CHAPTER 47: THE SECOND ATTEMPT

The suit had already been laid out for her.

Pressed charcoal grey. Her brooch bearing the Roen insignia shimmering in silver. She thought it shone less brightly than before. As if it was fading.

She hadn’t spoken a word that morning. Didn’t need to. Elune had gone. Cain and Abe remained outside her wing. It was Cassian who knocked, gentle but firm, and said:

"They’re expecting you in the East Wing."

Lin blinked slowly. "I shall go. What is the occasion?"

"A brief inspection. A dedication ceremony for the new reconstruction wing. You signed the papers last week."

She had no memory of doing so. She’d been rather forgetful recently. Perhaps fatigue from the sudden increase in workload. Lin was thankful that Cassian was around - along with other Vale assistants - to help her.

It felt like there used to be someone else who was also helpful. But Lin could not clearly recall who that was. Too many faces came and went. She gave up remembering everyone’s name already. She was too important now. Too busy to care.

But she was doing her job and she was doing it well.

That’s what Cassian told her. Councilor Vale and Zhen also visited at times. Late night usually. They were very impressed her work. Lin was gifted - they said. Impossibly mature, insightful, and decisive for someone so young and inexperienced with corporate duties.

Everybody was proud.

Acknowledging her duty to visit the East Wing, she nodded and dressed.

She wanted to continue to be useful.

———

The elevator moved with such silence it felt like falling through air. Cassian stood beside her, upright and reassuring. He didn’t look at her directly - just offered small updates in a measured tone:

"There’ll be a few reporters. No interviews. Just presence."

"Security has been heightened since the last... incident."

"You only need to stand for the ribbon and leave."

Lin said nothing.

She no longer felt nervous in silence. Everyone understood. Everyone was supportive.

Her silence was not for the lack of confidence in speaking anymore. It was an order for everyone to wait.

And she always had something relevant to say.

———

The East Wing glistened with new steel and glass. Once a forgotten annex, it had been rebuilt to house a small museum of Roen’s past achievements and new prototype products ready for display. A flex of legacy and future in one structure.

Staff waited in neatly spaced lines. Photographers adjusted lenses. Councilor Zhen was already present, flanked by two junior aides. She greeted Lin with a soft nod. Her hands covered in the velvet gloves that she was never seen without.

"You honor us, Miss Roen."

Lin did not reply. Cassian answered for her: "She’s pleased to see the work completed."

Zhen smiled, unreadable. "Let’s begin, then."

———

They led her into a narrow hall framed by ceiling-height windows. At the far end stood a ceremonial ribbon and a pair of golden scissors. The usual ritual.

Cassian gestured for her to take position.

Lin stood as instructed, eyes unfocused.

The flashbulbs popped once. Twice.

Then-

The world shattered.

A blast ripped through the outer wall in a horizontal surge of light and heat. Glass and fire screamed through the hallway. The aides behind her were flung like leaves. One of the photographers disappeared in the puff of dust.

Cassian reached for Lin, but the force tore them apart. She fell sideways, hitting the marble hard.

And yet, she barely reacted.

As debris settled, Lin sat upright amidst the wreckage, her expression unmoved. Her jacket was scorched at the sleeve. Blood ran in a single line from her temple. Her hair had been swept back by the pressure wave, revealing the thinness of her face.

One might have thought she’d faint.

She did not.

She simply sat.

Like a statue that had been misplaced.

Cassian scrambled toward her. "Miss Roen, are you alright?"

She blinked slowly. Her voice was so quiet he barely heard her:

"Was I meant to die this time?"

Before he could answer, security rushed in.

Behind them came Zhen, her face pale with restrained panic.

"She’s alive," someone called.

"Get medical."

"Lock down the tower!"

The emergency protocol was engaged.

———

In the control chamber above, Councilor Vale stood in front of the monitor wall. Live feeds flickered. Fire suppression bots activating, medics converging, building exits sealing in sequence.

The situation was extraordinary. But Councilor Vale was composed. He was a man who thrived in the time of crisis.

"She was the target," he said. The other staff in the control chamber shook their heads. The second assassination attempt on Lin Roen. So shortly after her entire family had been sacrificed.

Zhen entered moments later. Her hair had come undone slightly, but her tone was even. "She was the only one standing closest to the detonation point."

"We are blessed that Miss Roen is still alive."

"I think it is time, Councilor Vale. We can’t let this happen again"

Vale nodded grimly.

They activated the Guardian Accord.

The declaration, sent across all levels of Roen infrastructure, was simple:

By executive order, Councilors Zhen and Vale invoke Guardian Oversight Protocols.

Effective immediately: full lockdown of Roen Tower, temporary suspension of external communications, and transference of protective agency to the Dual Council.

Rationale: verified assassination attempt on Miss Lin Roen.

In truth, it was martial law, signed in polished script.

———

Cain and Abe received the news in a quiet corridor.

"She was there?" Abe asked.

Cassian’s voice came through the receiver. "She was at the ribbon site. Explosion struck ten feet from her. I don’t know how she survived that cleanly."

"She didn’t react?"

Cassian hesitated. "She didn’t flinch."

Cain looked down at his hands. "We need Elune."

"But she hasn’t said anything yet since we came back from the Archive."

Cain met his gaze. "Bring her up."

Abe didn’t move. "She looks... changed."

Cain waited.

Then said, "We all are."

———

Infirmary.

Lin lay on the cot with her eyes open.

No restraints. No IV drip.

She’d refused both.

Cassian sat at her bedside. Silent.

After a long pause, Lin whispered, "I should’ve died."

Cassian frowned. "Why would you say that?"

She didn’t answer. Her gaze had drifted to the far wall.

He leaned forward. "Lin. Look at me."

Nothing.

The girl in the bed barely blinked.

"Please," he said. "You’re still here."

Her lips moved, just once:

"Am I?"

———

Elune did not enter the infirmary.

She stood just outside, beside Abe and Cain, her face unreadable.

"She’s fading," Cain said.

"I saw Saen," Elune replied, not looking at him.

Silence.

"Who is Saen?" Abe asked finally.

Elune shook her head once. "Someone only the Mistress and I were supposed to remember."

Behind them, the security sirens pulsed one last time.

The building exhaled into silence.

But inside the Roen Tower, something colder than war had begun to settle - something slower than fire, quieter than grief.

The erasure of a girl.

And the memory of the one who had laughed too brightly.