Chapter 522: Aeliana, The Haggler
Aeliana's gaze flickered toward Lucavion, watching him carefully.
She had never seen him like this before.
Oh, she had seen his arrogance, his playful mockery, his insufferable smirks—but this?
This was different.
His presence was suffocating, his words a blade so carefully sharpened that Corvina had no choice but to recognize the cut.
And yet—
Aeliana saw it.
Even as he sat there, his expression unreadable, his voice calm, his posture relaxed—there was something off.
Something in the way his fingers rested lightly against his chin, too measured. Something in the way his smirk had faded, replaced by something too precise, too controlled.
Something in his eyes.
Aeliana had spent enough time around Lucavion to know when he was playing a role. When he was shifting pieces on the board and deciding what mask to wear.
Right now, he wasn't just intimidating Corvina.
He was masking something.
Aeliana didn't know what it was.
But she could feel it.
Still—this wasn't her place to intervene.
She wasn't here to pick apart his mind.
She had tagged along to see what he was doing. That was all.
And so, she remained silent, her expression giving nothing away as she leaned slightly against the back of her chair, her amber eyes steady on Lucavion.
Meanwhile, across from them, Corvina remained still.
She wasn't a fool.
She knew exactly what had just happened.
Lucavion had drawn a line.
A deliberate, unmistakable line.
And she had nearly crossed it.
Her fingers tapped against the table once, twice, before she finally exhaled softly.
"…I see," she murmured, her voice quieter now.
She met Lucavion's gaze, searching for something—but whatever she was looking for, she wouldn't find it.
Because Lucavion had already decided.
After a moment, she gave a slow nod.
"I overstepped," she admitted.
It wasn't an apology. But it was an acknowledgment.
Lucavion studied her for a moment longer, then leaned back, his expression relaxing just slightly.
"Good," he said, his smirk returning, albeit softer. "I was beginning to wonder if I had to spell it out for you."
Corvina rolled her eyes, but the tension that had gripped the room just moments ago finally eased.
Then she leaned back slightly, letting the tension in her shoulders dissipate—just enough to regain her sense of control. The shift in the atmosphere was subtle, but noticeable. The sharp, suffocating weight that had filled the air moments ago had lifted, replaced by something more neutral.
'It appears I was getting tired as well.'
She hadn't realized it at first, but she could feel it now—the way fatigue crept at the edges of her thoughts, making her slip in ways she normally wouldn't. She was usually better at keeping her emotions measured, at maintaining a composed balance between her authority as Guildmaster and the need to understand the people she dealt with.
And yet, she had let her frustration seep through.
'Perhaps it's because I've spent too much time dealing with grieving adventurers. Too much time reading reports filled with names that will never return. Too much time answering questions I don't have the answers to.'
She exhaled softly, lifting her teacup and taking a slow sip, letting the warmth soothe her.
'But none of that changes what just happened.'
Lucavion had drawn a line, and she had nearly crossed it.
There was a difference between questioning a man's choices and questioning his principles.
And Lucavion was a man with very clear principles—ones that did not waver under the weight of expectations, ones that were not bound by conventional ideas of morality.
It wasn't that he didn't care.
It was that caring did not change the decisions he made.
'And that is why he is dangerous.'
She had known this already—of course she had. He was called Sword Demon for a reason.
But knowing something in theory was different from feeling the weight of it firsthand.
Across from her, Lucavion had already shifted back into his usual demeanor, his expression lighter now, the sharpness in his eyes hidden once more behind a layer of amusement.
Corvina let out a soft breath before finally speaking again, this time with the same measured calm she should have maintained from the beginning.
"I won't press you further on it," she said.
Lucavion's smirk twitched. "Oh? That's surprisingly reasonable of you."
Corvina ignored the teasing remark, letting the moment pass without reaction. Instead, she placed her cup back onto the saucer, her fingers lightly tracing the rim as she considered her next words.
"There's still the matter of these creatures you've brought back," she said, her gaze flickering toward the monstrous remains sprawled across the stone floor. "This is not something I can overlook."
Lucavion's smirk remained, but there was something sharper beneath it—something knowing.
"Of course," he said smoothly. "I wouldn't expect you to."
Corvina exhaled, smoothing out the tension in her posture as she shifted back into business mode. Whatever had just transpired between them was over—for now. She was not someone who let emotions cloud judgment for long, and there was still a transaction to handle.
Her sharp gaze flickered over the monstrous remains sprawled across the stone floor. Even now, they pulsed with an unnatural energy, a foreign presence that made the air feel heavier.
'They are not from here. That much is clear.'
Slowly, she stepped forward, crouching slightly to examine one of the carcasses—a massive beast with jagged crystalline growths sprouting from its back, the faint glow still shimmering beneath its thick hide.
"This…" she murmured, fingers hovering near one of the cracked crystals before pulling back. "This is fascinating."
Lucavion smirked. "I thought you might think so."
Corvina ignored him, standing once more, eyes narrowing as she assessed the sheer variety of creatures before her. "From their structure, their auras, even the decay of their cores… it's obvious that these monsters are of their own kind. They don't belong to any ecosystem I've seen before."
Her gaze flicked toward Lucavion. "Which means they will be valuable."
She could already think of several interested parties—the Nobles, the high-ranking Alchemists, the private collectors—but one, in particular, stood out.
"The Magic Tower will be willing to pay well for them," she mused aloud. "They've been desperate for anything beyond the limitations of our realm. If I were to take these to them, they would throw their funding at the opportunity to study creatures from an unknown land."
Lucavion's smirk deepened. "That is right."
Corvina crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly. "If you want me to be the middleman for this, then we're going to split—"
She let the word linger, watching him carefully, testing the waters of negotiation.
Lucavion exhaled lazily, as if already anticipating the direction she was going. "Of course, Guildmaster. We're both business-minded people, aren't we? How about an even sixty-forty?"
Corvina gave him a bland look.
"No."
Lucavion chuckled, shaking his head. "Then fifty-fifty?"
Corvina clicked her tongue, looking entirely unimpressed. "Lucavion."
He sighed dramatically. "Alright, alright. Forty-sixty. You take the forty."
Corvina's lips quirked upward ever so slightly.
'That's it. Just a little more.'
"Thirty-seventy," she countered, her voice smooth, certain. "You take the thirty."
Lucavion's smirk twitched as he leaned slightly against the table. "Now, Guildmaster, do you really think I'm the type to walk away with thirty percent?"
"I think you're the type who knows how to make repeat business work in your favor," she countered easily. "You get the reputation of being the one who supplies materials no one else can access, while I make sure you don't have to do the exhausting legwork of dealing with the Magic Tower's absurd demands."
Lucavion hummed, feigning deep thought. "Tempting."
Corvina was about to press further—about to seal the deal—when—
"Stop."
Chapter 523: Find someone for me
Aeliana exhaled through her nose, barely resisting the urge to pinch the bridge of it.
This was getting painful to watch.
Lucavion—this cunning, sharp-tongued menace of a man—was getting ripped off.
And worse?
He didn't even seem to care.
She had assumed, at first, that he was dragging the negotiation out just to toy with Corvina. That perhaps he was testing her, letting her think she had the upper hand before flipping the entire deal on its head.
