Lucian and Natty stepped out of the casino with light steps, although the atmosphere inside was still heavy after the incident. Lucian looked around him, assessing the dark and silent streets, lit only by the dim moonlight. There was a feeling of anxiety in his heart, but he tried to remain calm, not wanting to show his hesitation.
Natty walked behind him, watching every movement around them. Although she was more inclined to act according to Lucian's orders, the tension that had just occurred disturbed her mind a little. She knew very well how dangerous it would be if they stayed too long in a place that could attract the attention of more people, especially with the chaos that had just been created.
"Oh, I thought so. The noble family's horses are well-trained," Lucian said with a satisfied tone, his eyes looking at the gleaming black horse parked beside them. The horse stood straight, looking so calm despite the many people passing around.
He walked up to the horse with light steps, then stroked its back gently. "Child, good. I'll feed you tomorrow," Lucian said with a small smile, feeling the bond between himself and the horse. "So how about going back to the mansion now?"
The horse twitched its ears, responding to Lucian's touch, and raised its head slightly, as if it understood what was coming next. His breathing sounded soft, and his tail swayed lightly. Lucian laughed softly at the horse's reaction. "Very good~," he said with a satisfied smile.
Without hesitation, Lucian climbed onto the horse deftly, his body moving smoothly with the horse's well-trained movements. After sitting firmly, he extended his hand towards Natty. "Come," he invited in a calm yet authoritative tone, his eyes looking at Natty with a hint of challenge and trust.
Natty was silent for a moment, her eyes pondered for a moment. "Is Young Master Lucian, really this kind of person?" she murmured, a little confused by Lucian's attitude that seemed much more calm and calculating. "Didn't the seniors say he had a bad personality, but the current . he..." she thought, trying to make sense of the change.
"It's true that you shouldn't believe rumors," Natty continued silently, feeling that there was another side to Lucian that she was just starting to get to know. Perhaps that was why he felt more appreciated, even in tense situations.
Suddenly, Lucian noticed the silence around him and called out softly, "Natty?"
Natty gasped, waking up from her reverie. "Ah, I'm coming!" she replied quickly, then with some hesitation, she stepped forward to the horse's side. Lucian immediately extended his hand to help her onto the horse's back. Natty held Lucian's hand carefully, a little confused but very appreciative of the small favor.
Lucian pulled Natty's hand carefully, helping him get on with ease. After Natty sat behind him, Lucian observed a small change in him, but he did not show it.
"Is it me or has her nature changed a bit?" he thought curiously, sensing a different aura between the two of them-perhaps calmer, bolder.
Once Natty was comfortably seated behind him, Lucian tugged gently on the horse's reins, gesturing for it to start moving.
"To the mansion," he commanded briefly, and the horse immediately took a steady step, leading them home with an increasingly quiet yet serene pace.
The ride that night was different, not only because of the quietness of the streets, but also because there was a subtle change in the dynamic between Lucian and Natty. The presence of the two of them on the horse, in the silence of the night, created a sense of serenity, as if their journey had just begun in a different way.
Upon arriving at the Hale mansion, the horse's steps slowed down, signaling that they had arrived at their destination. Lucian had deliberately chosen a different path from the main gate, choosing to enter through another gate. The horse stopped quietly in front of the gate he was aiming for, and Lucian dismounted deftly, leading the horse towards the parking lot. Natty followed nimbly, immediately jumping down and helping to stabilize the horse's position so that it would not be disturbed.
Lucian then patted the horse's neck gently, the horse seemed to enjoy it, then handed it over to one of the guard maids on duty that night. Without saying much, the servant immediately led the horse to the stable, while Lucian and Natty walked towards the entrance of the mansion.
The cold night air slowly turned into warmth once they crossed the threshold of the mansion. Lucian then took off the cloak he had been wearing before and hung it on his arm. He then looked at Natty, the girl immediately stood stiffly at this moment.
"Thank you for today, Natty." He said, then took out a check for the money he won from the previous game, and handed it to the maid.
"This is my compensation for renting your time," he said as he handed her a sizable pile of money.
"But Young Master, this..." Natty looked hesitant, her hands looking confused, trying to hold back the offer even though she could not escape Lucian's stern eyes.
Lucian raised one eyebrow, his lips turned up slightly as if to convey a subtle pressure.
"Take it. It's not a gift, it's pay. You've worked beyond your duty hours today, and I hate being in debt," he said in a voice that sounded like a request, firm but not pushy.
He then coughed a little, his eyes closed for a moment as if he was enduring the fatigue that only set in after everything was done. His voice dropped a little, but was still clearly audible amidst the silence between them.
"Anyway, I know you're working to send your brother to school, right? Just accept it."
