Chapter 538: Misunderstanding, but cute
The soft chime of coins against the wooden table marked the end of their meal. Aeliana leaned back slightly, her fingers still idly tracing over the edge of the hairpin in her hair, the weight of it oddly grounding.
Lucavion stretched, exhaling lightly before rising to his feet. "Shall we?"
Aeliana didn't hesitate.
The moment they stepped outside, her hand found its place—gripping his right arm, looping comfortably around it, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Lucavion froze.
Ah.
Aeliana smirked. 'So it's like that, huh?'
He had gone stiff for a split second, his entire body tensing ever so slightly before he forced himself back into nonchalance. His usual lazy smirk flickered on his lips, but there was something else in his expression—something just barely restrained.
Heh.
This man.
This man who never lost his composure, who always teased and provoked with that infuriating arrogance—
Was weak to this.
Aeliana leaned in ever so slightly, pressing just a bit closer against his arm, her fingers tightening around his sleeve. "Something wrong?" she asked smoothly, tilting her head up to look at him.
Lucavion scoffed, turning his gaze forward. "You're acting suspicious."
"Oh?" Aeliana hummed, an amused glint in her golden eyes. "I'm just walking with you. Surely, that's not an issue?"
Lucavion glanced at her, his expression unreadable—but his smirk had wavered, if only for a moment.
'He really can't handle it, huh?'
She had suspected as much earlier—when she had held his hand, when he had gone momentarily speechless, when he had hesitated under her gaze. And now, with his entire arm claimed by her, his discomfort was palpable.
Not that he would ever admit it.
"How bold," Lucavion mused, voice low, casual—too casual. "Have I finally won you over?"
Aeliana exhaled lightly, amused. "You sound like a fool."
Lucavion chuckled, but the slight tightness in his grip—his barely-there hesitation—did not escape her notice.
'He really is terrible at handling this kind of thing.'
He could talk all he wanted, could tease her, could play at confidence—but when it was her making the advance? When she was the one leaning in?
He faltered.
And Aeliana found that absolutely, ridiculously endearing.
'Heh… What a funny man.'
The streetlights flickered as they walked, the night air crisp against their skin. People bustled around them, laughter and conversation drifting through the cool evening breeze. Aeliana didn't miss the occasional glance thrown their way—women eyeing Lucavion with faint intrigue, or men casting subtle looks at her.
But none of that mattered.
She had his arm.
And she wasn't letting go.
T he night stretched over Stormhaven like a velvet curtain, the last hues of twilight long faded beyond the distant ocean horizon. Even as darkness settled, the city remained alive—if anything, it thrived more under the moon's quiet glow.
The streets buzzed with soft, lingering warmth from the day, the ocean breeze carrying the scent of salt and distant embers from street vendors still at work. Families wandered past, children darting between their parents with bright laughter. Lanterns swayed above, casting shifting light over the cobbled roads, illuminating lovers walking hand in hand, whispering secrets only the night would hear.
Aeliana observed it all in quiet amusement, the idle hum of the world filling the space between them as she remained close—her hand still looped around Lucavion's arm, still claiming her hold without a shred of hesitation.
Lucavion, for his part, had long since abandoned any attempt to shake her off. He merely let her be, walking with his usual easy, measured steps, his free hand tucked lazily into his pocket. But Aeliana could still feel the tension beneath his nonchalance—the slight, unspoken awareness of their closeness.
It made her smirk.
"Now what?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
Lucavion glanced at her, raising a brow. "What do you mean?"
Aeliana hummed. "What are your plans, I mean."
Lucavion exhaled lightly, looking ahead. "My plans…" He trailed off, then shrugged. "I don't have any. I'll just check upon Aether."
Aether.
Aeliana's fingers twitched.
Her golden eyes flickered toward him, narrowing just slightly.
Aether?
That was a name.
A name that sounded distinctly like it belonged to a woman.
And not just any woman.
She knew Lucavion—he was careful with his words, deliberate in how he carried himself. If he mentioned someone so casually, with such an easy familiarity, that meant…
'Is that her?'
The woman?
The one his master left behind?
His master's daughter?
Her grip didn't tighten, but she could feel the shift in her own thoughts, the way something subtle—something irritating—began curling at the edges of her mind.
She didn't ask outright.
Of course she wouldn't.
That would be ridiculous.
But—
"…Aether?"
She said the name smoothly, carefully, as if merely repeating it for clarity. But she knew better. She knew herself.
And she knew the way Lucavion's gaze flickered toward her for a split second, sharp, amused, as if he sensed it.
That brief flicker of jealousy.
Aeliana kept her expression neutral, her golden eyes steady.
Lucavion's lips twitched.
'Tch. This bastard.'
He knew.
She knew he knew.
But he didn't say anything—just let the silence linger for a moment too long before finally exhaling, tilting his head slightly as if debating how much to say.
"Aether's… complicated," he mused, voice light.
Aeliana kept her posture relaxed, but her grip on his arm remained.
"That so?" she murmured.
Lucavion hummed in response, his dark eyes unreadable. "You could say we have an understanding."
Aeliana nearly scowled.
She wasn't a fool.
That kind of phrasing—an understanding—was the exact type of vague nonsense a man said when he wanted to make something sound more mysterious than it actually was.
Which meant one thing.
He was enjoying this.
She inhaled lightly, steadying herself, refusing to react beyond a simple, unimpressed look.
"Mm. And what exactly is that understanding?" she asked smoothly.
Lucavion turned his gaze back toward the road, a faint smirk playing at his lips.
"I suppose," he said, voice effortlessly casual, "you'll just have to meet her and see."
Aeliana's eye twitched.
'Heh. Oh, I see how it is.'
Fine.
Fine.
Two could play at that game.
She simply smirked back, tilting her head slightly, her fingers brushing deliberately over his sleeve, her touch feather-light.
"Alright," she murmured, her voice smooth. "I'd love to meet her."