But no.
No, he was just… bad at this.
Aeliana felt something tighten in her chest—was it secondhand frustration? Exasperation? Pity? She wasn't sure. All she knew was that she couldn't watch this disaster unfold for a second longer.
"Stop."
The word left her lips before she could even think about it, cutting cleanly through the air.
Both Lucavion and Corvina turned to her.
Corvina raised an eyebrow, as if mildly intrigued by the interruption.
Lucavion, on the other hand—
Well, the moment he saw her expression, that insufferable smirk of his deepened.
Aeliana crossed her arms, her voice laced with disbelief. "What exactly do you think you're doing?"
Lucavion blinked, tilting his head ever so slightly. "Business, of course."
"Business?" Aeliana repeated, her tone edged with incredulity. "You call this business? Are you seriously about to let yourself be talked down to thirty percent?"
Lucavion let out a quiet chuckle. "Oh? Now you care about my financial situation?"
Aeliana glared at him.
It was one thing to be reckless in battle, to throw himself into danger without a care in the world. But this?
This was just stupidity.
"I don't care," she said flatly. "But I do have a problem with standing here and watching someone get swindled right in front of me."
Lucavion placed a hand over his chest, feigning offense. "Swindled? My dear Aeliana, I'm simply—"
"You're getting ripped off."
Corvina, to her credit, merely observed the exchange with mild amusement.
Lucavion sighed dramatically, leaning his chin against his palm. "Hah… And here I thought you weren't getting involved."
Aeliana gritted her teeth, debating—for just a second—whether she should actually strangle him.
But she wouldn't.
No.
Instead, she would fix this before Lucavion walked out of here looking like a fool.
She turned to Corvina, her amber eyes sharp. "This deal is ridiculous. He is the one who hunted these creatures. He is the one who retrieved them. And you're seriously going to sit here and act as if thirty percent is a fair split?"
Corvina exhaled through her nose, her lips twitching ever so slightly upward. "You make a compelling argument."
Aeliana's amber eyes locked onto Corvina, sharp and unwavering. "Ninety-ten," she stated coldly. "His favor."
Lucavion blinked. Then slowly, ever so slowly, turned to look at her, a new gleam of amusement flickering in his gaze.
Corvina, on the other hand, stiffened slightly before narrowing her eyes, the briefest flash of irritation slipping through her composed mask.
"That," she said smoothly, though her voice carried an unmistakable edge, "is crossing the line."
Aeliana didn't flinch. "No," she countered. "That is fair."
Corvina let out a slow breath, her expression unreadable, but the sharpness in her gaze remained. "You seem to misunderstand how negotiations work, Lady Aeliana. I am the one facilitating this transaction. If you believe—"
"The only thing you're doing," Aeliana cut in, "is connecting us to the Magic Tower."
Silence.
Corvina's fingers curled ever so slightly against the surface of the desk.
Aeliana pressed forward, her tone smooth, unwavering. "Let's not pretend this is some great act of generosity, Guildmaster. You're not handling transport. You're not risking your men. You're not even making an investment. All you're doing is playing the middleman."
Lucavion let out a quiet hum under his breath, his smirk deepening as he watched the exchange unfold.
Aeliana ignored him.
"You have nothing to lose," she continued, her voice crisp and measured. "And yet, you were planning to take seventy percent of the profits. For what, exactly?"
Corvina's jaw tightened slightly, but she did not speak.
Aeliana tilted her head, pressing just a little further. "And if it's simply a matter of reaching out to the Magic Tower, then there's no need for your involvement at all, is there?"
Lucavion leaned forward slightly, intrigued now.
Aeliana lifted a hand in a slow, deliberate gesture. "After all," she said, her voice smooth as silk, "the Duchy can handle that just fine."
Another beat of silence.
Lucavion's smirk turned sharp.
Corvina's expression remained composed, but Aeliana could see the shift—the silent recognition that she had been maneuvered into a corner.
This wasn't a negotiation anymore.
This was a power play.
Aeliana let the moment stretch before finally speaking again, delivering the final push.
"If you don't want the deal," she said simply, "then we'll take our leave."
She turned slightly, her gaze flickering toward Lucavion. "I'll have the butler contact the mages directly."
Lucavion let out a low chuckle, clearly thoroughly enjoying himself now. "My, my," he mused, tilting his head toward Corvina. "What do you say, Guildmaster?"
Corvina exhaled slowly, rolling her shoulders as she leaned back into her chair. A heavy pause filled the space between them, stretching just long enough to make the tension feel tangible.
Then—
A slow, measured smile spread across Corvina's lips.
Corvina's smile remained, slow and measured, her sharp eyes flickering between Aeliana and Lucavion before she finally spoke.
"Eighty-five, fifteen."
Aeliana narrowed her eyes slightly. She could push further—could likely get the ninety-ten she had originally demanded—but this was still a significant improvement. More than enough.
Before she could respond, Lucavion leaned back with an easy, satisfied smirk. "That sounds fair."
Aeliana shot him a look. Now he thinks about what's fair?
Corvina exhaled softly, rolling her shoulders before reaching for a quill. "I'll have the documents prepared shortly." She tapped the feather lightly against the desk before adding, "Though, I get the feeling that's not the only thing you came for."
Lucavion hummed, tilting his head slightly. "You know me too well, Guildmaster."
Corvina didn't respond, merely watching him with mild curiosity as she leaned back in her chair. "What is it, then?"
Lucavion's smirk remained—but then, something shifted.
He turned his head.
And looked directly at Aeliana.
"Can you spare me a minute?"
His voice was smooth, calm—but his eyes...
Aeliana stiffened.
Something about them was different.
The usual teasing glint was gone. His gaze, dark and unreadable, held something else—something she couldn't quite place.
She didn't like it.
Her instinct was to stay, to refuse. She wanted to remain in the room, to listen, to know exactly what he was about to ask.
But…
This wasn't her place.
She had already stepped into his business once.
If she pushed further, it wouldn't be negotiation.
It would be overstepping.
And she wasn't that kind of person.
Aeliana inhaled slowly, holding his gaze for a moment longer before turning on her heel.
"…Fine," she muttered.
She didn't like it.
But she walked out.
The door shut behind her.
And now—
It was just Lucavion and Corvina.
The room was silent after Aeliana left, the tension still lingering in the air like an echo. Corvina watched Lucavion carefully, her sharp gaze not missing the way his posture shifted the moment the door clicked shut.
The teasing smirk was still there, but it had dulled—faded into something that no longer quite reached his eyes.
She tapped her fingers against the desk, tilting her head slightly. "So," she said smoothly, "what is it that you really came here for?"
Lucavion exhaled through his nose, leaning forward slightly. He rested his elbow against the desk, his fingers lightly grazing his chin. For a moment, he didn't answer, as if considering how much he wanted to say.
Then, finally, he spoke.
"I want you to find someone."
Corvina blinked.
She had expected many things. More trade discussions. An extension of negotiations. Perhaps even another taunt meant to test her patience.
But this—
This was different.
Her expression didn't waver, but inwardly, her mind was already turning.
