Elysium: Desired by the Cold-hearted Princess [GL]
Chapter 236 236: Third Eye

Electra's POV

As soon as General Aurelian excused himself, shutting the door behind him, I wasted no time turning to Hunter with an expectant look.

"Is there a camera in here?" I asked bluntly.

Hunter blinked, visibly taken aback by the question. He tilted his head, his lips twitching into an amused smirk. "Why in the world would you ask that? Are you planning to do something to me, dear niece?"

I rolled my eyes and let out a dry laugh. "Oh, please. Do you really think you're worth harming? After all, you did just call me a little girl, didn't you? You shouldn't be afraid of someone you consider insignificant."

Hunter chuckled, leaning back in his chair with that infuriatingly smug expression still painted across his face. "Afraid? No. But I have heard that you're a little… unhinged," he said, tapping his temple mockingly. "Wouldn't surprise me if you did something drastic just to prove a point."

I placed a hand over my chest in mock offense. "Wow. That really hurts my feelings," I said, dragging out my words dramatically. Then, I smirked. "But don't worry, I'll try not to take it personally."

Hunter rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Then why the hell are you asking about cameras?"

I leaned forward, lowering my voice just slightly. "Because I know someone is watching us, and you know exactly who I'm talking about."

I hadn't been able to get rid of the feeling that I was being watched, and seeing how Hunter was acting so calm and collected, almost like he had been told to keep his cool no matter what, but also say things that would trigger me, made me realize that he was waiting for me to slip.

Hunter's smirk widened before he scoffed, shaking his head. "Wow," he mused, "you really do know your mother well."

Of course.

Queen Jella was probably watching this whole conversation right now, sipping on her favorite vintage wine, just waiting for me to slip up. It was precisely the kind of thing she would do—playing her games, trying to stay one step ahead, but I wasn't about to give her that satisfaction.

I leaned back, stretching my arms dramatically before flashing Hunter a lazy grin. "Well, then," I said, "I guess I'll have to be careful with what I say and do, won't I?"

He chuckled. "Do you think someone as sharp tongued as you could do without saying something brash, especially when you know your mother's watching?"

I scoffed, rolling my eyes at Hunter's feigned amusement. "You really think I can't hold my tongue just because she's watching?" I taunted, standing up from where I was seated beside him.

Hunter raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "I'm sure you've never been the type to hold back before, so why start now?"

I smirked, taking a slow, deliberate step closer to him. "Because I don't need to say much. I already confirmed exactly what I came here to confirm."

His frown deepened. "And what's that?"

I tilted my head, looking him dead in the eye. "That you're just a weak fool who would be absolutely nothing without my mother pulling the strings." I let the words settle before delivering the final blow. "Which tells me you're not going to be that big of a problem after all. You're useless, Hunter, especially against an unhinged bitch like me."

Hunter's laughter was instant—full of amusement, like I'd just said the most ridiculous thing in the world, but before he could open his mouth, I lifted a hand, silencing him with a single raised finger.

He narrowed his eyes at me, intrigued but not entirely pleased. I ignored him, my gaze slowly sweeping across the room, scanning every corner.

Hunter's voice dripped with amusement as he leaned back in his chair. "What exactly are you looking for?"

I didn't answer him. My eyes continued to search. I could feel it. The ever-present gaze, and I hated it.

"You won't find it," Hunter said, chuckling softly. "Don't bother wasting your time."

The second those words left his mouth, my gaze locked on something—a tiny, almost invisible lens, tucked away into the design of the bookcase behind general Aurelian's desk. It was discreet, perfectly positioned to catch everything in this room.

A slow smile crept on my lips.

"Found it," I murmured.

Hunter's laughter immediately stopped.

I walked across the room, and stopping right in front of the bookcase, I ran my fingers over the subtle outline of the embedded camera. It was well-hidden—almost perfectly so. Almost.

Hunter exhaled sharply. "Well, well. Look at you. Did your mother bless you with extra special eyes or something?" His tone was mocking, but there was something else beneath it.

Something uneasy.

I turned to face him, resting my hand against the bookcase. "You know, it's funny," I said conversationally, "for someone who's acting like some overly wise adult male, you sure don't seem to mind acting like a fool for my mother. Aren't you embarrassed?"

Hunter's smirk returned, but this time, it didn't reach his eyes. "And you sure don't seem to mind provoking someone who clearly has the upper hand."

I let out a soft chuckle. "Oh, please." I glanced back at the camera, then turned my attention to the little decorative clock on Aurelian's desk.

Casually, I picked it up, weighing it in my palm. It had a solid weight to it, which was good enough for me.

"Electra…" Hunter warned, sensing my intention.

I looked at the camera one last time, my grin widening as I flipped a middle finger at it before swinging the clock straight at the lens.

The sound of shattering glass filled the room.

Hunter let out a low whistle as I tossed the broken clock back on the desk. "Well. That's one way to say hello to Mommy dearest."

I dusted off my hands and turned back to him. "Oops."

He studied me, his expression unreadable. Then, ever so slowly, a smirk returned to his lips. "You really don't fear her, do you?"

I scoffed. "Fear is a waste of my time." I crossed my arms over my chest, my gaze hardening. "Besides, I'm done playing nice."

Hunter chuckled, leaning forward as he rested his arms on the desk. "And what exactly is that supposed to mean, Your Highness?"

I smirked. "It means, now that no one's watching, you and I can finally talk. Alone."