Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Rupert sat awake all night.

By morning, Reese slowly opened her eyes, finding him still by her side. Relief and a gentle ache welled up in her chest.

Her voice was barely more than a whisper. “Mr. Rupert, I'm sorry I made you stay with me all night."noveldrama

Rupert blinked as if coming back to himself, then stood up. "I'll go get the doctor."

As he turned, Reese reached out and caught his hand.

"Mr. Rupert, I like you. Could we... maybe be together? Of course, it's okay if you say no."

Rupert's eyes dropped to hers. He gently but firmly pulled his hand free. "Let's have the doctor check on you first."

Reese watched him leave, biting her pale lip, tears stinging her eyes.

The doctor arrived soon after, gave Reese a quick check, and assured her she was out of danger. They moved her to a regular room.

Rupert helped her into bed, his voice steady and deep. "Your brother's on his way."

Reese clutched his arm, a little desperate. "Mr. Rupert, are you leaving?"

"I got word from home. I need to go back for a while."

His eyes were dark and unreadable, cold as a frosted window in winter. Nothing showed, not a crack.

Reese froze, but a moment later she managed a smile and even let out a quiet laugh.

"You're actually explaining yourself to me?"

"Ha, everyone says you're hard to get along with. I always knew you weren't like that."

"Take care on the road."

Rupert nodded, said nothing more, and headed for the door.

Reese waved at his back, still smiling, even though he didn't look back.

As Rupert stepped into the hall, he ran right into Lester.

Lester's face was tight; he'd clearly overheard his sister's one-sided confession.

Rupert merely gave him a curt nod, his presence icy and intimidating enough to make Lester go stiff.

It was only after Rupert walked past that Lester snapped out of it.

He called after him, frowning. "Mr. Rupert, I hope you'll think seriously about what I said before."

Rupert didn't reply. He just kept walking.

The Garcia Manor.

It was almost Christmas, and the staff were busy swapping out decorations- holly, wreaths, garlands everywhere.

Rupert handed his coat to a waiting maid and headed straight for the study.

Inside, Tristan was lounging by the window, a fire crackling in the hearth, a mug of hot cocoa in hand.

"There you are," Tristan said, gesturing to the table. "Try some of this—sent straight from the best little shop in town."

"Thanks," Rupert replied, loosening a button on his suit jacket as he sat.

Before he could settle in, Tristan spoke again, tone casual but eyes sharp. "How's Reese doing?"

Rupert paused, a flicker of frost in his gaze, but he just picked up his mug, hiding behind its steam. "She's fine."

His tone was so cool, the conversation felt more like a business meeting than a chat between father and son.

Tristan set his eup down with a frown, reading between the lines. "Are you mad I had someone keep an eye on you? I was worried you'd get carried away. Reese is a good girl, you know. She's in this mess because of you! Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

"In what way is she a 'good girl'?" Rupert asked, voice calm as ever.

Tristan's answer was instant, decisive. "In every way. She's a damn sight better than some of those people out there."

Rupert gave a cool chuckle, pouring himself more coffee. "Since you already know everything, you don't need to keep dropping hints."

"Rupert!" Tristan snapped. "Are you saying I can't look out for my own son?"

Steam rose from their mugs, but the air between them felt icy.

Rupert didn't answer. He just picked up the pitcher and poured water into the coffeepot, letting it overflow, en as it spilled across the table

even

and snuffed out the fire in the

hearth.

Tristan clenched his jaw, eyes hard as glass, spine tense. Was Rupert warning

him?

Tristan had raised this man with his

own

Sods, yet sometimes-not for

the first time-he wondered if his

didn't scare him just a little.

Rupert's voice stayed cool and careful, every word deliberate. "Dad, lay off the coffee. The doctor said you should rest."