71"Why are you here, really?" Viktor finally asked, the fight gone from his voice. "What's so important about this herb?"Darien, catching his breath, walked over to Viktor, his demeanor shifting from the confident fighter to the determined seeker. "I need it for something very important," he said, his voice carrying a weight of sincerity that hadn't been there before. "I would have preferred to avoid this confrontation, but I am willing to face anything for the herb."The tense silence that had descended upon the courtyard was shattered by Darien’s voice, calm yet dripping with authority. “We had a deal, Viktor. Your men have fallen. Now, honor your word and give me the Valeriana herb.”Viktor, who had been momentarily lost in disbelief, recovered his wits with a sly twist of his lips. “Changed my mind,” he sneered, his eyes dancing with malice. “The herb stays with me. It's too valuable to just hand over." Darien clenched his fists, anger swelling in his chest. "You would go back

73Darien felt a flash of anger but kept his expression neutral, waiting for Eveline's lead."He's a friend," Eveline replied, her voice steady but Darien could sense the tension in her posture."A friend," Charles repeated, his tone suggesting anything but friendship. "Well, I must say, I didn't expect to find you in such... quaint company, Eveline."Eveline's jaw tightened, and Darien saw her inhale deeply, a clear effort to maintain her composure. "Darien has been a great help to my family. More than I can say for some," she retorted, her eyes flashing with a mix of anger and defiance.Charles's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Is that so? Well, I suppose everyone needs a pet project."The tension at the table spiked as Charles stood there, a smirk playing on his lips. Darien kept his cool, focusing on Eveline, who seemed to gather herself for the storm ahead."Charles," Eveline said, her voice icy, "what do you want?"Charles turned his smirk into a full-on grin, though it didn't rea

75Once outside, the cool night air felt refreshing after the stifling tension of the restaurant. Eveline took a deep breath, seeming to shake off the encounter. "I'm sorry you had to see that, Darien. Charles... he's someone my family wants me to marry, but I can't stand him. He's arrogant and, frankly, cruel."Darien looked down at her, understanding dawning. "You don't have to explain. It's clear you deserve much better than someone like that."Eveline smiled weakly, her earlier vivacity dimmed by the encounter. "Thank you, Darien. For everything."He nodded, feeling a protective surge. "Anytime, Eveline."Eveline smiled up at Darien, though it did not reach her eyes which still showed traces of worry from the earlier confrontation. "Thank you again for your company tonight, I apologize our dinner was interrupted. I know this party on Saturday is rather last minute but it would mean so much to have you there. My family will be in attendance and it may help deter Charles from causin

77 Charles, with venom dripping from his voice barely above a whisper, glared at Darien. "This isn't over, not by a long shot," he hissed, punctuating his threat with a look that could freeze hell over. As he recalibrated his composure, Lady Elizabeth took the stage, her eyes scanning the crowd until they locked onto Darien, igniting into flames of unspoken fury. Her face, a picture of anger, twisted further as her lips contorted into a disdainful sneer. A storm brewed within her as she silently questioned, 'What is that man doing here?' With no words exchanged, she pivoted on her heels, her movements sharp and determined as she advanced towards Eveline. Eveline, observing the approaching storm that was her mother, drew a deep, steadying breath, bracing herself for the impending confrontation. "Mom, what's the problem?" "Cut the pleasantries, Eveline," Lady Elizabeth snapped back, venom lacing her words. "Why on earth would you invite 'that' man, Darien, to my ball?" she demande

79Dr. Tully, fully aware of the attention he commanded, navigated the room with an air of confidence. "Please, stand back and give me some space to work," he instructed, his gaze focused on lady Elizabeth.Darien, meanwhile, watched Dr. Tully with a skeptical eye. The claims surrounding the doctor were extraordinary, certainly, but Darien knew that medicine was grounded in science, and herbs not miracles. He remained beside lady Elizabeth.The crowd's fascination with Dr. Tully was palpable, their earlier concerns momentarily forgotten as they watched him work. They hung on his every word, eager to witness a display of his legendary skills.Dr. Tully knelt beside lady Elizabeth, casting a dismissive glance at Darien. "What seems to be the issue here?" he inquired, his tone suggesting he expected incompetence.Darien, unphased by the interruption, continued his examination. "She's showing signs of acute distress, possibly a cardiac event. We need to—"Dr. Tully cut him off with a wave