They walked through the lively streets, the sound of chatter and laughter blending with the distant crash of ocean waves. Aeliana kept her gaze forward, but her mind lingered on that name.
Aether.
The irritation curled inside her, subtle yet persistent, like a splinter buried too deep to ignore. She wasn't the type to let something as small as a name bother her, and yet—
She exhaled through her nose. Damn him.
The way he had phrased it. The way he had smirked. The way he knew exactly what he was doing, dragging this out just to see her reaction.
'Bastard.'
"So," Aeliana said after a beat, her tone deceptively smooth, "where is she?"
Lucavion hummed, tilting his head as if in thought. "She's in Stormhaven."
Aeliana narrowed her eyes. "…And where in Stormhaven?"
Lucavion's smirk widened. "That," he mused, voice lazy, "you'll find out soon enough."
Aeliana resisted the urge to kick him in the shin.
Her fingers twitched against his sleeve, but she forced herself to keep her expression neutral. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of a reaction—not a real one, anyway.
Lucavion, of course, looked entirely at ease. His posture relaxed, his dark eyes holding that ever-present glint of amusement, as if this was all just an entertaining little game to him.
And maybe it was.
But that didn't mean she had to play fair.
She let out a light scoff, shifting her grip on his arm, but her gaze flickered around them as they walked.
The city felt more alive than before.
Perhaps it was the late hour, or perhaps it was the way the lanterns cast a golden glow over everything—but the streets seemed fuller, the air richer, humming with life.
There were families gathered at vendor stalls, lovers strolling arm in arm, groups of friends laughing as they moved from tavern to tavern. Children ran ahead of their parents, weaving through the crowd with playful shrieks. The scent of grilled meats and sweet pastries mingled in the air, carried by the salty ocean breeze.
And yet—
Aeliana felt them.
The gazes.
It wasn't overwhelming, but it was there—a weight pressing against her awareness, faint but unmistakable.
She was used to it, in some ways. People looked at her, whether she wanted them to or not. A noble upbringing had ensured that much.
But this was different.
More eyes than usual.
She flicked a glance at the crowd, sharp and assessing. Some men, passing by, letting their gazes linger on her for a second too long. Some women, whispering to one another, casting sidelong glances her way.
She exhaled, her grip tightening slightly around Lucavion's arm.
'Annoying.'
And yet—
There was something else.
Aeliana caught another group of women nearby—three of them, standing near a café terrace, their expressions unreadable. They weren't looking at her.
They were looking at—
Aeliana blinked.
Lucavion.
A small, irritated flicker stirred in her chest.
Chapter 539: Meeting 'her'
Aeliana's golden eyes flickered toward the group of women, watching the way they whispered among themselves, their gazes trailing after Lucavion with faint intrigue.
Her brow twitched.
'Tch. Of course.'
She supposed it wasn't surprising.
Lucavion was—
Well.
Objectively speaking—if she were to detach herself entirely, strip away all personal opinions, and assess him the way a stranger would—
He was… annoyingly good-looking.
Sharp, defined features, dark eyes that held an ever-present glint of mischief, hair that always looked like he had run a careless hand through it yet still somehow worked. And then, there was the way he carried himself—utterly at ease, exuding a lazy confidence that made him impossible to ignore.
Aeliana hated to admit it, but she understood why people looked.
Or….well, she may be a little biased but so what.
'Still—'
The way those women kept glancing over, whispering amongst themselves—
It irked her.
She didn't even know why it irked her.
Maybe it was because they were so obvious about it. Maybe it was because Lucavion was already insufferable, and the last thing his ego needed was more attention.
Or maybe—
She scowled, shaking the thought away. Doesn't matter.
Lucavion, on the other hand, had heard exactly what they were saying.
His enhanced hearing, courtesy of being an Awakened, picked up every word—clear as if the women were speaking right beside him.
["He looks too plain to be beside her."]
["Maybe he's a personal guard? He's got that trained air about him."]
["She's clearly noble, but he…? He doesn't quite fit."]
Lucavion's smirk twitched.
'Heh. Interesting.'
He wasn't particularly bothered by their words—he had heard worse in his life. But what did amuse him was Aeliana's expression.
She had clearly noticed the women watching him.
And judging by that faint irritation flickering across her face—
Lucavion exhaled lightly, his smirk deepening.
'She must've heard them too, huh?'
That faint irritation in her eyes, the way her brow twitched just slightly—she wasn't exactly subtle. He had seen her react this way before—when someone had something to say about her.
And he understood why.
Aeliana's past was something most people wouldn't know just by looking at her now. They wouldn't know that there had been a time when she had been sickly, when she had wasted away in a bed, fighting off an illness that nearly took her life. They wouldn't know that her skin had once been marred by the scars it left behind, that she had once been someone society barely glanced at—if not to sneer.
But he knew.
And while the scars were gone now, healed with time, with magic—he wondered if the words of others still left their mark.
'Tch.'
Lucavion's smirk twitched.
He wasn't the sentimental type, but—
He didn't want this to get to her.
Didn't want her to waste her energy on this.
So—
With a casual shrug, he said, "It's nice to see that ladies are talking about me."
Aeliana froze.
Her fingers twitched against his sleeve.
Her eye twitched.
This bastard.
She had noticed them looking, and she had assumed it was because they liked what they saw.
But for Lucavion—the arrogant, smirking bastard that he was—to just say it outright? To brag about it so shamelessly?
Oh, she was not letting that slide.
Her fingers moved before she even thought about it—
Pinch.
Lucavion hissed, barely holding back a wince as Aeliana dug her fingers into his arm, her grip ruthless and unyielding.
He shot her a glare. "The hell was that for?"
Aeliana's golden eyes narrowed.
"You sound obnoxious."
Lucavion blinked.
'…Huh?'
He had expected her to be annoyed, sure, but—
She looked pissed.
