Chapter 22: Stunned Silence

Lucian’s POV

The day before Selene was set to depart for the Healer academy, I found myself lost in thought, reminiscing about how relentlessly she had been pushing herself in her studies. The sight of her, so determined and focused, never failed to bring a rare smile to my face. As I stood by my office window, looking down at the city that sprawled out beneath me, I felt that familiar tug at the corner of my lips.

John, my aide, was in the midst of briefing me on some trade logistics, but his words were just background noise against the vivid image of Selene hunched over her books. As the smile played upon my lips, I turned to John suddenly, interrupting his flow of mundane details.

John faltered mid-sentence, his eyes widening as he caught sight of my expression. The poor man looked like he had just seen a ghost, the amusement fading from my face instantly.

“John, send Selene a bouquet of lilies,” I instructed casually, the smile still lingering.