As they settled in the castle lounge, Aeliana curled up in one of the armchairs, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Tell more about your cousin, Lucian. What is she like? Personally, it's also my first ti eting her."
Lucian leaned back in his chair, resting the rare to on the table between them. He seed to weigh his words carefully before responding. "Leona is…unique. She's younger than by a few years, but her wisdom feels centuries ahead. That's the burden of being an oracle, I suppose. She sees too much."
Kael snorted from the corner, sipping his tea. "She's also sharp-tongued and has a habit of making people feel like children with a single glance."
Lucian raised a brow at Kael. "She's not wrong when she does it, though, is she?"
Kael shrugged. "Fair point."
Aeliana tilted her head, intrigued. "So she's wise, witty, and a little intimidating. Sounds like soone who'd thrive in your family. But what else? What does she care about? What kind of person is she when she's not…well, reading the stars?"
Lucian allowed himself a rare smile. "Leona is deeply passionate about her craft. She doesn't just predict futures; she tries to guide them. She believes in balance and harmony, even when it feels impossible to achieve. But that doesn't an she's a saint. She has a fiery temper when things don't align with her sense of justice. And, surprisingly, she has a love for animals—particularly owls. She keeps three of them in her tower, each nad after constellations."
"Animals? Really?" Aeliana asked, her lips curving into a smile.
"Yes," Lucian said with a soft chuckle. "She claims they help her focus when she's ditating or working on divinations. Personally, I think they just keep her from feeling isolated. Being an oracle isn't a life that allows for much companionship."
Aeliana's expression softened. "That sounds…lonely."
"It can be," Lucian admitted, his tone thoughtful. "But Leona has made peace with her path. She sees it as her duty, and she excels at it. She doesn't need to be surrounded by people to feel fulfilled. Still, I thought this gift might bring her a spark of excitent. Sothing new to explore in her quiet monts."
Kael chid in again, leaning forward with a grin. "Just don't expect her to fawn over you for bringing it. Leona's complints are like gold dust—rare and hard to co by."
Lucian rolled his eyes. "I don't need her to fawn over , Kael. I just want her to know I appreciate what she does."
Aeliana smiled, intrigued by this unseen cousin who seed so different from the other people in Lucian's life. "She sounds fascinating. I can't wait to et her. But I have to ask—does she share your…dark tendencies?"
Lucian smirked, a hint of amusent flickering in his eyes. "Leona? No. If anything, she's the light in the shadows of our bloodline. But don't mistake her kindness for weakness. She can be just as formidable as any of us when pushed."
The conversation left Aeliana pondering. This cousin, Leona, seed like soone who would be hard to impress yet worth every effort. She hoped the oracle would see her not just as Lucian's fiancée but as an equal, soone strong enough to stand beside him. Only ti would tell if their first eting would go as smoothly as Lucian hoped—or if Leona's sharp tongue would make Aeliana's life just a little more complicated.
...
Aeliana leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand as her curiosity deepened. "You said she's sharp and wise, but what about her personality? I an, outside of being this all-knowing oracle. What's she like?"
Lucian's expression softened, and he took a mont before answering. "Leona is…complex. On one hand, she's deeply intuitive and possesses a level of understanding that unnerves even sotis. On the other hand, she can be shockingly naive about the world outside her tower. She's been sheltered her whole life, both by circumstance and by choice."
Kael chid in, his tone light but laced with fondness. "She's got this childlike appearance that only adds to the illusion. Petite, with wide, curious eyes that make her look like she's still discovering the world. But don't let that fool you—she's quick to call out nonsense when she sees it."
Aeliana smiled. "So, she's an enigma—a wise woman in the body of soone who looks innocent and harmless. Sounds like a dangerous combination."
Lucian chuckled. "Exactly. People often underestimate her because of how she looks. She has this ethereal, almost doll-like quality to her—big eyes, soft features, and a voice that's gentle and lodic. But when she speaks, it's like she's wielding a blade. Her words are sharp, deliberate, and unyielding. She can dismantle soone's ego in seconds if she wants to."
Kael laughed, nodding in agreent. "I've seen her reduce grown n to stamring fools with nothing but a raised eyebrow and a single sentence."