"…Find someone?" she repeated.
Lucavion nodded.
"Yes."
And then—
The temperature in the room shifted.
It wasn't something tangible. Not something the average person would notice.
But Corvina wasn't average.
She felt it immediately.
The pressure. The weight in the air.
It was subtle, a quiet, controlled release of his aura. Just enough to be felt, just enough to warn.
Lucavion's smirk faded entirely.
And then—
His dark eyes met hers.
"I want you to find someone who participated in the War of Valerius Plains."
Chapter 524: Find someone for me (2)
"I want you to find someone who participated in the War of Valerius Plains."
Corvina's fingers stilled against the desk.
The Valerius Plains?
That war had been just a year ago. A bloody, brutal conflict that had reshaped entire border between Arcanis Empire and Loria Empire.
A war that had taken countless lives.
A war that should have left nothing behind but bones buried beneath the grass.
Corvina's fingers tapped lightly against the desk as her mind swiftly processed Lucavion's request.
The Valerius Plains War…
It had raged for nearly four years, a brutal conflict that had redrawn the borders between the Arcanis Empire and the Loria Empire. A war of attrition, of shifting strategies, of thousands upon thousands of lives lost in the name of conquest.
And yet, despite the long and bitter struggle, Arcanis had emerged victorious.
Because of that victory, the war was still fresh. The records hadn't yet faded into obscurity, the survivors had not fully scattered, and the names of its warriors—both celebrated and forgotten—were still written in the annals of history.
Finding a single knight among them wouldn't be easy…
But it was possible.
If she worked at it, if she pulled the right strings and contacted the right people, she could find out who Lucavion was looking for.
Still—
She needed more.
She exhaled slowly, leveling him with a steady gaze. "The war lasted nearly six years, Lucavion. That's a long time for a battlefield that spanned an entire border."
Lucavion said nothing, simply waiting.
"If you want me to track down a single knight among thousands of soldiers, I need more details," Corvina continued, her voice crisp and professional. "Rank. Allegiances. Specific battles they participated in."
Lucavion leaned forward slightly, his fingers interlocking as he rested his elbows on the table. "A knight. Wind-type Awakened. A spear-user. Arcanis Empire."
Corvina narrowed her eyes as she studied Lucavion carefully. His request was already difficult, but what frustrated her more than anything was how vague he was being.
A knight—fine.
A wind-type Awakened—that certainly helped.
A spear-user—a strong identifier, but still too broad.
From the Arcanis Empire—which was obvious, given the war's outcome.
But even with all of that, it wasn't enough.
She leaned forward slightly, her fingers tapping against the wooden surface of the desk, her tone sharp and professional. "You must realize that's still a lot of people, Lucavion."
Her mind was already filtering through possibilities. The war had raged for four years. Thousands of Awakened warriors had taken to the battlefield—some celebrated, some buried in nameless graves.
A wind-type spear-user among them wasn't impossible to find, but it certainly wasn't going to be easy.
"If I search through the records, I'll find plenty of knights who fit your description," she continued, her voice measured. "Awakened warriors with wind affinities aren't common, but they aren't unheard of either. Do you have anything else to narrow this down? A title? A division? A commander they served under?"
Lucavion didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he simply stared at her, his dark eyes unreadable.
And then—
He leaned back in his chair slightly, exhaling as if the answer itself was an afterthought.
"He showed his face in the war four years ago."
Corvina's fingers stilled.
Lucavion's voice was calm, steady—too steady.
"And never again."
Silence.
Corvina frowned, her mind quickly analyzing what that meant. "Four years ago…"
Corvina's fingers drummed against the desk, her mind turning over Lucavion's words like puzzle pieces in need of alignment.
A knight who appeared only once—and then vanished.
'The war lasted six years,' she thought. 'If he showed up in the third year and never again… that is both strange and not strange at the same time.'
It wasn't unheard of. There were many warriors who fought in one major battle and then disappeared—some due to death, some because they were wounded beyond recovery, and others because they were assigned to different posts or retired from the battlefield entirely.
But something about the way Lucavion spoke made her uneasy.
This knight wasn't just someone who disappeared.
This was someone Lucavion was determined to find.
And that made all the difference.
Corvina exhaled slowly, leveling him with a steady look. "How do you know about this?"
Lucavion didn't hesitate.
"It's not important."
Corvina's brow twitched, annoyance flickering in her expression.
"It is important if you expect me to dig through war records, question high-ranking officials, and search for a man who, by all accounts, should have faded into history."
Lucavion's smirk didn't fade, but his eyes…
His eyes didn't hold even a sliver of amusement.
"I don't care how you do it, Corvina," he said, his voice smooth, unwavering. "Just find him."
The weight in the room thickened.
Corvina sighed, rubbing her temple lightly.
The pressure he was leaking—it was subtle, controlled, but she felt it.
This wasn't just a casual request.
This wasn't even just business.
'This is personal.'
And that made it dangerous.
She had known Lucavion for long enough to recognize that there were things he didn't say. Things buried beneath his easy smirks and sharp words, hidden behind a persona so carefully constructed that few ever looked past it.
But right now—
Right now, he wasn't hiding the weight of this request.
Which meant—
'I don't want to be this man's enemy.'
The thought settled in her chest like stone.
Lucavion was dangerous in the way a storm was dangerous—not because he actively sought destruction, but because when he moved, the world had no choice but to react.
She didn't want to be on the wrong side of that.
Not today.
Not ever.
Corvina let out a long breath before finally nodding. "Fine. I'll do it."
Lucavion leaned back, satisfied.
Corvina exhaled slowly, her fingers pressing lightly against her temple.
'Fine. I'll do it.'
The words had barely left her lips, and already she felt the weight of them.
This wasn't just another transaction. This wasn't a simple exchange of gold and goods. Lucavion's request came with something heavier, something unspoken that lingered between them like a phantom.
And she wasn't blind to it.
She had spent years in this position—dealing with all sorts of adventurers, nobles, mercenaries, and thieves. She knew when someone was keeping secrets.
And Lucavion?
Lucavion was made of them.
She leaned back slightly, inhaling a quiet breath as she regarded him carefully. 'While I'm at it… I may as well do some digging of my own.'
She wouldn't say it aloud, but the thought had already rooted itself in her mind.
'Because something isn't right about you, Lucavion.'
His own past was just as much of a mystery as the knight he was looking for.
When she had traced his records, his origins, his so-called history, something about it hadn't added up. The gaps were too neat, the trails too well-covered. As if someone had wiped away the details and left only enough for a name, a reputation, a legend.
'Sword Demon Lucavion.'
A title given to a man that, by all accounts, had appeared out of nowhere.
And now, here he was, asking her to find a knight from a war that, by all logic, should not have mattered to him.
But it did matter.
And that was what made this dangerous.
Corvina exhaled, letting her fingers slowly uncurl against the desk.
'If I start looking into his past…'
Her gaze flickered toward Lucavion, who watched her with his ever-present smirk, though his eyes gleamed with something deeper—something she could not read.
'…I might not like what I find.'
That thought alone should have made her reconsider.
But it didn't.
It only made her more determined.
Chapter 525: Date ?
