Morning sunlight poured gently through the café windows.
The warm smell of roasted coffee beans filled the air as soft jazz played quietly in the background.
Behind the counter stood Aria Vale.
Now twenty four years old.
Her hair tied loosely back.
Simple clothes.
No jewelry.
No makeup except a faint gloss.
She carefully finished a cappuccino, drawing a small heart in the foam before sliding the cup across the counter.
"Here you go," she said softly.
The elderly man smiled warmly.
"You make the best coffee in the city."
Aria laughed quietly.
"I think you say that because I remember your order."
"Of course you do."
To the world, Aria looked ordinary.
A quiet café employee.
Someone gentle.
Someone harmless.
Someone forgettable.
But ordinary things…
Were often the best disguises.
Across the street, a black luxury car slowed briefly before continuing down the road.
Inside sat a man studying encrypted reports on a tablet.
Sharp eyes.
Cold intelligence.
Dante Ravencroft.
Publicly known as one of the world's most brilliant cybersecurity strategists.
Privately…
Feared across Europe and Asia as the underground king known as
The Sovereign.
But inside the café, Aria simply wiped the counter and smiled politely at customers.
A normal life.
A peaceful life.
At least during the day.