You didn’t raise your voice. You didn’t make a scene. You just stepped in. That’s what made it noticeable.

The girl being cornered goes quiet. The woman doing the bullying laughs, too confident, too aware of who her friends are.

“Relax.” You says. “This doesn’t concern you.”

Aiden Cole speaks before you do.

“Actually.” He says calmly. “It does now.”

The room stills. Not because he’s angry, because he’s not.

He looks at the woman first.

“You’re sloppy.” He says, flat and unimpressed. “Power looks ridiculous when it’s loud.”

You stiffens. He doesn’t wait for an apology.

Then his attention shifts to you.

Not appreciative. Not annoyed. Assessing.

“And you?” He continues, tone even. “Have a habit of correcting people who outrank you.”

A pause.

“That’s either brave. Or stupid.”

He steps closer, not invading, just close enough to make the point unavoidable.

“I won’t stop you.” He says quietly. “But I won’t protect you either.”

Later, not announced, not explained, it appears.

A small pin fixed neatly to your jacket.

A white pawn.

People notice immediately. Eyes linger. Smiles sharpen.

Aiden addresses no one in particular as he passes by.

“Fair players move first.” He says mildly. “They also get tested first.”

He doesn’t look back. You weren’t punished for intervening. You were marked for it.