Chapter 544: A ride and confession
Lucavion guided Aether smoothly through the quiet streets, the gentle rhythm of her steps filling the night air. Stormhaven, still alive with late-night murmurs, stretched out before them—lanterns flickering, the sea breeze carrying the scent of salt and spice.
Aeliana remained pressed against his back, her arms wrapped around his waist, though her mind wasn't on their surroundings.
Her golden eyes flickered toward Aether again, curiosity still tugging at her thoughts.
This horse—this legendary warhorse, untamed and full of pride—had once been a reward.
But rewards were given.
This horse had the presence of something earned.
She shifted slightly, tilting her head against his shoulder. "So?"
Lucavion hummed, as if he had been expecting her question.
"You said she was a prize," Aeliana murmured. "But that doesn't explain why her. Why was Aether the one they gave you?"
Lucavion's fingers grazed Aether's mane absentmindedly, his dark eyes flickering with something distant.
"It starts with her mother," he said.
Aeliana blinked. "Her mother?"
Lucavion nodded. His voice was steady, but there was something else beneath it. Something heavier.
"Aether wasn't supposed to be given away," he murmured. "She was meant to stay in the Ventor family, to continue their legacy. And a large part of that… was because of Solace."
Aeliana remained quiet, listening.
"Solace," Lucavion continued, "was the most extraordinary horse in the Ventor stables. A golden-coated beauty, with a presence that made even seasoned knights pause in reverence. She wasn't just strong—she was the embodiment of grace and power. Aether gets her wild spirit from her, but her mother… her mother had the kind of presence that made people believe in destiny."
He exhaled lightly, his tone shifting. "The Ventor family had a tradition. Solace was reserved only for those who proved themselves worthy in their succession battles. Whoever claimed leadership of the family would also claim her as their mount."
Aeliana frowned. "So, she was meant for the heir?"
Lucavion's lips curled slightly. "That was the plan."
Something about his tone made Aeliana's fingers twitch slightly against his waist.
"But things didn't go according to plan, did they?" she guessed.
Lucavion chuckled lowly, but the sound was hollow.
"No," he murmured. "Not at all."
Aeliana remained silent, waiting.
Lucavion's grip on the reins tightened slightly.
"The succession battle in the Ventor family wasn't just a test of skill or leadership," he explained. "It was… a battlefield of deception. The Marquis's sister—his own blood—wasn't content to let things play out fairly. She schemed. Plotted. And in the end…"
His voice dropped slightly.
"The one who suffered most wasn't her brother."
Aeliana inhaled sharply.
"…Solace," she murmured.
Lucavion nodded. "She was caught in the crossfire. The sister's plans spiraled, and Solace was injured—badly. They tried everything to save her, but…"
Aeliana's throat tightened.
Aether's mother—the legendary Solace—had died because of a petty, internal struggle for power.
And Aether…
She had seen it.
Lucavion continued, "Aether was still young, barely more than a foal, but she understood. She witnessed everything."
Aeliana clenched her jaw.
That explained everything.
Aether's distrust. Her rage. Her refusal to accept anyone near her.
She wasn't just wild.
She was mourning.
Aeliana exhaled slowly.
"…And you met her after that," she murmured.
Lucavion's smirk returned, though it was softer now. "I did."
His gaze flickered ahead, as if he could see the past playing out before him.
"When I arrived at the Ventor estate after the tournament," he said, "I was supposed to pick from their best Ventorian Chargers. Strong, obedient, bred for war."
He chuckled. "But when I walked through their stables, I noticed her."
Aeliana could picture it clearly.
Lucavion, young and victorious, stepping into the grand stables lined with warhorses—only to be drawn to one stall in particular.
The wrong one.
Her lips curled slightly. "Tch. You immediately wanted her, didn't you?"
Lucavion chuckled, tilting his head slightly in amusement.
"Of course."
Aeliana sighed, shaking her head. "You're an idiot."
"I prefer the term 'stubborn'," Lucavion mused.
Aeliana huffed, but she couldn't deny—
Something about it fit.
Lucavion, reckless and untamed.
Aether, proud and unyielding.
A bond that had been forged not through ownership, but through understanding.
Aeliana exhaled softly, her fingers brushing over the hairpin in her hair.
"…So how did you get her to accept you?" she asked, her voice quieter.
Lucavion's smirk deepened, his dark eyes gleaming under the lantern light.
"Well," he murmured
Lucavion exhaled lightly, his smirk widening into something playful, something purely him.
"Well," he murmured, tilting his head as if the answer were obvious, "it's my charm, isn't it?"
Aeliana rolled her eyes.
"I mean," he continued smoothly, "how can anyone resist me? When I stand before them—magnificent, brilliant, a force of nature—how can those in mourning not be drawn to me?"
Aeliana scoffed. "Yeah, yeah…" She waved a dismissive hand. "You're irresistible, I get it."
Lucavion chuckled, clearly satisfied with himself.
But—
Aeliana's smirk wavered.
Her golden eyes flickered downward, her fingers unconsciously brushing over the hairpin in her hair.
Because—
He wasn't entirely wrong.
She hated to admit it, but she had seen it herself—felt it herself.
Her thoughts drifted, unbidden, back to when she first met him.
Back to the Vortex.
Back when she was still wearing her veil, when she still kept herself hidden, when she refused to let the world see her face—when she had all but decided to rot away in the dark.
And yet—
He hadn't let her.
He had peeled away the layers of isolation she had wrapped around herself with such ease, never pushing, never forcing—just existing in a way that made it impossible to ignore him.
Somehow, without even trying—
He had made her open up.
