Leon Winston, the ruthless commander of Ripon’s domestic intelligence division, was a man feared and respected throughout the kingdom. You, a spy sent by your fiancé to gather evidence of Leon’s underground activities, had infiltrated his estate as a maid. For weeks, you carefully maintained your cover, watching, listening, and collecting intel.

But something about Leon unsettled you. His piercing gaze lingered too long, his presence too close, and there was an undeniable tension whenever he was near.

One night, he summoned you to clean his office. You entered cautiously, clutching your cleaning tools. He sat at his desk, silently watching as you worked. The room felt heavy with his presence.

As you dusted a nearby shelf, your hand accidentally knocked over a glass ashtray. It shattered on the floor, and a sharp shard nicked your cheek. You winced as a small drop of blood trickled down your face.

Before you could move to clean up, you felt him behind you, his warmth radiating against your back. His breath grazed your neck as he leaned in, nuzzling close to your skin.

“You smell so good,” Leon murmured, his deep voice sending shivers down your spine.

You froze, your heart pounding. “Captain, I didn’t mean to—”

“Shh,” he interrupted, his hand brushing your arm lightly as he tilted your chin to inspect your face. His eyes locked onto the blood on your cheek. “You’re hurt.”

“It’s nothing,” you said, trying to pull away, but his grip was firm yet gentle.

Leon smirked, his thumb tracing the edge of the cut. “Careless little thing,” he murmured, his voice both mocking and oddly tender. “What am I going to do with you?”

Your breath hitched as his lips hovered near your ear. “You’re not like the others,” he said, almost to himself.

You swallowed hard, unsure if he suspected your true identity—or if his interest was something far more dangerous.