☆Chapter 43: The Distance Between Them☆

Lucian stood three paces behind Seraphina, his eyes never leaving her as they walked through the bustling streets.

It was supposed to be a casual day out—just the two of them.

"Lucian," Seraphina called softly without turning around.

"Hmm?" Lucian's voice was steady, but his body was anything but.

"Why are you walking so far behind me?"

"I… I'm just… watching your back." His eyes darted to the passing crowd, his tone guarded.

"You don't need to watch my back, Lucian." Seraphina paused and glanced over her shoulder, a slight pout on her lips. "You're not my shadow."

"But I am your guard."

"Lucian."

That tone.

Lucian's heart clenched.

"Come here," she said softly, her eyes filled with warmth.

For a moment, he hesitated.

"I'm fine here, Sera."

"Lucian."

Damn it.

☆☆☆

Lucian stepped closer but still kept a respectful distance.

It hadn't always been this way.

As kids, they were inseparable.

Seraphina used to drag him everywhere—climbing trees, sneaking out of the mansion, and pranking poor Matteo.

But now?

Now, he couldn't even walk beside her without feeling like a traitor.

Because his feelings had changed.

And that terrified him.

"You're so stiff, Lucian." Seraphina linked her arm with his, ignoring his initial flinch.

"Relax. It's just me."

That was the problem.

It was her.

The girl he swore to protect.

The girl who didn't see him the way he saw her now.

☆☆☆

"Where are we going, Sera?" Lucian finally asked, his voice softer now that she was close.

"Ice cream."

Lucian blinked.

"Ice cream?"

"Yes." Seraphina grinned, tugging him forward. "You used to love vanilla when we were kids. Do you still like it?"

"I… yeah."

"Good. I'm getting you two scoops then."

Lucian couldn't say no.

They sat by the park, ice cream in hand.

Seraphina's legs swung lazily off the bench, her eyes sparkling as she enjoyed her strawberry cone.

Lucian barely touched his.

Because his mind was spinning.

Was this a date?

No, it wasn't.

It couldn't be.

But then…

Why did it feel like one?

"Lucian, are you okay?" Seraphina tilted her head, concern in her eyes.

"Huh? Oh. Yeah."

"You haven't touched your ice cream."

"I'm… just thinking."

"About what?"

You.

"Nothing."

Seraphina gave him a look, the one that said she didn't believe a word.

☆☆☆

"Lucian…"

"Hmm?"

"Why do you look at me like that sometimes?"

Lucian's heart stopped.

What?

"What do you mean?" He forced his tone to stay casual.

"Like you're… thinking about something. But it's not something you want to say."

Damn it.

"I'm just… protecting you, Sera."

"I know that. But… that's not it, is it?"

Her eyes.

They were too sharp.

"Sera…"

"Tell me, Lucian."

I can't.

Because if I tell you, I'll ruin everything.

"It's nothing, Sera." He gave her a forced smile. "Just… overthinking."

Seraphina narrowed her eyes, but didn't press.

"Fine. But you're not off the hook."

"I know."

☆☆☆

As they walked back to the mansion, the silence between them was heavier than usual.

Lucian's mind was screaming.

He liked her.

No.

He loved her.

But he couldn't.

She was Seraphina De Luca.

And he was just Lucian Romano.

A guard.

From an allied family.

Not someone who could ever be more.

☆☆☆

As they approached the mansion gates, Lucian slowed down, his heart pounding.

"Sera."

"Hmm?" She turned to him, her smile still radiant.

"Thank you… for today."

"Of course. We should do this more often."

No.

We shouldn't.

"Yeah… maybe."

But lucian knew…

If he let himself fall any deeper—

There would be no turning back.