“…Gone?”
[Completely.]
A weight settled in the air between them.
Lucavion exhaled through his nose, running a hand through his hair. “Now I really want to see what’s going on there.”
[Tsk. Obviously.] Vitaliara flicked her tail. [But that is the thing…..there is nothing in that place anymore….]
Lucavion exhaled slowly, his gaze settling on Vitaliara with quiet thoughtfulness.
“So, let me get this straight,” he murmured. “You sensed a place overflowing with life energy. You went there, and without doing anything, you started absorbing that energy. Then, the entire place just… vanished?”
Vitaliara flicked her tail, her golden eyes narrowing. [That sums it up.]
Lucavion ran a hand through his hair, leaning back into his chair. “That feels like a setup.”
[I thought the same thing.]
Silence stretched between them.
Lucavion drummed his fingers against the armrest, thinking. Whatever had happened there—it wasn’t natural. Places filled with energy didn’t just disappear like that. And the fact that it had forced absorption onto Vitaliara…?
That wasn’t a coincidence.
“But,” Lucavion muttered, closing his eyes briefly before opening them again, “for now, we don’t have enough information.”
[Hmph. I hate not knowing things.] Vitaliara grumbled, curling her tail around herself.
Lucavion chuckled. “Yeah, yeah, I know.”
Before he could say anything more—
Knock, knock.
Lucavion glanced toward the door. A moment later, it creaked open, and Anne stepped in, carefully balancing a tray laden with food.
“Excuse me,” she said softly, her posture a little more composed than before. “I’ve brought your meal.”
Lucavion smirked slightly, shaking off his previous thoughts. Perfect timing.
Anne carefully wheeled the service tray into the room, her posture straight, her hands moving with practiced precision. The tray was filled with a variety of dishes—steamed vegetables, roasted meat seasoned with fragrant herbs, freshly baked bread, and even a small plate of pastries. It was more food than he expected, but he wasn’t complaining.
Lucavion leaned back, watching as Anne efficiently set the table for him. She worked quickly but delicately, her hands barely making a sound as she placed each dish in front of him.
She reached for the teapot next, refilling his cup with practiced grace.
Lucavion picked it up, taking a slow sip before exhaling lightly. “Not bad.”
Anne blinked, looking up at him. “Sir?”
He smirked slightly, swirling the tea in his cup. “The tea. It’s good.”
Anne blinked again, clearly not expecting the compliment. A faint dusting of pink bloomed on her cheeks. “Ah—um… T-thank you.”
Lucavion chuckled at her reaction. Too easy.
“You sound surprised,” he mused, setting the cup down. “Did you think I’d insult it?”
Anne shook her head quickly. “N-No! I just—um—” She fumbled slightly, looking flustered.
Lucavion tilted his head, resting his chin on his palm. “You’re making it seem like I’m difficult to please.”
Anne’s lips parted, and then she quickly shut them, clearly thinking about how to respond.
He smirked. “Ah, so you do think that.”
Anne’s face turned red. “I—I didn’t say that!”
Lucavion let out a soft chuckle, enjoying the way she scrambled to recover.
“Relax,” he said, waving a hand. “I’m just teasing you.”
Anne exhaled, clearly still embarrassed, but she composed herself quickly. “Then… I’ll leave you to enjoy your meal, sir.”
She gave him a small bow, stepping back toward the door.
Lucavion smirked but let her go without another word.
As the door closed behind her, he leaned back, picking up his fork and glancing at Vitaliara.
“She’s entertaining.”
Vitaliara flicked her tail. [Hmph. You and your bad habits.]
Lucavion just chuckled, enjoying his tea as he reached for his meal.
******
Lucavion dusted off his coat, rolling his shoulders as he prepared to leave his room.
Now that he had spoken with the Duke, had a proper rest, and—more importantly—reconnected with Vitaliara, there was only one more thing left to do before the day could truly begin.
A smirk tugged at his lips as he adjusted his cuffs.
“Let’s meet with our Guild Master, shall we?” he mused. “She must have been quite anxious after all this time.”
[Humph.] Vitaliara scoffed, flicking her tail. [She has no right to be anxious. She’s not even close to you.]
Lucavion chuckled, sliding a hand into his pocket. “True enough.”
With that, he pushed open the door—only to pause when he noticed a familiar presence waiting just outside.
Anne.
She stood there, perfectly composed, but the moment the door opened, she straightened a little more as if caught off guard.
Lucavion raised an eyebrow.
“…Did you need something?” he asked, watching her with mild amusement.
Anne blinked. “Ah—no, sir. I was just—” She hesitated before adding quickly, “I was ordered to wait here in case you wanted to leave your room.”
Lucavion’s smirk widened as he tapped his chin thoughtfully.
“Hmm… waiting right outside my door?” He narrowed his eyes playfully. “That’s a little creepy, isn’t it? Don’t tell me—you’re a stalker?”
Anne’s face turned a bright shade of red. “N-No! I was ordered to!”
Lucavion chuckled. Too easy.
“Alright, alright. No need to panic,” he said smoothly, stepping past her. “I was just teasing you, Anne.”
She huffed, clearly flustered but keeping her composure. “Where shall I escort you, sir?”
Lucavion stretched slightly, letting out a slow breath. “I’ll be leaving the mansion for a while.”
Anne gave a small nod, her hands neatly folded in front of her. “Should I prepare a carriage for you, sir?”
Lucavion smirked. “That would be nice. And while you’re at it, I also need to retake my Aether.”
Anne blinked, tilting her head. “Aether?”
Lucavion’s smirk grew. “My horse. She’s been waiting for me in Stormhaven.”
He had left Aether in a stable after applying for the expedition—naturally, he couldn’t bring her into the unknown vortex with him. And after all this time…
He also missed her.
“I see,” Anne said thoughtfully. “I will inform the stablemaster to have your horse brought here as well.”
Lucavion raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
Anne nodded. “That way, once you return, you may have Aether ready in the mansion if you wish.”
Lucavion chuckled. “Efficient. I like that.”
Anne straightened, looking pleased with herself. “I will see to it immediately, sir.”
Lucavion let his smirk linger as he walked ahead, ready to finally leave the mansion.
However, as he walked with purpose, his mind already shifting toward his next meeting—until a small, inconvenient realization struck him.
He had no idea where the exit was.
He slowed slightly, glancing around the grand halls of the Thaddeus mansion. While he had walked through them before, he hadn’t exactly committed the layout to memory.
Anne, who had been walking beside him, noticed his pause. “Sir?”
Lucavion cleared his throat lightly, keeping his usual smirk in place. “I assume the entrance is somewhere around here?”
Anne blinked, then quickly masked her surprise. “Ah—of course, sir. Please wait at the entrance hall. I will see to it that the carriage is prepared immediately.”
Lucavion exhaled, nodding. “Right, then.”
As Anne hurried off, Vitaliara let out a low [Hmph.]
[Look at you, enjoying all this luxury and comfort.]
Lucavion chuckled, running a hand through his hair. “And? Was there something wrong with that?”
[I didn’t say that.] Vitaliara flicked her tail. [But I am pointing it out.]
Lucavion smirked. “It’s better if I enjoy things when I can. You never know when you’ll be stuck in the wilderness fighting for your life again.”
[Tsk.] Vitaliara snorted, but she didn’t argue.
Lucavion continued toward the entrance, adding with a smirk, “Besides, I don’t even know the exact layout of this place. So what else was I supposed to do?”
Vitaliara hmphed again, but this time, it was quieter.
Lucavion only grinned. Victory.