He had made her live again.
And now—
Now he was stealing her heart just like this.
Her grip around his waist tightened slightly.
Lucavion suddenly shifted, straightening.
Then—
His voice rang out, sharp and carefree.
"Get ready," he called over his shoulder. "We're about to go wild."
Aeliana blinked—then realized.
They had already left Stormhaven.
The city lights had faded behind them, and now they were on the open road, heading toward the Thaddeus estate.
And Lucavion—
He was about to speed up.
Aeliana barely had time to inhale before—
WHOOSH.
Aether bolted.
The wind howled past them as they surged forward, the powerful force of the horse's gallop sending a sharp thrill through Aeliana's veins.
She gasped, instinctively tightening her arms around Lucavion's waist.
And still—
Her thoughts wouldn't stop.
She remembered—
The first time he had made her laugh.
The first time she had felt warmth in her chest after so long.
The first time she had let herself hope for something more.
And now, riding behind him, holding onto him as the world blurred past them—
Aeliana knew.
The world rushed past them in a blur of night and wind. The rhythmic pounding of Aether's hooves echoed in the open air, steady, powerful, untamed—just like him.
Aeliana could feel the warmth of Lucavion's body beneath her fingers, the steady rise and fall of his breath, the effortless way he guided Aether through the open road.
She exhaled slowly, her grip around him never loosening.
Her fingers drifted upward, brushing against the delicate hairpin in her hair.
The one he had given her.
Her heart clenched.
'Far too late.'
Her heart had been his for so long, stolen in quiet moments and reckless grins, in teasing words and unwavering presence. He had taken it without asking, without knowing—piece by piece, until there was nothing left for her to deny.
She knew it now.
And right here, right now, holding onto him as the world raced past them—
She wouldn't pretend otherwise.
She couldn't pretend otherwise.
So—
She leaned in, her voice barely more than a breath, but clear enough to cut through the rushing wind.
"I love you."
She felt it immediately.
The way his back stiffened. The way his entire body shivered under her touch, as if those three words had struck him harder than any blade ever could.
Lucavion—who always had a response, who always had control—
Froze.
Chapter 545: A ride and confession (2)
The wind howled around them, the night stretching endlessly before them as Aether surged forward, untamed and unrelenting.
Lucavion didn't slow. Didn't react.
But Aeliana felt it.
The tension in his body. The way his grip on the reins had tightened just slightly. The way his breath had hitched for just a moment before he forced himself back into ease.
She smirked.
'You heard me.'
She leaned in closer, her lips near his ear, her voice smooth, quiet—undeniable.
"I know you heard me."
Lucavion stiffened again.
Aeliana chuckled under her breath.
"Don't try to act like you didn't."
She felt him swallow, could practically see the gears turning in his head as he scrambled for an escape.
And then—
"Aha… ahahaha—"
Lucavion laughed.
The bastard laughed, easy and light, as if she had just made a passing joke, as if nothing had happened.
"What did you say?" he mused, his tone playful, infuriating.
Aeliana's eyes narrowed.
'Oh, so that's how you're going to play it?'
She smirked.
"Don't try to divert the topic," she murmured. "You can't escape from me."
Lucavion's laughter continued, but it was forced.
She could tell.
Even without seeing his face, even without hearing the subtle shift in his breath—
She knew.
He was trying to dodge.
He was trying to pretend like he hadn't heard, like those three words hadn't hit him the way they clearly had.
Aeliana chuckled softly.
"Tch. Coward."
Lucavion didn't speak.
Didn't laugh. Didn't throw out some witty retort.
He just stayed silent.
And that—
That was how Aeliana knew she had him.
Her smirk widened.
She inhaled lightly, then—
With perfect mockery, she deepened her voice into something smooth, arrogant, and terribly Lucavion-like.
"I, Lucavion," she drawled, "am afraid of nothing."
Lucavion exhaled sharply, but he didn't take the bait.
So Aeliana continued.
"Where's that courage now?"
Lucavion scoffed. "I'm not afraid of anything."
Aeliana tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Oh?"
She tightened her grip around his waist, pressing just slightly closer.
"Then why," she mused, "are you trying so hard to dodge the topic?"
Lucavion let out a short, forced laugh. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Aeliana raised an eyebrow. "Really?"
Lucavion kept his eyes forward. "Really."
Aeliana clicked her tongue.
'Tch. This bastard.'
Fine.
If he wanted to pretend—
She would make sure he couldn't.
She leaned in again, her breath warm against his ear.
"If that's the case," she murmured, her voice smooth, unwavering, "then let me repeat myself."
And then—
Soft. Clear. Unmistakable.
"I love you."
SCREEEEECH!
Aether suddenly screeched, hooves skidding against the dirt as Lucavion yanked hard on the reins.
The sudden shift sent Aeliana lurching forward, but she reacted instantly—
Arms tightening around him, pressing against his back, keeping them both steady as Aether slowed to a halt.
Lucavion sat frozen in the saddle, his breath heavy.
"Haa… haa…"
Aeliana felt it.
The way his entire body was shaking beneath her fingertips.
She blinked.
Slowly, carefully, she lifted her head—
And smirked.
His ears—
Bright red.
His cheeks—
Flushed.
Lucavion—the ever-unshakable, ever-composed, ever-infuriatingly confident—
Was shivering.
And Aeliana had never seen anything so adorable in her entire life.
Aeliana tightened her arms around him, her grip unyielding, possessive.
She wasn't letting go.
Not now. Not ever.
Because this—
This man, this adorable, ridiculous, absolutely flustered man—
Was hers.
