Chapter 31: A Fragile Courage

Chapter 31: A Fragile Courage
Vanya's face paled instantly, but she fought hard to maintain her composure. She stood tall, holding her breath, and met Elijah's gaze with threadbare courage.
“I just want to go back to my room,” Vanya answered softly yet firmly.
Liam raised an eyebrow. “After sleeping in your master’s room?”
His tone wasn't mocking, but more like a test. The man's eyes scanned her from head to toe, as if gauging how much Vanya had become a part of their boss’s life. Vanya tightened her kimono, aware that beneath it, she was only wearing a thin gown.
“I didn't realize you also serve as a moral guardian in this house,” Vanya said stiffly, trying to fight the blush that danced on her cheeks.
Elijah let out a small laugh. “You think I don't know this game? All the women who have ever entered Damian's life eventually become just another scar. But you... You are different.”
Those words made Vanya's steps falter.
“What do you mean?”
Elijah looked straight at her, serious. “Because you aren't just living in his heart. You're starting to make him doubt himself. And that's dangerous, for everyone.”
Vanya fell silent. Her lips parted, but no sound came out. What Elijah had just said hit her harder than all the realities she had ever faced.
“I don't understand…”
“You will understand, sooner or later,” Elijah cut in. “But for now, go back to your room. And pretend I didn't see you coming out of his room this morning.”
Vanya bit her bottom lip, then slowly looked away and walked past Elijah. Her steps were quick, but not hurried. As she passed the man, she could feel Elijah's gaze still fixed on her back.
When she reached her room, Vanya closed the door and leaned her back against it. She closed her eyes and took a long breath.
Her mind was full. Her heart was in a worse state. That night was supposed to be just a game. A test. But why was a part of her sinking deeper into uncertainty? Was she starting to see Damian… as a human? Or even worse. As someone she could trust?
Meanwhile, in the room Vanya had just left, Damian slowly opened his eyes. He had been awake since Vanya started to get up from the bed. He let her think that he was still fast asleep.
He heard the girl's words. “Thank you for a wonderful night.”
And those words, however simple they sounded, hit his heart harder than a bullet.
Because for the first time, he felt someone saw him… not as a mafia king, not as a monster, but just as… Damian.
And that was far more dangerous than any wound.
The morning arrived with a fresh air that crept slowly through the window cracks, bringing the distinct aroma of wet earth after last night’s rain. Vanya sat on the edge of the bed with a strange feeling. There was a sense of unease clinging to her chest. She stared at the ceiling for a moment, trying to calm her mind, but failed. She couldn't stand being cooped up in the room. She had to go out to get some fresh air.
Usually, Agnes or one of the maids would come to her room to let her know that it was time for breakfast. But for some reason, she hadn't seen Agnes at all. This made Vanya feel very puzzled.
She put on a cotton jumpsuit with a straight neckline and narrow shoulder straps. Without telling anyone, she opened her room door slowly. The hallway was quiet. There were no guards stationed near the door. Vanya was relieved that Damian had truly given her the freedom to leave the room without supervision.
Her feet lightly descended the main stairs, but when she arrived at the dining room, she didn't see a single maid or Damian. The long table was empty, with only a vase of white roses in the center.
“Where is everyone?” she mumbled softly.
Her eyes caught a glimpse of a figure outside the large dining room window. Someone was standing in the backyard, facing the lake that reflected a silvery light. His body was straight, his shoulders broad, and his dark hair was slightly disheveled by the morning wind. It didn't take long for Vanya to recognize him.
Damian.
He looked... different this morning. Not giving orders or speaking in a cold, piercing tone. From a distance, Damian looked like a statue carved from emptiness. 
Vanya walked slowly toward the glass door that connected the dining room to the back terrace. As she stepped outside, the cold air immediately touched her skin. 
Her steps halted when she saw Damian lift something from his hand. A silver locket, simple but seemingly old. His fingers caressed its surface, then his lips moved, whispering something that Vanya couldn't hear from this distance. His face tightened, as if holding back something heavy.
Vanya knew she should go back inside. But her curiosity was stronger.
She stepped closer, careful not to make any excessive noise. When they were only a few steps apart, Vanya could catch fragments of a sentence in Russian that she recognized from movies and books. Words that sounded like a prayer or a promise.
“Damian,” Vanya called softly.
The man turned. Instantly, like an iron door slamming shut, his expression changed. Cold and unreadable. The locket went back into his pocket.
“You came out without permission,” he said flatly, as if nothing had happened.
Vanya frowned. “I just wanted to have breakfast. And I saw you here.”
Damian looked away toward the lake again. “Breakfast is in the dining room. You don't need to be here.”
That tone made Vanya take a half-step back, but she didn't give up. “You were holding that locket. Is it important to you?”
Damian was silent for a moment. The air between them hardened. “That question doesn't need an answer.”
“In that case, let me guess,” Vanya said, trying to break through his wall. “It belongs to someone from your past. Someone you…”
“Enough.” Damian cut her off. “You know nothing about my past, Vanya. And it's better to keep it that way.”
Vanya stared at him for a few seconds, trying to read his face. But Damian had put on his mask again. The same as when they first met. A flawless face, without emotion, without a weak point. It was so different from the Damian who had touched her so gently all night.
Vanya sighed, trying to ease the tension. “I'm sorry. I just feel there’s something behind all this.”
Damian stared at her for a long time, then smiled thinly. It wasn't a friendly smile, but one that contained a warning. “If you keep trying to read me, you'll find things you don't want to know.”
“Isn't that what you've been doing to me from the start? Reading me?” Vanya retorted, her eyes blazing.
Damian didn't answer. He just turned and walked past Vanya toward the villa door. His movements were calm, but they left a trail of tension in the air.
As he passed her, Damian whispered, “There are things that are better left buried.”