The door creaked open, and Lucavion stepped out, adjusting the cuff of his glove with slow, deliberate ease. His expression was, as expected, entirely unbothered—his usual smirk already in place, his eyes gleaming with barely concealed amusement.
At least that was how it looked to anyone else, he looked the same as always—entirely unbothered, his usual smirk resting easily on his lips, his eyes gleaming with that familiar amusement.
But Aeliana had started figuring him out.
She had seen it before.
And she could see it now.
He was masking it.
Again.
Lucavion loved to act as if nothing touched him, as if everything was some grand game he could play at his leisure. He would smirk, tease, and sidestep anything remotely uncomfortable with ease.
But Aeliana had been watching.
She had seen the way his expression had shifted when Corvina questioned him earlier—when she asked why he hadn't saved the others. He had laughed, sure. Had played it off, sure. But the weight behind his words, the way his voice had gone quiet, too calm—it hadn't been as effortless as he pretended.
And now?
Now, as he walked out of that room, looking as smug as ever, she could see it again.
Lucavion wasn't in the best condition right now.
Oh, it wasn't physical—there were no signs of injury, no sluggishness in his movements. But something was weighing on him, just beneath the surface.
It wasn't obvious. Not unless you were looking.
But Aeliana was looking.
And the more time she spent around him, the more she realized—
This man never let himself sit with his own thoughts for too long.
If something was bothering him, he would smirk through it. Play the fool. Shift the focus onto someone else, turning it into a joke or a passing remark.
Aeliana wondered, briefly, how long he had been doing that.
And why.
Lucavion exhaled dramatically, placing a hand over his chest as if he were gravely wounded. "You know, Aeliana, I hate making a lady wait… but unfortunately, I didn't have a choice."
He tilted his head, his smirk deepening. "I'm really sorry for that."
'Again….he is doing it.'
Aeliana watched him carefully.
He was acting as if nothing was wrong—just like always. But now that she had started seeing through him, she wanted to confirm it.
She wanted to see it more clearly.
Lucavion was good at lying. Good at twisting words, at weaving half-truths into something that sounded real. But she had already figured out one thing.
He never outright lied.
Not when it came to things that mattered.
So she decided to test him.
"Why?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. "If you're that sorry, why did you make me wait?"
Lucavion blinked, and for just a fraction of a second, she saw it—
The faintest flicker of discomfort.
A crack in his mask, brief and fleeting, before he smoothed it over with an easy chuckle.
"Ahaha… well," he drawled, rubbing the back of his neck with exaggerated ease, "that was kind of important."
Aeliana caught the way his smirk didn't quite reach his eyes this time. The way his body remained too measured, too casual.
He doesn't want to talk about it.
And she understood.
She had been in that position before—the weight of something pressing down, the reluctance to speak of it, the desperate need to move past it before it could linger too long.
And Lucavion…
Lucavion never let things linger.
So, fine.
If that was how he handled things, then she would simply do the same.
Aeliana let out an exaggerated sigh, placing a hand against her hip as she gave him a slow, appraising look. "Kind of important, you say?" she repeated, feigning disappointment. "And here I thought you had some real regret."
Lucavion's smirk twitched slightly. "Oh? You doubt my sincerity?"
Aeliana let out a dramatic hum, tapping her chin in mock thought. "Well, you did make me wait, and now you're refusing to tell me why. I'd say that's enough of a crime to warrant compensation."
Lucavion chuckled, the weight in his eyes shifting just slightly—lightening, even if only a little. "Compensation, hmm?"
Aeliana nodded solemnly. "A proper apology."
Lucavion sighed, shaking his head as if deeply troubled. "Hah… You drive a hard bargain, Little Ember."
Aeliana smirked. "I know."
Lucavion exhaled dramatically, placing a hand over his chest once again. "Very well. What would you have me do?"
Aeliana pretended to consider it.
Aeliana tapped her chin thoughtfully, letting the moment stretch just long enough to keep Lucavion waiting. Then, with a small, deliberate sigh, she said, "It's been a while since I've been out here… in the streets of Stormhaven."
Lucavion's smirk widened immediately, the glint of mischief returning to his eyes.
"Ah…" he murmured, tilting his head slightly. "How rude of me."
Before Aeliana could react, he moved.
With the dramatic flourish of a man who lived for theatrics, Lucavion placed one knee on the cobblestone street, resting a hand over his chest as he lowered his head slightly in mock reverence.
Aeliana barely held back a scoff.
'Oh, so he's doing this now.'
Lucavion lifted his gaze to hers, his expression a perfect picture of poetic devotion.
"Lady Aeliana," he intoned, his voice rich with exaggerated elegance. "Would you grant me the honor of accompanying you on this beautiful day?"
The way he said beautiful—slow, deliberate, entirely over-the-top—made it very clear he was enjoying himself far too much.
Several passersby glanced their way, their expressions a mix of amusement and confusion. A few of them even whispered among themselves.
Aeliana inhaled deeply, composing herself before she tilted her head slightly. "Hmm… You're certainly putting in the effort," she mused, crossing her arms. "But I don't know… Is that all you can offer?"
Lucavion gasped dramatically. "My, my. You wound me."
Aeliana smirked. "Then I suppose you should try harder."
Lucavion chuckled, his amusement evident. But instead of standing, he remained on one knee, reaching for her hand.
Aeliana narrowed her eyes slightly, but she didn't pull away.
Lucavion's fingers brushed against hers lightly, his touch warm and measured, and then—
He lifted her hand just slightly, bowing his head over it, stopping just shy of pressing his lips against her knuckles.
Aeliana felt the faintest prickle of awareness at the deliberate pause.
Lucavion smirked against her skin, though he didn't close the distance.
Then, in a voice softer, smoother, undeniably teasing, he murmured, "Is this enough effort for you, Little Ember?"
Aeliana exhaled through her nose.
She hated how good he was at this.
Still—she had already committed to playing along.
So, with the ease of someone completely unfazed, she tilted her chin slightly and said, "Hmm… I suppose it will do."
Lucavion chuckled, finally rising to his feet, his smirk never wavering.
"Then let's go," he said smoothly. "Stormhaven awaits."
And just like that, they walked forward—Lucavion at her side, ever the insufferable menace, and Aeliana, who absolutely refused to acknowledge the way her hand still faintly tingled.
Chapter 526: A date ? (2)
The streets of Stormhaven stretched before them, bathed in the golden hues of the late afternoon sun. The city's familiar rhythm pulsed around Aeliana—the steady hum of merchants calling out their wares, the rhythmic clatter of carriage wheels against cobblestone, the occasional laughter of children weaving through the crowd.
And yet…
This felt different.
It had been a long time since she had walked like this.
Freely.
Without carriages. Without attendants trailing behind her. Without the ever-present presence of the Duchy's guards shadowing her every step.
Even before her illness, she had never truly walked the streets of Stormhaven alone.
There had always been someone—a reminder of the status she carried, of the life she was bound to.
But now…
Now, she was here, moving at her own pace, with no one dictating her steps.
No expectations. No watchful eyes monitoring her every movement.
Just the steady rhythm of her boots against the stone, the cool evening breeze curling through the streets, and—
Lucavion.
