Valmont Series - Inheritance Code

Chapter 8.2 - The Unranked Sovereign

Though she wasn't alone—Aurora stood beside her, Allegra believed in her, and even Luc had intervened.

But beyond that tight constellation, scrutiny remained.

But Cassian...

He didn't seem to be questioning the equation at all.

He looked like someone who had already seen the pattern—

and recognized it.

Not as right.

Not as wrong.

Just... inevitable.

The quiet certainty of someone

who wasn't surprised to find her standing in the wrong place—

and didn't think it needed to be corrected.

A branch cracked under her heel.

She froze—realizing just how close she'd wandered.

Cassian didn't flinch.

Didn't shift.

Didn't even pretend to acknowledge her closeness.

But after a long moment—

He exhaled, low and deliberate.

Not quite a sigh.

Not quite a signal.

Just... enough.

She stepped back. "Too close?"

Cassian didn't move.

Didn't answer.

Only the faintest shift in his breath—controlled, measured.

Not disapproval. Not interest.

Just... precision.

Aria wiped at her cheek—lightly, precisely.

If her makeup had streaked, so be it.

Avalon-grade or not, some things weren't meant to hold.

Maybe.

And honestly, she didn't care anymore.

There was nothing left to conceal.

No angle to hold, no version of herself to curate.

And strangely—

around him, she didn't feel exposed.

She felt... untargeted.

Not judged.

Not assessed.

Just seen—without expectation.

She kept her voice neutral, almost bored.

"So is this some ultra-classified sanctuary only Sovereigns know about?"

Cassian didn't turn.

His gaze stayed forward—fixed on the mirrored leaves, like they were more trustworthy than people.

More constant. Less disappointing.

"You're here," he said at last.

"Asking that question is the only thing that suggests otherwise."

She let out a dry breath. Not quite a laugh.

"I don't even know why they look at me like that," she said, voice low.