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Lucina/hakan
"CHEER UP!" Titi's voice rang out, bright and warm, cutting through the nervous tension clinging to me. "YOU DID A FANTASTIC JOB PREPARING EVERYTHING!"
I gave her a small, grateful nod. My hands, adorned with delicate jewelry, rested lightly on the shimmering green silk of my dress. "THANK YOU, TITI," I murmured, feeling the weight of the day settle slightly. She had been my anchor, a steady presence amid the storm of anxieties that gnawed at my chest.
My gaze swept across the grand hall, glittering with chandeliers and teeming with guests. The air vibrated with a mixture of chatter and excitement. CAN I REALLY DO THIS...? I whispered to myself, a tremor hiding beneath my words. Titi caught my expression, her eyes a mixture of concern and reassurance. I drew a slow, steadying breath. I can do this. I must do this.
A sudden, deep THUMP resonated through the hall, followed by another, and then a triple beat, THUMP THUMP THUMP. My heart jumped at the resonance, the sound echoing off the marble. It was joined by the metallic CLUNK CLUNK of armored footsteps—each one announcing itself with authoritative weight.
"THEY MUST BE THE HOLY KNIGHTS..." a murmur rippled through the crowd.
Then, four figures emerged, clad in silver armor with flowing crimson cloaks. Their presence was commanding, drawing immediate attention and sparking a fresh wave of whispers. I scanned the hall, taking in the spectacle, when applause erupted like a sudden storm.
Two figures walked side by side: Raka, my formidable Dragon King, his dark presence practically radiating authority, and a striking, fair-haired man in a white-and-gold-trimmed coat, moving with a calm yet commanding grace. The crowd's roar, a unified "WOOOO!", shook the air.
"Oh my goodness..." Titi gasped beside me, eyes wide with astonishment.
I couldn't take my eyes off the fair-haired man. He was magnetic, and the center of the crowd's undivided attention.
"I THOUGHT THE CARDINAL OF BRION WAS SUPPOSED TO BE REALLY OLD?" I murmured, leaning toward Titi.
"That's what I heard," she whispered back, still staring.
The Cardinal's smile, warm and charming, was disarming. "BUT HE LOOKS SO YOUNG!" Titi breathed, a mix of awe and disbelief.
Raka's gaze shifted to me, and a small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at his lips. It was subtle but reassuring.
"I'M GOING TO GREET THE CARDINAL, TITI," I announced, smoothing my skirts with renewed determination. Titi gave me an encouraging nod before stepping back.
I walked forward, the hall's energy pressing in around me. As I approached, Raka's strong, authoritative voice introduced me: "LET ME INTRODUCE MY WIFE, YOUR EMINENCE."
I lowered myself into a practiced bow. "GREETINGS, YOUR EMINENCE. IT'S NICE TO MEET YOU." His presence was intense, yet oddly soothing, even with the surprising youthfulness of his appearance. I knew this was a pivotal moment, one that would shape the evening—and perhaps far more than just tonight.
A surge of relief washed over me. I hadn't faltered. The Cardinal of Brion returned my bow with a warm smile.
"THE PLEASURE IS ALL MINE, LUCINA," he said. Then, unexpectedly, he made a subtle gesture, a reach that caused a shiver to run through me. Raka's eyes narrowed, tension flashing across his features. The Cardinal withdrew, his expression softening.
"I read the letter you sent," he continued.
"REALLY?" I asked, cheeks warming instantly. The memory of my hasty, error-filled letter flashed through my mind. It probably looked childish…
He chuckled, a smooth, gentle sound. "It's the reason I'm here."
Raka, protective and commanding, stepped closer, hand brushing my shoulder. "WHY?" he asked, voice low, unwavering.
"The palace dancers have prepared a performance for you, Your Eminence," Raka continued, smoothly transitioning, his hand lingering slightly on my arm. "Afterward, a banquet awaits."
His dark eyes locked with the Cardinal's. "I also hope we can discuss the Holy Relic."