Lucavion tilted his head, amusement flickering in his gaze. "Oh? And what exactly about my words did you find obnoxious?"
Aeliana scoffed, crossing her arms. "What kind of man just says something like that?"
Lucavion's smirk returned, effortless. "A man who knows his worth?"
Aeliana clenched her jaw.
Lucavion could see the war waging inside her—the sheer, indescribable urge to smack him warring against her self-control.
And it was hilarious.
But before he could press further—
Aeliana moved.
She shifted closer, leaning into him, her grip tightening, her body pressing against his arm.
Lucavion tensed.
For the second time that night, she felt it—
That barely-there hesitation. That slight stiffening in his posture. That almost imperceptible intake of breath.
Aeliana smirked.
"That's right," she murmured, her voice deceptively sweet. "You should be grateful."
Lucavion barely turned his head, his smirk slightly fraying at the edges. "…Grateful?"
Aeliana hummed. "That you have a beautiful woman like me clinging to you."
Lucavion exhaled sharply, shaking his head.
"You really are something else," he muttered, his voice lower than before.
Lucavion let out a low chuckle, shaking his head, but his dark eyes flickered—just briefly—downward.
Aeliana caught it instantly.
Her smirk widened. "Looking?" she teased, her tone dangerously smooth.
Lucavion, utterly unbothered, met her gaze with a slow, easy smirk. "What can I say?" he murmured, voice deep and laced with amusement. "It is right there."
Aeliana scoffed. "Of course it is. No other woman can compare to me."
Lucavion exhaled lightly through his nose, closing his eyes for a brief moment as if in amusement. His smirk softened—not in arrogance, not in mischief, but in something quieter, something infuriatingly unguarded.
Aeliana blinked.
'…Tch.'
It was rare—so rare—that he looked like this.
No teasing glint in his eyes, no calculating edge to his expression. Just an easy, fleeting calm.
She swallowed, glancing away.
Who would have thought?
This was the same man who had singlehandedly taken down a kraken not long ago, standing tall on the deck of a wrecked ship, his flames licking against the ocean waves.
The same man who had burned through sea-monster flesh as if it were nothing, the same man who had smiled so casually amidst the chaos, unfazed, unhindered.
And yet—
Right now, with his eyes closed, his posture relaxed, his expression almost innocent—
Who would ever guess?
'What a ridiculous man.'
Aeliana exhaled lightly, loosening her grip just a little.
And then she noticed.
More gazes.
More than before.
She had been so focused on him—so caught up in her own little victory—that she had failed to register just how many people were watching.
Aeliana was no stranger to attention.
But this?
This was starting to feel a bit…
She blinked.
Oh.
Oh.
Maybe—just maybe—this looked a bit inappropriate.
Even for her.
Aeliana cleared her throat, shifting ever so slightly, loosening her grip, though she refused to pull away entirely.
'Tch.'
Perhaps she had gotten too caught up in making him squirm.
They walked, arm in arm, through the lively streets of Stormhaven, their conversation flowing as easily as the ocean breeze that carried the scent of salt and spices through the air.
Lucavion, to Aeliana's mild surprise, seemed genuinely interested in the city—not just in passing, but in the details.
"So," he mused lazily, glancing around, "this place. You used to run through these streets as a kid?"
Aeliana scoffed. "Run? Hardly."
Lucavion arched a brow.
Aeliana exhaled through her nose, smirking. "I graced these streets."
Lucavion chuckled. "Oh? Graced them?"
Aeliana hummed. "That's right. I didn't just exist in Stormhaven. I owned it."
Lucavion let out a quiet, amused laugh. "I don't doubt it."
They passed by rows of food stalls, and Aeliana's gaze flickered toward a familiar street corner—one she had marked in her mind earlier.
"There," she murmured, tugging him slightly toward a vendor. "I meant to come back for this."
Lucavion followed, eyes settling on the small stand.
Thin, delicate pastries lined the stall—lightly crisped at the edges, drizzled with a warm honey glaze, and dusted with crushed nuts. The scent of butter and spice curled through the air, rich yet somehow subtle.
Aeliana reached for one, biting into it, her expression shifting the moment the taste hit her tongue.
"…Still the same," she murmured, almost to herself.
Lucavion watched her carefully before taking a bite of his own.
A slow hum rumbled in his throat. "Not bad."
Aeliana smirked. "Not bad?"
Lucavion glanced at her. "What? You want me to kneel in reverence?"
Aeliana scoffed. "You should."
Lucavion only chuckled, shaking his head as they continued walking, sampling a few more things along the way—a citrusy sorbet from a stall near the docks, a spiced meat skewer from a vendor who eyed Lucavion with the sharp scrutiny of an old fisherman sizing up a storm.
It was strange, though—
As they strolled through familiar streets, through corners of the city she had once known so well, Aeliana began to notice something.
Some vendors—the ones she had once recognized, the ones she had mentally bookmarked from childhood—
Were gone.
Her gaze lingered for a moment too long in certain places, her steps slowing ever so slightly.
The old woman who used to sell sugared almonds near the fountain? Gone.
The baker who always gave her an extra sweet roll when she passed by? Not there.
She wasn't sure when they had disappeared.
Or why.
She had been away for so long—caught up in her own world. Maybe, inwardly, she had always assumed Stormhaven would be waiting for her, unchanged.
But time had moved without her.
"…Something wrong?"
Lucavion's voice pulled her from her thoughts.
Aeliana blinked.
She exhaled lightly, shaking her head. "No. Just thinking."
Lucavion hummed but didn't push further.
They continued walking, the sounds of the city filling the silence between them—voices, music, the rhythmic crash of waves against the harbor.
And then—
They arrived.
Chapter 540: Meeting 'her' (2)
Aeliana's steps slowed as they reached their destination.