She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye.
He walked beside her, hands in his pockets, his usual smirk softened into something almost lazy, almost natural. There was no teasing remark waiting on his lips, no immediate attempt to turn the silence into something playful.
He was just… walking.
It was strangely calming.
Stormhaven itself had not changed much.
The shops were the same, their signs worn from time but still standing. The people bustled about with the same energy, the same familiarity.
Aeliana let her eyes wander, taking it all in.
And yet, even though the city remained largely unchanged—
She had.
She wasn't the same girl who had once watched these streets from the window of a carriage, who had only ever glimpsed them from a distance.
The quiet rhythm of their walk stretched between them, neither rushing nor hesitating. The moment felt strangely… undisturbed.
But, of course, Lucavion never let anything stay undisturbed for long.
"Can you feel it?" he asked, his voice light, casual—yet carrying that distinct undertone that suggested he already knew the answer.
Aeliana blinked, glancing at him. "Feel what?"
Lucavion tilted his head slightly, smirking. "The gazes."
Aeliana frowned.
And then, almost instinctively, she lifted her head.
The moment she did, she noticed it.
People were looking at her.
No—staring.
Not everyone, but enough. Some were subtle, stealing glances as they passed, whispering to each other. Others weren't nearly as discreet, their gazes lingering too long, their expressions shifting between curiosity, wariness, and something else she couldn't quite place.
"What?" she muttered, her brows furrowing.
Lucavion exhaled a quiet chuckle. "Well," he mused, "right now, you're not exactly dressed like someone people see walking through these streets every day."
Aeliana opened her mouth to protest—then stopped.
And then—realization.
Her dress.
She had overlooked it entirely.
When she had prepared herself this morning, it had been for a formal meeting—to stand before her father, to reflect the image of House Thaddeus.
And now…
Now she was walking through Stormhaven's streets in the same attire.
The expensive fabrics, the delicate embroidery, the unmistakable quality of noble craftsmanship—she wasn't wearing the kind of dress one casually wore in the city.
She was wearing something meant for grand halls, for meetings with aristocrats, for representing the Duchy itself.
Aeliana slowly exhaled.
And then she understood.
Why the adventurers at the guild had seemed so wary when she stood waiting outside.
Why people here were watching her, whispering among themselves.
Lucavion was, of course, enjoying this far too much.
His smirk deepened, and with a light, knowing tone, he said, "If you're fine with it, I don't mind. I just wanted to make sure you wouldn't find this out at a crucial time."
Aeliana wanted to curse him.
Because the worst part?
He was right.
If he hadn't said anything, she would have still noticed. Just… a little later. And then it would have been the same, only worse—realizing it at the wrong moment, in the middle of some unavoidable situation, when the whispers would have already grown too loud to ignore.
She clenched her jaw, inhaling slowly through her nose.
Lucavion, meanwhile, looked utterly pleased with himself.
And then—
"My lady…"
His voice took on a dramatically exaggerated politeness as he turned to her, dark eyes gleaming with mischief.
"How about this gentleman here buys you some clothes?"
Aeliana turned to him slowly.
And just stared.
Lucavion grinned. "What? You don't like the offer?"
Aeliana exhaled through her nose. "I have plenty of clothes."
"Mm, yes, noble clothes." Lucavion gestured at her attire with an amused flick of his wrist. "Not exactly fit for blending in, wouldn't you say?"
Aeliana narrowed her eyes.
Lucavion raised a brow, looking entirely unbothered.
For a brief moment, Aeliana considered rejecting him outright.
But then, she glanced down at her dress again.
At the pristine embroidery. At the rich fabric. At how completely out of place it was here.
She hated that he had a point.
She crossed her arms. "Fine."
Lucavion's smirk widened. "Oh? Just like that?"
Aeliana shot him a look. "Before I change my mind."
Lucavion chuckled, then extended a hand toward her, palm up. "Then, my lady, shall we?"
Aeliana rolled her eyes, ignoring the offered hand as she walked ahead.
Lucavion let out a dramatic sigh, shaking his head as he followed after her. "Isn't it a bit rude for a lady to ignore a gentleman's hand like that?" He placed a hand over his chest, his voice dripping with mock pain. "I am really hurt…"
Aeliana didn't even glance back. "If you're hurt from this much, guess how much I was hurt when you said those things to me."
Lucavion immediately cleared his throat. "Ahem… will you bring this up every time?"
"Yes."
"Never forget?"
"I will not."
At that, Aeliana turned on her heel to face him, her expression composed—except for the unmistakable mischief gleaming in her amber eyes.
"And you will never be forgiven," she declared, her voice smooth, her lips curving into something sharp and playful.
Lucavion blinked, tilting his head as if considering.
Then—
"So…" Aeliana continued, the amusement in her tone unmistakable, "you'd better spend the rest of your life making it up to me."
Lucavion exhaled through his nose, laughing softly. "Ahaha… How terrifying."
Chapter 527: A Spender Lady
The city square was alive with the usual evening bustle—merchants packing away goods, last-minute shoppers haggling over prices, the scent of baked bread and roasted meats lingering in the air.
The sun was dipping lower now, casting long shadows over the stone pathways, and with it, the warmth of the day had begun to fade. A crisp breeze curled through the streets, carrying with it the first signs of the evening chill.
And yet—
Lucavion was not concerned with the cold.
No, his current concern was something far more dangerous.
His wallet.
Because Aeliana—calm, composed, vengeful Aeliana—had decided that if he was offering to buy her clothes, then she would take full advantage of it.
And she did so with the smooth efficiency of a woman who had no intention of holding back.
Lucavion exhaled, standing with his hands in his pockets as yet another set of clothes was added to the growing pile.
How did it get to this point?
Ah, yes. It started when they approached a well-known clothing vendor near the center of the square.
The shop was set up beneath a large canvas awning, racks of clothing neatly arranged under the warm glow of lanterns. The merchant—a shrewd-looking woman with quick hands and even quicker words—had immediately taken an interest in Aeliana, recognizing the signs of nobility despite her current attempt to blend in.
That, of course, led to this.
Aeliana, standing before a full-length mirror that had been set up outside the stall, inspected herself with quiet precision as she tried on the first selection—a fitted dark green tunic with delicate gold embroidery along the sleeves, paired with a high-collared, fur-lined cloak that draped elegantly over her shoulders.
"Functional and warm," she mused, turning slightly to examine the fabric. "I like this one."
Lucavion smirked. "Well, that was fast."
Aeliana arched a brow. "Oh, we're far from done."
And she meant it.
Because next came a deep navy-blue overcoat, sleek and fitted, cinched at the waist with subtle silver detailing along the cuffs. Beneath it, a midnight-black blouse, layered with a high-necked tunic that flattered her frame without being overly restrictive.
Lucavion whistled. "Ah, you do look sharp in that one."
Aeliana smirked. "Noted."
Then came a softer look—a pale cream blouse, light and airy, paired with a deep burgundy vest that added a touch of richness to the ensemble. Aeliana adjusted the cuffs slightly, as if testing the feel of it, before giving a small nod of approval.