The Cardinal's expression flickered, unreadable in its subtlety. "Ah… about that, I'm afraid it's not something we can discuss tonight."
Raka's frown deepened, a palpable aura of controlled anger emanating from him. "I came here for a reason," he said, voice darkening. "There is something I wish to discuss with Lucina."
"My wife?" Raka's voice dropped lower, dangerous in its calm.
"Yes," the Cardinal answered smoothly. "I would like to speak with her in private after the banquet."
My eyes widened in surprise. This isn't about the Holy Relic… but why me? I stole a quick glance at Raka. His entire presence radiated possessive fury, a dark, simmering fire I was familiar with.
Later, as we prepared for the banquet, Raka confronted an attendant. His voice, though hushed, was sharp and imposing.
"DID YOU HEAR ANYTHING WHILE ESCORTING HIM?"
The dark-haired attendant, shifting nervously, replied, "HUH?"
"Do you know why he's here? Did he really come for Lucina, or is there another agenda?" Raka pressed, the intensity in his eyes almost unbearable.
The attendant hesitated before whispering, "According to the Holy Knights, the moment he saw Lucina's letter… he decided to visit Tayar Kingdom without asking further questions."
Raka's aura immediately darkened, a visible, fiery storm swirling around him. So he really came just for Lucina? His fury, like a miniature inferno, radiated from him, intense and protective.
I stepped forward, placing a calming hand on his arm. "B-but… don't you think it's strange?" I asked softly, trying to inject logic into the tension crackling around us.
---
I managed to calm Raka down, though the tension radiating from him was still palpable. His dark eyes flickered with the storm of internal turmoil he refused to let show openly.
"B-but don't you think it's strange?" I pressed gently, trying to inject a measure of logic into the situation. The attendant confirmed that the Cardinal had come directly after reading my letter. My chest tightened at the thought, but I focused on steadying my voice.
Raka's jaw clenched, a visible tremor running through his broad shoulders. I can't believe I was worried he would take an interest in her… he fumed inwardly. Yet, within moments, he regained a semblance of composure. His hand flexed at his side. "I need to calm down… and wait until they're done talking," he muttered to himself, dark eyes flashing with controlled restraint.
After the banquet, I found myself seated across from the Cardinal of Brion in a luxurious, private room. The space was quiet, the gentle flicker of candlelight casting a soft glow across the polished marble and ornate furniture. I took a deep, steadying gulp, my hands folding in my lap.
He leaned forward slightly, his blue eyes bright but gentle. "Could you tell me about your childhood, Lucina?"
I hesitated, offering a small, awkward, "Oh…" A faint twitch ran through my hand, a subtle reminder of old memories, but I forced myself to hide it.
He noticed the hesitation, but only smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. I know roughly what happened." His voice softened further. "His Majesty appears to be genuinely worried about you."
A pang of warmth rose in my chest at the thought of Raka's concern. He must have spoken to the Cardinal, warning him or guiding the conversation carefully. Hakan always thinks ahead… I mused, feeling a small surge of gratitude.
"As you probably already know, I'm Baron Velk's illegitimate daughter," I began, my voice flat as I recounted the story I had told so many times before. "As a result, the Baron's wife hated me…" My fingers intertwined tightly in my lap, the familiar ache resurfacing.
"…and she would often hit me," I admitted quietly, the memory of sharp pain still vivid.
I paused, my gaze dropping. "Then one day… I touched one of my bruises… and it started…"
"…and it started to heal," the Cardinal finished softly, his voice gentle, understanding.
I nodded, acknowledging the moment that had changed everything. "But… after I discovered I had the ability to heal, I rarely used it."
He leaned forward, earnestness radiating from his blue eyes. "Were you concerned she would scold you again if your injuries disappeared?"
"Yes," I whispered, voice barely audible.
A thoughtful silence fell between us. "Have you ever… felt resentment toward your parents?" he asked carefully.
