Lucien's eyes widened, genuinely startled.
"He is, ugh."
Adrian nodded eagerly.
"Yes, Cien! He is!"
Lucien exhaled shakily, struggling to contain the surge of excitement coursing through him. The Guildmaster couldn't have chosen a better time to return.
He still had to leave the Federation—that was inevitable—but at least now he wouldn't be slinking away like some damn underdog.
Lucien fell silent, chasing a stray thought. When he caught Adrian peering over his shoulder, trying to glimpse something, he snapped back to reality and fixed the bartender with a humorless stare.
Adrian retreated instantly, chuckling nervously as he scratched his head.
"Ah, sorry! I thought I spotted something odd for a second."
He studied Lucien, then his expression brightened with belated recognition.
"Oh, right! Were you able to finish the request? Should've been a breeze for you."
The look in Lucien's eyes wasn't what Adrian had expected.
He paused, studying Lucien with growing concern.
