Lusian lowered the sword.
The final strike still vibrated through his arms.
Dainslein rested in his hand—alive… too alive.The blade emitted a faint pulse, almost imperceptible, as if it were responding to his breathing.
It wasn't just a weapon.
It was recognizing him.
That… didn't reassure him.
He exhaled slowly and grabbed the towel, wiping the sweat from his forehead. He could still feel the echo of training in his body when hurried footsteps broke the calm of the courtyard.
—Young master Lusian—
A servant arrived nearly out of breath.
—Lady Emily Carter… has arrived.
Silence.
One second.
Two.
Lusian's brow tightened slightly.
Emily?
Again.
He lowered his gaze to the sword for a moment before carefully sheathing it.Too carefully.
As if he feared losing that connection… or making it worse.
A tight knot formed in his stomach.
It wasn't joy.
It wasn't quite annoyance either.
It was… anticipation.
And that was worse.
When he entered the main hall, the scene threw him off.
Emily was laughing.
Truly laughing.
Not the perfect smile.Not the mask.
Laughing.
She was sitting beside Sophia, who listened with a calm that felt almost… approving.
For a moment, Lusian stood still.
Watching.
As if he had walked into the wrong place.
—What are you doing here? —he asked at last.
It wasn't harsh.
But it wasn't warm either.
Enough to break the bubble.
Emily turned toward him.
And that smile—
didn't fully disappear.
It only softened.
— I invited her —Sophia replied before Emily could speak.
Her tone was light.
But it left no room for objection.
—The city center is nearby. I thought it would be a good opportunity for you two to go out.
Lusian looked at her.
Directly.
—Wouldn't it be better if you went with her instead, Mother?
He said it politely.
Controlled.
But the tension… was there.
Sophia let out a small laugh.
Natural.
Warm.
Dangerous.
— I have matters to attend to.
A pause.
—Besides… there is no better company for you than your fiancée.
Final.
Not a suggestion.
A decision already made.
Lusian exhaled lightly through his nose.
He didn't insist.
He couldn't.
And that irritated him more than it should have.
Minutes later, the air outside felt… different.
More open.
Less safe.
Two knights were waiting beside the carriage.
William.
And Alejandro.
The atmosphere shifted the moment Lusian appeared.
Not visibly.
But immediately.
Tighter hands.
Stricter gazes.
Distance… more carefully measured.
—Lady Carter's safety will be under the protection of House Douglas —Sophia said calmly.
She didn't raise her voice.
She didn't need to.
William bowed his head.
Alejandro did not immediately follow.
His eyes met Lusian's.
A moment.
Silent.
Heavy.
Personal.
Lusian didn't react.
But he felt it.
That wasn't fear.
It was hatred.
And not recent.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
—Understood —Alejandro finally said, stepping back.
But his body didn't relax.
Not even slightly.
Emily approached the carriage.
Her movements were proper.
Elegant.
But this time—
they didn't feel rehearsed.
They felt… deliberate.
Like someone choosing to be there.
Even knowing what it implied.
Lusian watched her for a moment longer than necessary.
He still didn't understand why.
And that unsettled him.
He adjusted his jacket.
A small gesture.
Unnecessary.
Human.
—So… —he said— ready for the walk?
It didn't sound distant.
But it wasn't warm either.
Emily nodded.
—Yes.
Simple.
No embellishment.
But her hands—
though steady—
weren't entirely firm.
Lusian noticed.
And something in his chest tightened again.
They boarded the carriage.
The doors closed.
And as it began to move—
Lusian felt something clear.
Uncomfortable.
Persistent.
This wasn't a walk.
It was the beginning of something.
And he had no idea how to deal with it.