Chapter 33: Checkmate, Suzuki
After a few quiet seconds passed, all three—Silas, Victoria, and Maria—were now seated in the secluded corner of the library. The table, partially shielded by towering bookshelves and nestled against the wall, offered an illusion of privacy.
Maria, still visibly flustered from earlier, kept her gaze low, eyes fixed on the stack of books before her. Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of a page, though she wasn't reading—just trying to center herself.
Across from her, Victoria remained poised, her back straight as ever, legs crossed at the ankles. Her crimson eyes stayed locked on Silas, gaze intense, unwavering. She sat close, too close for comfort—clearly intentional.
Silas, meanwhile, leaned slightly back in his chair, his arms crossed casually, though the way his fingers tapped rhythmically against his forearm betrayed the underlying tension. Their proximity to each other made the air between them feel electric.
Victoria gave him a quick side-eye, her pupils narrowing slightly as her gaze traveled across his face, searching for the slightest twitch—anything to confirm her suspicions.
Silas returned the glance with his own sidelong look, cool and unbothered, eyes half-lidded with feigned boredom. They studied each other silently, the beginnings of a psychological chess match. A game of cat and mouse was beginning—neither of them quite sure who was which.
"So... where's the prince...?" Silas spoke first, his voice casual but deliberately placed. He aimed to pivot the tension away from himself—redirect the hunt before she sank her claws in.
Victoria didn't break eye contact. She waited a beat before responding, her tone clipped but calm.
"He had other errands to attend to."