Her golden eyes flickered over the building in front of them, narrowing slightly. The scent of hay, leather, and earth drifted through the air, mingling with the distant brine of the sea. The structure was simple but well-kept, wooden beams sturdy beneath the lantern light. Horses shifted within their stalls, the quiet sounds of their breathing and the occasional rustling of hooves filling the air.
A stable.
Aeliana's brow twitched.
She turned sharply toward Lucavion.
"What?" she scoffed. "Why did you bring me here?"
Lucavion, entirely at ease, simply smirked. "What? Not a fan of horses?"
Aeliana crossed her arms. "Don't be stupid. You never mentioned anything about this."
Lucavion exhaled lightly, rolling his shoulders. "Well, we're here now."
Aeliana's eye twitched.
He was doing that again.
That casual way of revealing information as if it were obvious.
She narrowed her eyes further. "…Explain."
Lucavion gestured toward the stable entrance, his smirk deepening.
"This is the place."
Aeliana's gaze sharpened. "The place?"
"The place where Aether is."
Silence.
Aeliana stared at him.
Then—
Her mind raced.
'The place where Aether is?'
What did that even mean?
Was she working here?
Was she hiding?
A noblewoman—the Starscourge Gerald's daughter—working in a stable?
Aeliana struggled to make sense of it.
Everything she had expected—every assumption she had formed about who Aether was—was crumbling before her.
She scoffed. "You're saying she's here?"
Lucavion hummed. "That's right."
Aeliana frowned.
She wasn't sure why, but something about this didn't sit right.
Something felt off.
And she wasn't going to figure it out by standing here.
She exhaled sharply, striding forward. "Fine. Let's see her, then."
Lucavion chuckled under his breath, following her inside.
This was about to be fun.
The moment they stepped inside, the warm scent of hay and earth surrounded them. The stable was well-maintained, its wooden beams sturdy, lanterns casting a soft glow over the neatly arranged stalls. Horses shifted within their enclosures, some resting, others idly flicking their tails.
Aeliana barely had time to take in her surroundings before a young man approached.
"Oh… Mister Lucavion."
Aeliana blinked.
…Mister Lucavion?
The stable hand—a boy in his early twenties, lean but strong from labor—halted before them, straightening slightly, his gaze flickering between Lucavion and herself.
"Is she okay?" the young man asked, his tone tinged with something careful.
Lucavion gave a lazy nod. "Yeah. Aether's doing fine."
Aeliana narrowed her eyes.
The young man let out a quiet breath of relief. "That's good. She, uh…" He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "She doesn't really… y'know. Let people near her."
Aeliana's brow twitched.
Lucavion smirked. "I warned you beforehand."
The young man nodded quickly. "Yes. That's why we didn't try anything much."
Aeliana crossed her arms.
'The hell?'
The more they spoke, the worse it sounded.
Aether was apparently untouchable—no one was allowed near her. She didn't let people get close. And from the way this stable hand was talking, it was like they had been handling some high-and-mighty noblewoman who looked down on everyone.
Aeliana exhaled sharply.
'Tch. Just great. She would be one of those types, wouldn't she?'
It all fit.
Daughter of a powerful figure? Kept her distance? Didn't allow people near her?
This was exactly the kind of woman she had imagined—the kind who sat above others, refusing to so much as acknowledge them, expecting people to cater to her whims.
She hated people like that.
She scoffed. "Sounds charming."
Lucavion flicked a glance at her, and for some reason, his smirk deepened.
The stable hand, oblivious to her growing irritation, continued, "We've done our best to accommodate her, Mister Lucavion, just like you asked. She's had her space. No one's tried to push her boundaries."
Aeliana rolled her eyes. Of course not.
How precious—everyone walking on eggshells around this woman, making sure not to offend her.
She shot Lucavion a sharp look. "And this is who you brought me to meet?"
Lucavion chuckled. "You'll see."
Aeliana hated that response.
But fine.
She had come this far.
She was going to see this woman for herself.
The stable hand led them deeper inside, weaving through the rows of stalls. The air was thick with the scent of hay and leather, the quiet sounds of shifting hooves filling the space around them.
Aeliana's sharp golden gaze flickered over the horses—dozens of them, each one different in size, color, and build. Some were sleek and agile, clearly bred for speed, while others bore the strong, solid stature of warhorses.
But there was no woman.
Her irritation grew.
Where is she?
They walked further, past the familiar browns and chestnuts of the other horses—until they stopped before one particular stall.
Aeliana's gaze landed on her.
And for a moment—just a fleeting second—she forgot what she was looking for.
The horse before them was unlike any she had ever seen.
Pitch-black fur, dark and lustrous like polished obsidian, rippling over powerful muscles. Her frame was both elegant and strong, carrying the kind of grace that could only belong to something built for both speed and battle.
But what caught Aeliana's attention most—
Were her eyes.
Piercing blue, sharp and intelligent, gleaming beneath the dim light of the lanterns.
Aeliana wasn't the type to call things beautiful so easily. But this horse—
She was stunning.
Aeliana stared for a long moment, taking in the sheer presence of the creature before her.
And then—
Her brow furrowed.
Her gaze flickered around the stable once more, searching.
'Wait—where is—'
She turned, frowning.
"…Where's the woman?"
Lucavion blinked once. Then twice.
Then, he tilted his head ever so slightly, his smirk widening.
"What woman?"
Aeliana shot him an exasperated look. "The woman named Aether," she said slowly, as if speaking to an idiot. "Isn't she the daughter of Starscourge Gerald? Your master?"
The moment the words left her mouth, Lucavion inhaled sharply—his shoulders tensing, his smirk quivering—
And then he barely managed to hold back a laugh.
Aeliana narrowed her eyes.
"What?" she asked flatly.
Lucavion pressed his lips together, one hand lifting slightly to his mouth, his shoulders shaking ever so slightly.
'What is so funny?'
And then—
He exhaled sharply, finally letting out a low chuckle.
"Hah… pfft…"
Aeliana stared.
Lucavion laughed.
