Chapter 77: A Deal with Raphael
The Obsidian Spire rose in the distance, faintly seen through the morning mist.
Lirian adjusted the hood of her cloak, her eyebrows were lifted up, as she approached the fortress gates.
The guards tensed at her presence, but she strode past them without so much as a glance.
Raphael awaited her in his private chambers.
His power was undeniable, his influence rivaled only by Meylo’s ambitions.
But Lirian was no longer the trembling girl who had once stood beneath his judgment.
Today, she came armed with secrets—and a plan.
Raphael rose from his chair when entered.
Piercing her with his blue eyes.
"Lady Lirian," he greeted in a smooth velvet voice.
"What an unexpected surprise. To what do I owe the honor of your visit?"
Lirian swept into the room.
She pulled back her hood, letting her dark hair tumble over her shoulders.
"I’m here to discuss your misjudgment of Gabriel," she said coldly, locking him with her eyes.
Raphael smirked, leaning casually against the edge of his desk.
"Ah, yes. Gabriel. The infamous fugitive. You’ll forgive me if I’m a little... skeptical about your interest and love in him. After all, isn’t he the one who—"
"Spare me the theatrics, Raphael," Lirian interrupted, her tone was clear enough to cut glass.
She stepped closer.
"We both know the accusations against Gabriel are a convenient distraction. Tell me, when did you become so... predictable?"
Raphael chuckled in a low sound that filled the room.
"Predictable? You wound me, my lady. I’m simply a man who upholds the law. And Gabriel, last I checked, broke quite a few of them. His sudden disappearance only adds to his guilt."
Lirian’s lips curled into a smile.
"Disappearance? How curious. Almost as curious as how your hands are never clean no matter how hard you wash them."
Raphael straightened, his smirk faded for a fraction of a second before returning with practiced ease.
"Careful, Lirian. Accusations like that could be... misinterpreted."
She stepped even closer, so close that the faint scent of her perfume mingled with the smoky air.
"Oh, I’m not accusing you of anything. I’m simply stating facts." She leaned in slightly, her voice dropped to a near-whisper.
"Like how you orchestrated that little ’demonstration’—dragging me in front of those nobles and beating me for your amusement. Or how you’ve been running a cult under the guise of loyalty to the crown."
Raphael’s eyes narrowed, his jaw tightened immediately.
"You’re treading on thin ice."
Lirian tilted her head, pretending to show innocence.
"Am I? Or are you just upset that someone finally pieced it all together?" She reached into her cloak and pulled out a leather-bound folder, tossing it onto his desk.
"These documents detail everything: your connections to Meylo’s underlings, your dealings with the cult, and your less-than-savory hobbies. It’s all there."
Raphael’s eyes darkened as he picked up the folder, flipping through the pages.
His hand trembled slightly, though he quickly steadied it.
"Where did you get this?"
Lirian shrugged, a smug smile played on her lips.
"Does it matter? What matters is what happens next."
Raphael closed the folder, meeting her eyes.
"You’ve changed, Lirian. The timid little girl I once knew is gone."
"Good," she said bluntly. "Because that girl would’ve let you win. I’m not here to play your games, Raphael. I’m here to make you an offer."
Raphael arched an eyebrow, intrigue went across his face.
"An offer? Do tell."
She leaned against the desk, her posture seemed relaxed but her eyes burnt with cold fire.
"You’re going to clear Gabriel’s name. Declare him a free man, absolved of all charges. And in return, I’ll ensure this"—she tapped the folder—"never sees the light of day."
He studied her for a long moment, the tension between them crackled like a storm.
"And what if I refuse?" he asked in a lower tone.
Lirian’s smile widened, her teeth gleamed like a predator’s.
"Then I’ll make sure everyone knows exactly who you are. You’ve made plenty of enemies, Raphael. How long do you think you’d survive once they find out the truth?"
Raphael’s stare lingered on her.
Then, to her surprise, he laughed—a rich, throaty sound that echoed through the chamber.
"You really are something else, Lirian. I underestimated you."
She crossed her arms, unfazed by his amusement.
"I’m not here for your flattery. Do we have a deal or not?"
He stepped closer, invading her space.
The heat of his presence was almost suffocating, but Lirian stood her ground.
"You know," Raphael said, softening his lips, "if things had been different, we might have made a formidable pair. You’ve got fire, ambition, and a mind sharp enough to cut through steel. It’s... intoxicating."
Lirian arched an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Flirting won’t save you, Raphael."
"Who says I’m trying to save myself?" He reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.
His touch was gentle, but his eyes burned with something darker.
She caught his wrist, her grip ironclad.
"Don’t," she warned, icily.
He smirked, withdrawing his hand.
"Very well. But you should know, Lirian, that deals with me rarely come without a price."
"I’m not afraid of you," she said firmly.
Raphael’s smirk deepened.
"Perhaps you should be."
The silence between them was electric.
Finally, Raphael picked up the folder again, flipping through its contents one last time.
"Fine," he said, his tone begrudging.
"Gabriel will be declared a free man. But you’d better hope your gamble pays off, Lirian. If Meylo’s plans succeed, none of this will matter."
"They won’t succeed," she said confidently. "Because I’ll stop him."
Raphael chuckled, shaking his head.
"You’ve changed, indeed. But don’t get too comfortable in your victory. The game is far from over."
Lirian turned to leave, but before she reached the door, Raphael’s voice stopped her.
"Lirian," he called.
She paused, glancing over her shoulder.
"You’re playing with fire. Be careful it doesn’t burn you."
"Fire doesn’t scare me, Raphael. I am the fire."
"Good, guards!"
Lirian’s mouth opened, as the knights surrounded her.
"What are you doing, Prince?"
"You really thought you could come here with a little folded and threaten me?" He arched an eyebrow.
He looked at her cloak, then at the guards, "take it off."
The guards immediately removed Lirian’s cloak, exposing her dress with cleavage.
"How beautiful," Raphael stated while tracing his fingers down her chest.
"Wanna play a little game, my dear Lirian?"