In the quiet of her room, Ivy stood by the window, watching the breeze ruffle the curtains. The sun had begun to dip, painting the sky with soft hues of amber and violet. Her fingers idly traced the edge of the windowsill as her mind drifted—through the market, the walk, the strange comfort she felt walking beside Lucian, and then... Adrian's words.
"Busy making my niece and nephew, huh?"
Her eyes widened slightly at the memory, and before she could help it, a soft gasp escaped her lips. "That idiot," she whispered, but the corners of her mouth betrayed her—curving into a rare, shy smile.
She stepped away from the window and sat at the edge of the bed, cheeks warming. It was absurd. Completely. She had no reason to let such words affect her, yet the teasing had stirred something unfamiliar. Her heart had raced—not from fear, not from adrenaline—but from something much more dangerous.
She placed a hand over her chest, as if scolding it. "You're getting too soft," she murmured.
But the image of Lucian's calm face, the brief moment their hands had brushed, and the silence that somehow felt full between them... it all played again in her mind.
Ivy groaned softly, covering her face with both hands, fighting off the growing blush.
Adrian was a menace but maybe just maybe he wasn't wrong entirely 😉😉
The evening air in the Reign estate carried a strange calm as Ivy stepped into the dining hall. The soft amber chandelier lights cast a warm glow across the long table, making the space feel less like the fortress it was and more like a home. She wore a simple dark sweater over light jeans and her hair, for once, was down—soft waves falling over her shoulders.
Adrian was already at the table, lounging with a half-filled glass of juice, tapping away on his phone. Lucian sat at the head, dressed in his usual dark shirt, sleeves rolled slightly at the wrist. He was reading over a thin folder, but the moment Ivy entered, he glanced up briefly—then back down, as if nothing had changed.
Adrian looked up and grinned. "Look who finally decided to grace us with her royal presence."
"I was busy," Ivy muttered, taking the seat across from him. "Unlike you."
Lucian closed the file. "We were scheduled for dinner. You're late."
"Two minutes," she replied, pouring herself water. "Relax, Commander."
Adrian leaned on the table. "So… how was your *romantic* stroll to the market?" He wiggled his brows. "Don't tell me you were busy naming my future niece and nephew."
Ivy nearly choked on her water. "Adrian!"
Lucian didn't even blink. "You'll be dining in the servant quarters if you keep talking."
Adrian laughed, unfazed. "You can't scare me. She's the one who'll actually hit me."
The staff began serving the meal. Roasted lamb, vegetables in herb butter, and warm bread filled the air with inviting scents.
"Wow, Chef really went all out tonight," Adrian said, eyeing the spread. "Celebrating something, Ivy?"
Ivy rolled her eyes. "Celebrating how much self-control I've developed by not choking you yet."
Lucian let out a soft sound—barely a chuckle, but enough to make Adrian raise his brows.
"Did Lucian Reign just laugh?" Adrian whispered theatrically. "I should record this. Evidence that he has a soul."
Ivy smiled into her glass.
They ate quietly for a while after that. Ivy caught Lucian glancing at her now and then, as though observing her for signs she wouldn't catch. When their fingers accidentally brushed reaching for the same bowl, Ivy looked up. Their eyes locked. Neither moved for a second.
Adrian, of course, caught it. "Okay. Seriously. I'm just gonna go file for the wedding license now."
"Adrian," Lucian said, sharp and low.
Adrian smirked, standing with his glass. "Alright, alright, I'm leaving. But if you two sneak off tonight, I better not hear any suspicious noises from the east wing."
Ivy flushed and threw a bread roll at him. Lucian didn't look up again, but his voice followed Adrian as he exited:
"Lock your door."
Adrian's laugh echoed down the hallway. Ivy exhaled quietly, stealing one more glance at Lucian.
Dinner at the Reign estate, she thought, was becoming dangerously comfortable