He actually laughed, shaking his head slightly as if trying to compose himself, but the amusement in his expression was undeniable.
And then it clicked.
Aeliana's eyes widened.
Her gaze snapped toward the horse.
Then back at Lucavion.
Then back at the horse.
The realization slammed into her like a wave.
Her face twitched.
Slowly—painfully—she lifted a hand and dragged it down her face.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
Lucavion, now openly smirking, exhaled in amusement. "Oh, I really wish I was."
Aeliana groaned, rubbing her temples.
All this time.
All this damn time.
She had thought—no, she had been convinced—that Aether was some high-and-mighty noblewoman with an untouchable presence. That she was some distant, unapproachable figure who had everyone tiptoeing around her.
And yet—
She was a horse.
Aeliana clenched her jaw.
"…Tch. You could've clarified this earlier, you bastard."
Lucavion chuckled. "And ruin the fun?"
Aeliana glared at him.
Lucavion exhaled lightly before turning toward Aether, his smirk softening ever so slightly.
With a slow, measured step, he approached the horse, his movements familiar, practiced.
Aether flicked her ears, her piercing blue eyes watching him as he reached out—
And gently caressed the top of her head.
"There, there… my girl…" Lucavion murmured, his voice quieter, smoother. "How have you been?"
Aether let out a deep, steady breath, pressing her head lightly against his palm.
The moment felt strangely… calm.
And Aeliana—despite herself—couldn't quite look away.
Chapter 541: Meeting 'her' (3)
Lucavion's hand moved in slow, practiced motions, his fingers gliding over Aether's sleek black coat. The horse hummed softly, a deep, contented vibration, her piercing blue eyes half-lidded as she leaned into his touch.
Aeliana stared.
This horse—this wild, proud, untamed creature—was squirming under his touch like some affectionate pet?
And most importantly—
Lucavion's gaze.
It wasn't playful. It wasn't sharp with mischief. It wasn't filled with his usual arrogance or teasing amusement.
It was… gentle.
Soft in a way she rarely saw.
Aeliana exhaled lightly.
She knew how horses were usually treated. Especially ones raised for war.
They were valued, yes—but they were also tools. Weapons meant to carry their riders into battle, trained for endurance and command rather than affection.
And yet—
Looking at these two…
There was no command. No force. No sense of ownership.
Just… a bond.
Lucavion exhaled lightly before turning toward her, his smirk curling at the edges.
"Wanna hop on?"
Aeliana blinked. "Hop on?"
Lucavion patted Aether's side, guiding her slightly. "This is our ride to return home."
Home.
The word settled over her, heavier than she expected.
Right.
She had been away without informing her father.
For a brief moment, her thoughts flickered toward her father.
Had he expected her to return sooner? Had he even bothered to?
…Well. Whatever.
She glanced at Lucavion.
With this absurd man at her side, if anyone had an issue, they would need to be at least at the level of a knight commander to start trouble.
And—surprise.
There weren't many people like that.
Which meant she would be fine.
Right?
Aeliana let out a slow breath, rolling her shoulders.
Going home.
She wasn't sure if a scolding was waiting for her or something worse.
She had just gotten cured—the kind of miraculous recovery that should've made her father relieved, cautious, careful about her health.
And yet, she had left.
Without informing anyone. Without bringing any guards. Without a second thought.
And if she knew her father—there was a high chance he'd be furious.
But—
It's fine.
She had at least this much leverage, didn't she?
She wasn't the same as before.
Aeliana exhaled, stepping closer to Lucavion.
"Do I have any other choice?" she muttered.
Lucavion smirked. "You could always take a carriage."
Aeliana scoffed. "Alone?"
She gave him a flat look, because really?
A noblewoman taking a carriage alone at this hour—through the streets, all the way to her family's estate?
Even she knew better than that.
The outcome would be dangerous, and she wasn't naive enough to think otherwise.
Lucavion, of course, knew that.
Which was why his smirk didn't waver when he said smoothly, "Of course not. I'd be with you. As your escort."
Aeliana blinked.
Then—
She smirked.
"Like my little knight in shining armor?" she teased.
Lucavion exhaled sharply, straightening dramatically.
"My lady," he said, placing a hand over his chest, tilting his head ever so slightly in mock reverence.
Aeliana laughed.
She couldn't help it.
His tone, his expression—the way he fully committed to the ridiculous act—
It was so stupid.
And yet—
She shook her head, amusement flickering in her golden eyes.
"But," she continued, stepping closer to Aether, fingers grazing against the sleek black fur, "I won't be taking a carriage."
Lucavion hummed, tilting his head. "Oh?"
Aeliana glanced at him. Because my intuition is telling me…'
She smirked.
'That I'd be missing quite a lot.'
******
Thaddeus sat at his desk, his golden eyes scanning over the endless piles of documents stacked before him.
Letters from noble families. Reports from his retainers. Economic records detailing the losses from the recent expedition. Requests from the central government.
The weight of responsibility pressed down on him.
He had already wasted too much time today.
First with Lucavion. That damned reckless child had taken up hours of his time, dragging him into a conversation that left him with far more concerns than he had started with.
Then there was the search for Aeliana. Days spent at sea, hunting for any sign of his daughter, preparing for the worst, only to find her alive—changed, but alive.
And now?
Now it was time to face the fallout.
The expedition had been a disaster. The Kraken's appearance had not only resulted in massive casualties but had also thrown the entire region into political disarray. Many of the noble families had invested heavily in the venture, and they would demand answers. Compensation. Justifications for their losses.
Then there was the Crown.
Clades Lysandra had already been watching the Thaddeus Duchy with scrutiny, waiting for any excuse to tighten his grip. The expedition's failure would only add to the pressure. He could already imagine the letters waiting for him from the capital—polite on the surface, but filled with thinly veiled demands.
The Duke sighed, rubbing his temple.
Politics.
It was a game he had played for years, a battlefield just as treacherous as any war. And yet, today, he felt more exhausted than usual.
