Eighteen

Lucien slowly opened his eyes.

Lyra’s anxious face came into view as she called his name again and again, her voice tight with worry.

The moment he focused on her properly, she let out a breath of relief.

“Are you okay? Did you have a nightmare? Are you in pain anywhere?” she asked, one question after another.

He blinked slowly, still dazed, trying to catch up with reality.

Her face was close. Too close.

Her hair was messy, her expression tense, and her eyes filled with something he had never seen before when she looked at him.

Worry.

For him.

He felt something shift in his chest.

If it was not for her voice, he would have stayed trapped in that darkness.

He lifted his trembling hand and gently touched her face. His fingers were cold against her warm skin.

“Lyra…” he whispered, his voice hoarse.

She shivered slightly at his touch.

Hearing her name from his lips like that… soft, careful, almost afraid… it felt strangely intimate.

Before he could say anything else, she suddenly pulled him into a hug.

He froze for a second.

Then slowly, he wrapped his arms around her.

His grip tightened.

This time, he did not hesitate.

His thoughts became clear.

I am not the king consort anymore.

I am not bound to that past.

I am Lucien Crossel now.

And she… is my wife.

He closed his eyes and held her a little tighter.

If this was his new life, then he would accept it.

Lyra felt him hug her back, and a small smile appeared on her lips. She gently patted his back, as if reassuring him.

For the first time, being this close to him felt natural.

Not forced. Not awkward.

Right.

After a while, Lucien pulled away.

He looked at her, hesitant.

“Lyra… I… got my memories back.”

She stilled.

Her expression changed, but she did not interrupt him.

“I know we agreed to divorce once my memories returned…”

“You want to divorce me?” she cut in, her voice suddenly cold, but there was something else beneath it. Something uneasy.

Lucien quickly shook his head.

“I don’t want to.”

He held her gaze, his voice steady but soft.

“I don’t want a divorce. But I know what we decided before. And I know… I wasn’t a good husband.”

He paused, choosing his words carefully.

“I embarrassed you. I acted without thinking. I made things worse between us. I understand why you wanted to leave.”

His fingers tightened slightly against the bedsheet.

“But I am not the same anymore.”

His voice dropped.

“After everything that happened… I have changed. And after talking to you… I realized I misunderstood you too.”

He took a slow breath.

“Lyra, I want to start again.”

There was no hesitation in his eyes now.

“I want to try. Properly this time. Before we decide to end this… I want us to give this marriage a real chance.”

Then, more quietly, almost like he was bracing himself:

“If you don’t want that, I’ll sign the divorce papers immediately. I won’t force you. I won’t make things difficult again.”

He looked straight at her.

“I don’t want a one-sided relationship anymore.”

Silence filled the room.

Lyra said nothing.

She just looked at him.

Lucien’s chest tightened.

He opened his mouth again.

“Lyra, why—”

She leaned forward and kissed him.

His words disappeared.

His eyes widened in shock.

He could see her eyelashes so clearly. Feel her breath. Feel her lips.

His entire body tensed.

Lyra pulled back slightly, opening her eyes just enough to look at him.

“Close your eyes,” she said softly. “You look scary like that.”

He blinked, then slowly closed his eyes.

This time, he didn’t resist.

Instead, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer.

The hesitation inside him began to fade.

He let himself feel it.

After a while, Lyra broke the kiss.

They were both breathing slightly heavier.

She looked straight into his eyes.

“Now do you understand?”

He frowned slightly, confused.

She chuckled, then lightly flicked his forehead.

“Idiot.”

A small smile played on her lips.

“I’m Lyra Dallas. I don’t kiss people for no reason.”

Her gaze softened.

“My kiss means something.”

She held his eyes firmly.

“It’s my answer.”

Lucien went still.

“I want to try too,” she continued. “I don’t know if it’s love yet… but something changed when you woke up.”

Her voice became quieter.

“I used to feel nothing. But now… I feel something when I’m with you.”

She didn’t look away.

“And I want to see where it leads.”

A faint smile appeared on her face.

“This is our new start.”

Lucien stared at her.

Then slowly… a genuine smile formed on his lips.

For the first time since coming into this world, it felt real.

A new life.

A new beginning.

And this time… he would not waste it.