“You are quite a spoiled young lady, you know that, right?”
Lucavion’s voice was smooth, teasing, his lips curling into an infuriatingly amused smile.
And then—
“Hehehehe…”
Aeliana felt him.
His body—firm, solid, yet strangely cold beneath her touch.
But—
She wasn’t cold.
Even with his unnatural chill, even with the way his skin carried an almost eerie lack of warmth—she felt warm.
And that—
That was weird.
Her fingers curled slightly against his coat, her body pressing just a little closer—testing it, feeling it.
But still, she didn’t feel cold.
It was as if something was wrapping around her, keeping her warm despite the contrast between them.
Her brows furrowed slightly, but before she could dwell on it—
RUMBLE!
A loud, undeniable sound echoed through the cavern.
Aeliana froze.
Her arms instinctively tightened, and for a moment, she thought it was her.
But—
No.
That wasn’t her stomach.
The sound had been too deep, too loud—
And then—
“Ahaha…”
A voice followed.
Lucavion’s voice.
Low, a little awkward—a bit too casual.
Aeliana’s eyes snapped up to him.
Lucavion’s black eyes gleamed, his smirk faltering just slightly, and then—
“I guess I am a little bit hungry.”
Aeliana blinked.
Then blinked again.
And then—
She stared.
Because—
Because was he actually embarrassed?
Lucavion—the arrogant, insufferable, impossibly composed man standing in front of her—
Looked a little sheepish.
Aeliana felt something rise in her chest.
Something strange. Something unfamiliar.
And then—
Satisfaction.
A slow, amused smile curled on her lips.
‘That’s right. This bastard isn’t untouchable after all.’
She would enjoy this.
Slowly, hesitantly, she pulled back.
Her arms loosened, her fingers unclenching from his coat, and inch by inch, she separated from him.
The absence of his touch left a strange feeling in her chest—something light, something lingering.
But she ignored it.
Instead, she lifted her gaze, her amber eyes scanning his face, taking in every detail.
Lucavion stood there, his usual smirk still in place—but something was off.
His skin.
Paler than before.
Not deathly pale, not sickly, but—weaker.
More drained.
Something in her chest tightened.
She had been raised as a noble. Before she had fallen sick, she had been taught everything there was to know about the body, about medicine, about survival.
And she remembered.
Even though Awakened were stronger than normal humans—they were still bound by the rules of the world.
They could go longer without food, water, sleep—but they weren’t immune to the toll battle took on their bodies.
Especially when injured.
Especially when they forced their bodies beyond their limits.
Aeliana’s fingers twitched slightly.
‘That’s right…’
Even though potions heal wounds, they don’t create the healing out of nowhere.
The body does.
Regeneration takes energy. It pulls from internal reserves, consuming strength, nutrients, resources from within.
If a body is too depleted, no matter how many potions are poured into it—
It won’t heal properly.
Lucavion had fought the Kraken.
Lucavion had pushed himself past his limits.
Lucavion had bled. Had endured. Had survived.
And now—
Now, he was paying the price. Explore stories at My Virtual Library Empire
Aeliana exhaled slowly.
Lucavion’s smirk twitched slightly as he noticed her staring. “What? Do I have something on my face?”
Her eyes narrowed.
‘Idiot.’
Of course, he would act like nothing was wrong.
But Aeliana knew better.
She felt strong.
Stronger than she had ever felt in her entire life.
Her body—once fragile, weak, always teetering on the edge of collapse—was now light, steady, powerful.
Something coursed through her veins, something new, something undeniably there.
Whether it was a lingering effect of her illness, her bloodline, or something else entirely—she didn’t know.
But it didn’t matter.
Because one thing was certain—
The tables had turned.
Lucavion had spent all this time taking care of her.
Watching over her. Carrying her when she couldn’t move. Enduring her temper, her rage, her suffering.
And now—
Now, he was the one who needed to recover.
He wasn’t collapsing, not yet, but Aeliana knew the signs of depletion.
And for once, it was her turn.
Her turn to do something.
Her turn to repay even just a little of what he had done for her.
Aeliana exhaled sharply, squaring her shoulders.
Then—
“Luca.”
Lucavion blinked. His black eyes flickered with amusement.
“Calling me by name now? How bold.”
Aeliana ignored his usual nonsense, lifting her chin. “Take out the utensils and ingredients from your storage.”
Lucavion’s brow arched.
“…Why?”
Aeliana frowned. “What do you mean why?”
Lucavion tilted his head, clearly enjoying her irritation. “Usually when people ask for something, they provide a reason.”
Aeliana crossed her arms, staring him down. “I will cook.”
Lucavion stared.
Then—
A slow grin crept onto his face.
“You? Cooking?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t need to do anything,” he stated firmly.
Lucavion leaned against the cavern wall, his smirk deepening. “You’ve already gotten what you wanted, haven’t you?”
Aeliana’s eyes narrowed.
“You’re cured. You’re safe now. It’s not like you need—”
“Just take them out, you bastard.”
Lucavion paused.
His mouth twitched, as if biting back a laugh.
“Aeliana—”
“Who said you were allowed to refuse?”
Lucavion opened his mouth again—
“Bu—”
“Shut up.”
Lucavion blinked.
Then—
He laughed.
A small, amused chuckle, shaking his head as he reached into his spatial storage.
“Bossy,” he murmured. “I liked you better when you couldn’t move.”
Aeliana glared.
“Just take them out before I break your nose.”
Lucavion laughed.
Not his usual smug, arrogant chuckle—no, this one was light, genuinely entertained.
He held her gaze, his black eyes glinting, watching as Aeliana glared up at him, her irritation burning hotter by the second.
He could tell.
She was fired up.
More than just wanting to help, more than just trying to not seem helpless—
She wanted to do this.
And that—
That was new.
Lucavion sighed dramatically, lifting his hands in surrender.
“Okay, okay. Whatever you want.”
Aeliana narrowed her eyes. “Damn right.”
Lucavion let out another amused breath before reaching into his spatial storage.
With a flick of his fingers, various utensils and fresh ingredients appeared, neatly arranged before her—a mix of dried meats, vegetables, flour, spices, and even a small pot.
Aeliana eyed them, her arms crossing as she examined everything.
Satisfied, she nodded once.
Lucavion, still watching, smirked. “What, no complaints? You approve of my selection?”
Aeliana shot him a look.
“Don’t do anything. Just rest.”
Lucavion raised an eyebrow. “Rest?”
“Yes.”
“You? Ordering me around?”
Aeliana grabbed the nearest wooden spoon and pointed it directly at his face.
“Sit. Down.”
Lucavion stared at the spoon.
Then back at her.
Then back at the spoon.
And then—he grinned.
“Scary,” he muttered, but he sat down anyway.
Aeliana huffed. “Good. Now stay put, or I’ll throw this at your head.”
Lucavion leaned back, crossing his arms behind his head.
“Noted, little ember. Noted.”