Lucavion hummed. "I suppose I should have expected you to be thorough."
"Oh, we haven't even started," Aeliana replied smoothly.
And she proved it.
A charcoal-gray traveling coat—long and practical, lined with subtle silver threading. A light brown tunic, layered with a sleeveless black surcoat that gave it a slightly more structured look. A dark crimson shirt, made of finer material, paired with a subtle leather belt.
By the time Aeliana had finished selecting several sets of outfits—including boots and gloves—Lucavion was standing beside a growing stack of wrapped parcels.
He exhaled, shaking his head as he handed over yet another payment to the merchant, who was far too happy to accommodate this turn of events.
"You know," he mused, glancing at Aeliana, "I'm starting to think you're enjoying this a little too much."
Aeliana, dressed now in one of her new selections—a fitted black tunic with a structured deep-green cloak—tilted her head slightly.
"I am," she admitted without hesitation.
Lucavion exhaled a soft laugh, shaking his head. "At least you're honest."
Aeliana adjusted the cloak slightly, fastening it at her collarbone. "If you complain, I could always find more."
Lucavion held up a hand. "No, no. I know when I've lost."
Aeliana smirked. "Good."
Aeliana stepped back into the small fitting area, pulling the curtain closed behind her as she began to change.
The creamy blouse was light against her skin, the fabric softer than she expected. She had bought it more out of curiosity than anything else—something different, something simple. She fastened the buttons, adjusting the cuffs before reaching for the burgundy vest she had also chosen.
It fit well, snug against her frame, adding a structured touch to the otherwise relaxed look.
But after a moment, she hesitated.
It was… warm.
The evening air had cooled, but the layers felt too much. Aeliana exhaled softly, undoing the vest and setting it aside.
Stepping out, she found Lucavion already waiting.
He had, of course, stored everything neatly away in his spatial ring, effortlessly removing the weight of the purchases with a flick of mana. It was unfairly convenient—something she would never admit aloud.
Lucavion glanced at her as she approached, his eyes briefly flickering over her new outfit before settling back on her face.
Aeliana smoothed the cuffs of her blouse as they started walking. "It's the first time I've worn commoner's clothes."
Lucavion raised a brow. "Truly?"
Aeliana nodded, looking down at herself for a moment. "I always thought it would feel… different."
Lucavion hummed in thought before offering smoothly, "The quality may not be top-notch, but clothing is clothing at the end of the day." He smirked slightly. "It is the wearer that makes it shine."
Aeliana arched a brow, tilting her head slightly. "Oh… Is that a compliment?"
Lucavion chuckled. "Indeed."
Then, with the casual ease of someone who enjoyed stirring trouble, he nodded slightly toward the square. "Look—even now, quite a few people are still looking at you. See that guy over there?"
Aeliana followed his gaze, and sure enough—
There was a young man near one of the food stalls, pausing mid-bite into a roasted skewer, his gaze locked on her with unmistakable admiration.
Aeliana blinked.
Lucavion grinned. "He cannot take his eyes off you."
Aeliana let out a soft, unimpressed sigh. "Of course he can't."
It wasn't arrogance—it was fact.
She had been raised in a world where beauty was another form of currency, where appearances mattered as much as reputation. She knew what she looked like. She had always known.
So the attention didn't surprise her.
But what did surprise her—
Was that she didn't care.
Not about him.
Not about them.
Her thoughts drifted, almost unconsciously, to the man beside her.
Aeliana's gaze lingered on Lucavion, her expression unreadable.
Then, with smooth precision, she asked, "What about you?"
Lucavion turned to her, arching a brow.
Aeliana tilted her head ever so slightly, her amber eyes gleaming. "Can you take your eyes off me?"
Lucavion's smirk didn't falter. If anything, it deepened, like he had been waiting for something amusing to happen.
But then—
He looked at her.
Really looked at her.
And Aeliana—
Refused to look away.
She held his gaze, steady and unwavering, letting the silence stretch between them like a taut wire.
Lucavion didn't move, didn't speak. His dark eyes searched hers, as if trying to find the angle to turn this into yet another playful exchange. Yet something in her expression made him pause.
And then—
He broke first.
Lucavion averted his gaze, turning his head just slightly, exhaling through his nose as if utterly unbothered.
"See…" he murmured, his voice perfectly even, "I can."
But Aeliana saw it.
The way his fingers flexed ever so slightly in his pockets.
The way his smirk, though still present, had lost a fraction of its usual sharpness.
And—most importantly—
The way the tips of his ears had turned just the faintest shade of red.
Aeliana let the moment stretch just a bit longer, committing the sight to memory.
Then—
She smirked.
"….."
Lucavion cleared his throat. "Let's go."
Chapter 528: Pay attention
"Let's go."
Aeliana arched a brow, her smirk still lingering. "To where?"
Lucavion exhaled, rolling his shoulders with exaggerated laziness. "I don't know."
Aeliana let out a quiet chuckle. "Heh…"
And that was when she knew—
She had won.
But as she watched him, something else caught her attention.
Lucavion had always dressed simply. She had noticed it before, but now, after all the time they had spent in the clothing vendor, it became even clearer. His current outfit was well-made, but it was plain—functional, easy to move in, but lacking any thought for style.
It made sense. He was an adventurer, always on the move, and practicality would naturally come first.
But at the same time—
Would it really be so bad if he put in just a little effort?
Aeliana's gaze flickered across the market, and then—
She saw it.
A vendor a short distance away, displaying finely tailored coats and structured tunics, a stark contrast to the rugged, travel-worn attire Lucavion usually wore.
Perfect.
Without another word, Aeliana turned on her heel.
Lucavion blinked, watching her sudden shift in direction. "And where are you going?"
Aeliana glanced over her shoulder, her expression unreadable. "Fixing something."
Lucavion narrowed his eyes slightly. "Should I be concerned?"
Aeliana didn't answer.
Instead, she reached out, grabbed his wrist, and dragged him toward the stall.
Lucavion barely had time to react before he found himself standing in front of a row of finely crafted shirts and coats, the merchant already perking up at the sight of them.
"A pleasure to serve you both! What are you looking for?"
Aeliana released his wrist, crossing her arms as she inspected the selection with sharp eyes. "Him," she said simply, nodding toward Lucavion.
Lucavion blinked. "Me?"
"Yes. You."
He tilted his head slightly, his smirk creeping back. "I wasn't aware my fashion sense was offensive."
Aeliana shot him a pointed look. "It isn't offensive. It's just… lacking."
Lucavion gasped dramatically. "You wound me, Little Ember."
Aeliana ignored him, already sifting through the fabrics. "Your outfit this morning wasn't bad, but it didn't suit you."
Lucavion sighed, shaking his head. "And you care about this because…?"
Aeliana hummed. "Because I feel like it."
Lucavion narrowed his eyes playfully. "That's not an answer."
Aeliana smirked. "Yes, it is."
And with that, she began pulling clothes for him to try.
A structured black coat, sleek and tailored, lined with deep emerald fabric on the inside—rich without being overbearing. A well-fitted dark gray shirt, subtly embroidered at the cuffs, paired with a matching waistcoat. A navy overcoat with silver buttons, striking but understated.
