nine

When Lyra was waiting in the living room, Lucien finally came downstairs.

He was wearing a light blue shirt paired with black jeans and white boots.

It had taken him a long time to find something like this in the wardrobe.

The outfit was simple, but on him, it looked striking.

His black hair framed his face, and his skin seemed to glow naturally. Without any effort, he looked like someone straight out of a fashion magazine.

He was tall, well built, and perfectly proportioned. When he smiled, faint dimples appeared, softening his sharp features.

For a moment, Lyra was caught off guard.

She was not used to seeing him like this.

Before, he always dressed in flashy, exaggerated styles, even at home. But now, dressed simply, he looked calmer, more refined.

Her eyes stayed on him as he walked down.

Meanwhile, Lucien was struggling.

The boots felt stiff and uncomfortable.

How did he even walk in these?

He had wanted something simple, but this was the best he could find.

He had practiced walking in them before coming down, but the stairs made it worse.

He held onto the railing and stepped carefully, his movements slightly awkward.

Lyra raised a brow.

He wears these every day. Why is he walking like he has never used them before?

Does amnesia make someone forget how to walk too?

When he finally reached the bottom, he let out a quiet breath of relief.

He walked toward her.

Lyra was still staring at him.

“Lyra?” he called.

She snapped out of it.

“What?” she said quickly.

She had been watching him the entire time without realizing it.

His clumsy steps had looked strangely… endearing.

Feeling awkward, she straightened her expression.

“What are you doing? Can’t you move faster?” she said coldly. “Do you think you’re some prince, making people wait? Do you know how valuable my time is? I don’t have time to waste on you.”

Lucien stared at her, slightly stunned.

What did I even do?

He had not asked her to come with him. She was the one who insisted.

He exhaled quietly and chose not to argue.

There was no point.

Lyra turned and walked ahead.

“Let’s go.”

Lucien watched her for a moment.

Then his gaze dropped to her heels.

How is she walking so easily in those?

He shook his head and followed her, still adjusting to his boots.

They got into the car.

Lucien sat by the window, his attention immediately drawn outside.

The moving vehicles, the tall buildings, the endless activity, everything fascinated him.

From time to time, he let out soft sounds of surprise.

Lyra glanced at him occasionally.

What is he doing?

She said nothing.

…

After some time, they arrived at a mall.

Lucien stepped out and looked up.

The building was enormous.

He had to tilt his head back to see the top.

His lips parted slightly in amazement.

When Lyra turned, she saw him still standing there, staring.

For a brief moment, she found it… amusing.

Even a little cute.

She quickly suppressed the thought.

“What are you doing? Come here. Don’t waste my time.”

Lucien frowned but followed her inside.

The moment he entered, his eyes widened again.

The space was vast, filled with shops and strange devices.

He had seen the elevator in the hospital, but he was still uneasy around it.

When they stepped inside, he stayed close.

The elevator was empty at first, but just before it moved, another woman entered.

Lyra stood behind, focused on her phone.

Lucien stood in front, observing everything with interest.

The elevator began to move.

He stiffened.

The sudden motion made him lose balance.

Instinctively, he reached out and grabbed the arm of the woman beside him.

She looked surprised, then smiled gently.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

Before he could respond, Lyra looked up.

Her expression darkened instantly.

She stepped forward, grabbed his arm, and pulled him back.

Lucien stumbled, his back hitting the wall of the elevator.

He blinked, confused.

“Can’t you stand properly?” she said coldly.

He frowned slightly.

It wasn’t even his fault.

Lyra then turned to the woman.

“Thank you for helping my husband,” she said. “I apologize if he bothered you.”

Her tone was polite, but the meaning was clear.

The woman froze for a second, then quickly nodded.

When the elevator stopped, she stepped out without another word.

Lucien watched the whole exchange quietly.

She called me her husband.

But does she even treat me like one?

When the elevator reached their floor, he followed Lyra into a large clothing store.

It was filled with men’s clothing.

Most shops were still closed at this hour, but this one was open.

Lucien looked around, surprised.

The clothes here were simple, elegant, and not overly flashy.

He found them much more agreeable.

A staff member glanced at him, clearly impressed by his appearance despite his plain outfit.

The manager approached Lyra respectfully.

She pointed at several outfits without hesitation.

“This one. That one. And those. Pack them all in his size.”

Lucien looked at her, slightly surprised.

So she brought me here to buy clothes.

He had not expected that.

A faint smile appeared on his lips.