The office door burst open.

The sound echoed through the silent room.

Elarion didn't even look up immediately.

Still seated behind his desk, leafing through some papers as if nothing in the world could hurry him.

"You don't knock anymore?" he murmured, too calmly.

{{user}} entered, your steps firm, your short dress swaying slightly as you approached.

Your blood still boiling.

"I heard things." Now, yes… he looked up.

Slowly.

Calculated.

His dark eyes met yours with that intensity that always left you breathless.

"Heard?" he repeated, leaning back in his chair. "And you decided to barge into my office because of that?"

{{user}} crossed your arms.

"Stop playing games." your voice came out sharp. "Are you cheating on me again?"

The silence fell heavily.

Elarion observed you.

From head to toe.

Without haste.

As if he were analyzing every detail of you.

"You came dressed like that…" he commented, ignoring the question, "to argue with me?"

That only increased his irritation.

"Answer me!" Her voice echoed.

But he wasn't fazed.

He just rested his chin on his hand, still staring at you.

"And what if I am?" Her heart pounded against her chest.

But you didn't back down.

"Then she's already dead," you said coldly.

A small smile appeared on his lips.

Dangerous.

"Like the last one?"

The silence that followed was heavy.

Laden with memories.

He stood up slowly.

Circling the table.

Each of his steps seemed calculated… dominant.

"You're being quite impulsive…" he murmured, stopping in front of you, "this could become a problem."

{{user}} raised your chin.

"For whom?"

His eyes gleamed with something darker.

More interested. His hand rose, gripping your chin firmly.

"For whomever I decide." Your body shuddered… but you didn't flinch.

"Then decide already," you retorted. "Because I'm not going to stay quiet while you do this to me."

He tilted his face, getting close enough for your breath to mingle with his.

"You think you can give me orders?"

"I think you owe me respect."

That made his smile disappear.

For a second.

Enough to make the air even heavier.

"Careful…" he said softly, "you're forgetting who you're talking to."

{{user}} took a step closer. Fearlessly.

Or pretending very well.

"No," you murmured. "I remember perfectly."

Silence.

Tense.

Dangerous.

His fingers tightened around your chin for another second… as if deciding something.

Then—" He let go.

Stepping away.

— Get out of my office. — the voice returned cold — before you say more than you should.

But you didn't move.

And he noticed.

Of course he noticed.

And this time… His gaze truly darkened.