I shook my head slightly, my long white hair brushing my shoulders as I did so. "I never really had the opportunity," I admitted, a slight tremor in my hands. "Every day was just a fight for survival."
I looked down, the familiar ache rising again. "But… if my real mother had been a good person… she wouldn't have abandoned me in the first place."
The Cardinal's expression softened, sorrow etched into his face. "I'm sorry…" he murmured.
Confusion crept over me. "Why?"
"I should have come to see you sooner…" he admitted quietly, his voice tinged with regret.
Why is he apologizing to me? I wondered, a small, genuine smile tugging at my lips despite my confusion. "Um… I'm fine," I reassured him softly. The past was behind me now. I had something precious in my life.
"I… have Hakan now," I added, the warmth of the name spreading through me like sunlight on a cold morning. My heart fluttered at the thought of my husband, and the tension in my chest eased.
"I… have Hakan now," I repeated, a tender warmth washing over me. I let a bright smile reach my eyes.
The Cardinal returned the smile, noting the change in my demeanor. "It seems like the King of Tayar treats you well," he observed calmly.
"O-of course," I stammered, cheeks flushing with genuine happiness. "That's because… Hakan and I truly love each other."
He studied me for a moment, blue eyes searching mine with a penetrating intensity. "Lucina," he said, voice dropping slightly, "you can tell me the truth."
The serious tone made my smile falter. I looked away for a heartbeat, then met his gaze again.
"Are you really happy living here?" he asked quietly, the weight of his question pressing gently against my chest.
I was taken aback, still forming my response, when a faint sound outside the door made me jump.
Raka, who had been listening nearby with barely restrained fury, stepped deliberately away from the wall. His aura radiated jealousy in sharp, chibi-like bursts of emotion. I thought you weren't going to worry anymore! he silently seethed at the attendant.
The attendant, eyes wide with terror, tried desperately to distract him. "Which reminds me… I heard the Cardinal had someone he loved," he whispered urgently.
Raka paused, eyes narrowing. "Really?"
"Yes," the attendant quickly confirmed. "She was like a spirit of the moon… pale from head to toe, and beautiful." As he spoke, an ethereal image of me—white-haired, glowing faintly, almost otherworldly—flickered into the air, a visible representation of the description.
Raka's dark eyes narrowed, understanding dawning. "So…"
He pieced it together: the Cardinal's intense interest, the heartfelt apology, and the story of a lost love. A hard, furious aura, tinged with purple, swirled around him as comprehension settled in. "…He loved someone who resembled Lucina."
Meanwhile, inside the room, I studied the Cardinal's kind, searching face. Despite his probing question, I felt grounded, secure in the life I had now.
"I am happy, Your Eminence," I said simply, choosing honesty and clarity. "But perhaps… you came to me because you were looking for something you lost a long time ago."
I managed to calm Raka down, though the tension radiating from him was still palpable. His dark eyes flickered with the storm of internal turmoil he refused to let show openly.
"B-but don't you think it's strange?" I pressed gently, trying to inject a measure of logic into the situation. The attendant confirmed that the Cardinal had come directly after reading my letter. My chest tightened at the thought, but I focused on steadying my voice.
Raka's jaw clenched, a visible tremor running through his broad shoulders. I can't believe I was worried he would take an interest in her… he fumed inwardly. Yet, within moments, he regained a semblance of composure. His hand flexed at his side. "I need to calm down… and wait until they're done talking," he muttered to himself, dark eyes flashing with controlled restraint.
After the banquet, I found myself seated across from the Cardinal of Brion in a luxurious, private room. The space was quiet, the gentle flicker of candlelight casting a soft glow across the polished marble and ornate furniture. I took a deep, steadying gulp, my hands folding in my lap.
He leaned forward slightly, his blue eyes bright but gentle. "Could you tell me about your childhood, Lucina?"
I hesitated, offering a small, awkward, "Oh…" A faint twitch ran through my hand, a subtle reminder of old memories, but I forced myself to hide it.
