☆Chapter 44: Eyes That Always Watched☆

Seraphina always noticed.

Long before anyone else.

When they were kids, Lucian was always there.

Always.

Standing guard.

Watching over her.

But what no one knew…

Was that she watched him, too.

☆☆☆

Seraphina remembered the first time they met.

A timid little boy with wide eyes and messy hair, standing behind Lorenzo like a shadow.

He was so small, barely saying a word.

Yet… he never left her side.

Always trailing behind her.

Always making sure she was safe.

Always protecting her.

Even when she climbed trees and scraped her knees, Lucian was the one to offer his tiny hand to help her up.

"Sera, are you okay?"

That voice.

Even back then, it had been filled with worry.

☆☆☆

As they grew older, Lucian changed.

But his loyalty never did.

He was still by her side—guarding her silently.

When they snuck out to play, Lucian was the one who made sure they never got caught.

When she pranked Matteo, Lucian was the one who stood watch.

When Lorenzo's enemies came too close, Lucian was the one who stood between her and danger.

☆☆☆

Seraphina didn't know when it happened.

Maybe it was when they were ten—when Lucian stood up to some older kids who tried to bully her.

Or maybe it was when they were twelve—when Lucian held her hand during a storm because he knew she hated the thunder.

But somewhere along the way…

Her eyes had started to linger.

☆☆☆

Now… at eighteen…

Seraphina couldn't stop noticing.

She tried not to stare, but it was impossible.

Lucian had grown.

The timid little boy who used to hide behind Lorenzo was gone.

In his place stood a man—tall, strong, and composed.

His once-soft features had sharpened.

His eyes—once filled with innocence—were now cold and calculating, trained by years of working with Lorenzo.

But with her…

They always softened.

☆☆☆

Seraphina's gaze lingered longer these days.

Especially when he trained.

When he sparred with Matteo in the courtyard, his movements were fluid, precise.

Deadly.

But what caught her attention the most…

Was how effortlessly he moved.

Like a predator.

Her eyes traced the curve of his jaw, the strength in his arms, the way his shirt clung to his muscles as he moved.

"Focus, Sera."

She blinked.

Damn it.

☆☆☆

Why was she looking at him like that?

Why did her heart race every time he was close?

She hated how her eyes sought him out in a crowded room.

How she noticed every little thing about him.

Like how his hair fell over his forehead when he was focused.

Or how his lips pressed into a thin line when he was deep in thought.

And how his shirt sleeves strained around his biceps when he rolled them up.

"Stop it, Serafina," she muttered under her breath, shaking her head.

But her eyes betrayed her.

Because they were still on him.

☆☆☆

"Sera?"

Serafina nearly jumped out of her skin.

Lucian.

Right in front of her.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his eyes filled with concern.

"N-Nothing." She forced a smile, looking anywhere but at him.

But she felt it.

The heat creeping up her neck.

"You're acting weird."

"Am not."

Am I?

Lucian narrowed his eyes but didn't push.

"Alright… if you say so."

Why did his voice have to be so gentle?

Why did he have to look at her like that?

Damn it, Lucian.

☆☆☆

Serafina sighed when he walked away, running a hand through her hair.

"What the hell is wrong with me?"

Her mind was a mess.

Lucian was… Lucian.

Her best friend.

Her accomplice.

Her protector.

Not someone she should be staring at.

And yet…

Her eyes found him again.

☆☆☆

Seraphina didn't know what this was.

Infatuation? Curiosity?

Maybe both.

But one thing was certain—

She was looking at Lucian differently now.

And she didn't know if that was a good thing…

Or a dangerous one.