Trust Me

As the silence stretched, Lucian's mind raced, her composed exterior wavering ever so slightly. She was used to authority, to control, and to people fearing her. But Marcus... he was different. He wasn't intimidated by her, nor did he cower in front of her power. Instead, he challenged her at every turn, with a brazenness that was both infuriating and intriguing.

Erza, meanwhile, was still processing what had just transpired. Marcus's declaration that he loved her had been shocking enough, but his bold confession toward Lucian? That was something she hadn't expected in the slightest. She remained quiet, unsure of how to react, her heart pounding in her chest.

Lucian's eyes, still locked on Marcus, flickered with a dangerous glint. "You are playing a dangerous game, Marcus," she warned, her voice low but filled with tension. "Do you think you can manipulate me with your smooth words? Do you really think you're in control here?"

Marcus leaned back slightly in his chair, a calm smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I'm not trying to manipulate you, Lucian. I'm simply stating the truth. You've been alone for a long time, haven't you? Always putting your duties first, never letting anyone close. I can see that."

Lucian clenched her fists under the table, her heart pounding in her ears. His words hit closer to home than she wanted to admit. She had indeed spent her life devoted to the academy, to protecting the future mages of Vyrandel. Love had always seemed like a distraction, something for others to experience. And yet, now, faced with Marcus's unflinching gaze, she felt something stir deep inside her—a feeling she hadn't acknowledged in years.

But she couldn't let herself be swayed by a student, least of all one like Marcus.

"You presume too much," Lucian snapped, her voice regaining its icy edge. "Your arrogance will be your downfall."

Marcus chuckled softly, unbothered by her coldness. "Maybe. But I don't think so. I think, deep down, you know I'm right." He leaned forward slightly, his eyes gleaming with confidence.

Lucian's breath caught in her throat, her composure slipping for the briefest of moments. She hadn't expected this—hadn't expected anyone to dare speak to her like this. And yet, here was Marcus, looking at her with a sincerity that both unnerved and intrigued her.

Before she could respond, Marcus shifted his gaze to Erza, who was still staring down at the table, lost in her own thoughts. "And as for you, Erza," Marcus said, his voice softening, "You don't need to be ashamed of how you feel. Just know that i love you too."

Erza's breath caught in her throat as Marcus's words settled over her. Her face flushed, not from embarrassment but from the intensity of the moment. It was true—though their relationship had been discreet, her feelings for him had only deepened over time. Still, hearing Marcus declare his love for her so openly, especially in front of Lucian, sent her heart into a whirlwind of emotions.

She glanced at Lucian, who was still glaring at Marcus, her face a mask of cold fury. The older woman's gaze flickered briefly toward Erza, a flash of something unreadable crossing her sharp eyes. Lucian's grip on authority had always been absolute, and now she was being challenged in ways she hadn't anticipated.

Erza's fingers trembled slightly under the table. Part of her felt guilty, as though she had betrayed Lucian's trust, but another part of her knew that what she felt for Marcus wasn't something she could control. She loved him—and though it was risky, dangerous even, she had chosen to follow her heart.

-----

Lucian's piercing gaze flicked between the two of them, her mind racing as she tried to regain control of the situation. She had always prided herself on her ability to maintain order, to remain calm and collected no matter the circumstance. But Marcus had thrown everything into chaos.

And worst of all, a part of her—a part she had long buried—was curious to see where this would lead.

But no. She couldn't let herself be drawn into his game. Not like this.

For a long moment, the three of them sat in tense silence, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Lucian's mind was a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and feelings, while Erza's heart pounded as she grappled with her own emotions.

Finally, Lucian stood up abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. "This conversation is over," she said sharply, her voice tight. "I'll see you tomorrow for training. Don't be late."

With that, she turned on her heel and strode out of the room, her cloak billowing behind her as she disappeared into the night.

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As the door closed behind her, Marcus let out a low chuckle, his eyes glinting with amusement. He had expected Lucian to react this way, but he also knew that he had planted a seed in her heart—one that would continue to grow, whether she wanted it to or not.

Erza, still flustered, glanced at Marcus, unsure of what to say. "Marcus... what are you doing? Why did you say all that to Lucian?"

