Lucien didn't realize how much damage a smile could do.
He learned it the hard way.
The Vale estate courtyard buzzed with activity that morning—servants cleaning, knights training, messengers coming and going. Lucien walked straight through the middle of it all, hands behind his head, humming like he had nowhere important to be.
Which, technically, he didn't.
That alone made him dangerous.
"Good morning, Lady Elara."
A young noble girl froze mid-step.
Elara Wynford—daughter of a Count, future academy prodigy, and in the original novel… a background character who never interacted with Lucien Vale.
Now she stared at him, cheeks warming.
"G-good morning, Young Master Lucien."
Lucien leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice playfully. "You don't have to sound so scared. I don't bite."
She nodded too fast.
"I—I know."
He chuckled and walked past, leaving behind a girl whose heart was beating far faster than it should.
Bonding through normal interaction really is unfair, Lucien thought.
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
By noon, rumors had spread.
"The second young master greeted me by name."
"He asked how my training was going."
"He laughed at my joke."
People noticed.
Especially girls.
Lucien didn't flirt aggressively. He didn't corner anyone. He simply talked—confident, relaxed, expressive. Compared to the cold, arrogant nobles they were used to, he felt… refreshing.
That was enough.
DUKE VALE'S OBSERVATION
From the balcony above, Duke Alaric Vale watched silently.
"This change…" he murmured.
Lucien laughed with a group of young nobles, gesturing wildly as he told some exaggerated story. They listened—really listened.
The Duke narrowed his eyes.
That boy used to repel everyone, he thought.
Now… he draws them in.
Power didn't always announce itself with mana.
Sometimes, it came with presence.
THE GARDEN ENCOUNTER
Lucien slipped away into the inner garden later that afternoon, seeking shade.
That was when he saw her.
Silver hair tied neatly. Calm blue eyes. A book held against her chest.
Iris Valemont.
In the original novel, she would become one of the hero's earliest companions—an ice-attribute genius with terrifying potential.
At this moment?
She was just a quiet noble girl.
Lucien smiled brightly.
"Reading alone? Dangerous habit."
She looked up, startled.
"Oh—Young Master Vale."
Lucien sat on the bench opposite her without asking.
"What are you reading?"
"…Basic mana theory."
He blinked. "That thing? Dry as sand."
Her lips twitched.
"Not if you understand it."
Lucien laughed. "Then you're already ahead of me."
That earned him a real smile.
Just a small one.
But real.
Their fingers brushed as he reached to point at a page.
" Initial Bond Registered "
Lucien didn't react.
Iris did.
She pulled her hand back slightly, heart fluttering, unsure why the moment felt… heavier.
Lucien tilted his head.
"You alright?"
"I—I'm fine," she said quickly.
Silence followed.
Not awkward.
Comfortable.
SEEDS OF A HAREM (UNINTENTIONAL)
Later that day:
Elara watched Iris from afar, lips pursed
Another noble girl asked Lucien where he'd gone
A maid tripped because she turned her head too fast
Lucien noticed everything.
This is spiraling, he thought, amused.
But I'm not rejecting it either.
He wasn't collecting people like trophies.
He was building connections.
If emotions followed?
He wouldn't run from them.
BOUNDARIES
Lucien leaned against a railing as evening fell.
No rushing, he reminded himself.
No crossing lines.
He'd lived one life already.
He knew the weight of intimacy.
Affection was precious.
Trust even more so.
If something happens… it'll happen naturally.
A PROMISE TO HIMSELF
As the stars appeared, Lucien stretched and grinned.
"Alright," he whispered.
"Friends. Rivals. Maybe something more."
"But no regrets."
Somewhere in the future—
Battles would be fought.
Bloodlines would awaken.
Hearts would be tested.
For now?
Lucien enjoyed the warmth of being alive.
And the quiet realization that—
This time, people wanted him around.