Chapter 41
Lucien stirred as a gentle nudge roused him from slumber. His senses, sluggish from rest, began to realign as the familiar scent of lavender and warm linen washed over him. Slowly, his eyelids lifted, revealing the soft, warm glow of a lantern-lit interior. The carriage was cloaked in the velvety hush of night, shadows dancing across the polished wood and golden embroidery that decorated its luxurious interior. Hovering gently above him was a familiar face.
"Young Master... we’re here," Marie said softly, her voice like a breeze brushing against his thoughts. Her shoulder-length brown hair fell slightly to one side as she leaned forward, her brown eyes warm and filled with affection, and a faint blush colored her cheeks.
Lucien blinked slowly. His lips parted slightly, but before he could form a question, Marie beat him to it.
"We stopped at the same inn we used before. Knight Rex said it would be best for you to sleep properly in a bed and eat something warm before we continue the journey to the estate."
Lucien yawned gently, covering his mouth with the back of his hand, a few stray tears welling in the corners of his eyes from the stretch of his jaw. He blinked them away and nodded slowly, his voice groggy. "Alright... sounds good."
Marie smiled at him fondly, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder as she helped guide his drowsy body toward the carriage door. Lucien stepped down, stretching his arms upward until his back gave a satisfying pop. The night air embraced him with a crisp coolness, brushing past his skin with gentle insistence. The scent of moist earth and faint pine lingered on the wind, the rustling of leaves adding an organic rhythm to the silence.
Above him, the night sky was a breathtaking canvas. Twin moons hovered in the sky—one pale blue, the other a soft silver—casting a muted light that mingled with the glittering field of stars. It felt like the heavens themselves were watching in quiet reverence.
Lucien let out a long exhale, smiling faintly. "It really is beautiful tonight."
Marie, standing just a step behind, smiled in agreement but said nothing, her eyes focused more on Lucien than the night. She brushed an invisible wrinkle from her dress and clasped her hands together, sneaking occasional glances at his refined profile.
A short distance away, Knight Rex was speaking in hushed tones to the remaining A-rank knights. Their dark armor reflected slivers of moonlight, and the dark-flamed horses snorted quietly as they were led behind the inn to be watered and stabled. Rex was instructing them to carefully secure the carriages in the lodging’s protected rear courtyard.
Lucien’s eyes tracked the activity with idle curiosity until he frowned slightly.