Leon scanned the area again, breath uneven, as though the night air had suddenly become too thin to breathe. They had searched every corner of the plaza, every shopfront, every alley, every shadow.
And still… no Liv.
Briella stayed close behind him, her steps shaky but determined. Her elegant gown was stained with dust and dirt, yet she didn't seem to care. Worry overshadowed everything else.
Footsteps approached rapidly.
Lucas arrived, face tense and slightly pale.
"Duchess Liv is nowhere to be found," he reported, disbelief heavy in his voice. "I thought she was safe because she was with you… but she disappeared too quickly."
Leon closed his eyes, jaw tightening until the muscle twitched.
"Liv doesn't just disappear," he muttered, voice low—almost dangerous.
There was fear in him, crawling beneath his skin.
Fear and rage.
Lucas swallowed before continuing.
"I need to report this to the Duke."
Leon opened his eyes sharply and nodded once.
"Do it."
