The realization made her cheeks burn, the heat spreading all the way to her ears. Why didn’t I notice this before? she thought, feeling flustered. Her gaze flickered to his lips full, soft, and slightly parted as he spoke again.
“Are you alright?” Lucian repeated, his voice tinged with concern.
Rose couldn’t bring herself to respond. Her thoughts were a whirlwind, and she couldn’t tear her eyes away from him.
“It’s alright,” Lucian said, his voice as gentle as a caress. “Everything is alright now. Don’t worry too much.”
He leaned forward slightly, his face coming closer to hers.
Rose’s heart stopped. Wait, wait, wait what is he doing? she screamed internally, her mind racing. His face was close enough now that she could see the faintest curve of his jawline, the softness of his eyelashes, and the depth in his eyes.
Her breath grew heavier as her gaze fell to his lips again. They look so… red. So perfect.
Should I… should I kiss him? The thought burst into her mind, unbidden and wild. If it’s Lucian… maybe I should. I have so much to repay him for. I could give him my body, right? Yes… yes, that’s it. It’s just repayment.
Her heart pounded louder. Wait… but I’m his sister.
Step-sister, she corrected herself quickly, as if it made any difference. That’s fine, isn’t it?
But before her thoughts could spiral further, Lucian gently tilted his head up, his lips brushing against her forehead instead.
Rose froze.
The warmth of his kiss lingered on her skin as his soft, calm voice broke through the haze in her mind. “I love you too, Rose,” he whispered. “Don’t worry. I won’t do something like that… I really won’t (that suicide thing).”
His words were sincere, but in his mind, a quieter, darker thought stirred. At least… not for now, he told himself, though he pushed it aside quickly.
Suddenly, a loud, blaring voice echoed in his head. HOST!
Lucian flinched slightly, startled by the intrusion, but he quickly ignored it, his focus entirely on Rose.
“Just don’t worry too much, okay?” he said gently, his voice steady as he brought his hand up to stroke her hair.
Rose blinked up at him, her thoughts scattering as the warmth of his touch melted the tension in her body. Her face flushed deeper, but this time, it wasn’t just embarrassment.
Lucian’s words, his actions, his gentleness they were all too much. She didn’t deserve this, and yet, she couldn’t help but lean into it.
As Lucian continued to pat her head softly, she let out a quiet sigh, her heart settling into a rhythm that matched his calming touch.
For now, Rose let herself remain in the quiet warmth of Lucian’s embrace, her racing heart finally beginning to settle. The moment felt fragile, precious a fleeting oasis of calm after the storm of emotions she had just unleashed.
But then
“Cough… cough.”
The sound of Olivia clearing her throat broke through the silence, soft yet deliberate.
Rose flinched slightly, her body stiffening against Lucian’s chest. Slowly, she pulled away, her movements hesitant as embarrassment began to creep in. Her cheeks were still red, her tear-streaked face a clear reminder of the vulnerability she had shown moments ago.
“Cough… cough…” Olivia cleared her throat again, her gaze shifting between them with an unreadable expression.
Rose straightened her posture quickly, her shoulders pulling back as she attempted to summon her usual cold, prideful demeanor. It wasn’t easy not with her face still flushed and her emotions still raw but she tried, her lips pressing into a thin line.
Lucian glanced at her, catching the way her hands fidgeted slightly at her sides despite the aloof expression she was trying to wear. A small, knowing smile tugged at his lips, but he didn’t say anything.
“Are you both alright?” Olivia asked finally, breaking the silence. Her voice was calm, but there was a faint edge of concern underlying her words.
“Yes, Mother,” they answered in unison, their voices overlapping slightly.
Olivia’s lips curved into a relieved smile. “Good,” she said simply, her eyes softening as she looked at them. The sight of her children together, safe brought a quiet warmth to her chest.
But then, her gaze shifted to Rose, and her smile gained a teasing edge. “Though, Rose… perhaps next time, you could restrain yourself a little?” she added, her tone light but pointed.
Rose blinked, confusion flickering across her face. Restrained? Was Olivia talking about her emotional outburst? Or… her embarrassing proximity to Lucian just now? Rose couldn’t tell. She cast a quick glance at Lucian, who seemed oblivious or perhaps he was choosing to act that way.
Did Mother notice…? Did she cough to… cover it up? Rose’s cheeks grew warmer at the thought, her composure threatening to slip again.
Lucian, meanwhile, scratched his cheek absentmindedly. It wasn’t hard for him to guess what Olivia’s comment was about the slap.
Rose, perhaps taking the chance to redirect the conversation or maybe truly feeling guilty spoke up. “Oh… sorry about the slap, Lucy,” she said, her voice steady but softer than usual. Her gaze met his briefly before darting away again. “I didn’t mean to. It just… it just happened.”
Lucian blinked, surprised by her sudden apology, especially given her usual pride. Before he could respond, Rose’s expression shifted back into the familiar cold mask she wore so well. “If you want to slap me back, you can,” she added bluntly, her tone flat and serious, though the slight hesitation in her voice betrayed her inner turmoil.
For a moment, the room was silent. Then
“Pfft.”
A soft giggle escaped Lucian’s lips, quickly turning into quiet laughter.
Rose’s eyes widened slightly as she stared at him, taken aback.
Lucian raised a hand, shaking his head lightly as he chuckled. “No, no,” he said, his voice warm and amused. “It’s alright, really. I didn’t mind. You don’t need to worry about it.”
Rose’s lips parted slightly, as though she wanted to say something, but she stopped herself. Instead, her shoulders relaxed ever so slightly, and she let out a quiet breath one she hadn’t even realized she was holding.
Inside, she felt a flicker of relief. She had been worried about the slap, more than she wanted to admit. She hadn’t meant to hurt him she never could but in the heat of the moment, it had just… happened. And yet, here he was, brushing it off as if it were nothing.
“Sorry,” she murmured again, her voice quieter this time.
Lucian smiled, the warmth in his eyes unmistakable. “I said it’s alright,” he said gently, his tone laced with a soft chuckle. “Really, Rose. Don’t worry about it.”
Rose looked at him for a moment longer before nodding slightly. She turned her head away, pretending to inspect the room, though the faint redness still lingering on her cheeks gave her away.
Olivia watched the exchange quietly, her heart swelling with pride. Lucian’s gentle nature and Rose’s unspoken vulnerability it was a side of her children she rarely saw, and it filled her with a quiet, bittersweet warmth.
For now, she chose to say nothing, letting the peace settle over them.
—