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Chapter 10
“I’m sorry. You’re only worried about me… and I’m fine.”
Lucian nodded and lifted the white shirt he was wearing.
The deep gash was still serious, but overnight it had visibly started to heal.
If one looked closely, it was almost impossible not to doubt his regenerative ability.
“I’m glad you’re both alright. Then, Lucian, Meril and I have to meet a guest, so you should go back to the next room.”
By the time Medeia turned back to Lucian, his wound was completely hidden beneath the white shirt.
Whether she trusted his words or simply due to her usual nonchalant personality, Medeia did not feel the need to check his injury again.
Last night’s gentle side of him—was it just an illusion? Even Lucian had managed to stir a rare twinge of disappointment in her.
“Miss, take me with you too.”
Perhaps it was because of that feeling that Lucian’s gaze toward Medeia seemed more pitiful than usual.
“Lucian, that’s not a place for you. I’ll be back soon, so don’t throw a tantrum.”
Among Medeia’s aides, only Meril and Andrew would accompany her. The rest were stationed outside the reception room.
There simply wasn’t a place for Lucian, who would only be passing through for a moment.
Meril’s wrist, still tender from earlier, seemed to throb a bit more at Lucian’s stubborn request.
In a slightly stern voice, Meril scolded him.
“Miss—”
But Lucian seemed not to hear her, calling out to Medeia even more desperately.
Now, his blue eyes looked as though tears could fall any moment.
Meril, who had restrained herself like an older sister to a younger sibling, now felt as if this child treated Medeia as his real elder sister.
He was throwing a tantrum, insisting on being taken somewhere she couldn’t go, as if she would obey any request.
“Lucian, remember that you serve Miss…”
Meril was about to scold him when…
“Alright. Let’s go together, Lucian.”
Unexpectedly, the words came from Medeia’s mouth.
Until now, no outsider had ever intervened in Medeia’s plans—only Robin and Luna, Meril and Andrew, and at most Sophia and Daniel. The other servants followed her instructions blindly.
Yet here she was, saying she would bring Lucian to a place where her plans might completely change.
“Ah, Miss. I know it may seem rude, but taking Lucian doesn’t seem like a good choice. Even if he’s younger than you, you don’t need to indulge his whims…”
Meril cautiously voiced her concern, unable to comprehend Medeia’s decision.
How could Lucian inspire a feeling in Medeia that opened a part of her heart she thought would never be accessible?
Meril herself couldn’t tell if the throbbing she felt was in her wrist or her heart.
Then, catching Medeia’s gaze, Meril fell silent.
Something in Lucian seemed to awaken a faint memory in Medeia, her eyes deep and distant.
Lucian watched her expressionlessly, while Meril bit her lip, unsure how to react.
“…I misspoke just now. I’ll follow your decision, Miss.”
After a brief pause, Meril hurried to sort out the situation.
She went to the next room and brought back fresh clothes to dress Lucian.
There was a slight flinch, but Lucian no longer reacted overly sensitively as before.
“Well, even a child like Lucian wouldn’t understand much of the plan. Managing my own safety is hard enough.”
As she arranged the blood-stained clothing, Meril added that comment casually. Despite saying “hard enough to manage my own safety,” her face showed no worry at all.
Her doubts, initially only suspicions, were slowly beginning to take root without her realizing it.
“Come on, let’s go.”
Meril nudged Medeia, who still seemed lost in thought.
“Lucian, come along too.”
She turned to Lucian and gestured him forward.
At that moment, the corner of Lucian’s mouth lifted slightly.
“Hey, you!”
Meril, caught off guard, looked at him in disbelief.
The previously sullen Lucian now glanced up at the hand Meril had reached toward him.
“Meril, what’s going on?”
“Ah, it’s nothing. Miss, let’s go.”
Meril gave an awkward smile and checked Lucian’s expression again.
His pure, innocent face, incapable of sneering or malice, met her gaze.
“Have I finally lost my mind…”
Meril muttered quietly as she followed Medeia.
Behind her, the corner of Lucian’s mouth moved again in a small smile.
A few steps later, a lavish door appeared at the end of the corridor.
It led to the reception room where Medeia greeted guests.
“Good morning, Miss Medeia. The guest is waiting inside.”
Daniel greeted her with a faint smile.
Sophia seemed to have stayed with Sion, leaving the side empty. Since the day the assailant attacked Lucian, Sion had clung more to Sophia.
“Thank you.”
As Medeia stepped inside, Lucian followed casually. Daniel stopped Meril.
“Why did you bring that child?”
“I don’t know. But watch him carefully—he doesn’t seem like an ordinary child.”
Meril whispered this to Daniel as she approached him.
“What do you mean, Meril? What’s wrong with him?”
“Meril, aren’t you coming in?”
Daniel repeated, not catching her meaning the first time. Lucian turned his head, staring at both Meril and Daniel.
His expression was one of pure curiosity, devoid of any other emotion.
“Haha. Of course I’m coming in. Lucian, you go in first.”
Meril smiled awkwardly.
Lucian’s slight smile following her was entirely natural—as if it were a genuine expression, not an act.
“He’s just an ordinary child, right?”
Daniel tilted his head, amber eyes rolling in curiosity.
“He may look ordinary, but trust me—being involved with him will get you nothing but trouble.”
Meril whispered, holding out her still-reddened hand.
“Why is your hand like that?”
“It’s a long story… later.”
Without answering, Meril entered the reception room.
“Hmm…”
Daniel lowered his gaze, pondering her words. His face betrayed neither the earlier curiosity nor his usual innocent smile.
“Daniel, could you close the door?”
By the time Meril called him from inside, the unfamiliar face was already gone.
Inside the reception room, Andrew greeted Medeia with a short bow.
Beside him stood a man at least two spans taller.
“Greetings. I am Prel, from Lissran Trading House.”
The man held his hat respectfully; his long hair swayed. His blue eyes, slightly lighter than Lucian’s, carried a similar intensity.
“Are you the one who knows Psibel well?”
Medeia’s gaze met the young man’s seriously, without a smile.
“Starting with business before even finishing introductions? I, Prel, am offended. May I greet your hand, Miss?”
The emphasis on “Miss” felt strange, almost forceful.
Lucian’s brow furrowed for a moment at the word. Prel had already moved to one knee without waiting for a reply.
“Hey! I didn’t call you here to exchange pleasantries. We need to discuss the plan immediately!”
Meril, already tense from Lucian, erupted. She wanted to punch this calm stranger on the spot.
“Miss.”
At the same moment, Lucian tugged at Medeia’s dress. She turned to meet his gaze.
“What’s wrong, Lucian? Are you scared of the stranger?”
Medeia’s words made his eyes waver.
“It’s okay to speak honestly.”
She stepped slightly closer to Lucian, keeping Prel from hearing.
After a brief silence, Lucian simply nodded. The kitten-like eyes reflected his fear of the stranger.
“Given the circumstances, let’s skip formalities.”
Medeia raised a hand to refuse. Even without Lucian and Meril, she would have stopped Prel. She had called him for information, not greetings.
Prel’s relaxed smile in a room full of strangers seemed suspicious.
“Lucian, if that man scares you, would you like to step outside first? Daniel will be with you. Meril, call Daniel from outside…”
Medeia whispered to Lucian, then beckoned to Meril, who was still fuming.
Before she could continue, Lucian wrapped both hands around her fingers.
“No. I’ll be fine if I’m with Miss.”
He held her fingers firmly. Having brought him this far, there was no reason to send him away again.
His earnest gaze, on the verge of tears at any moment, sent another ripple through Medeia’s heart.
“Alright, then.”