"But-...." Natty looked confused, a little surprised by the attention Lucian was giving her, but she still felt bad about accepting the gift.
"I don't need rejection." Lucian said in a firmer tone, his eyes remaining sharp and calm.
"Ak~ it's been a long day, I think I should drink some of Pavel's chamomile tea to calm down." She stretched her body, touching her back with one hand as if feeling the tension begin to dissipate.
"Then I'll go first, go back to your room," he continued, finishing the short conversation with a quiet step. He started walking away from Natty towards his room.
"Young master..." Natty could only whisper softly, looking at Lucian who had begun to move away, mixed feelings within her. "From now on, I will serve you," she said then, almost like an irrevocable decision, her eyes full of determination and deep respect.
Lucian didn't look away, but his pace slowed slightly. Although he did not respond directly, the corners of his lips lifted softly, a faint smile barely visible in the dim evening light of the mansion. He did not need an answer. Natty's words were more than enough.
Upon arriving upstairs, the sound of his loafers echoed softly along the marble floor. The corridor was dimly lit only by the softly flickering magic lamp. The window blinds swayed slightly due to the night breeze that slipped in from a crack of unknown origin. The air felt colder than usual.
Lucian finally arrived at the door to his room and raised his hand to open the doorknob. However, before he could touch it, his shoulders stiffened. An uneasy feeling crept up the nape of his neck, as if there was a cold gaze watching from the shadows.
"...Young...Master..."
The heavy, raspy voice echoed slowly from behind him, almost like a whisper from another world. The sound was low, but it was enough to freeze the air around him. The chime of the wall clock at the end of the corridor seemed to stop ticking for a moment.
Lucian gasped reflexively, his body stiffening as he turned to see Pavel in front of him now, half of his body immersed in shadow. His eyes were sharp, his face expressionless, and the dim light made his silhouette appear taller and more intimidating than usual.
"Yo, Pavel," Lucian said after taking a breath and returning his expression to a relaxed one. A small smile lifted the corners of his lips.
"What is this, you're still awake? Isn't it bad at your age to snooze?" he continued in a voice that sounded joking.
"Who do you think it's because of...?!" Pavel's voice rose slightly, but not out of anger, but out of obvious concern. He stepped closer to Lucian who made himself even more obvious under the magical lights that illuminated the hallway of the mansion.
"First, I'm surprised you said you were going to the capital," he said as he stood up straight in front of Lucian. His voice sounded like that of a father who finds his son desperate to leave home without saying goodbye.
He sighed loudly, then continued, "And secondly, you're back at the mansion this late! What if something bad happens to you?!"
Lucian was silent for a moment, he looked at Pavel who was shaking with anxiety from him. Then, the corners of his lips lifted softly.
"Gosh, if I'd known you'd greet me like this, Pavel... I might have come home even later tomorrow," he said in a voice that sounded seductive, almost like a joke that could only come from someone who knew the limits of the other person's anger.
He leaned lightly against the door frame, then looked at Pavel as if he was innocent. Pavel just let out a long sigh, his hand touched his forehead and his head shook slowly as if he didn't understand what was going through his young master's mind right now.
"Young master..." Pavel shook his head softly, his voice heavy and filled with suppressed fatigue. "I will tolerate it this time, and also... You returned safely, perhaps that is something to be thankful for."
He looked at Lucian with a meaningful look, as if he wanted to say many things while holding back. "But next time, at least tell me, I won't worry like this if you tell me beforehand."
"Alright alright..." Lucian chuckled softly, he then looked at Pavel with a smirk. "That is if I remember it."
"Young Master!!!" Pavel exclaimed, frustration mixed with worry in his voice. His shoulders rose, his right hand clenched at his side, but he did not continue his tirade. His eyes stared at Lucian intently, containing annoyance... yet also a relief that couldn't be hidden.
Lucian just chuckled and turned his body to open the door to the room. His hand hung on the doorknob for a moment, before slowly lowering it back down, for a moment the world was silent.
For him, this was the first time he had ever felt the warmth of someone who truly cared about him. He didn't say thank you. There was no need. But the corners of her lips lifted slightly, not out of mockery, but out of gratitude that she could not express in words. But his steps halted as Pavel spoke again, his voice softer now, like he was holding something deeper.
"Wait, Young Master." Pavel stepped closer, seemingly unwilling to let Lucian leave so easily. His voice sounded more serious, like he had something to say.
"I actually have something to say."
"Hmmm?" Lucian paused for a moment and turned his head, his expression remaining calm despite being curious about what Pavel was going to say.
"In a few days, the Great Master will return to the mansion," Pavel said in a heavier tone, giving quite shocking information.