𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐕𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐒' 𝐅𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐃𝐎𝐆 | 𝘷𝘢𝘥𝘵𝘥 𝘹 𝘔.𝘺/𝘯 |

(13) The Crown Prince's Dream.

"........," 

"Likewise, it's always appreciated to connect with familiar faces. Masks to be exact."

The Duke's voice held a tinge of amusement.

"How have you been? Any noteworthy developments worth discussing?"

He pressed.

He then finally turned to me, his eyes as sharp as ice shards.

"There's something else we should discuss right now,"

Reynold interjected, his voice laced with desperation.

"That incident at the ball..."

"I understand, Reynold,"

Lord Eckhart cut him off, his voice firm.

"But that isn't the primary issue right now."

He gestured towards Penelope.

"If there's anything you know about the matter, (Y/N), you must tell us immediately."

The weight of his words settled on my shoulders.

Lie or confess?

My heart hammered against my ribs.

"I don't know anything about it,"

I lied smoothly, my voice betraying none of the turmoil within.

"I wasn't present during the incident."

A flicker of suspicion crossed Lord Eckhart's face, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

"I see..."

He muttered, his voice laced with doubt.

"You all, make sure to keep an eye on her condition. I'll see what I can do from my end."

With that, he exited the room, leaving a suffocating silence in his wake.

The air crackled with tension as the door clicked shut.

Derrick's gaze pierced through me.

"You don't know anything more than us?"

He asked, his voice laced with disbelief.

I met his gaze, summoning every ounce of composure.

"I swear on my title and honor, I truly know nothing,"

I lied again, my hand clasping Penelope's cool one. 

Not like they meant much to me, anyway.

However,

'Why did I lie for him?'

For Callisto?

Derrick studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable.

Finally, he gave a curt nod.

The silence stretched, thick with unspoken accusations. 

Reynold, ever the peacemaker, finally broke it.

"Well, while we wait for Father, why don't we catch up properly? We haven't seen each other in like months."

He gestured towards the couch, inviting us to sit.

Relief washed over me, tempered by a dose of apprehension.

Catching up with these 'old friends' was the last thing on my mind, but it seemed a temporary truce had been declared.

With a sigh, I sank onto the couch, maintaining a safe distance from both men.

Especially, Derrick.

My eyes kept flitting back to Penelope, a silent plea for her to wake up.