The next morning, the mansion returned to its usual rhythm.
Miller had returned.
Kael sat across from him in the main hall, both engaged in a quiet conversation. No unnecessary words, just measured exchange.
"You adjusted quickly," Miller said.
"I adapt," Kael replied.
Miller gave a slight nod. That much was obvious.
Footsteps echoed from the stairs.
Misty.
She walked down casually, her attention first going to Miller.
"Good morning."
Miller acknowledged it.
Then she looked at Kael.
A brief pause.
"Hi."
Simple.
Unexpected.
And before anything else could be said, she turned and walked toward Silvi's room.
Silence followed.
Miller didn't speak immediately. He watched her leave, then slowly shifted his gaze to Kael.
"She doesn't do that," he said.
Kael remained silent.
Miller leaned back slightly, thinking.
"She ignores people. Lets them make the effort. Keeps herself above it."
A short pause.
"But just now…"
His eyes stayed on Kael.
"She spoke first."
Kael didn't react.
Miller understood something from that.
"You didn't try to impress her," he said.
Another pause.
"You just responded."
That was the difference.
Whatever she gave—
Kael returned the same.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
And that balance was something she wasn't used to.
Miller let out a quiet breath.
"Interesting."
Later, the atmosphere shifted.
Miller and Kael sat in a private lounge, a large screen in front of them. A movie played, but neither of them was fully watching.
Miller muted it halfway through.
"There's a mission," he said.
Kael didn't look away immediately.
"Details."
Miller studied him briefly.
"It won't be easy."
Kael turned his gaze toward him.
"Expected."
Miller nodded.
"This requires precision. No mistakes."
A pause.
"And very few people know about you."
Kael listened.
"Your identity has been restricted," Miller continued. "Only people in this mansion and a small section of the intelligence division know who you are."
Another pause.
"For everyone else, you don't exist."
Kael understood instantly.
Limited exposure.
Controlled presence.
High-value use.
"That's why you're being used for this," Miller said.
Silence settled for a moment.
Then Kael asked, calmly, "Target?"
Miller's expression sharpened slightly.
"That will be shared when the operation begins."
A brief pause.
"But understand this."
His tone lowered just enough to carry weight.
"This mission decides whether you move forward… or disappear."
No threat.
Just fact.
Kael met his gaze without hesitation.
"Then I won't fail."
Miller watched him for a second longer.
Then a faint smile appeared.
Not approval.
Expectation.
"Good."
The movie remained paused.
Forgotten.
Because something more important had already begun.
For Kael, this wasn't just another assignment.
It was the next step closer to control.