Chapter 39: Whispers Behind Closed Doors

Calen made his way to the administrative center of Operientes Solem, a gleaming monolith that exuded power and control. The polished stone floors reflected the grandeur of the building’s high ceilings and minimalist design. As he entered, he felt an uneasy tension in the air, as though the weight of unseen politics pressed down on the very walls.

He stepped toward the reception desk, a sleek counter manned by a sharp-dressed receptionist who barely glanced up from their terminal. Calen tried to reach Sienna via the communicator on his wrist, but his calls went unanswered. Whether it was intentional or not, he couldn’t tell. The last time they had spoken, things had ended poorly.

Not one to be easily deterred, he approached the receptionist.

“I need to speak with Sienna Veilore,” he said, his tone measured but firm.

The receptionist paused, looking him over. “Your name, sir?”

“Calen Ardyn. I’m here representing the LCC.”

At the mention of the Levicita Control Center, the receptionist straightened slightly and typed something into their terminal. After a few moments, he nodded.

“Please wait, Mr. Ardyn. Ms. Veilore is currently occupied, but she will see you shortly.”

Calen nodded and moved to sit in one of the armchairs in the reception area. The leather was cold against his hands as he sat down, and he let his eyes wander over the modern décor. The quiet hum of distant conversations and the occasional click of heels on the marble floor were the only sounds. He wondered briefly if Sienna might be with Livra at that very moment. It was possible. Diplomacy was her responsibility, after all. The thought made him uneasy, but he resolved to ask her about it later, no matter how awkward it might be.

After a fifteen-minute wait, the sharp staccato of heels announced her arrival. Sienna Veilore entered the reception area with her usual air of confidence. Her black curls bounced as she walked with purpose, her elegant outfit—a tailored navy suit and stilettos—only adding to her commanding presence.

“Hello, Calen,” she greeted, her voice smooth but laced with a hint of mockery. “Or should I say, Mr. Ardyn, since you’re here on behalf of the LCC? Tell me, is this visit strictly professional, or have you simply missed seeing me?”

Calen met her teasing gaze without flinching. “Hello, Sienna. You know you don’t have to address me formally. But yes, I’m here in an official capacity. I have matters to discuss with the administration of Operientes Solem—matters that require absolute discretion. You’re the only person I trust within these walls, which is why I’ve asked to meet with you.”

Sienna raised an eyebrow, intrigued but maintaining her characteristic aloofness. “Oh? Matters of discretion. Then let’s talk in my office.”

She led him through the labyrinthine halls of the administrative center to her office. Unlike the opulence of the building’s exterior, her workspace was modest and devoid of unnecessary adornments. The only personal touch was a framed photo sitting on her otherwise bare desk.

Calen’s gaze landed on the photo, and curiosity got the better of him. He picked it up, studying the image. It was a picture of the two of them from their trip to Daliran the previous year. They stood atop a stone monument, both laughing and being silly, carefree and young.

“This photo…” Calen said, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I didn’t know you still kept it. This was from when we went to Daliran, wasn’t it?”

Sienna stepped forward, her expression softening slightly as she took the frame from his hands. “You always have the habit of touching other people's things—so rude," Sienna said, embarrassed as she snatched the photo out of Calen's hand.

"It's a very cherished memory for me," Sienna added, running her fingertips gently over the photo while gazing at it. "A simpler time... a moment I perhaps didn’t fully appreciate back then."

“I didn’t think you’d hold on to something like this,” Calen admitted, his voice quieter now.

“Well,” she said, setting the photo back on her desk, “it’s a reminder, I suppose. But enough reminiscing. What is this matter you needed to discuss?”

Calen straightened, pulling himself back to the present. “I need your help, Sienna. It’s about the magistrate Velis Korran.”

Her eyes narrowed at the mention of the name, and she crossed her arms. “Korran? What does he have to do with you or the LCC?”

“Valtheris assigned me to investigate the recent upheavals,” Calen began. “Tessa Elmein, the LCC’s second-in-command, is missing. I’ve been tasked with finding her and uncovering any leads about Ava Lysan’s disappearance. But during my search, I’ve learned that Korran may have ties to a paramilitary group involved in recent attacks. I believe he’s more than just an obstacle—he’s a threat.”

Sienna’s expression remained unreadable, but Calen could see the gears turning in her mind.

“And what do you expect me to do with this information?” she asked after a moment.

“I need access to his files, his movements, anything that might confirm his involvement,” Calen said. “You’re my only way in. I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t important.”

Sienna tapped her fingers against her arm, considering his request. “You realize the risk you’re asking me to take. If Korran finds out—”

“I know,” Calen interrupted. “But if he’s part of this conspiracy, then he’s already a danger to everyone. To Operientes Solem. To the Earthlands. To the LCC. We need to stop him before it’s too late.”

Sienna sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly as she uncrossed her arms. “You always did have a way of dragging me into impossible situations,” she said, though her tone lacked true irritation. “Fine. I’ll see what I can find, but it won’t be easy. Korran is paranoid and well-connected.”

“Thank you, Sienna,” Calen said sincerely.

She waved a hand dismissively. “Save your gratitude until we have something concrete. For now, I suggest you keep your head down. Korran has eyes everywhere, and if he catches wind of what you’re doing…”

“I’ll be careful,” Calen assured her.

