I Was Hoping She Would Notice but again Now When She Did... Im Tired

Celestia's smile softened into one of satisfaction. "That's good," she said, finally releasing his collar. But...

She looking into his eyes as if trying to remind him of something important,

"Go on..." she said to him, before turning her head to the side as if uninterested in what would happen next but her ears perked up, as though someone might die if it went even a little wrong.

Lucian, as if understanding what she meant, nodded bitter smile creep onto his face. Slowly, he turned his head toward Avey's direction.

And to his surprise she was smiling.

Her lips curved gently as she looked at him, and for a moment, Lucian blinked, confused. He could only shake his head slightly, a trace of sadness in his eyes. What was I thinking? he mused silently. I thought… at least she'd show a little regret. Even just a little…

But no. Avey looked at him with raised eyebrows, as if to say, You look good now… this suits you.

Lucian stared at her in silence. A million words rose in his heart so much he wanted to say, to shout, to confess. But in the end, he swallowed it all down and smiled softly at her.

"Goodbye… sister," he said, nodding gently.

Everything he wanted her to know, everything he could never bring himself to say, compressed into those two quiet words.

"S… s-sister?" Avey repeated, her lips trembling, the word breaking apart as it left her mouth.

Her body quivered, as if his words had struck something deep inside her, nearly sending her collapsing to the ground. But she forced herself to stand firm She bit the inside of her cheek until she tasted blood. Fighting against the breakdown clawing at her. She looked deep into his eyes, and for the first time in so many years… she saw it.

A genuine light.

A real, living hope the kind of hope that spoke of someone who had finally chosen life.

Real, genuine, fragile hope. The kind she'd always wished to see but never succeeded in giving him.

And now, Celestia had.

And she didn't want to shatter it. She couldn't.

As she stared into his gaze, it was as if her entire life with him replayed behind her eyes from their childhood, to this very moment… even memories from their past live. She remembered how his eyes had once looked so empty, void of all will to live. And now… those same eyes glowed, filled with the spark of someone daring to begin again.

Maybe he'll finally be happy… she thought, as her heart cracked apart inside.

"Good luck," she said with a smile that nearly tore her face apart from the strain. The brightest she could offer.

Even as the inside of her soul began to collapse.

"You too," Lucian replied gently.

Avey's eyes shifted for a moment toward Celestia, whose eyes had been glancing their way even as she pretended to look elsewhere. That one golden eye watching… like a blade unsheathed.

Avey hesitated, but then, in a quiet voice that carried all her sincerity, she spoke. "Can you… can you take care of him? For me?"

Celestia didn't answer at first. She kept her gaze elsewhere, as if bored or disinterested, though inside, she was peeling every layer of meaning behind Avey's words.

"…Please," Avey added, still smiling. "Don't hurt him. And maybe… don't do the things I did."

"Take care of him."

A long pause

Celestia exhaled through her nose. She didn't want to reply didn't want to give this woman anything. But the words slipped out anyway.

"Of course," she muttered, turning her head the other way, as if to dismiss her. It didn't mean she forgave this vile woman. Not one bit.

Lucian smiled at that exchange. His gaze shifted briefly toward Victor, as if to offer the same farewell.

"Take care of her," Lucian said quietly, a nod of respect hidden in his tone.

Then he turned back to Avey. His voice softened. "I know you'll find your happiness… eventually. Take care, sister."

Again?.….This bastard i swear....Avey trembeled from inside but kept her composure.

Avey could only nod, knowing if she tried to speak, she'd fall apart. Her tears, so close to breaking free, burned behind her eyes.

"Let's go now. That's more than enough," Celestia said, her tone laced with jealousy as she grabbed onto Lucian's arm, pulling him as if she couldn't bear him looking at another woman for even a second longer.

But Lucian gently stopped her. "Wait…"

Celestia's eyes darkened instantly, about to lash out but when she saw Lucian's calm, serious side profile, she stilled. Her grip loosened. She held her breath and watched.

Lucian stepped toward Victor.

Victor didn't move, his eyes meeting Lucian's, steady and unblinking.

Lucian placed a firm hand on Victor's shoulder, his grip tightening as his words came low, dangerous. "Dude… from today onwards, Celestia is mine. If you even think of taking one step toward her… believe me I'll cut off your legs and hand them in your.... So you better behave."

His voice was steady, deadly, his fingers pressing into Victor's shoulder like iron.

The silence between them stretched like wire. Tense. Electric.

At those words, Celestia's lips, which had been pressed together in dissatisfaction, curled into a wide, dangerous grin. Her body trembled with euphoria at hearing her lovely husband speak like that. She raised both hands, placing them on either side of Lucian's face, unable to hide her joy.

Victor said nothing. He only stared back into Lucian's eyes, silently taking it in.

But still deep in his eyes

Burned with quiet fury.

Lucian let go, clapped him on the shoulder with finality, then turned around and walked back toward Celestia.

Lucian gave his shoulder one last pat, then turned and walked back to Celestia.

"Don't worry, husband… I don't think you even needed to say that. But it's good you did." Celestia chuckled darkly, her voice like velvet laced with steel. "If you hadn't… I would've killed him myself. Kufufuf…"

---

The wind picked up.

The rain had stopped, but the remnants still clung to their hair, their clothes, the stone beneath their feet. But somehow… the air around Lucian felt lighter.

Like he had finally stepped out of a cage that no one else knew existed.

As Celestia hooked her arm around his possessively, guiding him forward, he gave one last glance behind

To Avey.

To Victor.

To the past.

And then turned back.

Toward his new future.

Toward her.

"Where do you want to go now, darling~? Home?" Celestia asked, her voice sweetened with dangerous affection as she slipped her arms around him once more. A radiant smile lit up her face, but behind it… plans were already forming. Dangerous, meticulous, glorious plans. Her mind raced ahead which candle to burn first for the wedding? What color would suit her ceremony dress soaked in blood of ex lovers? She was already imagining the entire fate bending to their marriage.

Lucian chuckled softly, shaking his head with a knowing smile.

"Umm, nope. Let's not go to that place."

He looked at her, amused but sincere.

"Do you have… anywhere else to stay? I don't want to see those people. Not tonight."

His voice was light, but the final words carried quiet weight. Bitterness, perhaps. Or maybe… just the desire to not let his first steps into this new life be stained by the ghosts of the old one.

Celestia's eyes sparkled in response glinting like gold just before it melts into something more dangerous.

---

Three chapters in one day

Its raining