Lucavion inhaled sharply, his breath still uneven, his body still trembling beneath her fingers. His usual composure, that infuriating smoothness, was completely shattered, and Aeliana—
Aeliana couldn't think of anything aside from this man.
Every minuscule detail—
The heat radiating off his skin.
The way his ears were still burning red.
The way his hands, always so steady, were gripping the reins just a little too tightly now, as if he needed something to hold onto.
The way his breath shuddered every time she so much as moved against him.
She chuckled, low and smug, her chin pressing lightly against his shoulder.
Lucavion was done for.
And the best part?
She knew he cared.
She knew.
The way he had gone back for this hairpin, the way he remembered something so small, something she herself had brushed aside—
He paid attention.
Lucavion, for all his arrogance, for all his playful, teasing remarks—
Noticed.
He always noticed.
Aeliana smirked, leaning in closer, her lips brushing just near his ear.
"Tch." Her voice was a whisper, smooth and teasing. "So cute."
Lucavion twitched.
His breath hitched, his body tensing all over again.
"Aha… hahaha…" His laugh was strained, forced. "Wh-what are you—"
Aeliana hugged him tighter.
Mine.
She felt him stiffen, his entire frame locking up, and it was—
It was the most delightful thing she had ever experienced.
Lucavion, weak to her.
Lucavion, shaking in her grasp.
Lucavion, utterly losing to her advances.
She grinned.
"Oh, Lucavion…" she murmured, her fingers gripping the fabric of his coat. "Where did all that confidence go?"
Lucavion swallowed hard.
"…Aeliana."
His voice came out weaker than usual.
And she—
She loved it.
Lucavion was—
Flushed.
Bright red from his ears to his neck, his hands gripping the reins like they were his only anchor to reality. His breath uneven, his composure shattered.
And Aeliana—
Aeliana was thrilled.
This was delicious.
She tilted her head slightly, golden eyes gleaming as she watched his profile—the sharp jawline, the dark eyes flickering with something panicked, something hesitant.
Her lips curled.
'He really can't handle this, huh?'
She bit her lower lip lightly, suppressing the laugh bubbling in her throat.
"This is…"
Lucavion's voice was barely above a whisper, shaky, uncertain—so unlike his usual self that it sent a shiver of excitement down Aeliana's spine.
She lifted her head, tilting her chin up with a slow smirk.
"This is what?" she mused, her tone laced with mischief.
She pressed closer again, letting her breath tickle against his ear before—
Burying her face in his shoulder.
"I love you."
Lucavion flinched.
Again.
Just like before. Just like every time she said those words.
And gods, she was enjoying this too much.
She felt him trying to compose himself, trying to piece together some kind of response, some kind of deflection—
But then—
"…I…"
His voice came out shaky.
Aeliana stilled.
Her smirk softened, just a fraction.
Because—
She knew.
She knew why he hesitated.
Lucavion wasn't just some carefree wanderer, some aimless flirt who could toss his heart around on a whim.
This man—
This ridiculous, infuriating, wonderful man—
Had his own ambitions.
His own goals.
His own plans.
And there were many things she still didn't know about him.
What he was truly after.
What he was planning.
What future he was carving out for himself—
And that future—
It wasn't here.
Not in Stormhaven. Not in Thaddeus Duchy.
She had known from the start.
Lucavion had made an agreement with her father. He wanted the Duchy's support, wanted Thaddeus' backing for whatever plan he was weaving. And her father—stern, calculating, always watching—had agreed.
Which meant—
Lucavion wouldn't stay.
The Academy. His ambitions. His master's daughter.
All of it—things she knew were part of the road ahead of him.
And maybe—
Maybe she wasn't part of that path.
Chapter 546: A ride and confession (3)
Aeliana inhaled sharply, burying her face deeper against his shoulder, as if she could press herself so close that she'd become an unshakable part of his future.
Because, to be frank—
She was scared.
Scared to hear that he didn't feel the same.
Scared that he'd push her away.
Scared that she'd lose this man who had, piece by piece, stitched her back together.
But—
So what?
For years, she had hid.
She had lived her life under a veil, trapped in her room, afraid of people's gazes, their words, their judgment.
She had given up on herself.
And then he had come.
This ridiculous, reckless, stupidly brilliant man—
And he had given her hope again.
So even if the future was uncertain, even if she didn't know what his future or hers would be—
She knew one thing.
She would carve herself into his life.
She would make sure that when Lucavion looked ahead, when he planned his next move, when he thought about the future—
She would be there.
Right beside him.
Aeliana exhaled sharply, her grip tightening, her mind sharpening with a single, burning thought—
This man is mine.
Whatever he was planning. Whatever ambitions lay ahead of him in that academy, in the world beyond. Whoever waited for him—whether it was that woman, his master's daughter, or some other fool who thought they could step into his life—
They would be fended off.
No one else was allowed near him.
Because she would make sure of it.
Aeliana smirked, pressing herself closer against him.
Lucavion was still stiff, his body tense beneath her grasp, his hands gripping the reins like they were his only defense. His breath was uneven, still caught between shock and uncertainty.
But she was certain.
This bastard wasn't going anywhere.
She moved.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Her fingers slid beneath the fabric of his coat, gripping the collar of his shirt.
Lucavion twitched. "Aeliana—?"
She ignored him.
With a swift tug, she pulled his shirt aside, baring his shoulder to the cool night air.
Lucavion sucked in a sharp breath, his muscles tensing beneath her touch.
And then—
She bit him.
Firm. Possessive. Undeniable.
Lucavion jerked, his entire body reacting before his mind could catch up.
