Esmeralda had just settled into what she believed would be a peaceful afternoon-
Which, in hindsight, was her first mistake.
She lay sprawled beneath her favorite tree, one arm lazily covering her eyes, the other dangling off the bench like she had personally given up on posture.
"...This is nice," she murmured. "No responsibilities. No problems. No-"
"Peaceful," a voice agreed.
She didn't even open her eyes.
"...Lord Aziel," she sighed, "you appear precisely when things are peaceful."
"Is that a complaint, my lady?"
"It is an observation."
A pause.
Then-
"...And a complaint."
Aziel chuckled softly, taking a seat nearby-but not too close. Never too close.
"I will attempt to arrive at less convenient times."
"Please do," she said. "It gives me the illusion that I control my life."
"...Do you not?"
"...Not when people keep appearing uninvited."
"I was invited."
"...That makes it worse."
The quiet returned.
Soft.
Comfortable.
Dangerously convincing.
Until-
"...You've been thinking about the abduction."
Esmeralda cracked one eye open.
"...I was hoping if I ignored it, it would resolve itself."
"And did it?"
"...No."
Aziel's gaze was steady now. Observant.
"It wasn't random," he said.
"No," she admitted, stretching slightly. "The payment was too low."
"The execution careless," he added.
"And yet," she continued, "they were instructed to keep me alive."
Their eyes met.
"...Which makes it deliberate."
"Yes."
"Just poorly done."
"Or rushed."
That made her pause.
"...Rushed?"
Aziel nodded.
"If they lacked resources, they may have acted before properly preparing."
"...Desperation," she murmured.
"Or urgency."
"...Both are annoying."
"...Then the question becomes," Esmeralda said slowly, "why me?"
Aziel studied her.
"...That is the question."
Rael appeared before them and stepped closer.
Naturally.
Deliberately.
"...What were you discussing?" he asked as if it was a coincidence that he was there. But truthfully, he planned to interrupt them the moment he received another message from his spy that Aziel and Esmeralda were alone together again.
"The tragic loss of my peace, why are you here anyway?" Esmeralda replied immediately.
"I had something to discuss with your father."
"Why does my father have so many business matters lately.. ugh"
She flopped on the grass.
"We were discussing about the abduction," Aziel calmly replied to the initial question.
Rael's gaze flickered-briefly-to Aziel, then back to her.
"...And?"
"...We were thinking."
"Dangerous."
"Only for you."
A pause.
Then-
"...Go on," he said, and this time-there was something almost amused in his tone.
She sighed, pushing herself up properly, dusting imaginary dirt off her dress like she was deeply inconvenienced by intelligence.
"The payment was too low," she began.
Rael nodded.
"Which eliminates wealthy nobles."
"Yes."
"The execution was careless."
"Yes."
"But the intent was specific," Aziel added. "You were to be taken alive."
Rael's eyes returned to her again.
Lingering.
"...Continue."
"...So," Esmeralda said, counting on her fingers, "we have someone with limited resources-"
"-but a clear objective," Aziel added.
"Someone impatient," she continued.
"Or desperate," Rael said.
"Or both," Aziel finished.
Silence.
Then-
"...I prefer enemies with standards," Esmeralda muttered.
Rael let out a quiet breath-
Not quite a laugh.
But close.
And that alone was suspicious.
"Lord Arundel, the duke has asked for you." a servant called out in the distance.
"Well, I guess I'll have to take my exit from this discussion." Aziel held Esmeralda's hand then kissed its back. "If you'll excuse me, my lady.. Your Highness.." Aziel hesitated but did not have a choice and left the two alone.
Aziel made his exit as Rael's gaze lingered on Esmeralda again.
Too long.
Too intent.
"...You understand this too well."
There it was again.
That suspicion.
That curiosity.
That interest.
Esmeralda narrowed her eyes.
"...I observe."
"You anticipate."
"I don't."
"You do."
"I don't."
"You do."
"...You're repetitive."
"And you're avoiding."
"...You're annoying."
"And you're interesting."
She froze.
"...That wasn't part of the argument."
"It is now."
He stepped closer again.
Just enough.
Just barely.
And this time-
He was definitely enjoying it.
She could see it.
The slight curve of his lips.
The way his eyes sharpened-not cold, but amused.
Like this-
this whole thing-
was entertaining to him.
"...You're doing that on purpose," she accused.
"Doing what?"
"This," she gestured vaguely between them. "Standing there. Looking like that."
"Like what?"
"...Like you know exactly what you're doing."
A pause.
Then-
"...I do," he said simply.
Esmeralda blinked.
"...That's unfair."
"Is it?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"...Because you're enjoying this."
"I am."
"...You admitted it?"
"I don't see a reason not to."
She stared at him.
"...You're insufferable."
"And yet," he said, voice lowering just slightly, "you keep responding."
"...Because you won't stop talking. Ugh!"
"And you won't walk away."
"...I could."
"Then why don't you?"
Silence.
Brief.
Dangerous.
"...Because," she said, folding her arms, "I refuse to lose an argument."
Rael smiled.
Actually smiled.
"...You already are."
"...I am not."
"You are."
"I'm not."
"You're flustered."
"I'm composed."
"You're blushing."
"...That's irrelevant."
"It's very relevant."
"...I hate you."
"That's unfortunate."
"...Why?"
"Because I'm enjoying this."
And there it was again.
That look.
That amusement.
That quiet, deliberate way he watched her react-
Like every response she gave was exactly what he expected.
And worse-
Exactly what he wanted.