Morning came quietly.
Soft light spilled across the sitting room table where unfinished documents still lay open.
Lunivara sat with a pen in hand.
"…Still incomplete."
"Knock—knock."
Clara paused from her duties.
"…I will attend, my lady."
The door opened.
A brief silence followed.
"…My lady," Clara said calmly, "…you have visitors."
Lunivara's pen stopped.
"…Visitors?"
"…From the academy."
A pause.
"…Let them in."
"…Yes, my lady."
Footsteps returned.
Jude entered first.
Relaxed. Familiar.
"…Morning."
Leontius followed.
"…Good morning."
Lunivara rose.
"…Good morning."
A quiet pause settled.
"…This early visit is unexpected," she said.
Jude scratched the back of his head.
"…We said tomorrow."
"…We did."
"…And it is tomorrow."
Silence.
Lunivara blinked once.
"…That is technically correct."
Jude grinned slightly.
"…Technically?"
Leontius stepped further inside, gaze briefly scanning the room.
He did not comment, but he noticed everything—the papers, the order, the structure.
"…We're going out," Jude said.
"…Out?" Lunivara asked.
"…Sailing."
A pause.
"…Sailing."
Jude nodded.
"…Yeah. You'll see."
Lunivara looked briefly toward the documents.
Then back to them.
"…Very well."
Jude immediately straightened.
"…Good!"
A quick pause—he corrected himself slightly.
"…I mean—good."
Leontius said nothing, but he gave a faint nod of acknowledgment.
Clara stepped slightly forward.
"…My lady, should I prepare provisions?"
Lunivara shook her head.
"…Not necessary."
Clara hesitated.
"…Then I request permission to accompany you."
Jude blinked.
"…That's… a thing?"
"…It is proper," Clara replied calmly.
Lunivara answered before it lingered.
"…You may remain here."
"…Understood."
A pause.
"…Please be cautious."
"…I will."
Jude leaned slightly toward the door.
"…Alright, let's go."
The hallway outside was quiet, washed in morning light.
They walked side by side.
Jude began speaking almost immediately.
"…We go sometimes. When there's time."
"…Sometimes?" Lunivara asked.
"…Yeah."
He glanced toward Leontius.
"…Mostly his idea."
Leontius responded simply.
"…It is practical."
"…Fishing is practical?" Jude raised a brow.
"…It provides food."
"…You just like the quiet."
A pause.
"…That is also correct."
Jude smirked lightly.
"…See?"
They continued walking.
"…We stay until afternoon sometimes," Jude added.
"…Fish. Cook what we catch."
"…You cook?"
"…Sometimes!"
A pause—he corrected himself.
"…It works."
"…That is not reassuring."
A faint shift ahead.
Voices.
"…Is that her?"
"…With them again?"
"…I heard she's assisting the sword club…"
"…How are they even close…?"
The whispers passed through.
Lunivara's steps did not slow.
But her attention shifted inward.
[This may create unnecessary consequences.]
Leontius noticed the shift first.
Jude noticed shortly after.
"…You're thinking again," Jude said.
"…I am not."
"…You are."
A pause.
"…It may cause inconvenience," Lunivara said quietly.
"…What will?"
"…The rumors."
Jude exhaled softly.
"…That?"
He shrugged.
"…People talk."
"…It could affect you."
"…It won't."
"…It might."
Jude looked at her, then smiled slightly.
"…You're worried about us?"
Silence.
"…Yes."
Jude let out a small laugh.
"…You really overthink everything."
He stepped ahead slightly.
"…We came to you, remember?"
Lunivara paused.
"…So if anyone has a problem—"
He shrugged.
"…That's their problem."
Something in her expression softened slightly.
Leontius finally spoke.
"…It is irrelevant."
"…The rumors."
"…They do not change anything."
Lunivara looked forward again.
"…Understood."
Jude stretched lightly.
"…Good."
A pause.
"…Lunivara is too long," Jude said suddenly.
"…It is my name."
"…I know."
He tilted his head.
"…Can I shorten it?"
A brief silence.
"…If you wish."
"…Luna?"
A pause.
"…That is acceptable."
Jude smiled.
"…Alright, Luna!"
Then corrected himself softly.
"…Luna."
"…Then you may also use shortened forms," Lunivara added.
"…Jude?"
"…That's already short."
"…Then it is sufficient."
Jude chuckled.
Leontius remained quiet for a moment.
Then—
"…Leon."
He looked at her.
"…It is fine."
They continued walking.
The academy gates came into view.
Morning now fully awake.
And something subtle had shifted.
Not in direction.
But in presence.
End of Chapter 17