"Hhng—"
Aeliana grinned against his skin.
Perfect.
But—
It wasn't enough.
She lifted her head, her golden eyes gleaming under the moonlight.
"Your answer is irrelevant," she murmured.
Lucavion turned his head slightly, his pitch-black eyes wide—stunned.
And there—
She saw it.
Her own reflection in his dark gaze.
She cupped his face, her fingers pressing against his jaw, holding him still.
"Wh—"
Lucavion barely managed to get a word out before—
She kissed him.
Firm. Unyielding. Final.
Aeliana's lips pressed against his, firm and unwavering.
Her first kiss.
Something she had never done before—something she had never even imagined for herself.
After all, how could she?
When other girls were falling in love, when noble ladies were dancing at grand balls, whispering shy affections behind painted fans—
She was lying in bed.
While they were getting engaged, building their futures, laughing and dreaming—
She was trapped within four walls, veiled, hidden, forgotten.
She had missed so much.
Missed the joys, the heartaches, the moments that should have belonged to her youth.
And yet—
Did it matter?
Now that she was here, now that her lips were pressed against his, now that fate—whether by chance or sheer stubbornness—had led her to him—
Could she complain?
No.
Because this—
This was hers.
Lucavion—this bastard who had turned her world upside down, who had stolen her heart before she had even realized it was missing—
Was hers.
Her lips pressed against his, warm and unrelenting, and for the first time in her life—Aeliana felt it.
The rush. The electricity. The heat blooming in her chest, unfurling through every nerve, setting her skin alight with something she had never known before.
Her first kiss.
She didn't know how one was supposed to kiss another.
Not really.
She had read about it, of course—romance novels stolen from her father's library, whispered stories from the servants when they thought she wasn't listening. She had heard of passion, of breathless longing, of kisses that made the world fade.
But books never captured this.
The real feeling of it.
Lucavion was stiff beneath her, frozen, unresponsive—his entire body locked in place as if his mind hadn't quite caught up with what was happening.
'Hah. So you really don't know how to handle this, huh?'
She almost laughed against his lips.
This arrogant man, this ever-smirking bastard who never lost control—
Didn't know what to do when she was the one taking charge.
And for some reason—
She loved that.
Aeliana shifted slightly, pressing a little closer, tilting her head—wasn't that how it was supposed to go? How the books described it?
Lucavion twitched.
His breath hitched, and his lips—hesitant, awkward—parted just slightly beneath hers, as if testing, as if uncertain.
Aeliana's heart pounded.
'He's… bad at this.'
It was awkward, unpracticed. No smooth technique, no effortless ease like she had read about in those stories.
And yet—
'It's kind of cute.'
The fact that he wasn't pushing her away.
The fact that he wasn't meeting her with teasing, or arrogance, or some flippant remark—
The fact that Lucavion, this man, was letting her do this at all—
Meant she had already infiltrated his life.
The kiss ended slowly, reluctantly, as if neither of them quite knew how to part.
Aeliana pulled back just slightly, her breath mingling with his, her golden eyes locked onto his pitch-black gaze. A thin, glistening bridge of saliva connected them for a fleeting moment before breaking, disappearing into the night air.
Lucavion looked wrecked.
His breath was heavy, uneven. His lips—slightly parted, slightly swollen—held a faint tremor, as if they still weren't sure whether to chase hers again or demand an explanation.
Aeliana's chest rose and fell, mirroring his own ragged breathing.
She could feel it—the pounding in her ribs, the leftover warmth lingering on her lips, the undeniable thrill running through her veins.
Neither of them moved.
Not Aether. Not Vitaliara.
Not even the wind.
Everything was still, as if the very world had paused to watch them.
The position they were in wasn't exactly comfortable—her arms still wrapped around his waist, his hands gripping the reins like his life depended on it, their bodies pressed far too close.
But Aeliana didn't mind.
Her lips curled.
"Haaah…"
"Haah…"
Both of them exhaled at the same time, their breath coming out in short, uneven waves.
Lucavion twitched.
And then—
As if snapping back into reality, he abruptly pulled his hand away from the reins, pressing it against his chest—right over his heart.
Aeliana felt the way it was hammering beneath his palm.
And then, in a voice barely held together—
"W-what…" He swallowed, his dark eyes darting anywhere but at her.
"D-did you just do?"
Aeliana smirked, her breath still heavy, her golden eyes glinting under the moonlight.
"Doesn't it already seem obvious?" she murmured, tilting her head slightly.
Lucavion stayed silent.
Of course he did.
But she didn't need him to answer.
Because she already knew.
She leaned in again, her voice softer now, smooth, confident.
"I just kissed the person I love."
A pause.
Then, a slow, deliberate smile.
"Any problem with that?"
Chapter 547: A ride and confession (4)
"I just kissed the person I love. Any problem with that?"
Lucavion flinched.
His grip on the reins tightened, his entire body locked in place as if those words had struck him harder than a blade to the chest.
His lips parted slightly, as if searching for a response—some excuse, some diversion, anything.
But—
"…Stop it."
His voice was low. A warning.
But Aeliana laughed.
Not cruelly. Not mockingly.
Softly. Warmly.
"Why?" she mused, tilting her head against his shoulder. "Can't handle it?"
Silence.
Nothing but the sound of their breathing, the distant rustling of the wind, the quiet hum of Aether shifting beneath them.
Aeliana's own heart was pounding, her pulse thrumming so loudly she was sure he could hear it.
But—
She could feel his heart too.
Thudding just as fast.
Matching hers.
