*Scene: Constantine Mansion – Evening*
*[Mia steps into the mansion, still shaken by her conversation with Modeus. Her boots echo softly across the polished floor as all eyes in the house slowly turn toward her.]*
*Family members (muttering, staring):*
"She's back..."
"Look at her... all secretive again..."
"She doesn't even flinch anymore."
*[Mia ignores them all, brushing off the tension like dust. Her eyes fixed forward, she bolts up the stairs, her mind clearly elsewhere.]*
---
*[INT – Johan's Study]*
*[Moments later, a butler appears outside her room.]*
*Butler:*
The Lord wishes to see you, Miss.
*[Mia freezes. She swallows, fixes her jacket, and walks to Johan's office. The large door creaks open as she steps inside.]*
*Johan (smiling lightly):*
Sit down, Mia.
*[She sits, stiffly.]*
*Johan (calm):*
So… how's the mission? Is the threat still passive?
*Mia:*
Yes. He's… he hasn't made a move. Still blending in.
*Johan (leaning back):*
Good... though I must say—you've changed. You walk different. Breathe different. Let me guess...
*[He grins teasingly.]*
*Johan:*
...Did you find love?
*[Mia (almost chokes):*
What?! No. Absolutely not!
*[She clears her throat, composes herself.]*
*Mia (stiff):*I mean—no, father. I'm focused on the mission.
*Johan (chuckling):*
Of course. Then surely, you won't mind having a partner assigned to assist you?
*Mia (quickly):*
No. I work better alone. Anyone else might slow me down.
*[Johan studies her for a moment, then sighs.]*
*Johan:*
Be cautious, Mia. You may be tracking him… but the ones who stare too long into the dark tend to get stared back at. Dismissed.
---
*[INT – Private Sitting Room]*
*[As Mia heads to her room, her mother appears.]*
*Mother:*
Mia, come with me.
*[Mia groans internally but obeys. They enter a private chamber. Seated on a velvet chair, munching on grapes, is LYON—her younger brother and stealth operative.]*
*Mia (groans):*
Of course.
*[She glares, already connecting the dots. Her mother gestures her to sit.]*
*Mother (softly):*
Sit, darling. I only want to talk.
*[Mia sits reluctantly.]*
*Mother:*
Love isn't a weakness, Mia. It can be a strength, a… stabilizer.
*Mia (curt):*
With all due respect, I don't see how this relates to my mission.
*Mother (gently):*
It does... when your brother tells me he saw you walking with a stranger who looked like he stepped out of a forgotten legend.
*[Mia freezes. Then slowly turns to Lyon, furious.]*
Mia (in *Valeria*, her native tongue):*
*"Durën karveth, Voss nal rakar nethril?!"*
(*"You followed me, you mold-sniffing shadow snake?!"*)
*[Lyon gulps.]*
*Mother (firm voice, suddenly deep and commanding):*
*"Skareth, enrah!"*
(*"Enough, child!"*)
*[The air freezes. Mia lets go of Lyon, slowly sits back down, lips tight and eyes blazing.]*
*Mother (composed again):*
If you had trusted me from the start, you could have avoided this. So tell me… who is the man?
*[Mia says nothing.]*
*Mother:*
Fine. Then perhaps… invite him to dinner?
*[Mia snaps her head in disbelief.]*
*Mia:*
*Dinner?* Are you serious?
*Mother (smiling):*
Completely. Let's meet this mystery man. We'll keep the silverware minimal, I promise.
*Mia (shaking head, rising):*
I can't deal with this now. I'm tired.
*Lyon (grinning):*
Well, that makes two of us. But one of us didn't get stalked by her own little bro—
*Mother (cutting in):*
Lyon, silence.
*[Mia shoots him a final glare and storms out.]*
*Lyon (quietly):*
Still worth it.