Alina came out from under the table.
The cloth moved quietly as Lucian crawled out too. His small, wet shoes made soft sounds on the damp floor. His eyes usually cold and hard like his father's now looked different. Uncertain. He didn't look at Alina or anyone at first. Instead, he took small, careful steps, like a boy who didn't know how to handle his own emotions.
Dante watched.
For a moment, his eyes darkened with hidden emotion. Then just as Lucian reached Alina's side something changed.
His red eyes, usually as cold as ice, flickered with a faint warmth. His lips parted slightly, not to speak, but as if he'd forgotten to breathe. The sharp edges of his face, always so stern, softened just a little.
It made him even more beautiful.
That frightening, unreadable face… now held something gentle. Something almost like a father's love.
Behind him, the door opened. Staff members hurried in, summoned by Dante earlier and began cleaning up the water.