Lucavion, despite his initial reluctance, found himself caught in the momentum of it.
And then—
Somehow, he was enjoying himself.
Aeliana watched as his amusement shifted into something genuine.
The way he appraised the fit of the coats with a glint of interest. The way he tested the movement in the shirts, smirking slightly as he ran a hand down the lapels.
She had seen him in many moods—teasing, arrogant, reckless.
But this?
This was just… fun.
And for some reason—
That made her smile.
****
By the time they finished, Aeliana stood with her arms crossed, surveying Lucavion with an unmistakable sense of satisfaction.
Finally. Finally, he looked presentable.
The black coat she had picked for him fit perfectly, structured just enough to sharpen his already striking presence without making him look stiff. The deep emerald lining gave a subtle richness to the otherwise dark ensemble, while the crisp gray shirt underneath added just enough contrast to keep it from looking too severe. Paired with the fitted waistcoat and sleek leather gloves, he looked—
Well.
Not bad.
Aeliana gave a slow, approving nod. "Hmph. Finally in some good clothing."
Lucavion let out a long, long sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Appeasing you," he muttered, "is harder than some of the battles I've fought."
Aeliana smirked. "Are you saying I'm difficult?"
Lucavion met her gaze, deadpan. "Yes."
Aeliana hummed, tapping her chin in mock thought. "But isn't it worth it?"
Lucavion sighed dramatically, shaking his head. "Debatable."
Aeliana chuckled, looking him over once more. "At least now you don't look like a reckless wanderer."
Lucavion raised a brow. "And what if I have good fashion sense?"
Aeliana blinked. Then—
She laughed.
Lucavion narrowed his eyes. "Why are you laughing?"
Aeliana lifted a hand to her mouth, trying to suppress her amusement. "Oh, no. No reason. It's just…" She exhaled, composing herself. "That was funny."
Lucavion clicked his tongue, shaking his head. "I don't like that reaction."
Aeliana smirked. "You should get used to it."
Lucavion watched her for a moment before letting out a chuckle of his own—low and warm, the kind that slipped out before he could stop it.
Aeliana caught it.
And, strangely enough—
She liked it.
Lucavion stretched slightly, rolling his shoulders as if adjusting to the new outfit. "So," he mused, "are we finally done, Little Ember?"
Aeliana smirked. "For now."
Lucavion exhaled, shaking his head. "A dangerous woman, you are."
Aeliana hummed. "And you just realized that now?"
Lucavion laughed again—really laughed this time.
Following that, he let out a slow breath, shaking his head with an amused smirk. "I should have realized it sooner."
Aeliana gave him an approving nod. "That's right."
He chuckled again, slipping his hands into his pockets as they stepped out of the vendor's stall and back into the streets of Stormhaven. The evening air had grown even cooler now, the remnants of the sun casting a golden glow along the rooftops, fading into the encroaching dusk.
The city had begun its transition into night—lanterns flickering to life, shopkeepers closing up, while others prepared for the liveliness that only emerged after sundown.
And so, they walked.
Neither of them rushed, neither of them spoke immediately.
Then—
"This city," Aeliana began, her voice smooth, measured, "was founded by my great-great-great-grandfather."
Lucavion glanced at her, his smirk easing into something quieter. "Oh?"
Aeliana nodded, her gaze drifting across the streets as if seeing something beyond the present. "Back then, this land was little more than rough terrain—mountains to the north, rivers carving through the landscape, scattered settlements barely surviving."
She gestured slightly as they walked, as if mapping out the past with her words. "He saw potential here. He built Stormhaven from the ground up, securing trade routes, forming alliances. The walls surrounding the city? His design."
Lucavion listened, silent but attentive.
Aeliana continued, "What was once unstable became a hub of commerce, a city protected against the storms that ravaged the coastline—hence, Stormhaven."
She exhaled softly. "Generations passed, the city flourished, and my family remained at its center. The Duchy of Thaddeus."
Aeliana's steps slowed.
Her amber eyes flickered toward something—a small display at the edge of a vendor's stall.
Lucavion caught the shift immediately. "Aeliana?"
She didn't answer at first, her gaze lingering for just a second too long before she looked away.
Lucavion followed her line of sight—and saw it.
But before he could comment, Aeliana had already turned her head, resuming their walk as if nothing had caught her attention at all.
"Sometimes," she said smoothly, voice slipping back into its usual controlled rhythm, "I just wonder…"
Lucavion tilted his head slightly, watching her carefully. "Wonder what?"
Aeliana exhaled softly, the flickering lantern lights casting shifting shadows across her face.
"If things had been different," she murmured, "would I have ever walked these streets like this? Without guards, without expectations. Without feeling as if every step I take is being measured against something greater?"
Lucavion didn't respond right away.
Instead, he let the weight of her words settle.
The Aeliana that people whispered about—the noble daughter of House Thaddeus, the heir to Stormhaven, the once-fragile girl confined behind grand estate walls—would never have been here, dressed like this, speaking like this.
And yet, here she was.
Lucavion smirked slightly, his voice low, casual. "Maybe not."
Aeliana glanced at him.
He continued, "But if things had been different… then you wouldn't be you."
Aeliana arched a brow, intrigued despite herself. "And who exactly am I, then?"
Lucavion exhaled in amusement. "A dangerous woman who takes far too much joy in emptying my wallet."
Aeliana let out a soft scoff, shaking her head. "And yet you let it happen."
Lucavion chuckled. "What can I say? I enjoy watching your smile."
Aeliana blinked.
Something in his tone—light, teasing, yet carrying an almost too-easy honesty—made her pause.
But Lucavion had already turned his gaze back to the street ahead, his smirk still in place, as if the words meant nothing at all.
RUMBLE!
Until a sound came.
"Ah…."
From someone's stomach.
Chapter 529: Hungry
RUMBLE.
Silence.
Aeliana and Lucavion both turned to each other at the same time, their expressions unreadable, cold, perfectly composed.
For a long moment, neither said a word.
Then—
Lucavion smirked. "If you're hungry, you could've just said so."
Aeliana's eye twitched. "The sound didn't come from my stomach."
Lucavion let out a slow hum, crossing his arms. "Oh? Then did it come from mine? No way."
Aeliana exhaled through her nose, unimpressed. "If you're that desperate to blame someone, why not the cat?"
Lucavion chuckled, shaking his head. "Vitaliara is far too dignified for such things."
Aeliana smirked slightly. "Unlike you?"
Lucavion gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his chest. "How cruel."
Aeliana scoffed, crossing her arms. "If you're hungry, say it."
Lucavion shrugged. "I would—if I were."
Aeliana gave him a flat look, unconvinced.
Lucavion held her gaze, entirely at ease.
Then—
RUMBLE.
A pause.
A long, painfully obvious pause.
Lucavion blinked.
Aeliana blinked.
Slowly—deliberately—Aeliana tilted her head.
"…Interesting."
Lucavion exhaled through his nose, straightening. "That was nothing."
Aeliana hummed, clearly enjoying this. "Was it?"
"Yes."
RUMBLE.
Aeliana arched a single brow, her smirk curling just slightly.
