CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 3

RAFAEL

I wiped the blood off my hands with a white handkerchief as I stared at the body slumped on the floor of my office. The man had stopped breathing three minutes ago. I folded the handkerchief neatly and placed it on the table before picking up my phone.

It rang twice before I answered.

“Rafael,” Dante’s voice came through, calm but firm. “Come to my study. Now.”

I glanced at the dead man one last time before replying.

“I’ll be there in five minutes.”

I ended the call and turned to the two guards stationed outside my office. They were already pale. One of them was visibly shaking.

“Clean this up,” I said coldly. “Make sure nothing is left behind.”

They both nodded quickly, too afraid to even speak.

I adjusted my cufflinks and walked out.

When I reached Dante’s study, I didn’t bother knocking. I pushed the door open and stepped inside. Dante was standing by the window with his hands behind his back. He turned when he heard me enter.

“Rafael,” he said. “Thank you for coming.”

I didn’t sit. I simply stood there and looked at him.

“You called me away from important work,” I said “I hope this is worth my time.”

Dante didn’t react to my tone. He never did.

“It is,” he said. “Cassian was attacked last night. Someone tried to kill him.”

I already knew this. I had ordered it myself. But I kept my face blank.

“And?” I asked.

Dante looked directly at me. “We need someone to guard him. Full-time protection. I want you to do it.”

For a moment, I simply stared at him.

Then I let out a short, cold laugh.

“You want me,” I said slowly, “the Head of Intelligence, to guard a boy?”

Dante’s expression didn’t change.

“Yes.”

I tilted my head slightly, studying him.

“Have I done something to offend you, Your Majesty?” I asked. “Because this feels like a punishment.”

“It’s not a punishment,” Dante replied. “It’s necessary. Cassian is family to us. After what happened, we can’t take any chances. And I only trust you with this.”

I was quiet for a few seconds.

Internally, I was already calculating.

This was not part of my original plan. I had only wanted to create chaos by attacking the boy. I never expected him to survive. And I certainly never expected the kings to assign me as his personal guard.

But now that the opportunity was in front of me…

I could use this.

If I stayed close to Cassian, it would be much easier to monitor him. And if needed, I could finish what I started without raising too much suspicion.

I kept my face cold as I looked at Dante.

“You’re reducing me to a babysitter,” I said.

Dante’s voice was firm. “I’m asking you because you’re the only one I trust to keep him alive. This boy means something to us. Nothing must happen to him.”

I stayed silent for a moment longer, pretending to think.

Then I gave a small, arrogant nod.

“Fine,” I said. “I’ll do it.”

Dante nodded. “When Cassian wakes up, introduce yourself to him. He should know who’s protecting him.”

I didn’t reply. I simply turned and walked out of the study.

Hours later, I arrived at the hospital.

I walked into Cassian’s room and saw Percival standing beside the bed. Cassian was still unconscious. There was a bandage on his arm.

Percival looked up when I entered.

“Rafael,” he greeted.

I gave him a short nod and nothing more.

Just then, Cassian groaned softly and shifted on the bed. I turned and walked out of the room without a word.

Outside in the hallway, Varynia and the others were waiting. They all looked anxious.

“He’s awake,” I said flatly.

The moment the words left my mouth, they all rushed inside the room. Even the kings moved quickly.

Only one person stayed behind.

Little Elias.

He looked up at me with a bright smile and suddenly ran forward, wrapping his small arms around my leg.

I looked down at him with clear distaste.

I reached down and used one finger to pry him off my leg like he was some kind of insect.

“You shouldn’t be hugging me, Your Highness,” I said coldly.

Elias only laughed like I had told him a joke and ran inside the room after the others.

I stood there for a moment, listening.

Inside the room, I could hear Cassian’s voice. He sounded weak but he was laughing.

“I’m fine, really,” he was saying. “It’s just a small scratch. I want to be discharged already. I hate hospitals.”

I heard Varynia’s worried voice next.

“You were shot, Cassian. You’re not going anywhere until the doctor says so.”

Then I heard the kings telling him he’ll have a bodyguard and Cassian complain again.

I didn’t stay to hear more.

I turned and left the hospital.

Later that night, I stood outside Cassian’s room in the castle.

I had waited a few hours before coming. I didn’t want to deal with the entire family hovering around him.

I raised my hand and knocked on the door twice.

There was a short pause before I heard movement inside.

The door opened.

Cassian stood in front of me. He looked a little pale and his arm was still bandaged, but he was standing on his own.

I looked him up and down slowly, taking in his appearance without any expression on my face.

Then I spoke.

“I’m Rafael Vitali,” I said, my voice calm and cold. “Your new… bodyguard.”