The corridor was quiet, most students already heading to dinner or their dorms. Lucian walked slowly, exhaustion weighing on every step. The library incident with Elira still sat heavy in his chest—along with Seraphina's protective rage and the uncomfortable truth that he'd almost watched two powerful heroines tear each other apart.
I'm so tired.
He turned the corner and stopped.
Aria stood near the chapel entrance, golden hair catching the late afternoon light. She wasn't looking at him—just staring at the ornate wooden doors with that distant, thoughtful expression she sometimes got.
Lucian hesitated.
I could just walk past. Pretend I didn't see her. Again.
But then a familiar translucent screen flickered into view.
[SPECIAL EVENT AVAILABLE: "The Saint's Patience"]
[Time Remaining: 2 hours]
["Go talk to her before she thinks you're a coward."]
["Or don't. I love watching you fail."]
Lucian's eye twitched.
*Shut up.*
He let out a quiet breath and walked toward her.
