Morning light filled the palace gardens.
Lucas de Hein stood quietly beneath the tall trees, his silver eyes fixed on the balcony above.
For a moment, everything was calm.
Then—
WHOOSH.
A figure suddenly jumped down from the balcony.
A flash of brown hair moved through the air before landing lightly on the grass.
It was June Astral.
She landed smoothly on her feet as if jumping from a balcony was the most normal thing in the world.
Her long brown hair moved around her shoulders, and her bangs framed her mischievous expression.
Lucas watched her calmly.
He didn't even look surprised.
June walked toward him confidently, closing the distance between them.
When she finally stood in front of him, she tilted her head slightly and smiled.
"So…"
Her brown eyes sparkled playfully.
"Why are you here?"
She crossed her arms lightly.
"Were you eager to meet me?"
Lucas looked down at the shorter woman standing before him.
The morning light reflected faintly in his silver eyes.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then he answered calmly.
"…Perhaps."
June blinked once.
Then she laughed softly.
"Wow."
She leaned slightly closer, studying his face.
"The Master of the Magical Tower admitting that?"
Lucas didn't move away.
Instead, his gaze remained steady on her.
"You are interesting."
June smiled wider.
"Careful."
She tapped his chest lightly with one finger.
"If you keep saying things like that, people might think you like me."
For a moment—
Neither of them stepped back.
The distance between them was very small now.