Sienna studied him for a moment, her expression softening once more. “I hope so. Despite everything, I wouldn’t want to see you get hurt, Calen.”

Her words hung in the air, unspoken emotions simmering just beneath the surface. But before Calen could respond, Sienna turned her attention back to her desk, already formulating a plan.

“I’ll contact you when I have something,” she said, her voice all business once again. “For now, stay out of trouble.”

Calen nodded, taking Sienna’s words to heart. He hesitated for a moment, then spoke again. “There’s one more thing I need to ask you,” he said, his voice tinged with concern. “I don’t know if you have anything to do with it, but I figured you might… Livra Veyne was supposed to come here today, wasn’t she? Something about a statement to calm the unrest in the Earthlands?”

“That’s correct,” Sienna replied, her expression sharpening. “But how do you know that?”

“Well,” Calen began, choosing his words carefully, “we sent her as part of the LCC's delegation under Valtheris. So, naturally, I’d know a few things.”

Sienna gave him a look that pierced straight through his weak deception. “Of course,” she said flatly. “Valtheris might have sent her, but you didn’t learn that from him, did you? You’ve always been terrible at lying, Calen. It’s obvious the connection between Veyne and the LCC isn’t institutional—it’s personal. You’ve been involved with her, haven’t you? That’s how Valtheris even knew where to find her.” Her tone was stern, as though scolding a child caught in a transparent fib.

Calen sighed, realizing the futility of lying further. “Yes… it’s true,” he admitted. “I figured you already knew. You’ve always been more perceptive about these things than I am. Anyway, I assume she was here this morning. How is she? She seemed nervous when she left the house.”

“Oh, so she’s staying with you now, is she?” Sienna said, smirking as her words dripped with sarcasm. “Well, even though I probably shouldn’t tell you this because it’s confidential, I will. Veyne was supposed to meet Magistrate Drena this morning to discuss the statement. But…” Sienna’s voice took on a colder edge. “She never showed up. That’s a problem.”

“What?” Calen exclaimed, his shock unmistakable. “I saw her leave this morning to come here. How is that possible? Something must have happened to her.”

Sienna let out an irritated scoff. “As far as I know,” she said, her voice tinged with dismissiveness, “that girl has a tendency to run. It’s not surprising—a young, inexperienced girl thrown into this kind of mess? Most likely, she’s gone back to her nomadic ways. Calen, you’re so naive. That girl has clearly been using you as a stepping stone. And now that things have gotten difficult, she’s disappeared. I don’t know why you’re wasting your time on someone like her. She’s not a good match for you.”

“No,” Calen said firmly. “Livra isn’t like that. You don’t know her. She doesn’t run because she wants to. If she’s gone, it’s because something happened to her—I’m sure of it.”

Sienna crossed her arms, her eyebrow arching in mock disbelief. “Your faith in her is fascinating, Calen,” she said with a dry laugh. “Clearly, you’ve been charmed by her carefree little act. A convenient distraction for you after everything you’ve been through, I suppose. But you need to wake up and come back to reality. You deserve better—someone like me.”

She stepped closer to him, her voice softening, her demeanor shifting to something almost tender. “Calen,” she murmured, her dark eyes locking onto his, “someone like me could give you what you really need.”

For a moment, Calen faltered. He had always been weak when it came to Sienna—drawn to her confidence, her poise, her overwhelming presence. As she leaned in, he felt a familiar pull, but it was fleeting.

“Right,” he said abruptly, breaking the moment. “Someone like you.” His voice was steady now, filled with clarity. “We’ve shared good times, Sienna. I won’t deny that I fell for you, completely and utterly, like a fool. But you never felt the same. I can’t shake the feeling that now, you only want me because you can’t have me. Even if I wanted to be with you, even if Livra weren’t in my life, this… what you’re doing… it doesn’t feel right.

“This isn’t love. It’s desire, ambition—the thrill of chasing something out of reach. That might work in your professional life, but relationships aren’t like that. I can’t be with you, Sienna.”

Sienna’s expression darkened, her frustration bubbling to the surface. “Oh, really?” she spat. “We’ll see how long your little infatuation with that Veyne girl lasts. When you finally realize she’s not right for you, you’ll come crawling back to me—I guarantee it.” Her voice rose to a near shout, anger flashing in her eyes.

“Sienna…” Calen said softly, his tone weary. “I have to go. I need to find her. I just hope this doesn’t affect what we discussed about Magistrate Korran.”

Sienna took a moment to collect herself, smoothing her dress and regaining her composure. “Of course,” she said, her tone clipped. “Your wishes are my commands, after all.” She offered a sarcastic smile, a faint curl of disdain at the corner of her lips.

Calen understood that pushing further would be a mistake. Without another word, he turned and left her office.

The corridors of the administrative center felt endless as he made his way out. His mind was racing. What could have happened to Livra? She had seemed so determined, so resolute when she left the house this morning. For her not to show up at the meeting meant something had gone terribly wrong.

His chest tightened with worry as he stepped out into the bustling streets of Aeris. The sun hung high in the sky, casting sharp shadows over the gleaming buildings and throngs of people going about their day. Somewhere in this sprawling city, Livra was out there—or worse, she wasn’t.

“I’ll find you,” Calen muttered under his breath, determination hardening his features. “Whatever’s happened, I’ll find you and bring you back safely.”