A sharp knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts.
He glanced up. "Enter."
The door swung open, revealing a familiar figure.
Captain Edran Vaughn.
His trusted knight. The man who had once led countless expeditions under his banner. The man who had failed to protect Aeliana—but who had still remained, bearing the weight of that failure in silence.
Thaddeus studied him carefully.
Edran was a man of unwavering discipline. He did not come without reason.
Something had happened.
Thaddeus set down his pen. "What is it?"
Edran stepped forward, his stance firm, his sharp blue eyes steady.
"My Lord," he began, "there is something you need to know. It concerns Lady Aeliana."
Thaddeus leaned back slightly, his golden eyes sharp as he listened.
Edran did not waste time.
"My lord, today, during training, Lady Aeliana experienced an unexpected mana backlash."
Thaddeus' fingers, which had been lightly tapping against the wooden desk, stilled.
"She what?" His voice was quiet, but there was an edge to it.
Edran remained composed. "It appears her body has been accumulating mana for years without an outlet. When she was exposed to external mana sources—my own included—it triggered an uncontrolled surge."
Thaddeus exhaled sharply through his nose, his jaw tightening.
He had already been aware of Aeliana's talent. He had suspected, from the moment she had recovered, that there was more to her potential than what was immediately visible.
But this—
This changed things.
It meant her mana had never truly disappeared. It had remained within her, dormant, building pressure over time.
But this is not true.
Thaddeus' golden eyes darkened.
No. That wasn't it.
This wasn't a case of accumulated mana due to lack of training.
He had checked. Again and again, over the years, he had personally verified it.
Aeliana's mana had not been there.
It had been gone.
Or rather—something had concealed it.
But now, it wasn't just back.
It was overwhelming.
He clenched his jaw, his mind racing. This kind of reaction didn't happen to just anyone. Aeliana's mana wasn't simply wild because it had been left untrained—it was naturally immense. The kind of raw, untapped power that only appeared in true prodigies.
Aeliana was a genius.
A realization both satisfying—and dangerous.
His father—Aeliana's grandfather—must not know about this. Not yet.
The old fox would throw her into grueling, merciless training before she had even grasped her own abilities. His methods, while effective, would break her before she could fully grow into her power.
Thaddeus exhaled sharply. He had no time to guide Aeliana himself. Not with the situation at the capital, not with the pressure from the Royal Family, not with everything else weighing upon the Duchy.
But she needed training. Now.
And there was one person fit for that task.
His decision was instant.
He reached for the silver bell beside his desk, ringing it twice.
Within moments, the door opened, and Lysander Whitmore, the head butler of the Thaddeus household, stepped inside.
"You called, my lord?"
Thaddeus turned his sharp gaze toward him. "Summon Aeliana. And…"
He hesitated for only a moment.
"Bring Doran."
Lysander's expression barely shifted, but there was a flicker of surprise in his normally impassive gaze.
"My lord," the butler said carefully, "are you certain? He retired."
Thaddeus exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Bring him here. Now."
Lysander bowed. "At once, my lord."
As the butler exited the room, Thaddeus leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping against the wood.
His father could never know.
Not until Aeliana was strong enough to handle him.
Chapter 542: Sigh....
Thaddeus exhaled, letting the silence of the room settle after Lysander's departure.
But it did not last long.
Edran shifted slightly, his arms crossing over his broad chest. His sharp blue eyes flickered with something uncertain before he finally spoke.
"My lord… is this really okay?" His tone was careful, but his hesitation was clear. "That old man is a bit…"
He trailed off, searching for the right word.
Thaddeus gave him a dry look. "Difficult?"
Edran exhaled sharply. "That's putting it lightly."
Doran was an oddball among knights, to put it mildly. A man who spoke in riddles when he wasn't outright ignoring people. A veteran whose reputation was equal parts brilliance and pure eccentricity.
Doran's eccentricity was not just a matter of personality—it was a consequence of something far graver.
Once, he had been revered, a knight among knights, a strategist whose mind worked three steps ahead of anyone else on the battlefield. His brilliance was undeniable. That was, until the day he pushed himself too far.
The battle had been dire. Outnumbered, cornered, no chance for reinforcements. Victory had demanded something beyond the ordinary. And so, he had done the unthinkable—he forced himself into [Overdrive].
A technique only whispered about, its consequences too severe for any rational mage to attempt. The process was simple in theory but lethal in execution: draw out every last ounce of mana from the core, push past natural limits, force the body into a state where it functioned at a heightened capacity beyond what it was ever meant to sustain.
But mana was not an endless well. It had structure, a core that stabilized its flow within the body. Crack that core, and it would be like breaking the foundation of a dam—what was once controlled would flood, uncontrolled, unrestrained.
And that was exactly what happened to Doran.
His mana core cracked. Not shattered, but fractured enough that every breath of mana that passed through him brought agony beyond words. He had survived, barely, but from that day forward, his power was a double-edged sword. He could still wield mana, but each use felt like driving shards of glass through his veins.
He had retired soon after. Officially, it was framed as an honorable withdrawal, the exit of a veteran who had done his duty. But those who knew better understood the truth—Doran had been forced out, deemed unstable, unpredictable. A warrior who could no longer wield his full strength was a liability in the eyes of those who only valued results.
Thaddeus knew this. And yet, he also knew that if there was anyone in this world who could teach Aeliana to wield overwhelming power, it was him.
Edran exhaled through his nose, crossing his arms as he shook his head. "You're throwing Lady Aeliana to that old man?" His tone was cautious, but not outright rejecting the idea. "Doran's not exactly… conventional."
Thaddeus turned his golden gaze toward Edran, his expression unreadable. A heavy silence settled between them before the Duke finally spoke.
"Are you questioning my authority, Edran?" His voice was quiet, measured—but there was weight behind it. A warning.
