Aeliana's steps slowed as they reached their destination.
Her golden eyes flickered over the building in front of them, narrowing slightly. The scent of hay, leather, and earth drifted through the air, mingling with the distant brine of the sea. The structure was simple but well-kept, wooden beams sturdy beneath the lantern light. Horses shifted within their stalls, the quiet sounds of their breathing and the occasional rustling of hooves filling the air.
Aeliana's brow twitched.
She turned sharply toward Lucavion.
"What?" she scoffed. "Why did you bring me here?"
Lucavion, entirely at ease, simply smirked. "What? Not a fan of horses?"
Aeliana crossed her arms. "Don't be stupid. You never mentioned anything about this."
Lucavion exhaled lightly, rolling his shoulders. "Well, we're here now."
Aeliana's eye twitched.
He was doing that again.
That casual way of revealing information as if it were obvious.
She narrowed her eyes further. "…Explain."
Lucavion gestured toward the stable entrance, his smirk deepening.
Aeliana's gaze sharpened. "The place?"
"The place where Aether is."
Aeliana stared at him.
'The place where Aether is?'
What did that even mean?
Was she working here?
A noblewoman—the Starscourge Gerald's daughter—working in a stable?
Aeliana struggled to make sense of it.
Everything she had expected—every assumption she had formed about who Aether was—was crumbling before her.
She scoffed. "You're saying she's here?"
Lucavion hummed. "That's right."
She wasn't sure why, but something about this didn't sit right.
And she wasn't going to figure it out by standing here.
She exhaled sharply, striding forward. "Fine. Let's see her, then."
Lucavion chuckled under his breath, following her inside.
This was about to be fun.
The moment they stepped inside, the warm scent of hay and earth surrounded them. The stable was well-maintained, its wooden beams sturdy, lanterns casting a soft glow over the neatly arranged stalls. Horses shifted within their enclosures, some resting, others idly flicking their tails.
Aeliana barely had time to take in her surroundings before a young man approached.
"Oh… Mister Lucavion."
The stable hand—a boy in his early twenties, lean but strong from labor—halted before them, straightening slightly, his gaze flickering between Lucavion and herself.
"Is she okay?" the young man asked, his tone tinged with something careful.
Lucavion gave a lazy nod. "Yeah. Aether's doing fine."
Aeliana narrowed her eyes.
The young man let out a quiet breath of relief. "That's good. She, uh…" He hesitated, rubbing the back of his neck. "She doesn't really… y'know. Let people near her."
Aeliana's brow twitched.
Lucavion smirked. "I warned you beforehand."
The young man nodded quickly. "Yes. That's why we didn't try anything much."
Aeliana crossed her arms.
The more they spoke, the worse it sounded.
Aether was apparently untouchable—no one was allowed near her. She didn't let people get close. And from the way this stable hand was talking, it was like they had been handling some high-and-mighty noblewoman who looked down on everyone.
Aeliana exhaled sharply.
'Tch. Just great. She would be one of those types, wouldn't she?'
Daughter of a powerful figure? Kept her distance? Didn't allow people near her?
This was exactly the kind of woman she had imagined—the kind who sat above others, refusing to so much as acknowledge them, expecting people to cater to her whims.
She hated people like that.
She scoffed. "Sounds charming."
Lucavion flicked a glance at her, and for some reason, his smirk deepened.
The stable hand, oblivious to her growing irritation, continued, "We've done our best to accommodate her, Mister Lucavion, just like you asked. She's had her space. No one's tried to push her boundaries."
Aeliana rolled her eyes. Of course not.
How precious—everyone walking on eggshells around this woman, making sure not to offend her.
She shot Lucavion a sharp look. "And this is who you brought me to meet?"
Lucavion chuckled. "You'll see."
Aeliana hated that response.
She had come this far.
She was going to see this woman for herself.
The stable hand led them deeper inside, weaving through the rows of stalls. The air was thick with the scent of hay and leather, the quiet sounds of shifting hooves filling the space around them.
Aeliana's sharp golden gaze flickered over the horses—dozens of them, each one different in size, color, and build. Some were sleek and agile, clearly bred for speed, while others bore the strong, solid stature of warhorses.
But there was no woman.
They walked further, past the familiar browns and chestnuts of the other horses—until they stopped before one particular stall.
Aeliana's gaze landed on her.
And for a moment—just a fleeting second—she forgot what she was looking for.
The horse before them was unlike any she had ever seen.
Pitch-black fur, dark and lustrous like polished obsidian, rippling over powerful muscles. Her frame was both elegant and strong, carrying the kind of grace that could only belong to something built for both speed and battle.
But what caught Aeliana's attention most—
Piercing blue, sharp and intelligent, gleaming beneath the dim light of the lanterns.
Aeliana wasn't the type to call things beautiful so easily. But this horse—
Aeliana stared for a long moment, taking in the sheer presence of the creature before her.
Her gaze flickered around the stable once more, searching.
She turned, frowning.
"…Where's the woman?"
Lucavion blinked once. Then twice.
Then, he tilted his head ever so slightly, his smirk widening.
Aeliana shot him an exasperated look. "The woman named Aether," she said slowly, as if speaking to an idiot. "Isn't she the daughter of Starscourge Gerald? Your master?"
The moment the words left her mouth, Lucavion inhaled sharply—his shoulders tensing, his smirk quivering—
And then he barely managed to hold back a laugh.
Aeliana narrowed her eyes.
"What?" she asked flatly.
Lucavion pressed his lips together, one hand lifting slightly to his mouth, his shoulders shaking ever so slightly.
He exhaled sharply, finally letting out a low chuckle.
He actually laughed, shaking his head slightly as if trying to compose himself, but the amusement in his expression was undeniable.
Aeliana's eyes widened.
Her gaze snapped toward the horse.
Then back at Lucavion.
Then back at the horse.
The realization slammed into her like a wave.
Slowly—painfully—she lifted a hand and dragged it down her face.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
Lucavion, now openly smirking, exhaled in amusement. "Oh, I really wish I was."
Aeliana groaned, rubbing her temples.
She had thought—no, she had been convinced—that Aether was some high-and-mighty noblewoman with an untouchable presence. That she was some distant, unapproachable figure who had everyone tiptoeing around her.
Aeliana clenched her jaw.
"…Tch. You could've clarified this earlier, you bastard."
Lucavion chuckled. "And ruin the fun?"
Aeliana glared at him.
Lucavion exhaled lightly before turning toward Aether, his smirk softening ever so slightly.
With a slow, measured step, he approached the horse, his movements familiar, practiced.
Aether flicked her ears, her piercing blue eyes watching him as he reached out—
And gently caressed the top of her head.
"There, there… my girl…" Lucavion murmured, his voice quieter, smoother. "How have you been?"
Aether let out a deep, steady breath, pressing her head lightly against his palm.
The moment felt strangely… calm.
And Aeliana—despite herself—couldn't quite look away.