Aeliana's interest only grew. "She sounds incredible. But if she's so wise and intuitive, doesn't her naivety put her at risk?"
Lucian's expression darkened slightly. "It does, and that's why I've always been protective of her. She's brilliant when it cos to understanding people's hearts and intentions, but her lack of experience in the outside world makes her vulnerable to manipulation. That's part of the reason I want to make sure she knows we're here for her."
Aeliana nodded, appreciating his concern. "It sounds like she could use more connections outside of her tower. Maybe eting will help her see that she doesn't have to face everything alone."
Lucian's gaze softened as he looked at Aeliana. "I think she'll like you. Despite everything, Leona values authenticity above all else. Just be yourself, and she'll see the strength in you."
Kael snorted, leaning back in his chair. "Let's just hope she doesn't test you too much, Aeliana. Leona has a knack for pulling people out of their comfort zones."
Aeliana grinned. "I'll take that as a challenge. Besides, if she's family, then she's my family too now. I'll do my best to earn her respect."
Lucian's lips curved into a rare, genuine smile. "You already have mine, so I'm sure hers won't be far behind."
As the conversation shifted to lighter topics, Aeliana couldn't help but feel a mix of excitent and trepidation. eting Leona, this enigmatic oracle with a childlike appearance and a formidable presence, would undoubtedly be an unforgettable experience. Aeliana silently vowed to make a strong impression—not just as Lucian's fiancée but as soone Leona could trust and respect in her own right.
..
Kael straightened up abruptly, his playful smirk fading as he turned toward the door. "Enough chit-chat. We've got company," he said, his voice low and serious.
Lucian followed Kael's gaze, his golden eyes narrowing slightly. Standing in the entrance to the shop was none other than Queen Seraphina herself. Regal and imposing, she exuded an aura of command that turned heads the mont she entered.
Draped in flowing erald robes adorned with intricate gold embroidery, Seraphina's presence demanded respect. Her piercing gaze swept across the room, landing squarely on Lucian. A faint smirk played on her lips, as if she'd caught him in the middle of sothing amusing.
"Well, well," she said, her voice smooth but edged with authority. "What an unexpected pleasure to find you here, Dark Lord. Shopping for trinkets?"
Lucian didn't flinch. He rose to his full height, his tone calm but firm. "Your Majesty," he said, inclining his head slightly. "To what do we owe the honor of your presence?"
The queen's gaze flickered to Aeliana, then Kael, before settling back on Lucian. "Oh, just passing through," she replied airily. "I couldn't resist stopping by when I heard whispers of a certain soone's presence in town. Imagine my surprise to find you here, of all places, running errands."
Aeliana couldn't help but feel a jolt of nervous energy under the queen's scrutinizing gaze. She quickly straightened her posture, trying to match the regal air Seraphina so effortlessly radiated.
"Forgive , Your Majesty," Aeliana said, stepping forward. "We were just preparing a gift for Lucian's cousin. I hope our mundane tasks don't bore you."
Seraphina's smirk widened slightly, her sharp eyes appraising Aeliana with open curiosity. "Ah, the fiancée," she said, almost to herself. "I've heard much about you. I trust you're adjusting well to life in Lucian's shadow."
Aeliana's jaw tightened, but she kept her composure. "With all due respect, Your Majesty, I don't live in anyone's shadow. I stand by his side."
Kael, sensing the tension, shifted uncomfortably but said nothing, clearly preferring not to involve himself in the queen's gas.
Lucian stepped in, his voice cutting through the thickening atmosphere. "What is it you want, Seraphina? You're not one to drop by without a purpose."
The queen's expression hardened slightly, her playful tone giving way to sothing more serious. "I ca to discuss an urgent matter, but perhaps this isn't the ti or place. Shall we step outside?"
Lucian glanced at Aeliana and Kael, then nodded. "Very well. Aeliana, stay here with Kael and finish what we started. This won't take long."
As Seraphina and Lucian moved toward the exit, Aeliana felt a strange unease settle over her. She exchanged a look with Kael, who raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
"Stay alert," Kael murmured, his tone unusually grave. "The queen doesn't just show up out of nowhere."
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