The path back to the manor was quiet, save for the crunch of gravel under Raphael’s boots. The sunlight filtering through the trees gave the illusion of peace, but his mind was anything but settled. His brother’s reaction earlier amused him, though it also left a bitter taste in his mouth. Damian’s protectiveness over the girl-Aurora, was it? How interesting.
As he walked toward the side entrance, Raphael’s sharp eyes caught sight of someone by the fountain near the garden’s edge. A woman sat there, her posture stiff, her gaze fixed on the rippling water. Even from a distance, he recognized her. Lily.
He stopped, a sly grin spreading across his face. It had been a long time since he’d seen her, but she hadn’t changed much. Her beauty was still striking, though there was a weariness in her eyes now, a shadow that hadn’t been there before. He remembered her vividly, not just as a presence in the palace but as someone who once held a far more coveted position.
Quietly, he approached, his steps slow and deliberate. When he was close enough, he spoke, his tone light but laced with mockery.
“Lily,” he said, dragging out her name. “What a surprise to see you here. Though I suppose the gardens are fitting for someone with… time on their hands.”
She flinched at the sound of his voice, her head snapping toward him. Her blue eyes widened briefly before narrowing into a glare.
“Raphael,” she said evenly, though there was an edge to her tone. “What do you want?”
He chuckled, tilting his head as if considering her question. “Want? Can’t a man simply enjoy a conversation with an old acquaintance?”
Lily’s lips pressed into a thin line, and she turned her gaze back to the fountain, her hands clenching in her lap.
“I’m not in the mood for games,” she said sharply. “If you’re here to mock me, get it over with and leave.”
Raphael feigned a hurt expression, placing a hand over his chest. “Mock you? Why would I ever do such a thing?” His grin widened as he moved to stand beside her. “Though I must admit, I am curious. How does one go from being Damian’s mistress to… whatever it is you are now? A maid? A companion for the lonely?”
Lily’s shoulders tensed, but she refused to look at him. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Oh, but I do,” he said smoothly. “You were once the center of his attention, weren’t you? The one everyone envied. And now? Now you’re just another shadow in this place.”
She turned to him then, her eyes blazing with a mix of anger and hurt. “Is that why you’re here? To remind me of what I’ve lost? Or are you just trying to entertain yourself by poking at old wounds?”
Raphael’s expression softened for a moment, but it was fleeting. “I’m merely stating the obvious. It’s a shame, really. I always thought you had a certain… charm. But it seems charm isn’t enough to hold Damian’s interest.”
Lily stood abruptly, her hands trembling at her sides. “You don’t know anything about what happened between us,” she said, her voice low but filled with venom. “And frankly, it’s none of your business.”
Raphael stepped closer, his smile fading into something colder. “Oh, I know enough. I know Damian doesn’t tolerate failure. And I know that for you to lose your place, you must have failed spectacularly.”
Her breath hitched, and she took a step back, but she didn’t break eye contact. “Say whatever you want, Raphael. I don’t care what you think of me.”
He laughed softly, shaking his head. “If that were true, you wouldn’t be standing here, shaking like a leaf. But don’t worry. I’m not here to cause trouble. Consider this a friendly reminder of the stakes in this place.”
Lily’s jaw tightened, and she crossed her arms over her chest. “The stakes? Don’t pretend you’re doing me a favor by pointing out what I already know. You’re no better than anyone else here.”
Raphael’s smile returned, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Perhaps not. But at least I’m honest about it.”
She stared at him, her anger simmering just beneath the surface. For a moment, it looked as though she might say something more, but instead, she turned on her heel and walked away, her steps quick and determined.
Raphael watched her go, his expression unreadable. When she disappeared from view, he let out a quiet sigh and muttered to himself, “Such fire. Pity it’s wasted on this place.”
He glanced back toward the fountain, his thoughts drifting to his brother and the girl Damian had been so protective of. The pieces of the puzzle were beginning to come together, but there were still too many unanswered questions. One thing was certain, though: this visit was going to be far more interesting than he’d anticipated.
As Raphael turned away from the fountain, his mind buzzed with thoughts of Lily and Damian. The cracks in the facade of the manor’s calm were beginning to show, and Raphael loved nothing more than exploiting them.
Walking toward the side entrance of the manor, he passed through the arched doorway into the cool interior. The air inside felt heavy, carrying the faint scent of lavender and old wood. Servants moved quietly, keeping their heads down as they went about their tasks. Raphael paid them little mind, his focus shifting to the next move he could make.
He wasn’t here for mere pleasantries; he had his reasons. Watching Damian squirm, for one, was high on the list, but this Aurora girl she intrigued him. She wasn’t just a random girl plucked from obscurity. Damian’s uncharacteristic protectiveness meant she was important, but why? That was a question worth answering.