Chapter 6: Dirty lowlife

Corvin had watched the entire scene unfold

From the moment the tray tipped to the slap that landed across her cheek, his jaw had tightened but he hadn't moved. Not in front of the guests. Not while the eyes of the nation were on him.

He was the President and he had to be calm and composed all the time

But as Layla slipped from the hall, he followed.

At first, he told himself it was curiosity but the truth was uglier and more dangerous.

He had thought that spending the night with her would be enough. That the hunger would fade once he had taken what he wanted.

It hadn't.

Seeing her humiliated had twisted something inside him.

He had nearly stepped forward. Nearly snapped that woman's neck.

But power demanded restraint. So he held it in.

Now, as he moved quietly through the palace, he spotted her in one of the courtyard..the one place no one else ever went.

She sat on a stone bench, her silhouette small against the garden. He watched her grit her teeth as she pulled the glass shard from her heel, saw the way she curled in on herself, arms wrapped around her knees like a child seeking safety.

She looked... pitiful.

But before he could take a step forward

A figure emerged from the opposite side.

Julian.

He walked straight to her like he belonged there.

He crouched beside her.

Corvin stopped.

His hands curled into fists at his sides.

Why was Julian always lurking near her?

Always there?

*****

On the bench, Layla looked up and for the first time all evening, she smiled.

"Julian” she whispered.

"Are you okay?" he asked softly

Layla nodded. Then her brows lifted slightly.

"You weren't at the engagement, were you?"

Julian shrugged "Oh, I was. Just... in the shadows"

That caught her off guard.

She let out a laugh and he laughed too, and for a brief second, the night didn't feel quite so heavy.

Then Julian straightened, a small box appearing from behind his back.

"What's that?" she asked, curiosity lighting her face.

He opened it slowly, revealing a clean pair of white leather flats

Layla gasped softly "Wow... they're beautiful" she breathed. Then added, teasingly "Who are they for?"

Julian grinned "Who else? They are for you."

Before she could respond, he knelt down and gently lifted her injured leg, placing her bare foot softly on the stone. With care, he slid one shoe on, then the other.

Layla stood slowly, glancing down at the shoes. They fit perfectly as if they had been made just for her.

A quiet, overwhelmed kind of happiness bloomed in her chest. For the first time that night, the ache in her heart eased.

She looked down at Julian.

His eyes hadn't left her.

"Thank you, Julian" she murmured

He gave a soft nod and rose to his feet, visibly relieved to see her smile.

He had watched her being slapped, the cruelty she had been forced to endure. And he hated every second of it.

But this moment... seeing her okay, even for a minute... that was enough.

Or it should have been.

Until..

"Mr. President”

The voice rang out

Both Layla and Julian froze.

They turned slowly.

Corvin stood six feet away, his posture as coldly as composed

And behind him

Seraphina.

She approached gracefully. Without hesitation, she looped her arm through Corvin's and took her place at his side, her smile calm and polished.

Layla's heartbeat kicked up in her chest..not just from fear or nerves, but from the way Corvin was looking at her.

His sharp eyes pinned her in place, sending goosebumps crawling across her skin.

Julian was the first to speak, breaking the tension with a polite nod.

"Congratulations to both of you," he said, directing the words toward Seraphina with a slight smile.

Corvin didn't even blink.

"Mmm," was all he said.

Julian wasn't surprised. The dry reply was expected but it still hurt.

Layla looked between the two brothers, something painful curling in her chest.

And Corvin... said nothing. He just stared at her new shoes.

Then Seraphina turned her graceful attention to Layla, a soft, curious smile on her lips.

"Jul" she said sweetly "aren't you going to introduce us to your friend?"

Julian let out a short, almost awkward laugh, then gently placed a hand on Layla's shoulder, pulling her just slightly closer.

Corvin’s jaw moved slightly.

He shoved his hands into his pocket, curling them into a tight fist until it felt like his bone would crack

Julian barely noticed the tension in Corvin. He smiled

"This is Layla" he said "My best friend”

Then he turned to Layla "And Layla, this is Seraphina..my brother's fiancée. We have known each other for quite some time"

He added with a half-smile "And... well, you already know him"

Layla nodded stiffly, unsure where to place her gaze.

"It's lovely to meet you, Layla. I hope we can be friends” Seraphina said

The words stunned Layla.

She blinked, uncertain how to respond. She hadn't expected the Goddess of Avernia to acknowledge her..much less offer friendship.

But before she could find her voice,

Julian gently cleared his throat "We will take our leave now, he said quickly.

Layla exhaled—relieved and gave a small bow before Julian led her away.

For a moment, silence stretched between them.

Seraphina glanced up at him "Julian is growing up. He's turning into a mature and sweet young man" she said lightly. "Don't you think?"

Corvin's cold gaze didn't move from the path Layla had just taken.

His reply was like a blade.

"What I think.." he said, voice low, "..is that you should mind your own business”

The smile vanished from Seraphina's lips as she slowly unhooked her hand from Corvin's arm.

"I..” she started, but Corvin cut her off.

"I hope you don't get too close to me the way you just did. I hate it" he said, his voice sharp.

"Sorry” Seraphina muttered, lowering her head slowly.

"My chauffeur will take you home. Goodnight" Corvin added before turning and walking away.

Seraphina watched him go, her hands clenched tightly at her sides. After all these years, he was still the same—cold and distant, no matter how well they knew each other.

******

In Layla's room, she tossed and turned, unable to find sleep. The events of the evening pressed on her mind.

She sat up, resting her back against the simple headboard. Just one night and yet so much had happened.

Her eyes flicked to the clock on her nightstand. 1:08 a.m.

Slowly, she swung her legs over the side of the bed, slipped on her plain slippers, and stepped quietly out of the room. She needed fresh air

As she wandered through the silent palace corridors, she found herself by the vast pond.

Layla noticed bubbles rising to the surface—small waves shaking the reflection of the moon on the water

Did someone drown?

Without thinking, panic dragged her forward, she rushed to the edge and dove into the water, holding her breath

The cold hit her but she pushed through the dark water until she saw a figure below the surface

Unmoving

She swam closer, her fingers just inches away

Then his face turned slowly in the water. His eyes opened

Corvin

Layla jerked back, startled. Of all people….it was him

Without wasting time, she swam back

toward the stone shore and stepped out, her clothes soaked

Corvin surfaced behind her, glancing up with a steady gaze. Before he could speak, she broke the silence.

"I thought someone was drowning, but it seems i was wrong. Sorry for the disturbance, Mr. President," she said, turning to leave.

But Corvin stepped out of the pool, picked up his robe from the ground, and tied it around himself.

Then his voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Don’t take another step, green eyes”

Green eyes? Was the president being serious right now

She hesitated but didn't turn around.

Corvin took a step forward. She felt her chest tighten. He was engaged, and being seen with the president at this hour could only mean trouble.

Still, she stepped forward then took another step and kept going.

"I said, stop" his voice grew louder and colder

But instead of stopping, Layla broke into a run, as if he were a threat..which, in a way, he was. She knew the consequences of defying the president, but right now, she didn't care.

Corvin watched her disappear into the darkness. A flicker of amusement sparkled in his eyes.

"Let's see how long you can keep running, green eyes" he whispered to himself.