Lucavion’s head tilted slightly at the sound of the unfamiliar voice, his smirk returning as his eyes flicked toward the source. Standing near the doorway was a woman who appeared to be slightly middle-aged, her graceful demeanor complemented by a serene smile. Her dark hair was swept back in a neat bun, and she wore a fitted healer’s robe that exuded both professionalism and elegance.
“Well, aren’t you a sight,” Lucavion remarked, his voice carrying a teasing edge. His eyes flicked over her once, casually appraising. “Quite a beauty.”
The woman raised an eyebrow, but her smile widened, carrying a warmth that was both genuine and playful. “Ah, thank you,” she said, her tone calm and steady as she stepped closer. “Though I must say, you have quite the silver tongue for someone barely holding onto their strength.”
Her graceful response made him chuckle softly. “It’s a talent. Can’t let a little exhaustion ruin the charm.”
The woman let out a soft laugh, shaking her head lightly. “You’re as charming as you are reckless, it seems,” she said, her tone carrying a note of amusement. “But I’ll take the compliment regardless. It’s not every day one gets praised by the infamous Sword Demon.”
Lucavion’s smirk deepened at her words, but before he could reply, Vitaliara’s voice rang out in his mind, cutting through the moment.
[That’s her, you know,] she said, her tone carrying a peculiar edge he couldn’t quite place. [The one who healed you. She’s incredibly talented. Without her expertise, your recovery would have been agonizingly slow.]
Lucavion hummed softly, acknowledging her words as his gaze flicked back to the woman. “You have my gratitude, then,” he said, inclining his head slightly. “It seems your talents saved me from quite a bit of suffering.”
The woman waved a hand dismissively, her smile never faltering. “No need for thanks. Healing is what I do, though I must admit you gave me quite the challenge. Your condition was… unique.”
Her words carried a weight that hinted at unspoken thoughts, but Lucavion didn’t press. Instead, his focus lingered on the faint tone in Vitaliara’s voice as she spoke again.
[Unique, indeed,] Vitaliara said, her voice sharper now. [She handled it well, though. Without her skill, your recklessness could’ve cost us more than just time.]
Lucavion’s smirk shifted slightly as he mentally addressed her. ‘You sound a little… edgy, Vitaliara. Something bothering you?’
[Don’t be ridiculous,] she snapped, though her tone carried a faint huff. [I’m simply stating the facts. She’s good—very good. Just don’t go throwing out compliments too freely.]
Lucavion chuckled inwardly, finding her tone far more entertaining than her words intended. ‘Noted,’ he thought, though the grin tugging at his lips betrayed how little he planned to adhere to that advice.
“I must ask,” the healer said, pulling his attention back to her. “How are you feeling now? Any lingering pain or discomfort?”
Lucavion leaned back slightly against the pillows, feigning thought for a moment.
‘Hehe…’
The faintest smirk tugged at his lips as an idea formed—a way to pass the time and perhaps amuse himself at the healer’s expense.
He let out a dramatic groan, his body shifting slightly under the covers as if he were in great discomfort. “Ah…” he murmured, his voice low and strained as though even speaking was an effort.
The woman’s serene expression flickered with concern as she stepped closer. “Hmm? What is it?” she asked, her tone laced with professional care.
Lucavion tilted his head slightly, his smirk hidden as he let out another exaggerated groan. “It’s my body…” he said, his voice carrying a faint tremble. He made a show of attempting to sit up, his arms faltering as though the effort was too much. “It aches everywhere. The strain from the fight… I think I might have pushed too far.”
Her brow furrowed slightly, and she placed a hand on her hip. “Aches? Where exactly?” she asked, stepping even closer.
Lucavion bit back a grin as he shifted again, wincing dramatically. “My back… my shoulders… and, ah, my sides,” he said, pausing as though embarrassed. “I think I may need a little help. You know, just to loosen the muscles.” He gave her a faint, sheepish look, carefully calculated to appear endearing.
The woman blinked at him for a moment, her serene smile returning with an unexpected sharpness. “Is that so?” she said, her tone calm but with a faint edge that made Lucavion pause. “Well, I am a healer. Let’s see what we can do.”
