Twenty

Lucien fell into a deep sleep, exhausted from the medication and weakness.

His black curls spread across the pillow, contrasting against his pale skin that seemed to glow softly under the faint light coming through the window.

He lay partially over Lyra, his head resting against her chest, his breathing slow and steady.

But Lyra was wide awake.

She had been waiting for this moment.

Turning her head slightly, she looked down at him, feeling the calm rhythm of his breathing. Once she was sure he was deeply asleep, she softly called,

“Lucien…”

He didn’t respond.

A faint, knowing smile appeared on her lips.

Her fingers moved gently into his curls, slowly stroking his hair as she admired his face.

Was he always this handsome?

How did I never notice before?

Her hand slipped from his hair, and she hesitated before reaching for his face.

Just then, he shifted in his sleep.

She froze.

Lucien turned slightly, now facing her directly, their faces suddenly very close.

Too close.

Lyra’s breath hitched.

She could feel his warm breath brushing against her skin. Her gaze dropped to his lips, and she swallowed unconsciously.

She still remembered how they felt.

Soft. Warm.

Without thinking further, she leaned in and pressed her lips gently against his.

The kiss was light, careful.

She didn’t dare deepen it, afraid of waking him.

Still, the moment their lips touched, a wave of heat spread through her body.

Lucien let out a faint sound in his sleep.

Lyra immediately pulled back, startled.

Her eyes widened as she watched him closely.

But he didn’t wake up.

He simply shifted slightly, still deep in sleep.

She exhaled softly, a little surprised… and a little relieved.

For a brief moment, temptation rose again.

She almost wanted to wake him.

It had been a long time since she had felt this way.

But she stopped herself.

Not now.

He’s still weak.

And… he wouldn’t agree anyway.

With a quiet sigh, she leaned forward again and placed a soft kiss on the tip of his nose.

Then she pulled back, though reluctance lingered in her eyes.

Her gaze softened as she looked at him.

Then, slowly, a sly smile appeared on her lips.

She shifted closer under the blanket, stretching her leg until her toes brushed lightly against his.

Her hand followed, resting on his torso.

Slowly, curiously, she traced the outline of his body over the thin fabric of his pajamas.

Her fingers moved from his chest to his shoulder, then to his back, feeling the firmness beneath.

He had been changed into clean clothes earlier, and the simple fabric did little to hide the shape of his body.

Her hand paused.

Then, slowly, she slipped it beneath his shirt.

The moment her fingers touched his warm skin, Lucien shuddered slightly from the sudden contrast.

Lyra froze instantly.

Lucien let out a quiet groan and instinctively moved closer, burying his face against her neck.

Her breath caught.

He was too close.

Way too close.

She could barely think.

But he still didn’t wake up.

His eyelids remained shut, his breathing heavy with sleep.

Lyra let out a quiet breath, her lips curving slightly.

He really is clueless.

Carefully, she continued, her touch lighter now.

Her fingers traced his back, then moved up to his face, brushing over his cheek, his nose… and finally stopping at his lips.

She lingered there for a moment.

Then slowly withdrew her hand.

Enough.

If she went any further, she might lose control.

Her body already felt too warm, too aware.

She shifted slightly, trying to calm herself, then looked at his peaceful sleeping face.

A soft laugh escaped her.

“How can you sleep through all this…” she murmured.

Then her expression changed slightly.

I need to be careful…

He won’t even notice if someone takes advantage of him like this.

Her gaze softened again.

He really is too naive.

With that thought, she pulled him closer and finally closed her eyes, trying to sleep.

…

Morning came quietly.

Lucien stirred first.

He didn’t open his eyes immediately, but he felt something was off.

Something warm… and soft… pressed against him.

His body felt stiff.

Slowly, he opened his eyes.

And froze.

Right in front of him was Lyra’s chest, partially revealed through the slightly open buttons of her shirt.

His mind went blank.

He swallowed.

They were… very close.

Too close.

He could feel her warmth, her breath, her presence everywhere.

Then it hit him.

They had been hugging all night.

His face heated instantly.

He glanced at her sleeping face, bathed in the soft morning light. She looked peaceful… beautiful.

For a second, he forgot to move.

Then he suddenly became aware of himself.

His expression changed.

Without thinking, he quickly pulled away and almost jumped out of the bed.

His heart was racing.

Calm down.

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.

Lyra stirred slightly, letting out a soft sound.

Lucien paused.

Then, gently, he picked up a pillow and placed it in her arms.

She instinctively hugged it and settled back into sleep.

He couldn’t help but smile.

She looked… comfortable.

Happy, even.

Maybe… things really are changing.

With that thought, he quietly headed to the bathroom.

After a shower, he came out wearing a grey shirt and black trousers, a towel draped over his head.

He removed it and began drying his hair with a hair dryer, the sound filling the quiet room.

The noise stirred Lyra awake.

She turned slightly, still half-asleep, and reached out beside her.

Empty.

Her eyes opened immediately.

She sat up, confused.

Then she heard the sound.

Turning her head, she saw Lucien standing by the vanity, drying his hair.

Her gaze lingered.

His curls moved slightly with the air, his face fresh from the shower, his appearance clean and effortless.

He looked… different.

Better.

Then she noticed his shirt.

It was one she had picked for him.

A small smile formed on her lips.

When Lucien noticed her staring through the mirror, he chuckled.

“Stop staring,” he said lightly. “I’m going downstairs to make breakfast. Go freshen up. We’ll eat together.”

Lyra blinked.

“Since when do you cook?”

Lucien met her gaze in the mirror.

“There are things you don’t know about me, Lyra.”

Her eyes lit up.

She got out of bed and walked straight to him, wrapping her arms around him from behind.

Resting her head against his neck, she said softly,

“Okay… my highness.”

Lucien froze.

That word.

For a brief moment, something dark flickered in his eyes.

Lyra noticed immediately.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

He shook his head slightly.

“Nothing,” he said calmly. “Go take your shower.”

She studied him for a second, then nodded and walked into the bathroom.

Lucien stood there for a moment longer.

Then he exhaled quietly and turned away, heading downstairs.