Marcus leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms as if the tension in the room had dissipated completely. His calm demeanor stood in stark contrast to the storm of emotions still swirling inside Erza.

He turned to her, his golden eyes softening as he met her gaze. "I just wanted to make sure that Lucian knows ," he said with a calm certainty. "You and I—what we have—it's real. And I don't want anything, or anyone, to come between us. Lucian is a powerful woman, someone who could easily complicate things ,I'd rather be upfront with her now, than risk trouble later."

Erza blinked, absorbing his words. She could sense the sincerity in his tone, though her heart still raced with a mix of uncertainty and relief. "But what about… what you said to her?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "You told her you loved her too. Why?"

Marcus let out a soft sigh, reaching out to gently take Erza's hand. "Because it's the truth," he said, his voice low but filled with a quiet intensity. "I love you, Erza. That will never change. But Lucian... I also love her. She has been single all her life, never known much about love, i wanted to giver her all the love that she didn't get all these years.I've always believed in being honest with myself and with the people I care about. I didn't want to hide it from you, or her."

Erza's fingers trembled slightly in his grasp, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she stared at him, her mind racing. His words were bold—too bold, even—but Marcus had always been different. He never followed the usual rules, and that was part of what had drawn her to him in the first place. She just hadn't expected him to be this open, this audacious with his affections.

"But Marcus," she murmured, her eyes softening as she gazed at him, "loving more then one or two people... it's not that simple."

Marcus smiled at her, a confident, almost mischievous smile. "No, it's not. But since when have I ever gone for simple?" He brought her hand to his lips, kissing it gently. "I'll make this work, Erza. For all of you."

Erza felt her heart skip a beat, torn between disbelief and something else—a feeling she couldn't quite name. She had always known Marcus was different, but this? This was something entirely new. And as uncertain as she felt, she couldn't deny the part of her that trusted him completely.

Erza's heart gradually steadied as Marcus's words washed over her. His confidence, his unwavering conviction, settled her restless thoughts. She could feel the sincerity in him, and it was that sincerity that calmed the storm of uncertainty swirling in her heart. She took a deep breath and gave him a small nod, silently conveying her acceptance, even if the path ahead was uncertain.

"Alright, Marcus," she said softly. "I trust you."

With a gentle smile, Marcus leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her lips, a gesture filled with tenderness and reassurance. "Thank you, Erza," he whispered, pulling back slightly. "I'll see you tomorrow."

As they parted ways, Marcus walked Erza to her door. Just before she entered, he leaned in again, this time kissing her lightly on the forehead, a promise of the bond they shared. With that, they bid each other goodnight.

Marcus turned and made his way toward his own room. The evening was calm, the quiet halls of the academy a welcome reprieve after the intensity of the day. His mind briefly wandered to the challenge of managing his growing relationships, but he remained confident. He always did.

As he approached his dorm room, Marcus noticed a figure standing just outside, the soft light from the corridor casting a faint glow around them. His curiosity piqued, he quickened his pace. As he drew closer, he recognized the familiar Black hair and the elegant posture—it was Charlotte.

The moment she saw him, her face lit up with joy, and before he could say a word, she rushed over to him and wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. The warmth of her body against his brought an immediate smile to his face.

"Charlotte," Marcus said softly, placing his hands on her back. "Why are you standing out here?"

Pulling back just enough to meet his gaze, Charlotte blushed, her eyes shimmering with a mix of emotions. "I was waiting for you," she admitted shyly. "I didn't see you all day... I just wanted to see you." Her voice was soft, almost bashful, a side of her Marcus hadn't seen before.

Finding her sudden affection adorable, Marcus smiled warmly. He didn't say anything, simply enjoying the moment. After a brief pause, he stepped back and opened the door to his room. "Come in," he said, gesturing for her to enter. "Let's go inside."

As they walked into the room, Marcus's mind raced with how to explain everything to Charlotte. The recent developments with Erza, and even Lucian, made his life more complicated than ever. Still, seeing Charlotte so happy, so at ease with him, made him wonder how she would react to the truth.

He closed the door behind them, his heart set on finding a way to keep all the people he cared about close, without hurting any of them.