Braelyn's POV
Richard was terrified.
The moment Lucien mentioned the Orlov name, the air shifted. Even a madman would not dare claim kinship with that family unless it was true. Power like that was not something people joked about.
Richard's face cycled through several emotions in quick succession, shock, denial, fear, then finally acceptance. He knew he was in trouble.
We were starting to draw attention. It was an open, busy street, and people had already begun to glance in our direction.
Lucien shot me a subtle look before grabbing Richard by the collar and dragging him towards a nearby alley. There was no struggle. Richard followed, stumbling over his own feet like a man already defeated.
