Chapter 452: Promise (4)

"You are quite a spoiled young lady, you know that, right?"

Lucavion's voice was smooth, teasing, his lips curling intoan infuriatingly amused smile.

And then—

"Hehehehe…"

Aelianafelthim.

His body—firm, solid, yet strangely coldbeneath her touch.

But—

Shewasn'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 wasas 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.

Aelianafroze.

Her armsinstinctively tightened, and for a moment, shethought it was her.

But—

No.

That wasn't her stomach.

The sound had beentoo deep, too loud—

And then—

"Ahaha…"

A voice followed.

Lucavion's voice.

Low, a little awkward—a bit too casual.

Aeliana's eyessnapped up to him.

Lucavion's black eyes gleamed, his smirk falteringjust slightly, and then—

"I guess I am a little bit hungry."

Aeliana blinked.

Then blinked again.

And then—

Shestared.

Because—

Becausewas he actually embarrassed?

Lucavion—the arrogant, insufferable, impossibly composed man standing in front of her—

Looked a little sheepish.

Aelianafelt something rise in her chest.

Something strange. Something unfamiliar.

And then—

Satisfaction.

A slow, amused smilecurled on her lips.

'That's right. This bastard isn't untouchable after all.'

Shewould enjoy this.

Slowly, hesitantly, she pulled back.

Her arms loosened, her fingersunclenching from his coat, and inch by inch, sheseparated 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 inevery 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 chesttightened.

She had been raised as a noble. Before she had fallen sick, she had been taughteverything there was to know about the body, about medicine, about survival.

And she remembered.

Even thoughAwakenedwere stronger than normal humans—they were still bound by the rules of the world.

They could golonger without food, water, sleep—but they weren'timmuneto the toll battle took on their bodies.

Especially when injured.

Especially when theyforced their bodies beyond their limits.

Aeliana's fingers twitched slightly.

'That's right…'

Even thoughpotions heal wounds, they don'tcreatethe healing out of nowhere.

The bodydoes.

Regeneration takesenergy. It pulls frominternal reserves, consumingstrength, nutrients, resourcesfrom within.

If a body istoo depleted, no matter how many potions are poured into it—

It won't heal properly.

Lucavion had fought the Kraken.

Lucavion hadpushed himself past his limits.

Lucavion hadbled. Had endured. Had survived.

And now—

Now, he waspaying the price.

Aelianaexhaled 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 Aelianaknew better.

She feltstrong.

Stronger than she had ever felt in her entire life.

Her body—once fragile, weak, always teetering on the edge of collapse—was nowlight, steady, powerful.

Somethingcoursed through her veins, somethingnew, somethingundeniably there.

Whether it was a lingering effect of her illness, herbloodline, 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 timetaking care of her.

Watching over her. Carrying her when she couldn't move. Enduring her temper, her rage, her suffering.

And now—

Now, hewas the one who needed to recover.

He wasn't collapsing, not yet, but Aeliana knewthe signs of depletion.

Andfor once, it was her turn.

Her turn to do something.

Her turn to repayeven just a little of what he had done for her.

Aelianaexhaled sharply, squaring her shoulders.

Then—

"Luca."

Lucavionblinked. 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?"

Lucaviontilted his head, clearlyenjoying her irritation."Usually when people ask for something, they provide a reason."

Aeliana crossed her arms, staring him down."I will cook."

Lucavionstared.

Then—

A slow grincrept 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."

Lucavionpaused.

His mouthtwitched, as ifbiting back a laugh.

"Aeliana—"

"Who said you were allowed to refuse?"

Lucavionopened 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."

Aelianaglared.

"Just take them out before I break your nose."

Lucavionlaughed.

Not his usual smug, arrogant chuckle—no, this one waslight, genuinely entertained.

He held her gaze, hisblack eyes glinting, watching as Aelianaglared up at him, her irritationburning hotter by the second.

He could tell.

She wasfired up.

More than just wanting to help, more than just trying tonot seem helpless—

She wanted to do this.

And that—

That wasnew.

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 hisspatial storage.

With a flick of his fingers, various utensils and fresh ingredientsappeared, 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 andpointed 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."

The fire crackled, itswarm glow flickeringagainst the cavern walls. The scent ofrich, seasoned meat, fragrant herbs, and perfectly steamed ricefilled the air, blending into something warm and comforting.

Aeliana had workedeffortlessly, moving between the different dishes, adjusting flames, stirring pots, tasting seasonings—as if she had been doing this forever.

Lucavion had watched the entire thing unfold, seated comfortably with his arms crossed, only helping when necessary.

And now—

Now, they satside by side, their platespiled highwith food.

The meal wasimpressive—even Lucavion had to admit.