He noticed the hesitation, but only smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. I know roughly what happened." His voice softened further. "His Majesty appears to be genuinely worried about you."
A pang of warmth rose in my chest at the thought of Raka's concern. He must have spoken to the Cardinal, warning him or guiding the conversation carefully. Hakan always thinks ahead… I mused, feeling a small surge of gratitude.
"As you probably already know, I'm Baron Velk's illegitimate daughter," I began, my voice flat as I recounted the story I had told so many times before. "As a result, the Baron's wife hated me…" My fingers intertwined tightly in my lap, the familiar ache resurfacing.
"…and she would often hit me," I admitted quietly, the memory of sharp pain still vivid.
I paused, my gaze dropping. "Then one day… I touched one of my bruises… and it started…"
"…and it started to heal," the Cardinal finished softly, his voice gentle, understanding.
I nodded, acknowledging the moment that had changed everything. "But… after I discovered I had the ability to heal, I rarely used it."
He leaned forward, earnestness radiating from his blue eyes. "Were you concerned she would scold you again if your injuries disappeared?"
"Yes," I whispered, voice barely audible.
A thoughtful silence fell between us. "Have you ever… felt resentment toward your parents?" he asked carefully.
I shook my head slightly, my long white hair brushing my shoulders as I did so. "I never really had the opportunity," I admitted, a slight tremor in my hands. "Every day was just a fight for survival."
I looked down, the familiar ache rising again. "But… if my real mother had been a good person… she wouldn't have abandoned me in the first place."
The Cardinal's expression softened, sorrow etched into his face. "I'm sorry…" he murmured.
Confusion crept over me. "Why?"
"I should have come to see you sooner…" he admitted quietly, his voice tinged with regret.
Why is he apologizing to me? I wondered, a small, genuine smile tugging at my lips despite my confusion. "Um… I'm fine," I reassured him softly. The past was behind me now. I had something precious in my life.
"I… have Hakan now," I added, the warmth of the name spreading through me like sunlight on a cold morning. My heart fluttered at the thought of my husband, and the tension in my chest eased.
"I… have Hakan now," I repeated, a tender warmth washing over me. I let a bright smile reach my eyes.
The Cardinal returned the smile, noting the change in my demeanor. "It seems like the King of Tayar treats you well," he observed calmly.
"O-of course," I stammered, cheeks flushing with genuine happiness. "That's because… Hakan and I truly love each other."
He studied me for a moment, blue eyes searching mine with a penetrating intensity. "Lucina," he said, voice dropping slightly, "you can tell me the truth."
The serious tone made my smile falter. I looked away for a heartbeat, then met his gaze again.
"Are you really happy living here?" he asked quietly, the weight of his question pressing gently against my chest.
I was taken aback, still forming my response, when a faint sound outside the door made me jump.
Raka, who had been listening nearby with barely restrained fury, stepped deliberately away from the wall. His aura radiated jealousy in sharp, chibi-like bursts of emotion. I thought you weren't going to worry anymore! he silently seethed at the attendant.
The attendant, eyes wide with terror, tried desperately to distract him. "Which reminds me… I heard the Cardinal had someone he loved," he whispered urgently.
Raka paused, eyes narrowing. "Really?"
"Yes," the attendant quickly confirmed. "She was like a spirit of the moon… pale from head to toe, and beautiful." As he spoke, an ethereal image of me—white-haired, glowing faintly, almost otherworldly—flickered into the air, a visible representation of the description.
Raka's dark eyes narrowed, understanding dawning. "So…"
He pieced it together: the Cardinal's intense interest, the heartfelt apology, and the story of a lost love. A hard, furious aura, tinged with purple, swirled around him as comprehension settled in. "…He loved someone who resembled Lucina."
Meanwhile, inside the room, I studied the Cardinal's kind, searching face. Despite his probing question, I felt grounded, secure in the life I had now.
"I am happy, Your Eminence," I said simply, choosing honesty and clarity. "But perhaps… you came to me because you were looking for something you lost a long time ago."




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