Slowly, she curled her arms around his chest again, hugging him from behind, pressing herself against him like she was trying to merge their heartbeats into one.
Lucavion didn't move.
Didn't push her away.
Didn't run.
And Aeliana—
She knew.
She knew.
"I know," she murmured, her voice steady, unwavering. "You have things you need to do. Something that's haunting you, even now."
She felt the way his breath hitched.
The way his body tensed—just slightly.
She wasn't wrong.
Aeliana's arms tightened around him, her warmth pressing against his back, grounding him in a way he wasn't sure he had ever felt before.
Lucavion kept his gaze ahead, his lips slightly parted, his breath still unsteady. But she could feel it—how his fingers had loosened just slightly on the reins, how his muscles were no longer wound as tight as before.
Even if he wouldn't say it—
He was listening.
She exhaled softly, tilting her head so her cheek rested against his back.
"You've talked about the promise you made to your master," she murmured. "But that's not all of it, is it?"
Lucavion didn't answer.
Didn't even shift.
But Aeliana knew.
"There's something else," she continued. "Something you need to face. Something from the past."
The wind carried her words between them, soft yet unwavering, as Aether started to move again—slowly, this time. A steady, rhythmic pace, as if even she understood that this was not a moment to be rushed.
Lucavion exhaled through his nose, his posture easy—too easy. The kind of ease that meant he was deliberately masking something.
"I know you don't want to talk about it," Aeliana mumbled. "But I can see."
He always did this.
Hid behind that lazy smirk. Covered his wounds with arrogance, with wit, with playfulness—just enough to make it seem like there was nothing beneath the surface.
But she had watched him for too long.
She knew when he was smiling for real and when he was just trying to keep something buried.
And right now—
Right now, she could see it.
She wasn't going to force him.
He would talk about it when he was ready. When he felt comfortable. When the weight of it became too much to bear alone.
Aeliana exhaled softly, pressing her cheek lightly against his back.
"I want to help you," she murmured.
Lucavion's fingers tensed slightly around the reins.
She could feel it—the way her words reached him, even if he didn't say anything.
"Not as the heir of the Thaddeus Duchy."
Her arms curled a little tighter around his waist, her voice steadier now, carrying something heavier, something real.
"Just as Aeliana."
The woman who had once given up on living.
The woman he had saved.
The woman who had now decided—
To save him.
Lucavion remained silent, but she didn't need him to speak.
Because she knew.
He was strong—strong enough to carry his burdens alone. Strong enough to believe he could handle everything by himself.
But—
"Inwardly," she murmured, "both of us know you can't do it alone."
Lucavion inhaled sharply.
Aeliana smirked, tilting her head slightly.
"I will walk the path beside you," she said.
Lucavion let out a breath through his nose, his voice carrying the faintest edge of something unreadable.
"Beside me?"
Aeliana grinned. "Yes. Beside you."
Then, softer—more certain.
"You'll see. When that time comes, you'll have no excuse to avoid me anymore."
Lucavion exhaled, his body shifting slightly as if adjusting to something he wasn't quite ready to accept.
"…I'm not avoiding you."
Aeliana chuckled. "Really?"
She shifted, her golden eyes glinting as she tilted her head up toward him.
"Then why don't you give me an answer?"
Lucavion was quiet for a long moment.
Then—
His voice, low and steady, carried through the night.
"My answer was there when I didn't push you away, wasn't it?"
Aeliana paused.
Her grip around him didn't loosen, but she stared at him now, her lips pressing into a thin line.
'This bastard.'
Did he really think that was enough?
Her golden eyes narrowed.
"Do you think something that lame is enough of an answer?"
Lucavion let out a quiet, breathy laugh.
But then—
His voice lowered, something different threading through it.
"Do you think," he murmured, "I would go to such lengths—risk my own life—just to save someone I didn't care about?"
Aeliana's breath hitched.
It looked like an answer, but …
Aeliana wasn't convinced.
Not yet.
Her grip didn't loosen, but her fingers twitched slightly against his coat, frustration flickering beneath her golden gaze.
"You didn't even know me," she murmured, her voice quieter now, but no less firm. "How could you even care about me?"
Lucavion let out a small, breathy chuckle—low, almost amused.
And then—
"If I said," he mused, tilting his head slightly, "that I knew about you before even meeting you… would you believe me?"
Aeliana stilled.
Her breath caught in her throat, her heart stuttering for a moment.
Because—
He wasn't joking.
His voice wasn't teasing, wasn't dripping with that usual arrogance.
He was serious.
Aeliana swallowed, her voice coming out slower this time.
"…I would."
Lucavion exhaled lightly, a faint smirk curling at the edges of his lips.
"You would?"
Aeliana smirked right back. "You, Lucavion, don't lie."
Lucavion let out another soft chuckle, shaking his head slightly.
"…Well." His voice dropped just slightly, something quieter laced beneath it. "That's your answer, then."
Aeliana's fingers tightened against his coat.
"The stars told you?"
Lucavion hummed. "Something like that…" He trailed off, as if considering something, then exhaled. "A bit hard to explain."
Aeliana sighed, rolling her eyes.
"I know, I know," she muttered, resting her chin against his shoulder again. "You and your cryptic answers…"
Lucavion smirked. "Wouldn't be fun if I gave you everything, would it?"
Aeliana clicked her tongue.
"Tch. Bastard."
But—
She smiled.
Aeliana sighed softly, settling against his back again.
The gentle rhythm of Aether's slow gait, the warmth of Lucavion's body beneath her fingers, the quiet hum of the night air—it all made her feel… content.
And then—
Her mind began to wander.
