Chapter 13 : The enemy entry
"Good morning, Realiana."
"Hmm…?" I cracked one eye open. "Good morning, Natasha."
"What? Wake up, Miss Sleeping Beauty. Open your eyes."
I blinked—and froze.
Standing right in front of me was Leo.
Shirtless.
Wait—shirtless?!
I jolted upright. "Hey! Don't you have any manners?!" I shouted, then muttered under my breath, "Even if I do like the view…"
Leo chuckled, already turning away. "Sorry. I'm late for a meeting. I'll be back tomorrow." He paused at the door and glanced over his shoulder. "All the best for college."
"All the best?" I scoffed. "It's not my first day. I know everyone there."
He stepped closer anyway, his voice dropping. "Still… I'll miss you."
"Ah—!"
"I'm really sorry for interrupting," Natasha cut in briskly, "but Boss, you're already late. You have to leave now."
"Fine," Leo said, straightening. "Bye."
The door closed behind him.
Natasha turned to me with a wicked grin. "I'll miss you."
"Ugh. Stop it," I groaned. "It doesn't suit you."
"Yeah, yeah. I'll miss you too." She didn't stop teasing even then. "Get ready. Your car is waiting."
"My car?" I frowned. "I'm going by car?"
"Boss's order."
"…Fine."
I got ready and slid into the back seat.
"Natasha?" I stared. "You're coming with me?"
"Yes, ma'am. Boss's order."
Frustrated, I sighed. "Then at least give me my phone."
She handed it over.
Two months without my phone—and now it was finally back. I could've cried.
"I thought Jack or Jhosen would drop me," I said.
"They're with Boss." Natasha gestured to the driver. "Let me introduce you. This is Nick—Boss's most trusted man. He'll be your driver from today."
"Okay."
We arrived at my college. As I stepped out, I looked up at the familiar building, as if I were returning after years instead of months.
"Bye, Realiana. Have a nice day," Natasha said.
"Bye. See you later."
The moment I walked inside, people rushed toward me.
"Re—Re—Realiana?!"
"Oh my God, sweety!" Someone pulled me into a tight hug. "Where have you been? We missed you so much!"
"N-Nothing," I laughed softly. "Just… family matters."
"You look so slim. Are you okay?" another voice asked.
"Of course I am. Same as always." I paused, scanning the crowd. "Where is—"
"I know," someone cut in. "She'll be in the library. Let's go."
"Yeah."
Outside, Nick glanced at Realiana through the rearview mirror, suspicion flickering in his eyes. "That girl… she gives off a strange vibe."
"You're overthinking," Natasha replied calmly. "She's normal. I know her."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Let's go. We have work to do."
Elsewhere, in a blood-soaked silence, Leo stood with his men.
"If they interfere with our work," Leo said coldly, "they die this time."
"And their leader," Jack added, "Valley Lily."
Jhosen's jaw tightened. "Don't forget the Silent Duchess. She's stronger than Valley Lily herself."
Smith spread out a map. "Boss, the main entrance is guarded. But this route is safer."
Leo's eyes darkened. "Fine. We kill them all."
Mafia mode: on.
They entered through the side route.
Too quiet.
Bodies lay scattered across the floor. Every neck bore the same precise mark.
"It's the Lotus," Jhosen hissed, fury burning in his eyes.
"They're alive," Leo said. "Which means we're not late."
They rushed inside. Blood coated the walls, the stairs, the air itself.
"Jhosen—third floor. Jack—top floor," Leo ordered. "Five floors total. Two are clear. I'll take the fourth."
"Yes, Boss."
Leo climbed the stairs.
"Looking for me?"
A woman sat casually a top a table, one leg crossed over the other, a small black box dangling from her fingers. Her presence alone crushed the air. Her face is hide from mask.
"And maybe…" she smiled slowly, eyes glowing with cruelty, "you're looking for this?"
"You," Leo snarled. "We meet again."
Her smile sharpened—beautiful, deadly. "Oh, my dear… don't you know who I am?"
"Valley Lily," Leo roared, rage exploding. "You bastard!" He lunged forward.
"Even knowing who I am, you still dare stand before me?"
She dodged every strike with lazy, flawless precision—each movement elegant, merciless. To her, Leo was nothing more than entertainment.
"Ahahaha!" Valley Lily laughed, echoing through the floor. "You'll never touch me. Legends don't fall to amateurs."
"Enough, Valley."
The voice was calm—too calm. Cold authority wrapped in silence.
The Silent Duchess stepped out of the shadows.
Her presence erased sound itself. Where Valley Lily was chaos and cruelty, the Duchess was pure, absolute death.
In a single blink, she struck.
Leo didn't even see the kick—only felt his body smash into the wall as the air burst from his lungs.
"We're done here," the Silent Duchess said. "Let's go."
They turned to leave.
"Oh," Valley Lily added lightly, turning back with a predator's smile, "by the way—your friend Jhosen? He has five minutes left to live. So run after him… not us, kid."
Leo slammed his fist into the floor. "You bastards…"