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CHAPTER 52

Author: Wummie
last update Last Updated: 2025-08-29 02:19:20

LUCIAN

Evelara always smells like cold flowers, expensive, brittle things that die in a vase before you ever get to enjoy them. I catch her slipping out of one of the side corridors after dinner, no doubt fresh from whispering poison into someone’s ear.

“Evelara,” I call smoothly, letting my voice carry just enough to halt her in her tracks.

She glances over her shoulder, eyes narrowing. “Lucian. What a surprise. Shouldn’t you be entertaining someone more… appropriate?”

I smile, but there’s no warmth in it. “We need to talk.”

Her painted lips curve upward. “Finally decided to take me seriously?”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” I say lightly, stepping closer. “This isn’t about you. It’s about Amaya.”

The name alone is enough to make her face tighten before she smooths it over again. “Ah. The little rogue. What about her?”

I let the playfulness fall from my voice, layer by layer, until only the steel remains. “Stay away from her.”

A sharp laugh escapes her. “Oh, Lucian. You’re cute when you’r
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