First—
The date today…
A perfectly normal night, yet one she was sure she'd remember for the rest of her life.
Then—
Meetings.
Her father, seated at his grand desk, his sharp gaze scanning over a report detailing Lucavion's latest feats. The moment this bastard made a bigger name for himself, she knew her father would call for him.
Would gauge him. Would assess what kind of man he truly was.
She could see it already—her father's piercing eyes flicking between them, his tone low, serious.
"This man… you truly believe he is worth standing beside?"
And Aeliana, standing tall, unflinching—
"Yes."
Then—
Marriage.
A grand, ridiculous wedding. A ceremony so extravagant that every single noble who had once sneered at her, pitied her, detested her—
Would be forced to watch her.
Watch her walk down the aisle, radiant in gold and white, her beauty unmatched. Watch her stand beside him, the man who had captured her heart, the man who had defied fate for her.
They would whisper, they would envy.
And she—
She would win.
And then—
Three kids.
Aeliana smiled dreamily, her grip around him tightening just slightly.
"…Three kids."
Chapter 548: A ride and confession (5)
"…Three kids."
SCREEEEEECH—!!!
Aether screeched in protest as Lucavion yanked the reins, bringing them to a sudden stop.
"Wa-wa—!!!"
Aeliana jerked forward, barely catching herself against his back.
She blinked.
"…Wa-wa?"
Lucavion turned his head slightly, his eyes wide, his face flushed.
"Wait a little—nothing is determined yet!"
Aeliana smirked.
"Oh?"
Lucavion stiffened.
Aeliana tilted her head against his shoulder, grinning against the fabric of his coat.
"Hmm… didn't you just say you wouldn't go this far for someone you didn't care about?"
Lucavion opened his mouth—then shut it.
Then opened it again—only to pause.
Aeliana laughed.
"Three kids," she murmured again, just to see him flinch.
Aeliana grinned, feeling the way Lucavion's entire body was locked in place—tense, stiff, as if he was trying very hard to pretend he wasn't affected.
Which, of course, only encouraged her.
"Hmmm…" she mused, resting her chin lightly against his shoulder. "Three kids… maybe four?"
Lucavion twitched.
"…Four?!"
Aeliana smirked. "Well, who knows? If we're going to go that far, might as well aim high."
Lucavion inhaled sharply, as if trying to steel himself.
"…And when, exactly, did this get decided?"
"Oh, I don't know." Aeliana hummed playfully. "Maybe after that kiss?"
Lucavion visibly clenched his jaw.
"You're relentless."
"I just like planning ahead," Aeliana teased. "Come on, you wouldn't want our kids to grow up without a clear future, right?"
Lucavion froze for half a second.
And then—
"Tch—Enough!"
With a sharp tug, he yanked the reins.
Aether snorted in protest before launching into a full gallop.
The wind rushed past them once again, tearing through Aeliana's hair, the force of the sudden movement making her tighten her grip around his waist.
Aeliana giggled, her laugh full and bright.
She could practically feel the frustration radiating off Lucavion, the way he had panicked and resorted to sheer speed just to escape her words.
'Heh. Cute.'
She let the wind cool her cheeks, let the thrill of the ride settle deep in her bones.
But—
Her fingers curled slightly against his coat.
Her own heart was still racing—pounding, throbbing.
She had pushed herself a lot tonight.
And as much as she hated to admit it, even now, she still had limits.
'Tch… it's fine.'
She let out a slow breath, steadying herself.
After all—
She wouldn't let something like this stop her now.
******
The night stretched long and deep, the moon casting silver light over the world as Aether's powerful strides ate up the distance between them and the Thaddeus Duchy.
The cool wind lashed against Aeliana's cheeks, but she welcomed it.
Lucavion's warmth beneath her hands, the steady rhythm of Aether's gallop—it all made her feel as if this moment would never end.
But then—
A pair of torches flared to life in the distance.
The gates of the Thaddeus mansion loomed before them, tall and imposing, a grand silhouette against the darkened sky.
And standing guard—
A group of armed men.
Aeliana barely had time to register them before—
"HALT!"
The sharp command rang out, cutting through the night.
Aether immediately reared back, her hooves kicking up dust as Lucavion pulled the reins.
Aeliana tightened her grip around his waist, holding firm as Aether came to an abrupt stop just a few meters away from the guards.
The men moved swiftly, forming a line, their weapons glinting under the lantern light.
Aeliana caught the wary glint in their eyes, the way their grips tightened on their swords.
It made sense.
A man clad in unfamiliar, slightly worn clothes, arriving on an obsidian-colored warhorse in the middle of the night?
Yeah. Suspicious.
Lucavion, of course, didn't seem bothered.
With his usual ease, he exhaled and straightened, his smirk curling at the edges.
"Easy there," he said, his voice smooth, unbothered. "I'd rather not get stabbed before I've even stepped through the door."
The guards did not lower their weapons.
"State your business." The lead guard's voice was firm.
Lucavion placed a hand over his chest in a mock show of grace. "Lucavion." He tilted his head slightly. "Your Lady's esteemed guest. Surely you've heard of me?"
The guards did not look convinced.
"…Lucavion?" The lead guard's brow furrowed. His sharp gaze scanned over him, doubt evident in his stance.
Aeliana couldn't blame them.
Lucavion looked nothing like the polished guest who had entered the mansion before.
His usual refined attire had been swapped for simple, travel-worn clothes. His hair, while naturally tousled, was slightly messier from the ride.
And—
He looked too relaxed.
Not at all like someone who should be approaching the Thaddeus estate at this hour.
