Chapter 87: The Plan for Meylo
Lirian, Gabriel, and Kael entered the meeting together.
Gabriel showed his usual commanding aura, while Kael trailed slightly behind.
Lirian, on the other hand, felt like a fish out of water.
Her unease only grew when her eyes moved to the far end of the room, where her father sat with his arms crossed, glaring at her like she’d personally orchestrated the kingdom’s downfall.
Lucius had always been cold, but tonight his disdain was too visible.
"Relax," Gabriel murmured under his breath, his hand brushed lightly against Lirian’s. "You’re not the one on trial here."
She nodded, but the knot in her stomach didn’t loosen.
At the head of the table sat Raphael.
His annoyingly perfect eyebrows were too dark but Lirian noticed how his jaw tensed slightly as Gabriel took his seat with a confidence that didn’t seem to care about rank.
"Everyone’s here," Raphael stated, lacking the warmth one might expect from a future monarch. "Let’s begin."
Gabriel leaned back in his chair, looking around the room like a wolf sizing up a pack.
"The issue is Meylo," he said bluntly. "We all know what he’s capable of. The question is: how do we take him down without losing half our forces in the process?"
"Meylo is no ordinary criminal," Kael added.
"He’s got an army of mercenaries, spies in every corner of the kingdom, and enough blackmail to keep half the court in his pocket...and let’s not forget the demons..."
Raphael cleared his throat, drawing attention.
"Which is precisely why this operation needs to be handled smoothly and carefully. Meylo isn’t just dangerous; he’s cunning. One wrong move, and we’ll be playing into his hands."
"Precision and care are all well and good," Lucius cut in like a blade.
"But what we need is strength. Crush him with overwhelming force before he has a chance to retaliate."
"And risk innocent lives?" Lirian blurted out before she could stop herself.
The room fell silent, and all eyes turned to her.
Lucius’s glare intensified, and Raphael raised an eyebrow, but it was Gabriel who spoke first.
"She’s right," he interrupted calmly. "Meylo thrives on mess and chaos. If we go in swinging blindly, we’ll only create more problems."
"Then what do you suggest, Duke?" Lucius’s lips frowned a little.
Gabriel leaned forward, placing his hands flat on the table. "We lure him out."
Raphael raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly do you plan to do that?"
"With bait," Gabriel said simply.
Kael’s eyebrows shot up. "You’re not seriously suggesting—"
"I am," Gabriel interrupted. "Meylo won’t show his face unless he thinks it’s worth the risk. And the only thing he values more than his own safety is leverage. We give him that."
Lirian felt a chill run down her spine. "Leverage? What kind of leverage?"
Gabriel’s eyes met hers. "You."
"What?" Lirian raised her voice an octave.
"Absolutely not," Lucius barked, his hand slammed on the table. "I won’t allow it."
"She won’t actually be in danger," Gabriel said, his tone sounded patient.
"It’s a trap. Meylo thinks he’s taking her, but we’ll be waiting for him."
"And what if the trap fails?" Lucius demanded. "What if he escapes? Or worse, what if he takes her for real?"
Gabriel’s jaw tightened. "It won’t fail."
Raphael leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled.
"This is... bold, to say the least. But Meylo is no fool. He’ll suspect something if we don’t handle this perfectly."
"That’s why we need everyone to play their part," Gabriel said.
He looked around the room, lingering on each person.
"Kael, you’ll lead the strike team. I’ll be with you. We’ll stay close, out of sight, until the moment Meylo shows himself."
Kael nodded. "Understood."
"Raphael," Gabriel continued, "you’ll oversee the second line of defense. If anything goes wrong, your men will make sure Meylo doesn’t leave the area alive."
Raphael’s lips thinned, but he nodded. "Very well."
"What about me?" Lucius asked, challenging.
"You’ll coordinate the intelligence," Gabriel stated evenly. "Make sure we have eyes everywhere. If Meylo so much as breathes the wrong way, I want to know about it."
Lucius looked like he wanted to argue, but Gabriel didn’t give him the chance.
"And Lirian," he said, turning to her.
She swallowed hard. "Yes?"
"You’ll be the one to draw him out."
Her heart pounded in her chest. "Gabriel, are you sure about this?"
He reached for her hand, his touch grounded her. "I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t think you could do it."
"She’s not a soldier," Lucius snapped.
"No," Gabriel steeled his tone.
"She’s more than that. She’s brave, resourceful, and she has a better understanding of Meylo’s tactics than anyone else here."
Lirian’s cheeks flushed at the unexpected praise, but she couldn’t shake the fear gnawing at her.
"What exactly would I have to do?" she asked, quieter.
"We’ll leak false information," Gabriel explained. "Something that makes it look like you’re traveling alone, vulnerable. Meylo won’t be able to resist."
"And when he takes the bait?" Raphael asked.
"We close the trap," Gabriel said simply.
The room fell silent as everyone absorbed the plan.
"It’s risky," Kael said finally.
"All good plans are," Gabriel replied.
Lucius shook his head. "You’re putting my daughter in harm’s way, Duke. If anything happens to her—"
"It won’t," Gabriel said, cutting him off. "Not while I’m breathing."
Raphael stood, signaling the end of the meeting.
"Very well. We’ll move forward with this plan. But if anything goes wrong, Gabriel, the blame will fall squarely on your shoulders."
Gabriel didn’t flinch. "I can live with that."
As the others began to file out of the room, Lirian stayed behind a little.
Johann and Gunther were supposed to be outside, listening.
"Lirian," Gabriel said, stepping closer.
She looked up at him, her eyes searched his. "Are you sure about this? Really sure?"
He cupped her face in his hands. "I won’t let anything happen to you. Trust me."
She nodded, but the unease in her chest didn’t fade.
"Come on," he said softly, guiding her toward the door. "We’ve got a lot to prepare."
And as they walked out together, Lirian couldn’t help but wonder if Gabriel’s confidence would be enough to save them all.
"Lirian, come here-"