Knock, knock...

Even though Lucian had the key to her dorm room, he wasn’t the type to walk into a girl’s room without knocking.

The door opened with a slow creak.

Elira stood there, looking at Lucian with groggy eyes while letting out a long yawn. Lucian’s gaze briefly shifted to her attire—she was wearing nothing but a white silk nightgown that barely reached her mid-thighs.

He immediately turned his head away. In a tone of forced neutrality, he muttered:

"Were you sleeping? I guess my timing is off... Never mind, go back to sleep."

Just as he turned to depart, Elira reached out and caught his sleeve, her other hand coming up to rub the sleep from her eyes.

"Where are you going... alone this late?"

"Well, you told me to inform you before leaving. I just came to do that."

"Lucian, that wasn’t an ’inform.’ It was a promise."

"Yeah, it’s basically the same thing..."

A moment of silence passed. Lucian kept his face turned toward the corridor, avoiding her gaze.

"So, are you in?"

Elira let go of his sleeve and gave another long yawn.

"Mm.

Come inside. Give me five minutes to get ready."

"No, you go ahead. I’ll wait out here."

"Come on, we have already kissed."

Lucian turned around.

"Fair point."

He stepped inside.

Elira’s room looked just like any other dorm room. He had expected a princess to have royal furniture — an ornate bed or a grand study table — but everything was modest, just like any other ordinary girl’s.

Lucian’s gaze drifted to the desk in the middle of the room. It was cluttered with normal things: a bowl of candy, some notes, a small bottle of perfume, and a diary. It was locked.

His eyes lingered on the diary. Looking at the size of the lock, Lucian realized instantly — the key he was holding was a perfect fit.

The realization hit him. She hadn’t just given him access to her room; she had given him access to everything.

This girl... He muttered.

A small smile played on his lips.

Lucian turned his gaze back toward her and stopped mid-motion.

She was standing in front of her wardrobe, already pulling off her nightdress to change. She didn’t seem to care in the slightest that Lucian was standing right there. It was obvious she wasn’t wearing anything underneath.

Lucian caught a brief glimpse and immediately looked away, turning his back to her. He didn’t blush; he just had a moment of realization.

Yeah, what did I expect, knowing her? He shook his head. I should be more careful. Next time I’m in this girl’s room, I’ll make sure to stay alert.

"So Darling..."

His thoughts were cut short.

"Yeah... what is it?"

"Where did you get that sword?"

"Oh this? Well, I was thinking of giving it to Sera... you know, She’s been acting strange since that mana class yesterday, and I need to talk to her about both of us as well..."

Elira was busy buttoning her robe. She turned toward him, her face completely unreadable and flat.

"So, you brought that for her."

He nodded.

"Mm-hmm."

"And what about me?"

He went stiff immediately.

Shit.

"Umm... Well, I have something for you too." He reached up and ruffled the back of his hair, a nervous habit.

"Actually, I’ve already planned to buy you something. That’s why I went to the Master’s quarters this morning... with that stone. I can’t tell you what it is yet because I want it to be a surprise."

He lied with perfect composure. It was a smooth, effortless lie — likely a result of his developed brain and the mental discipline from his training.

"So, when are you giving it to me?"

"Soon..."

Elira finished getting ready and fastened her shoulder cape.

"Alright, done. Let’s go."

Lucian turned and gave her a smile. She returned it, and they stepped out, quietly closing the dorm room door behind them.

....

On the other hand, the silence in Sera’s dorm room was far deeper.

Sera was curled up on her bed, her knees tucked against her chest as if she felt small and completely alone. Dressed in her red-striped pajamas, she kept rubbing the corner of her pillow against her lips—a childhood habit that only surfaced when she was extremely stressed.

"Elira..." she whispered to herself. "How did she get so close to him? And I’m just sitting here, watching."

She thought about confronting Lucian, but a wave of shame hit her immediately. The memory of that ’night scene’ was still fresh in her mind.

"What would I even say to him? Lucian... he’s such a dummy. Doesn’t he understand what Elira is doing when she gets that close? Or maybe..." her voice trembled slightly,

"Maybe he actually likes it."

Damn it.

She clenched her fist and slammed it into the pillow with everything she had. Once, twice. She felt like she was suffocating. The frustration was so intense that she hadn’t even been able to focus on her sword practice for the past few days.

Exhausted, she rolled over to face the wall. Her mind drifted back to the Mana Chamber. She remembered how impressive Lucian had looked in front of the whole class... and how she had run out of there crying because she couldn’t handle losing to Elira.

Had he always been this strong? Or did I just never bother to look?

"They look so right together," she sighed.

"A perfect pair. And me? I’m just an angry girl that no one wants to deal with. Why would Lucian ever choose me?"

Then, a dark thought whispered in the back of her mind—Not that it matters anyway. My feelings don’t have a place here. I only have a few years left in me... then it’ll all be over.

The thought left her feeling empty. The room suddenly felt colder. She pulled the blanket higher. Her eyelids were getting heavy, and she was just about to drift off into those messy thoughts when—

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Seraphina bolted upright, her heart hammering against her ribs.

"Sera, it’s me... Lucian."