~Arrival at the Market District ~Early Evening*
The sleek black car rolled to a quiet stop just outside the buzzing old-market district on the outskirts of the city. Adrian had insisted on a strange snack, and with Lucian's reluctant agreement, Ivy found herself walking beside him through narrow, crowded lanes lit with dim yellow lights and flashing vendor signs.
The market was a blend of old-world color and underground dealings—spices, neon signage, synthetic fabric stalls, all packed into winding paths and curious gazes.
Lucian walked beside her, a calm, impenetrable shadow, while Ivy—dressed in a long hoodie, joggers, and white slippers—blended easily with the crowd, her posture alert but relaxed.
Just as they were about to cross into the inner district, a small, wiry boy bumped into Ivy's side. Her hand reflexively tightened around her pocket—empty.
Before she could react, Lucian had already caught the boy by the collar, hoisting him just slightly off the ground with quiet fury.
The boy wriggled, struggling.
Ivy raised a brow, then stepped forward. "Put him down."
Lucian's grip didn't loosen immediately.
"I said, put him down," she repeated, her voice calm but firm.
Lucian slowly released the boy. Ivy fished her wallet from the kid's sleeve, checked the contents, and crouched to the boy's level. "Next time, try asking."
She handed him a few bills. The boy stared at her in disbelief before sprinting off.
Lucian watched the exchange with narrowed eyes. "You're too soft."
"No," she murmured, slipping her wallet back. "I'm just familiar with hunger."
Lucian didn't reply—but the moment lingered.
As they moved deeper into the market, Ivy paused at a nondescript tech booth tucked in the corner of an alley.
Her eyes immediately landed on a small, dusty gadget. Not because of what it was—but because of what was scratched faintly on its bottom:
*-4vY_You're being watched-*
She froze.
Lucian, who had stopped beside her, noticed her expression change.
"You saw something," he said, voice low.
Her hand brushed the etching again, confirming the code format. "Yes. But it's not something I can ignore."
Lucian studied her carefully.
She exhaled slowly. "That scratch—it's a code. Something my father's network uses. It means surveillance has already been placed. Not by you. Not by your people."
Lucian's gaze sharpened. "He's watching you already?"
"He never stopped."
Lucian's hand casually reached into his coat as if adjusting a button, but she knew he was signaling Victor through the earpiece.
Ivy stepped away from the booth and started walking. Lucian followed.
"What does it mean?" he asked.
She glanced at him. "It means we're not the only ones planning a move."
They were just two turns away from the food stall Adrian had begged them to find when the entire market *plunged into darkness*.
Power down.
People froze mid-transaction. Kids screamed. Vendors cursed. Emergency lights failed to activate.
Guards immediately moved to secure gates. Ivy instinctively backed into a side alley. Lucian was right behind her, covering her with practiced ease.
She leaned into the cool brick wall, trying to control her breath. The shadows crept in fast—too fast. A slight panic surged in her chest as memories blurred with reality.
Lucian stepped closer, his presence calm but piercing. His hand hovered near her arm but didn't touch.
"Ivy."
She shook her head slightly. "I'm fine. It's just... I saw a code. From Blackwood's net. Then the blackout. It felt too clean."
He leaned a bit closer. "Breathe."
"I am," she said, voice trembling faintly.
"I know fear when I see it."
She looked at him then—direct, vulnerable. "It's not fear. It's memory."
His jaw clenched slightly, but there was no mockery in his gaze. Only sharp understanding.
The air between them thickened with something unspoken. He was close now—too close—and yet didn't touch her.
She murmured, "I don't usually freeze."
"You didn't."
Their eyes locked.
His hand, just inches away, finally settled lightly on her arm. A simple, grounding touch—but it struck her harder than expected. Her body calmed. Her breath deepened. Something shifted in her chest, quietly.
Her voice was soft now. "Thanks."
Just as his fingers grazed hers gently, the lights flickered back on. The power returned. Noise roared back to life.
Footsteps approached. One of Lucian's guards appeared around the corner. "Sir, false alarm. Glitch in grid sync."
Lucian stepped back. "Understood."
But the shift between them lingered—warmth beneath the tension, silence in place of words.
They returned to the crowd, but the market no longer felt the same.
Adrian was pacing near the front door when Ivy and Lucian finally returned. His grin widened as soon as he spotted them.
"About time you two got back," Adrian said, folding his arms with a teasing smirk. "I was starting to think you got lost or something."
Ivy rolled her eyes but smiled softly. "We took the scenic route. You know, enjoying the city."
Lucian said nothing, his gaze steady and calm as always.
Adrian chuckled, stepping closer to Ivy. "So, sis, did you teach him any fighting moves? Or was it all talk and no action?"
Ivy shot a quick glance at Lucian, who didn't flinch, then shrugged. "Maybe a little. But I think he's a quick learner."
"Hmm," Adrian mused, eyes gleaming. "Sounds like you two had a busy afternoon. Busy making my niece and nephew, huh?"
At this, Ivy's face flushed a deep shade of pink. She quickly looked away and started up the stairs.
"Hey, don't leave me hanging!" Adrian called after her with a laugh.
Lucian, unfazed by the teasing, headed straight to the study. The door shut quietly behind him, leaving the playful banter lingering in the air.