Lucian extended his hand.
"Ready?"
A simple touch was enough for teleportation.
So I reached out, gently placing my hand on his arm.
My fingertips brushed against the cool, silky fabric—and yet, I felt something more.
One of his brows arched.
That familiar, teasing gaze…
"Just like that?"
His tone practically said, you can do better than that.
I thought about pulling back.
But he was faster.
Suddenly, his arm wrapped around my waist.
His breath grazed my cheek. My body pressed against his chest—
and a glowing circle formed around us.
"This is better," he whispered.
And without any warning—we teleported.
⸻
A flash of light.
Then… the solid landing of boots on stone.
We hadn't arrived in silence.
We stood in a dark alley, just a few steps away from the heart of the festival.
And the sounds…
First, a stringed instrument.
Then a flute.
Laughter followed. Applause. Rushing footsteps.
Even the night itself seemed to breathe with light.
Colors erupted into the sky.
One lantern popped, then another—painting the stone walls in streaks of gold, violet, and crimson.
The air was thick with sweet, spicy aromas—
cinnamon, honey, warm incense.
And me…
I was still in Lucian's arms.
But those sounds…
They pulled me.
"The festival…" I murmured to myself.
Lucian loosened his grip.
He couldn't see my face—but he understood.
He'd made his mark, stole my attention—and he was perfectly fine with that.
"No one saw us teleport," he said calmly. "We'll enter from here."
He took the first step.
His white cloak fluttered like a breeze behind him.
And I just stood there, nerves fluttering in my chest.
A streetlamp flickered—pop—and lit up.
Lucian paused. Turned. Tilted his head slightly.
Said nothing.
But as I averted my eyes, I felt his gaze lingering.
Heavy.
And I didn't understand why… but I felt it.
"Come on," he finally said.
"The night's only beginning."
⸻
As we neared the alley's end, Lucian glanced back and spoke,
"Velrith. One of the cities closest to the capital. It's always crowded during festivals."
His voice was casual, like someone who'd been here before.
But I… was thinking about something else entirely.
We turned the corner—
And I froze.
Velrith's festival square was an explosion of color.
Lanterns stretched from rooftops to sky, each one glowing with enchanted hues—
sapphire, gold, emerald green…
Even the cobblestones shimmered with magic. Every step sparked tiny flares of light beneath our feet.
Children dashed by, giggling, balloons in hand.
A vendor waved candied fruit skewers in the air.
Then—
One stall caught my eye.
A pendant.
Glass-crafted.
Inside it, a tiny flicker of light that swirled endlessly—like a star trapped in motion.
Technically, it was a "useless item."
But…
"This is my first real festival," I whispered to myself.
"How much?" I asked the seller.
"Only 120 gold," she replied with a smile.
Only?!
A logical voice in my head screamed unnecessary!
But the other part…
The one filled with excitement, whispered—
"If you want to remember this night, now's your chance."
And… I bought it.
⸻
📜
[Inventory Updated]
– Gold: 220
– Item: Lumos Crystal Pendant (Accessory – No effect)
"It still has an effect," I grinned.
"Sentimental."
While I mourned the 120 gold loss, Lucian walked up beside me.
"What's that in your hand?" he asked.
His tone was that classic, mildly amused Lucian.
"A keepsake," I replied. "From the festival. It glows."
Lucian took the pendant from me.
He examined the light inside.
"Faint," he said. "The enchantment will fade fast."
Before I could snatch it back—
He gently cupped the orb between his fingers.
He whispered a spell under his breath.
The glow turned crimson, then pulsed like a heartbeat—
Before settling into a steady, warm light.
"What did you do?" I asked.
Lucian placed the pendant into my palm—
but didn't remove his fingers.
"I added a protective spell," he said softly.
"It'll keep danger away. And now… you'll carry a piece of me with you."
I looked down.
The light inside shimmered gently.
When I touched the glass… warmth tingled across my skin.
Almost like his magic was still there.
Or maybe… he was.
"Now," he said with a faint smile,
"You can wear it forever."
My throat tightened.
I reached for the chain, then hesitated.
Lucian stepped closer.
"Allow me," he said—before I could refuse.
He took the pendant, reached behind me.
His breath brushed my neck.
Like a candle lit on a cold night… my skin warmed.
As he fastened the clasp, his hands paused briefly.
"It's warm," he said. "The magic responded to you immediately."
I swallowed.
"Can anyone do that?" I asked.
"No," he replied.
"It's a unique technique. And that's a unique charm—meant only for you."
My face burned.
Then he tilted his head with that signature Lucian smirk.
"Technically… you could call it a romantic enchantment."
Was that… a joke?
Or… not?
I hadn't even begun processing it when he was already walking away—
leaving my glowing pendant and rapidly beating heart behind.
Lucian had walked a few steps ahead.
But I was still there—fingers touching the charm.
Its heat lingered.
As if… his hands had never left.
I cleared my throat—but no sound came.
Then, I blurted:
"Hey… it really was just a protection spell, right?"
Lucian turned. His expression unreadable.
"I mean," I continued, raising my hands,
"Not to overthink it, but… there's no love spell hidden in it, is there? I'm just making sure. My brain's… a little foggy tonight."
He paused.
Eyes fixed on me.
Then… he laughed.
A quiet, honest chuckle that barely touched his lips—yet reached his eyes.
"Do I seem like someone who'd need to resort to that?" he asked.
He stepped closer.
Then lowered his voice:
"I don't have to… do I?"
Heat surged through me.
And my brain officially short-circuited.
⸻
Lucian turned and walked away.
I remained still—bathed in blue light and dazed silence.
A little further ahead, in a stone courtyard, couples were dancing.
A woman giggled softly as her partner spun her.
The lanterns twirled above them, casting magic across the air.
I stared.
Then, without permission, my mind painted another scene:
Lucian.
His hand extended toward me.
Me, hesitating… then placing mine in his.
Our steps… aligning to a silent rhythm.
The illusion faded.
I was back.
Yet the smile it left behind… lingered in my chest.
And yes—
Maybe I really was enchanted.
But what kind of spell…?
Even I didn't know.