Edran held his ground but bowed his head respectfully. "Never, my lord." His voice remained steady, unwavering. "But if I may speak freely—Sir Doran is not the man he once was. You know this better than anyone."
Thaddeus leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping once against the desk before steepling together. His sharp eyes never left Edran. "And that is exactly why he is the only one suited for this."
Edran exhaled through his nose, a silent acknowledgment that the Duke's mind had already been made. Still, he had to try. "That old man doesn't teach. He tests. Pushes until he finds the breaking point, just to see what's on the other side."
Thaddeus allowed himself a dry chuckle. "And you think my father would be any kinder?"
At that, Edran's jaw tightened. He had no response for that—because they both knew the answer.
The Duke exhaled, rubbing his temple. "I know Doran best. He may be grumpy. He may be eccentric. But he will temper Aeliana into something greater. He is better than my father."
There was nothing more to say.
Edran gave a short nod, accepting the decision.
Just then, a knock at the door.
Thaddeus flicked his gaze toward it. "Enter."
The door swung open, revealing Lysander, the ever-composed head butler of the household. But this time, he was not alone. Beside him stood a young maid, her posture stiff, her hands clenched together in front of her apron.
Thaddeus raised an eyebrow. "Lysander." His voice was expectant. "What is the meaning of this?"
The butler bowed his head slightly before speaking. "My lord… Lady Aeliana." He paused, as if carefully selecting his next words. "She is not in the mansion."
Thaddeus' gaze sharpened. "What?"
Lysander remained impassive. "It appears she left with Mister Lucavion. The two of them were seen getting into a carriage."
For a brief moment, the room was silent.
Then Thaddeus narrowed his eyes. "She left with Lucavion?"
The young maid beside Lysander stiffened. The butler gave her a slight nudge forward.
The girl swallowed hard before hesitantly stepping forward, bowing deeply. "M-my l-lord…" Her voice wavered, but she forced herself to continue. "I—I am the one attending to Mister Lucavion during his stay… and I—I saw Lady Aeliana leave with him."
The Duke's expression remained unreadable, but his golden eyes darkened.
"Lucavion…" he murmured, his fingers once again tapping against the desk.
Edran, who had remained silent, finally exhaled. "Shall I send knights after them?"
Thaddeus didn't answer immediately. He sat there, weighing something unseen.
Then, at last, he spoke.
"No. Not yet."
A slow, knowing smile curled at the edge of Thaddeus' lips.
Perhaps this wasn't entirely a mistake.
His daughter… she had always been resourceful, even when she was younger. Reckless, yes, but never thoughtless. If she had left with Lucavion, it meant she had her own reasons. Perhaps she intended to test something. Or to gain something.
'If nothing else… this will show me just how much she's grown.'
He leaned back in his chair, his golden eyes gleaming under the dim candlelight. "As long as they return before midnight," he said, his voice calm, measured, "send no one after them."
The tension in the room shifted. Edran, who had been ready to move at a moment's notice, exhaled through his nose. He wasn't surprised—he knew Thaddeus well enough to expect this response.
And he also knew Lucavion.
The boy was trouble. But not incompetent. If anyone could keep Aeliana from harm, it would be him.
"I see," Edran muttered, crossing his arms. "Then I won't waste men chasing after them."
Thaddeus gave a curt nod.
But his smile faded.
His fingers curled into a fist against the desk.
Aeliana hadn't informed him. Not even a single word.
Neither had Lucavion.
That damned reckless boy.
"Sigh…"
His jaw tightened slightly. It wasn't the leaving that angered him—it was the audacity of leaving without a word. Without permission. Without a single consideration for the fact that their actions would reach him eventually.
Lucavion he could expect this from. The boy had always been… independent to a fault.
But Aeliana?
She should have known better.
His fingers tapped against the desk once more, slower this time.
"You need a bit of a scolding it seems, my daughter."
Chapter 543: A ride
Lucavion handed the stable owner a small pouch of coins, the quiet clink of metal filling the air as payment exchanged hands. The man gave a quick nod of gratitude before stepping back, letting them be.
Aeliana, watching the entire process with mild disinterest, turned her gaze back to Aether.
She reached out, fingers hovering just above the sleek black coat, intending to brush them gently against the horse's side—
Only for Aether to shift, flicking her ears away from the touch, a subtle movement that spoke volumes.
Aeliana blinked.
Then—
She hmphed, crossing her arms.
Lucavion chuckled under his breath. "She's particular."
Aeliana scoffed. "So is your cat."
Lucavion exhaled sharply, shifting his gaze ever so slightly—
And, sure enough, there she was.
Vitaliara.
At some point—probably when they were still walking through the city—she had appeared on him, settling comfortably against his shoulder, her small body nestled against his neck.
Aeliana smirked, her golden eyes locking onto Vitaliara's eerie, pale gaze.
"Her gaze is particular as usual."
Lucavion tilted his head slightly, glancing toward the small creature curled against his shoulder. "She's annoyed a little bit."
Aeliana raised a brow. "For what?"
Lucavion coughed lightly, looking away. "Ahem… she's like this. Don't worry about it."
Aeliana scoffed. "For a mere cat, she looks pretty rude to me."
Lucavion's smirk returned. "You shouldn't think of her as a mere cat."
Aeliana hummed, tilting her head in mock thought. "She looks like one to me."
Lucavion exhaled lightly, shaking his head.
Aeliana, grinning, lifted a hand and ran her fingers over the delicate hairpin in her hair—the one he had gotten her.
"But," she mused, her voice carrying a teasing lilt, "I'll overlook it."
The moment the words left her mouth—
SCREEEEEEECH!
Vitaliara suddenly stood, fur bristling slightly, her long tail curling in agitation.
Aeliana blinked—then smirked.
"Heh… mad?"
Vitaliara's icy eyes glowed faintly, her small, feline body tense as she glared at Aeliana.
Lucavion sighed. "Tch. You really don't know when to stop."
