It was officially my second day as the Duke.
The snow had eased by the time morning light spilled over the northern estate.
For once, the world looked peaceful—quiet, calm, almost kind.
Almost.
I was halfway through a cup of tea and a stack of estate documents when the butler burst in, breathless.
"Your Grace, the Duke Darian has arrived. Without notice, as usual."
I blinked. "Darian?"
Before I could even stand, the doors swung open.
"Lio!" The deep, familiar but unfamiliar voice boomed through the hall.
I barely had time to react before strong arms wrapped around me, lifting me slightly off the floor.
"What—Darian!" I stammered, heat rising to my face.
He chuckled, his breath brushing my ear. "You still smell like mint tea and paperwork. Some things never change."Then, without hesitation, he pulled back just enough to press a quick kiss to my cheek.
I froze.
Every muscle in my body went stiff, like the mana inside me forgot how to flow.
"W-What was that for?" I demanded, taking a step back.
He tilted his head, smirking. "A normal greeting. You're acting like I just proposed."
"People don't usually kiss their friends in greeting," I muttered, brushing my cheek like it burned.
"Maybe you don't," he said, grinning wider. "But I'm not just any friend"
My heart pounded far too loud in my ears. Lioren's memories had shown flashes of Darian laughing, fighting, swearing loyalty — but this… this warmth, this ease, was new.
Or maybe not new. Maybe it was something the real Lioren had never dared to notice.
"Are you alright?" Darian's tone softened, the grin fading just slightly. "You look… different."
Crap.
He studied me with that piercing gaze — the kind that had probably made armies tremble.
"I'm fine," I said quickly, forcing a smile. "Just tired. The reports, the monster cases—"
"Lio." He cut me off, voice low. "You've been 'tired' since I got here. You flinched when I touched you. You're quieter. What happened?"
'Oh shit he also noticed it' I thought.
He wasn't a man who spoke softly often, and it made something in my chest twist. "I'm fine," I repeated, weaker this time.
Darian sighed, rubbing his neck. "You never could lie properly." He sank into the chair across from me, but his eyes never left my face.
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The air felt thick, like the silence before lightning.
Then, to break it, I asked, "So… what brings you here, Darian? Surely you didn't ride through the storm just to criticize my lying skills."
He chuckled. "Partly. But mostly to check on you. The last letter you sent sounded… distant."
"I write the same way I always do."
"No," he said simply. "You don't."
I swallowed hard. "Maybe I just have more on my mind these days."
"Then let me lighten it for you." He stood, crossing the room with unhurried steps. Each one echoed louder than it should have. When he stopped in front of me, I had to tilt my head up to meet his eyes.
"Darian?"
He leaned down slightly, a faint smile tugging his lips. "You're still hiding behind that illusion, aren't you?"
My blood ran cold. I knew he knew but still.
"Hahaha!! " I laughed awkwardly.
He chuckled softly, but his eyes didn't match the smile. They were sharp — too observant. "Lio, I've seen you fight monsters, command armies, stare down death. You think I wouldn't notice when something's off?"
I took a half-step back, words tangled on my tongue.
"Relax," he said, his voice gentling again. "I'm not accusing you of anything. I just… want to see you. It's been a while since I did."
My heart skipped. "What?"
"Remove the illusion," he said quietly. "Just for a moment."
I froze. The illusion wasn't just a disguise anymore — it was my only barrier between myself and a truth I wasn't ready to explain.
"I can't," I whispered.
He tilted his head, curiosity and something softer flickering in his eyes. "Won't, or can't?"
When I didn't answer, he sighed and leaned closer — so close I could feel the warmth of his breath. "Then at least… sit with me."
"Sit with—"
He sat back in the armchair, legs spread in that careless confidence only he could pull off, and patted his thigh with a teasing smile.
"Here. Like before."
My brain short-circuited. "You—you mean on your lap?!"
He laughed quietly. "You make it sound scandalous. It's not the first time, you know."
That made me blink. Wait. The real Lioren used to sit on his lap?
So… it wasn't unusual for them. But it was for me. Because do I need to explain? It's just embarrassing for me TT