Chapter 82: The Devil Is Watching
Immediately, Ivan rushed into the corridor where he and Lydia’s rooms were and shouted, "Get away from that door!"
Lydia, who had been sitting quietly on her bed, jumped at the sound of his voice. Her heart pounded. For a second, she had forgotten where she was. Ivan’s voice brought her back.
The suspicious man was already outside her room, his hand raised as if he was just about to knock. At the sound of Ivan’s voice, the man quickly dropped his hand and staggered back a little, raising both arms.
"My apologies, Your Highness," the man said, slurring his words slightly. "I had too much to drink... got a bit lost. I thought this was my room. Didn’t mean no harm."
He tried to laugh, as though he were embarrassed, then turned and began to stagger away, as if drunk. But Ivan didn’t buy it. He didn’t smell any alcohol on the man. His steps were too steady. His eyes were alert, sharp. That wasn’t the walk of a drunkard. It was a performance—a cover. Plus he knew who he was. The man just called him your highness, proving he knew exactly was he was doing.
Ivan clenched his fists but said nothing. He watched as the man passed him. He memorized the man’s face. The curve of his nose. The thin scar by his jaw. The color of his coat. The callouses in his hands, showing he was a swordsman.
Just then, Lydia opened her door, her face pale. "What happened? Why were you shouting?"
Ivan turned to her and gave a soft, reassuring smile. "Nothing serious. Just a drunk man wandering around."
She nodded slowly, but her eyes didn’t believe him. Her lips trembled slightly, and Ivan could see she was trying to stay calm, trying to look brave. But her eyes betrayed her. They were pleading.
Please stay.
He wanted to. He needed to. So, without saying a word, he stepped into her room. He closed the door behind him.