Aeliana merely grinned, entirely unbothered.
But Vitaliara, after a long, narrowed stare, huffed—and then, just as suddenly as she had gotten riled up, she settled back down.
Aeliana let out a low chuckle. "Tch. What a temper."
Aeliana's gaze flickered over the scene before her, and for a moment, she simply observed.
Lucavion, standing in the center, holding Aether's reins with ease.
To one side, the obsidian-coated warhorse, sleek and powerful, her piercing blue eyes brimming with intelligence.
To the other, the small, white-furred feline, perched effortlessly on his shoulder—her temperament unpredictable, her icy gaze unwavering.
And in the middle of it all—
Lucavion himself.
Dark-haired, dark-eyed, his sword resting comfortably at his side, exuding that ever-present, lazy confidence.
Each of them—Aether, Vitaliara, Lucavion—shared nothing in appearance, yet there was something about them that simply fit.
Aeliana couldn't help but chuckle.
Tch. Figures.
Of course, these two were the kinds of companions Lucavion would have—an untouchable, proud horse and an arrogant, temperamental cat.
How very him.
Lucavion glanced at her then, amusement flickering in his gaze before he effortlessly swung himself onto Aether's back.
The motion was smooth, practiced—second nature.
Once seated, he leaned slightly forward, running a slow, careful hand down Aether's strong neck. His voice dropped into something softer, something only the horse could hear.
"This lady," he murmured, voice low, "will be on your back. So don't throw her off."
Aether huffed.
Then, ever so slowly, she turned her sharp blue gaze toward Aeliana—staring at her, assessing her.
Aeliana met her gaze head-on, lifting a brow. "What?"
Aether flicked an ear—
Then scoffed, turning her head away as if the very idea of acknowledging Aeliana further was beneath her.
Lucavion chuckled. "That," he mused, "is her way of accepting you."
Aeliana blinked—then laughed.
Tch.
Of course.
Of course this horse had an attitude.
Lucavion extended a hand toward her, palm open, his dark eyes glinting under the lantern light.
"Come on," he murmured.
Aeliana exhaled lightly, reaching out.
Her fingers slipped into his—warm, steady—before she swung herself up onto Aether's back behind him, settling into place.
Lucavion barely glanced back, but his smirk curled ever so slightly.
"Hold tight," he murmured, shifting the reins in his hands.
Aeliana scoffed, looping her arms around his waist without hesitation. "Tch. Don't have to tell me twice."
Aeliana tightened her grip around Lucavion's waist as Aether moved beneath them, the powerful muscles of the horse shifting smoothly with each step.
She wasn't unfamiliar with riding, but—
This felt… different.
Closer.
Lucavion's warmth pressed against her, his posture relaxed but firm, the steady rhythm of his breathing noticeable even in the cool night air.
She exhaled, settling into the ride as they left the stable behind.
The streets of Stormhaven were still alive, lanterns flickering along the pathways, casting golden light over the cobbled roads. They couldn't simply gallop through the city—so Lucavion kept Aether at a steady, controlled pace, guiding her smoothly along the designated horse roads.
Aeliana's gaze wandered over the streets as they passed, the familiar sights of her childhood bathed in moonlight.
Then—
Her attention flickered back to Aether.
She studied the sleek black coat, the piercing blue eyes, the way she carried herself with such effortless grace and power.
"…This horse," Aeliana murmured, resting her chin lightly against Lucavion's shoulder.
He tilted his head slightly, as if to indicate he was listening.
"Aether." She ran her fingers briefly over the smooth leather of the saddle. "How did you find a horse like this?"
Lucavion exhaled lightly, adjusting the reins.
"Well, she was a reward…"
Lucavion's smirk lingered as he adjusted Aether's reins, his voice casual.
"Well," he murmured, "she was a reward."
Aeliana frowned slightly. "A reward?"
Lucavion nodded. "From a tournament."
Aeliana's eyes narrowed. "What tournament?"
Lucavion exhaled lightly, his tone amused. "You've heard your father call me 'Sword Demon,' haven't you?"
Aeliana blinked. "Yeah. What about it?"
Lucavion chuckled. "I earned that title in the Martial Tournaments organized by Marquis Ventor."
Aeliana's brow furrowed slightly. Martial Tournaments?
She wasn't particularly familiar with them, but—Marquis Ventor.
That name, that she knew.
The Ventor family was a powerful noble house in the west, far from the Central Territories and even farther from the Thaddeus Duchy, which resided in the east. Naturally, their paths had never crossed much, but their influence was undeniable.
A large noble state, known for its independent governance, extensive trade, and something else…
Horses.
Aeliana's gaze flickered toward Aether, realization dawning.
"Wait," she murmured, running her fingers lightly over the leather of the saddle. "Marquis Ventor—he's the one who raises those horses, right? The Ventorian Chargers?"
Lucavion nodded. "That's right."
Aeliana hummed, piecing things together.
"So, you're telling me," she began slowly, "that this horse—the one you just told not to throw me off—was a prize?"
Lucavion smirked. "More or less."
Aeliana exhaled sharply.
She had heard of the Ventorian Chargers. Even in the Central Territories, they were known as some of the finest warhorses in the kingdom, bred for endurance, speed, and battle. And Aether…
Her golden eyes traced the sleek, obsidian-black coat beneath her, the powerful frame, the intelligent blue eyes that gleamed under the moonlight.
'Tch. What kind of ridiculous reward is this?'
She couldn't imagine just handing an animal like this to someone, no matter how skilled they were.
Lucavion must have really left an impression on them.
Aeliana shook her head, muttering under her breath, "Unbelievable."
Lucavion only chuckled, nudging Aether forward as they continued their slow pace through Stormhaven.
Aeliana glanced at him.
"So?" she prodded. "What's the rest of the story?"
Lucavion smirked. "Oh, it's a good one."
And with that, he began to tell her how he really got Aether.