There Is No Lie In This World

Chapter 39: Beware

I slept a dreamless night, or perhaps - darkness was all I saw in my dreams.

When morning arrived, Cassian was already there - silent, composed, pretending not to notice the dark crescents under my eyes. As helpful as he was, I was disappointed every time I saw him. For the sheer unfair fact that he wasn’t Luc.

"Morning, Miss Roen," he said, either not noticing or ignoring my less than delighted morning face at the sight of him. He placed another folder by my breakfast that Elune must have prepared.

"You have a finance review at ten. Afterwards, a one-on-one with Councilor Vale."

"Isn’t he your father?"

"Luc approved the meeting," Cassian added without answering my question.

"Luc approved it?" I was a little surprised.

Was she even around? How could she approve anything?

"She left the note last night."

That surprised, and disappointed me.

So she could get Cassian to deliver the note, yet couldn’t find time to come see me.

"Can I reschedule?"

"You can," he said gently. "But I recommend attending. Councilor Vale has been a long serving member of the Senior Council. He requested to speak to you personally. Privately."

A slight tremor ran down my spine. "Alright."

Cassian gave a practiced nod, then paused. "Forgive me for asking, but... are you feeling alright?"

I wanted to say no.

But the words wouldn’t form. So I smiled instead. "Just tired."

He nodded once and left without another word.

———

The finance review went as expected - tedious graphs, unfamiliar names, too many people using too many acronyms. I nodded when I was supposed to. Smiled once or twice. I doubt anyone noticed how numb I felt.

Then came the meeting with Councilor Vale.

He was waiting in a quiet chamber on the twenty-second floor. Not the usual boardroom. This one was smaller. Warmer. Fewer glass walls. Fewer eyes.

"Miss Roen," he stood as I entered, tall and graying, his suit immaculately pressed. His voice was calm, respectful—measured in the way a politician’s was, yet not unkind. I saw the face that Cassian inherited.

"Councilor Vale," I replied, offering a small bow.

He smiled. "Your presence here... it’s good for us. Symbolically, I mean. The Roens always knew how to stand tall in troubled times. I see that in you."

Symbolically - he said.

He motioned for me to sit, then poured me tea with his own hands.

"I served the Roen family for a long time," he began. "It was tragic what happened, but we do not speak of such matters here. The glorious legacy remains, and will continue with you, Miss Roen."

Although his eyes were fixed on the tea cup that was filling up, I felt like he was eyeing my reaction.

"I hear you’ve been asking questions," he continued.

That caught me off guard. "About the archive?"

"Yes. Among other things. A good sign. Curiosity is the mark of a Roen."

"Then why does it feel like everyone is hiding something?" I asked before I could stop myself.

Vale didn’t flinch. "Because we are. That’s our function."

The air stilled between us.

He sat. He smiled. He took a sip of tea, unhurried.

"This company runs on silence, Miss Roen. On omissions. On the art of saying nothing at the perfect time. Luc understands it - better than anyone."

"Where is Luc?" I felt a little silly asking him when I had others who worked directly with Luc around me, but now that nobody was giving me straight answers all I could do was shoot in the dark.

"She is very... occupied with something, I hear."

"That’s what everyone tells me."

The man took another sip.

"Has Cassian been of any use to you?"

"He has been immensely helpful."

"I’m glad to hear."

I sat back slightly. "Is there something you wanted to tell me, Councilor?"

"It’s been a while since you’ve claimed the top of the Rowen Tower, Miss Roen," he said, leaning forward just a fraction. "I believe now the time is right."

I blinked, expecting him to continue.

"The tragedy for your family... left too many seats empty. We must consolidate to ensure that the company will not stumble in its progress."

That kind of made sense. Although I wasn’t exactly sure what detailed plan was in his mind, it was easy to understand it in literal sense.

———

That night, I returned to the office late.

Cassian waited by the door with his usual restraint. "Councilor Zhen has sent word. She says the Archivist left you something."

I stiffened. "Left me something?"

He handed me a sealed envelope. Plain. Cream-colored. My name written on it in delicate, old-fashioned script.

I opened the envelope slowly. Inside was a photo. Black and white. Faded at the edges.

I gasped as I saw two girls.

On the right side was the girl I saw in that room on the archive floor. On the left side stood Luc. Expressionless and timeless.

On the back of the photo, a single sentence was written:

"Beware of the devil."

I dropped the photo.

My breath caught in my throat, panic blooming in my chest like fire.

The room felt colder than before. Too quiet.

Cassian had already stepped out, giving me privacy I hadn’t asked for.

My head was thumping - heart pounding.

I felt the hair on my arms stand. My blood turned cold. A chill ran down my spine.

I looked at my hands. They were still - way too still.

Although my legs have completely lost all strengths, I didn’t fall.

Something that I never felt before was happening to me.

The heartache. The stinging pain in my chest. My heart was in my throat, choking me.

I gasped for air. Cold air flooded into my lungs.

"Elune!"

There was no answer.

Where did she go?

She was always around. Not this time.

"Abe! Cain!"

Neither of them came.

"Luc!"

I cried out, desperately. There was no answer.

"Luc!"

Any time I needed her, she was there. Even in the darkest night, even in my dreams, she used to come rescue me - bringing me the light.

Now I was truly alone.