My eyes struggled to adjust to the room.
I had seen this before — on my computer screen.
But seeing it for real… was something entirely different.
It was a large hall with high ceilings, dimly lit by faint lights. The obsidian-covered walls shimmered with glowing veins, pulsing softly. In the center stood a massive table, cluttered with open spellbooks and strange potion bottles. The crystals reflected a bluish hue, giving the room a cold yet mesmerizing atmosphere.
Lucian slowly withdrew his hands, but his gaze remained fixed on me.
"Now…" he said softly, "let's take a look at these wounds."
He tapped his foot lightly.
Thin blue lines traced patterns in the air as a small metal table materialized beside us. Bottles, ointments, and a few enchanted instruments arranged themselves into neat order without a single command.
"Hold out your arm."
I couldn't resist.
My heart was still pounding.
He gently took my hand, grasping my wrist.
His fingers were cold, yet his touch was tender.
His brows furrowed slightly as he examined the wound.
"It's not deep," he murmured. "But you wouldn't want it to leave a scar."
He picked up another vial.
As he uncorked it, a sweet, minty fragrance filled the air.
While applying the ointment with his slender fingers, he glanced at me from the corner of his eye.
"Does it hurt?"
I shook my head.
In truth, it was quite the opposite.
Every nerve in my body was celebrating.
Suddenly, he leaned in closer — so close that I could feel his breath brush against my cheek.
"Your heart's racing," he whispered, his tone playful.
"Is it stress? Or… something else?"
I swallowed hard.
Our eyes locked.
That familiar Lucian expression — the one where he seemed to dissect my every thought — was there again.
But I couldn't respond.
Because at that very moment, his palm gently cupped my head, fingers brushing over my temple as he inspected a small scrape on my forehead.
"Just a few more minutes… then you can rest."
Without breaking eye contact, Lucian spoke again:
"So… what were you doing in the cave, Elysia?"
I took a deep breath.
"Garon asked for help," I replied.
"I was gathering some plants. Morning Dew Flowers… While collecting them, I stumbled into the cave. I found the device there by accident. But then… the ground gave way. I didn't notice until I was already falling."
Lucian paused briefly, nodding.
At the mention of that name, his lips curled slightly.
"Garon," he said with a hint of mockery.
"Always finding ways to make others do his work, isn't he?"
The teasing faded from his face, replaced by a heavy seriousness.
His eyes darkened, deep and unreadable.
"Do you remember the last time we saw each other?"
My throat tightened.
Of course I remembered.
The balcony…
After the mission.
That first and only kiss.
Lucian continued, his voice low, barely above a whisper.
"That day, I saw you off.
And you never returned."
His gaze sharpened.
"You never wrote. You never visited. Not even a word."
Silence settled between us, heavy and suffocating.
My chest ached.
I couldn't find the words.
Lucian's eyes locked onto mine.
There was a fragile vulnerability hidden within.
"Was it really that easy for you to forget me, Elysia?"