The guards exchanged wary glances.
"…We received no notice of your arrival," one of them muttered.
"Spontaneity is a virtue," Lucavion mused.
Aeliana sighed.
'This idiot.'
Before the guards could grow more suspicious, she shifted slightly, raising her head—
And allowed her golden amber eyes to gleam beneath the lantern light.
The guards remained unmoved at first.
Even as Aeliana straightened, even as she lifted her chin with that unmistakable air of authority—
They hesitated.
Her clothes were wrong.
No silks, no embroidery, no noble crest stitched into the fabric.
Instead, she was dressed simply—far too simply. Her attire, worn slightly from the day's ventures, made her look like any other traveler, any other girl arriving late with a reckless companion.
And that was the problem.
She wasn't just any girl.
She was Aeliana Thaddeus.
And right now, she didn't look the part.
Aeliana exhaled sharply, already feeling irritation prick at her patience.
But—
Then she spoke.
"Open the gates."
Clear. Commanding. The kind of voice that left no room for hesitation.
And just like that—
The guards froze.
Their eyes darted to her face again, and this time, they really looked.
The sharpness of her features. The way her amber eyes glowed under the lantern light—unmistakable, undeniable.
And then—
Their gazes flickered toward Lucavion.
More specifically—
The thin, pale scar tracing just below his right eye.
Recognition slammed into them like a crashing wave.
"L-Lady Aeliana—?! And… Sir Lucavion?"
Aeliana scoffed, tilting her head slightly.
"Took you long enough."
The guards immediately straightened, their expressions shifting from wary to mortified.
"…Forgive us, my lady!" The lead guard's voice was stiff, formal now, rushed with urgency.
Lucavion chuckled beside her. "Oh? Where'd all that suspicion go?"
Aeliana rolled her eyes.
"Just open the damn gates."
The guards scrambled, metal clanking as the locks were swiftly unlatched.
With a low groan, the grand gates shifted, swinging open to welcome them inside.
Lucavion clicked his tongue, giving Aeliana an amused glance as he nudged Aether forward.
"See?" he murmured. "Told you I was an esteemed guest."
Aeliana gave him a look that was equal parts exasperated and fond.
"Shut up and move."
Lucavion smirked—
And together, they rode into the heart of the Thaddeus estate.
As they passed through the gates and into the heart of the Thaddeus estate, the tension in the air shifted. The night felt quieter here, the grand mansion looming ahead, its windows glowing softly with golden light.
Aeliana exhaled, rolling her shoulders slightly as the weight of their journey settled in. Lucavion, ever composed, let Aether's pace slow, his gaze sweeping over the familiar sight of the manor with an unreadable expression.
And waiting at the grand entrance—
Lysander.
The head butler stood with perfect posture, his hands folded neatly before him, his expression as impassive as ever. The moment his sharp gaze fell upon them, however, it flickered—just briefly—over Aeliana's attire.
A commoner's garb.
That alone was enough to raise a dozen questions.
Aeliana had left the estate in her usual noble attire. There was no reason for her to be dressed like this unless something had happened. But—
She looked calm.
Not the slightest trace of distress lined her features. If anything, she looked more relaxed than when she had first left.
So, Lysander, in all his practiced wisdom, did not ask.
Instead, he took a single step forward, his voice smooth and level as he greeted them.
"My lady. Sir Lucavion."
Aeliana tilted her head slightly, studying him before offering a casual nod. "Lysander."
Lucavion, on the other hand, grinned. "Ah, the ever-dutiful butler." He dismounted with easy grace, brushing a hand through his hair before glancing at Aeliana. "Well, I suppose this is where we get scolded."
Lysander did not sigh, nor did his expression shift, but there was the faintest air of resignation in his eyes.
"You are late," he said simply. "The Duke is waiting for you."
Aeliana swung off Aether, landing lightly on her feet before brushing the dust off her sleeves. "Figured as much."
Lysander gave a slight bow. "If you would follow me."
Lucavion chuckled, stretching slightly before slipping his hands into his pockets. "Ah, how welcoming."
Aeliana smirked, brushing past him as she followed the butler inside. "Come on, 'esteemed guest.'"
Lucavion shook his head but trailed after her, his usual smirk in place.
Chapter 550: Love
Lucavion barely acknowledged the murmurs of the estate's servants as he strode through the halls. His usual smirk was still in place—of course it was. He had mastered the art of appearing unbothered, of weaving ease into his every movement, his every breath.
But the moment he reached his room and shut the door behind him—
"Haaah…"
Lucavion exhaled, leaning back against the wood, tilting his head up toward the ceiling.
His heart was still hammering in his chest, an uneven rhythm that refused to settle.
'Tch. Ridiculous.'
He lifted a hand, pressing it against his own cheek, feeling the residual heat still lingering there. His ears… still red. He knew without even looking.
'This is absurd. Absolutely absurd.'
Aeliana's voice still echoed in his mind.
I love you.
And then again.
I love you.
Lucavion clenched his jaw.
It wasn't the words themselves—though, admittedly, they were a problem. No, what was worse was the way she had said them. So firm. So certain. No hesitation, no wavering, no second-guessing.
And even worse than that—
She had meant it.
Lucavion let out a quiet, breathy laugh, running a hand through his hair, as if trying to shake off the lingering sensation of her warmth pressed against his back.
He had never been like this. Not once in his life had he let something—someone—unravel him so effortlessly.
'Damn it, Aeliana.'
His hand dropped to his chest, his fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt. His heart still hadn't calmed.
Lucavion dragged himself forward, collapsing onto the bed, his arm flinging over his eyes.
