not safe."
She raised an eyebrow. "Because of your enemies or because of you?"
He looked back at her. "Both."
When he left, Seren sat on the bed, heart beating faster than it should.
This was getting messy.
---
The next day, Seren went out alone for the first time since the wedding.
Alaric had not stopped her. That surprised her.
She walked through the city, keeping her head down, blending in. She needed space. Needed air.
Her phone buzzed.
You're getting close, the message read.
Be careful.
She typed back quickly.
He suspects something. Not me. Others.
The reply came fast.
Do not trust him. Vale survives by breaking people.
Seren slipped the phone back into her pocket.
That night, a party was held at the mansion. Investors. Politicians. Smiles that did not reach eyes.
Seren played her role again. Calm. Quiet. Observing.
She noticed a woman watching Alaric too closely. Standing too near. Laughing too easily.
Then she noticed Alaric watching that same woman when he thought no one was looking.
Jealousy hit Seren without warning.
It made no sense.
She excused herself early and went upstairs.
A few minutes later, footsteps followed.
"You left suddenly," Alaric said from behind her.
"I had a headache."
"You don't," he replied.
She turned. "And how would you know?"
"Because you don't touch your temples when you lie," he said. "You look away."
Seren felt exposed.
"You were watching me?" she asked.
"Yes."
"That's not your right."
"No," Alaric said quietly. "But it's my habit."
They stood too close again.
"You shouldn't care who I talk to," he added.
"I don't," she said quickly.
That was another lie.
A crash sounded downstairs. Shouting followed.
Alaric stepped back instantly, alert.
"Stay here," he ordered.
He rushed down the stairs. Seren followed anyway.
A man lay on the floor near the entrance, blood on his sleeve. Guards surrounded him.
"He tried to steal files," one guard said.
Alaric looked at the man, then at Seren.
"This," he said coldly, "is why trust is dangerous."
Seren stared at the man's face.
She recognized him.
And that meant the enemy was closer than either of them realized.