Before he could respond, she gracefully rolled up her sleeves, her movements smooth and deliberate. She approached the bed with a measured step, her expression unchanging as she reached out to gently press her fingers against his shoulder.
Lucavion’s smirk widened as her hand brushed against him, but the moment was short-lived. With practiced precision, her fingers found a knot of tension in his muscles, and she applied firm pressure without warning.
“Argh!” Lucavion yelped, his smirk vanishing as a sharp twinge shot through his shoulder. “What are you—?”
“Oh, it’s just muscle tension,” she said sweetly, her serene smile unwavering. “A common issue after intense exertion. You did say your back and shoulders were aching, didn’t you?” Her fingers pressed into another spot, eliciting a faint wince from him.
Lucavion gritted his teeth, trying to maintain his composure, but she was relentless. Her touch, while undeniably skilled, had no hesitation, and the pressure she applied left him struggling to keep his act intact.
“Ah—wait—hold on!” he managed, squirming slightly as her hands moved to his sides. “I didn’t mean—”
“Nonsense,” she interrupted, her tone as light as ever. “If you’re in pain, it’s my duty as a healer to help. And you did ask for my assistance, didn’t you?” Her hands moved with clinical precision, pressing against spots that sent faint shocks through his body.
Lucavion flushed faintly, the situation slipping further out of his control. What had started as a playful attempt to tease her had completely backfired? He tried to shift away, but her grip was firm, her movements efficient.
Vitaliara’s voice echoed in his mind, smug and amused. [Oh, this is rich. Please, do keep squirming—it’s thoroughly entertaining.]
‘Not helping, Vitaliara,’ he thought, his smirk now replaced with a faint grimace.
The woman finally stepped back, her serene smile intact as she dusted off her hands. “There,” she said brightly. “That should help with the soreness. Be sure to rest, though—no more pushing yourself recklessly.”
Lucavion cleared his throat, shifting awkwardly against the pillows. “Ah, yes… thanks,” he muttered, his usual charm slightly diminished. His gaze flicked toward the ceiling as he tried to salvage his composure.
Lucavion shifted uncomfortably as his gaze flicked to the woman’s face. Her serene smile now carried a knowing glint, one that made it abundantly clear she was fully aware of his earlier ploy. Her poise, her calm demeanor—it all suddenly felt far more formidable than he’d anticipated.
‘I guess I underestimated a mature woman’s wits…’ he thought inwardly, the faintest hint of defeat creeping into his mind.
With a resigned sigh, Lucavion leaned back against the pillows, raising a hand in mock surrender. “Fine, you win,” he said, his voice carrying a wry edge.
The woman’s composed facade cracked, and she let out a hearty laugh—full, warm, and entirely unbothered by his attempt to salvage his pride. The sound was unexpectedly infectious, filling the room with a rare lightness.
“Oh, you really are quite a character, Mister Lucavion,” she said between chuckles, her tone genuinely amused. “It’s no wonder they call you the Sword Demon. You must drive everyone around you mad.”
Lucavion felt his mouth twitch faintly, the corner pulling into an involuntary half-smile even as his pride took another hit. His usual charm and teasing had met an opponent he couldn’t quite outmaneuver, and the sting of defeat—though small—was undeniable.
He exhaled slowly, trying to maintain his composure. “Well,” he said with a faint shrug, his voice carrying its usual nonchalance despite the circumstances, “I do like to keep things… interesting.”
The woman gave him a long, appraising look, her smile softening but losing none of its warmth. “Oh, I’ve no doubt about that,” she said. “Rest now, and try not to pull any more stunts while you’re healing. Next time, I might not go so easy on you.”
As she turned to leave, Lucavion let his head fall back against the pillows, his gaze shifting to the ceiling once more. He sighed inwardly, the faint sting of his failed antics lingering.
CREAK!
Just then the door opened and someone entered.
“Ah, Miss Valeria.”
With her identical pink hair, it was Valeria.
But for some reason, she looked rather….
Cold?
As the room was freezing a little.