The room was quiet, save for the gentle sound of Lira's soft breathing. She lay fast asleep, her body completely drained from their earlier intimacy. A small, satisfied smile rested on her lips, and her delicate features looked even more serene under the dim light.
Lucas stretched his arms, feeling the surge of power coursing through his body. He had successfully broken through two stages, reaching the late stage of the Adept Rank. The immense Yin energy he had absorbed from Lira had accelerated his progress far beyond what an ordinary cultivator could achieve in months. If he wished, he could push himself further, stepping into the next realm—but he knew better. Strength without stability was dangerous. He needed to solidify his foundation first.
He stood up and freshened himself, wiping away the sweat from his body and changing into a fresh set of robes. His gaze drifted back to Lira, still peacefully resting on the soft blankets. Even in her exhausted state, he could sense a lingering aura of Yin energy radiating from her. It was strange—after such intense dual cultivation, her reserves should have been significantly depleted, yet she still exuded an almost unnatural abundance of Yin.
"That's… odd," he muttered to himself, frowning slightly.
Something about Lira was unusual. Most women, especially those who hadn't cultivated extensively, would have needed time to recover their Yin essence after such an exchange. Yet, Lira's energy remained strong, as if untouched. It was something worth investigating, but not tonight. She needed rest, and he had other matters to focus on.
For now, he would let her sleep. But soon, he would need to uncover the mystery behind her seemingly boundless Yin energy.
Lucas had just settled into his thoughts when a firm knock on the door pulled him back to reality. His brows furrowed slightly as he stood up and walked over. He opened the door just enough to peek outside, keeping his body positioned to block the view of the room behind him. The last thing he needed was for anyone—especially Selene—to see Lira resting inside.
And there she was, standing before him. Selene Fairchild.
"Wrong time to come," Lucas thought, his expression betraying mild irritation.
"I've come to talk to you, Xavier," Selene said softly, her voice carrying a touch of hesitation.
Lucas regarded her with an indifferent gaze. "What is it?" He didn't step aside, making it clear she wasn't welcome inside.
Selene's eyes flickered past him toward the barely opened door, but she quickly refocused on him. "It's not something we should discuss here." She subtly tilted her head, hoping he'd let her in.
Lucas wasn't foolish. He wasn't going to let her step inside and start asking questions. Even though he didn't care about Selene or her feelings, he wasn't in the mood for unnecessary drama.
"Oh? Then let's take a walk in the gardens." He stepped out, shutting the door behind him before she could protest.
Selene hesitated for a brief moment, then followed him down the dimly lit corridors, through the palace's open halls, and into the moonlit gardens. The cool night breeze brushed against them as they strolled along the stone pathways, surrounded by the soft glow of luminescent flowers.
"I heard the good news," Selene finally said, breaking the silence. "You can cultivate now. It's really wonderful, Xavier... I'm so happy for us."
Lucas arched a brow. For us?
He smirked, but said nothing. Interesting choice of words.
Selene must have noticed the shift in his demeanor because she quickly looked away, as if suddenly uncertain of what to say next. The man before her, something about him was different—something she couldn't quite place.
"So," Lucas said, his tone turning sharper, "what exactly did you want to discuss?"
Selene exhaled, her expression softening. "I came to apologize."
Lucas folded his arms, watching her intently.
"I know you don't remember," she continued, "but before… everything happened, we weren't exactly on good terms." Her voice wavered slightly, as if choosing her words carefully.
Lucas's gaze darkened. So, she's finally admitting it.
His next words came without hesitation. "Oh? Were you involved in it?"
Selene's entire body stiffened.
"What?" Her voice faltered.
Lucas didn't blink. "Were you involved in what happened to Xavier?" His tone was casual, but there was an unmistakable edge to it.
Selene's breath hitched. She hadn't expected him to throw that question at her so directly. Did he remember something? Panic flickered in her eyes, but she quickly masked it.
"I… I would never do anything to harm you, Xavier," she stammered, though her hesitation did not go unnoticed.
Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly. Lies come easily to her.
Lucas's expression remained unreadable, but his sharp gaze never left Selene. His silence weighed heavy on her, pressing down like an unbearable burden.
"So tell me," his voice was cold, unwavering. "Tell me everything. Now."
Selene trembled, her lips quivering as a fresh wave of tears streamed down her face. She had dreaded this moment. She had wished—hoped—that Xavier would never wake up. And now, standing before him, she realized the depth of her cruelty. The wickedness of her own heart. She had betrayed the one person who had truly cared for her, and now she had to face the consequences.
Her voice broke as she finally spoke.
"What happened to you… it was because of me," she admitted, her sobs making her body tremble. "I'm so sorry, Xavier… I—I never wanted this to happen."
Lucas clenched his fists, restraining the burning fury rising within him. He remained silent, forcing her to continue.
"You remember the prince, don't you?" she asked, sniffling. "He wanted me. And you and I… we weren't on good terms at the time."
Lucas's jaw tightened. So, she finally admits it.
Selene dropped her gaze, her shame evident. "I… I opted for him," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I was angry at you, and I thought… I thought being with him would make things better. But I was wrong."
She wiped her tears, but they kept falling. "After you went into a coma, I realized my mistake. I saw how broken you were, how much you truly cared for me. I regretted everything."
Lucas's breath came slow and controlled, but inside, a storm raged.
"I told the prince I wasn't interested in him anymore," she continued, her hands trembling. "But he didn't take it well. He retaliated… by planning with his friends." Her voice cracked. "They—they were the ones who beat you into a coma."
Lucas felt a rush of something dark surge through him—anger, sorrow, disgust.
This was it. The truth. Xavier was betrayed because of her selfishness. Because she chose another man over him. And when she changed her mind, Xavier paid the price.
His eyes bore into her as she sobbed uncontrollably, her body trembling like a leaf in the wind.
Lucas didn't speak. He didn't move. He just stared.
Selene fell to her knees, crying harder. "I never meant for this to happen… Please, say something… Xavier…"
Lucas exhaled through his nose, his fury barely contained. "I'm not the one you should be apologizing to," he said, his voice void of emotion.
Selene looked up at him, her face drenched in tears.
Without another word, Lucas turned on his heel and walked away, leaving her alone in the cold, dark garden.
She didn't call after him.
She didn't move.
She just wept.
Lucas walked back to his chamber, his mind in turmoil. Each step felt heavier than the last as Selene's confession replayed in his head.
Xavier was betrayed. Beaten. Left for dead.
And it was all because of her.
When he entered his room, he shut the door behind him and leaned against it, exhaling sharply. Lira was still asleep, curled up in the soft blankets, her breathing steady and peaceful. The sight of her, so pure and untouched by the world's cruelty, contrasted sharply with the bitter thoughts swirling in his mind.
Lucas sat down, running a hand through his damp hair. His fingers clenched into his scalp as he tried to process it all.
Prince Darius.
He had suspected his involvement, but now it was confirmed. The prince and his so-called friends had orchestrated the attack. They had almost killed Xavier.
And Selene? She had chosen him over Xavier, abandoned the man who had loved her, only to regret it too late.
Lucas let out a dry, humorless chuckle. "What a joke…" he muttered under his breath.
He had no attachment to Selene—that was Xavier's past, not his. But the injustice of it all filled him with rage. Xavier had died broken and betrayed. And now, Selene wanted forgiveness?
He shook his head. Not yet. Not without consequences.
His thoughts shifted to Prince Darius. Their fake smiles earlier had been nothing more than an unspoken acknowledgment of their ongoing rivalry. Now, Lucas had real ammunition against him.
A slow smirk formed on his lips.
Darius thought he could just get away with it?
He was dead wrong.