Lucavion sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Fine."
Aeliana smirked. "So, what was that about me being hungry?"
Lucavion waved a hand dismissively. "Let's not dwell on the past."
Aeliana let out a quiet chuckle. "So, what now? Should we address the fact that the mighty Lucavion has been bested by hunger?"
Lucavion sighed dramatically. "Hah… It seems my suffering will never end."
Aeliana chuckled. "Correct."
Lucavion glanced around before stretching slightly. "Well, then. I suppose we should find something to eat."
Aeliana smirked. "Now that's an idea."
Lucavion scanned the market, his smirk returning as his eyes landed on a small diner tucked just between two busy stalls. Lanterns hung along its wooden frame, casting a warm glow against the stone pavement, and the scent of freshly grilled meat and simmering spices lingered in the air.
"There," he said, nodding toward it. "Since we're in the market, we might as well try some local food."
Aeliana followed his gaze, taking in the sight. It was nothing grand—not a noble's feast, not a carefully curated meal served on fine porcelain. But it smelled rich, inviting, real.
"…That sounds good," she admitted. "It's been a while since I've eaten outside of my room."
Lucavion grinned. "Then allow me."
With an exaggerated flourish, he stepped ahead, offering his arm as if they were about to enter a grand banquet hall instead of a modest little eatery. "Shall we, my lady?"
Aeliana rolled her eyes but accepted, letting him escort her toward the diner.
As they reached the entrance, she glanced up at him. "You do remember that you're the one who's hungry, don't you?"
Lucavion gasped, utterly scandalized. "My lady, what do you mean?"
Aeliana arched a brow, unimpressed.
Lucavion chuckled, lowering his voice into something far too smooth, far too practiced. "It is definitely for me, indeed—"
Aeliana smirked.
"—for dining with such a beauty as yourself is the best reward."
Aeliana let out a quiet chuckle, shaking her head.
For some reason, his ridiculous antics really did bring her mood up.
As they stepped toward the warmly lit diner, the scent of roasted spices growing stronger, Lucavion's smirk had just settled comfortably on his face—when a low, unmistakable sound stopped him mid-step.
Grrr…
Aeliana raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
Lucavion barely had time to turn before a blur of white fur leaped onto his shoulder with practiced ease. Vitaliara. Her tail flicked once, wrapping loosely around the back of his neck as her eyes—brilliant and sharp—locked onto Aeliana.
And then—
Grrr…
This time, it was direct. A distinct, pointed little growl, meant just for her.
Aeliana blinked, momentarily caught off guard. 'Did she just—?'
Lucavion, to his credit, sighed with all the weight of a man used to far too many absurdities. 'Vitalia—'
[Two hours,] Vitaliara said, her voice smooth, but there was an edge to it. [I was gone for two hours, and this is what I return to?]
Lucavion exhaled, long and slow, his mind already shifting gears.
'Alright, then. Let's hear it.'
Vitaliara's tail flicked once, her golden eyes narrowing. She was still curled around his shoulder, her small yet imposing form pressing against him like a physical accusation.
[You really can't be left alone for even a few hours, can you?]
Lucavion smirked slightly, keeping his expression unreadable to the outside world. 'You make it sound like a disaster happened.'
[It did,] she replied flatly. [This happens every time. First, that knight woman. Now, this arrogant girl.]
Lucavion nearly chuckled. 'Ahaha… Why do you think she's arrogant?'
[Is she not?]
Lucavion tilted his head, considering. 'She may be… a little…'
And then—
Aeliana's sharp gaze flickered toward him, eyes narrowing.
"You just thought something rude, didn't you?"
Lucavion blinked, the timing almost supernatural. "What? Me? Perish the thought, Little Ember."
Aeliana hummed suspiciously. "…Hmm."
But she didn't press further. Instead, she turned, stepping inside the diner with easy grace.
Lucavion exhaled, amusement curling at the edges of his smirk. 'Saved by timing, as always.'
[One day, your luck will run out,] Vitaliara muttered, though she made no move to leave his shoulder.
Lucavion only chuckled under his breath.
With smooth confidence, he stepped ahead of Aeliana, weaving effortlessly through the dimly lit, warmly buzzing interior of the diner. The scent of seared meat, roasted spices, and freshly baked bread wrapped around them. The place was modest—wooden beams, candlelit chandeliers, simple yet well-kept furnishings—but it carried the kind of charm that only places filled with real people did.
As they reached a table near the window, Lucavion moved before Aeliana could sit, smoothly pulling out her chair with an easy flick of his wrist.
"After you," he said, his voice laced with its usual teasing warmth.
Aeliana arched a brow before stepping forward, settling into the seat with a faint, skeptical hum.
"Hmph. At least you know basic etiquette."
Lucavion leaned slightly against the back of the chair, smirking down at her. "I do try to meet the bare minimum expectations of civilization."
Aeliana gave him a long, unimpressed look.
Lucavion only grinned.
And with that, the night continued.
As soon as Aeliana settled into her seat, Vitaliara moved as well—graceful, effortless. She leapt from Lucavion's shoulder to the windowsill, her small frame curling into a comfortable position where the last remnants of the setting sun painted her fur in hues of soft gold and white.
The contrast was striking. Against the dim glow of the diner, her presence was almost ethereal, the way her bright fur caught the light, her piercing eyes surveying the world with quiet wisdom. She looked less like a mere familiar and more like a creature out of legend, something untouchable yet undeniably real.
Aeliana tilted her head slightly, watching the way the light played against Vitaliara's form.
"…Your familiar looks really good," she mused. "It suits you."
Lucavion arched a brow at that. "Oh?"
Aeliana nodded, her gaze still on Vitaliara. "How did you two meet? After all, finding a familiar isn't an easy task."
Lucavion exhaled, leaning back slightly, his arms resting casually on the table. "Ah… That's a long story."
Aeliana smirked. "I'm all ears."
Lucavion's gaze flickered toward her, his expression unreadable for a beat. Then, with an almost lazy smile, he replied, "Maybe… but it's not the time for that."
Aeliana's amber eyes narrowed slightly at him, studying his expression, but she didn't push further. "Hmm…"
She could sense it—that subtle shift in the air, the way his tone carried something just beneath the surface, a weight he wasn't letting her see. 'Interesting…'
Still, before she could consider pressing further, she felt it.
A gaze.
Sharp, unwavering.
She turned, locking eyes with Vitaliara.
The cat—no, the familiar—was staring at her. And not in a casual way. It was deliberate, assessing, a gaze that carried something almost possessive.
Aeliana arched a brow. 'Oh? So that's how it is.'
But she didn't look away.
If the cat wanted a battle of stares, then fine. She wasn't the type to back down.
For a long moment, the two of them simply… stared. Silent, unmoving, the tension unspoken but palpable.
Then—
Lucavion laughed.
A rich, warm chuckle, unhurried and laced with amusement as he took in the scene before him.
"Well, this is fantastic," he mused, smirking. "I don't even have to say anything. You two are already at war."
Aeliana scoffed, leaning back slightly but keeping her smirk. "I don't know what you mean."
Vitaliara, tail flicking once, exhaled softly. [Neither do I.]