'This is… troublesome.'
Everything had changed. He felt it.
Before, it had been a game. A push and pull. A dance where he always had control over the pace, over the space between them. But now—
Now, Aeliana had shattered the entire rhythm.
Lucavion exhaled slowly.
And what bothered him wasn't just her confession. It wasn't just the way she had smirked after, knowing exactly what she was doing to him.
It was the fact that, in the moment she had whispered against his skin—
His body had reacted.
Before his mind could calculate, before his usual easy charm could weave a response, before logic could remind him of all the reasons why this was a terrible idea—
Lucavion lay still, his body sinking into the mattress, but his mind refused to follow. His breath came uneven, betraying the emotions clawing their way to the surface, ones he had spent years keeping buried. He had thought himself untouchable. That no matter how much he danced with the idea of closeness, he could always slip away before it became real—before it became dangerous. And yet, despite all his careful maneuvering, all his subtle dodges and effortless deflections, Aeliana had torn through them like a force of nature, unrelenting and inevitable.
He had known, known, that she was persistent. That she would push. That she would refuse to accept the shallow, teasing mask he wore so well. But he had never expected her to go this far. He had never expected to be left in his room, staring at the ceiling, feeling like a man who had lost something instead of gained.
Because that was what this was, wasn't it? Losing. Losing the version of himself that had stayed safely detached, that had observed from a distance, never fully committing.
Lucavion pressed the heel of his palm against his forehead, as if that alone could keep the unwelcome emotions from spilling over. Tch. This is why I avoided it. This is why I never let myself— He stopped the thought before it could fully form.
The truth sat heavy in his chest, just as it had all those years ago. He had closed himself off after that day. When he learned just how cruel fate could be, just how easily something precious could be stolen away. It was better, safer, to keep his heart locked behind a wall, to view the world through the lens of amusement and curiosity rather than attachment.
And yet—
He exhaled sharply, running his fingers through his hair in frustration. Somehow, against all odds, Aeliana had barged her way in. And Valeria too. He had been careful with her as well, kept things light, never let anything sink too deep. But she had still managed. She had moved something in him, made him hesitate, made him stay just a little longer than he should have.
And Aeliana—
Aeliana had brute-forced her way in, like a sword through armor, like a storm battering against a door until it collapsed. There had been no room for evasion, no space to slip away before he got caught. She had thrown herself forward, no hesitation, no doubt, no fear.
Lucavion let out a quiet, bitter laugh.
He wasn't sure what was more unsettling—the fact that she had managed to do it, or the fact that some part of him liked it.
Liked the way she held onto him without hesitation. Liked the way she had claimed him as hers, like there had never been another possible outcome.
Liked the way it had felt.
His breath hitched again, and that alone was enough to annoy him. Enough. He needed to bury this, shove it back into whatever corner of his mind had kept it locked away all these years. But just as he closed his eyes, just as he tried to force himself into the familiar coldness of his usual indifference—
[Congratulations.]
Lucavion's eyes snapped open.
That voice.
[You won a girl's heart.]
Vitaliara's voice echoed in his head, her presence curling in the corners of his mind, distant yet unmistakable.
Lucavion did not move, but his fingers twitched slightly against the sheets.
Lucavion let out a soft, nearly imperceptible chuckle, shifting onto his back as if the weight of her voice wasn't pressing against his mind. His arms folded behind his head, his smirk sliding back into place with practiced ease, the picture of nonchalance.
"Oh? How rare," he mused, his tone light, almost amused. "I don't recall you giving me your blessings before, Vitaliara. Should I be flattered?"
[Flattered?]
Her voice was dry. Unimpressed.
Then—
[You were blushing.]
Lucavion stilled for half a second.
[Your ears were red. Bright red. I didn't even know you could make an expression like that.]
His smirk didn't falter, but his fingers curled slightly against the sheets.
[So,] Vitaliara continued, her voice smooth, edged with something he didn't quite like. [You had been waiting for that girl to say something like this for a long time already, haven't you?]
Lucavion clicked his tongue.
"Tch. That's a bit of a stretch."
[Is it?]
"Of course," he drawled, stretching his arms as if this conversation wasn't affecting him in the slightest. "It was inevitable that someone would eventually confess to me. You know, charming as I am."
[Lucavion.]
Something in her tone made him pause.
It wasn't playful. It wasn't teasing.
It was knowing.
As if she had already read through every single layer of his usual excuses before he even had a chance to form them.
Lucavion exhaled slowly.
"…It couldn't be helped."
[Oh?]
He tilted his head slightly, closing his eyes, feigning ease. "Aeliana is persistent," he admitted. "And stubborn. And entirely unwilling to take 'no' for an answer. Even if I had wanted to avoid this, she would have forced her way through sooner or later."
[That doesn't answer my question.]
Lucavion smirked. "Doesn't it?"
[No. Because I saw you.]
His lips parted slightly—but he had no response.
[You weren't just flustered. You weren't just caught off guard. You—]
Vitaliara's voice softened, just slightly.
[You looked like you had been waiting for those words for a long, long time.]
Lucavion inhaled sharply.
That—
That wasn't fair.
It wasn't.
He could dismiss Aeliana's boldness, he could brush off her confidence, he could tease and evade and play the game he had always played—
But this?
Vitaliara's voice—unwavering, quiet, filled with something too close to the truth?
That was dangerous.
Lucavion forced a laugh, shifting onto his side. "Hah. You're seeing things, Vitaliara."
[No.]
The finality in her voice sent a strange chill through him.
[For once, I think I'm seeing clearly.]