Chapter 148 147: Lucien, Lodge & Life

Chapter 148 147: Lucien, Lodge & Life
The fire in the Four Lodge burned quietly behind them.

After the brief conversation inside, Lucien cleared his throat.

"Seraphine," he said smoothly, "may I speak with you for a moment?"

Seraphine looked at him for a second before nodding. "Alright."

They stepped out of the lodge and into the courtyard.

Lucien walked slowly beside her before stopping near the stone fountain at the center of the courtyard.

For a moment he said nothing. Then he turned to her. "I suppose we should talk about... us."

Seraphine crossed her arms lightly. "There isn't really much to talk about."

Lucien raised an eyebrow. "Isn't there?" His voice was calm, but there was an edge beneath it. "You chose me," he reminded her.

Seraphine looked at him steadily.  "For the Moonlight Ball."

"We kissed," he continued. "You said you wanted to see where things could go between us."

Seraphine exhaled slowly. "Yes. I remember."

Lucien stepped closer, lowering his voice."So, imagine my confusion when you suddenly... awaken and become distant. His gaze sharpened slightly. "Where exactly do we stand, Seraphine?"

She didn't hesitate. "We're friends."

Lucien stared at her. "Friends?"

A quiet laugh escaped him. "That's an interesting rewrite of events."

Seraphine didn't react. 

"You made a choice," he continued. "You chose me over the others. And we talked about seeing where things might go."

His eyes narrowed slightly. "But now you're pretending that never happened."

Seraphine met his gaze calmly. "We talked about possibilities."

Lucien scoffed softly. "That's not what I remember." He tilted his head slightly. "Or is this about Damien?"

Seraphine's expression didn't change.

Lucien watched her closely. "Let me guess," he said lightly. "Because he gave up his essence for you, now suddenly he's the hero."

Seraphine's voice remained steady. "If Damien hadn't done that... I would be dead right now."

Lucien sighed dramatically. "So that's it."

His tone sharpened. "You're choosing him because he sacrificed something."

Seraphine frowned. "That's not what I said."

Lucien shrugged. "It's what you're implying." He gestured slightly. "I didn't give up my essence, so now I'm suddenly the villain?"

Seraphine's patience thinned. "I never called you a villain."

Lucien's voice softened, but the manipulation in it was clear. "You're punishing me for making the same choice everyone else made."

He stepped closer. "Alaric didn't sacrifice his essence either. Neither did Kade. But somehow I'm the one you're angry at."

Seraphine shook her head. "That's not the point."

"Then what is the point?" Lucien pressed. His silver eyes searched her face. "You kissed me. You chose me. And now you're telling me we're just friends."

Seraphine held his gaze firmly. "The point," she said calmly, "is that when my life was on the line, you chose to keep your power."

Lucien's jaw tightened slightly.

"And Damien chose to save me." She paused. "That matters."

Lucien scoffed. "So that's it? Because he saved you, now he's suddenly the better choice?"

Seraphine's voice hardened slightly. "You're twisting my words."

Lucien's expression darkened. "I'm pointing out the obvious."

He spread his hands. "I saved your life before too, you know." His tone grew sharper. "But apparently that means nothing now."

Seraphine stared at him for a moment. Then she shook her head slowly. "I'm not doing this with you."

She turned slightly.

Lucien stepped forward. "Running away from the conversation now?"

Seraphine sighed. "No. I'm ending it."

Lucien's voice grew colder. "So what now. You're going to run straight to Damien?"

His words carried a mocking edge.

"Throw yourself into his arms to thank him properly?"

Seraphine spun back toward him. "Stop."

Her voice was sharp enough to cut through the air. "I'm not running into anyone's arms."

Lucien raised his hands innocently. "Then explain it to me."

Seraphine met his gaze with calm certainty. "I'm going to the human world soon."

Lucien blinked. "What?"

"I asked the Thrones for permission." She continued evenly. "And Damien is coming with me."

Lucien's eyes narrowed. "Of course he is."

Seraphine ignored the tone. 

"He's no longer a dragon," she said. "He gave up his essence. That means he can enter the human world."

Her voice softened slightly. "I want to show him that world. It's the least I can do after what he sacrificed for me."

Lucien let out a quiet, bitter laugh. "How noble."

Seraphine didn't react. "But don't misunderstand," she continued firmly. This isn't about romance."

Lucien raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"I just woke up from nearly dying," she said plainly. "I'm not interested in starting a relationship with anyone right now."

Her gaze was unwavering. "So please stop trying to turn this into something it isn't."

Lucien studied her face carefully. For the first time, he realized she meant every word.

Seraphine stepped back. "I didn't come here to fight with you." She turned toward the lodge. "But if Damien returns..."

She paused briefly. "Please let me know."

Then she walked away.

Lucien stood there, staring at the place where she had disappeared down the corridor.

His jaw tightened.

Then he turned sharply and walked back inside the Lodge.

The sitting room was still lit by the fire.

Kade Thorne sat on the edge of the armchair, while Alaric Vortemont stood near the window, watching the dark academy grounds outside.

They both looked up when Lucien entered.

"Well?" Kade asked.

Lucien scoffed as he dropped onto the couch.

"Well," he repeated bitterly, running a hand through his hair.

"She's fine."

Alaric raised an eyebrow. "That wasn't the question."

Lucien leaned back, staring at the ceiling. "She says we're 'just friends.'"

Kade frowned. "That's... it?"

Lucien laughed without humor. "Apparently everything that happened between us is now just a misunderstanding."

Alaric studied him carefully. "What actually happened out there?"

Lucien's expression hardened. "She thinks Damien is some kind of hero now."

Kade shifted slightly. "Well... he did give up his essence."

Lucien shot him an irritated look. "Yes, I'm aware."

His voice carried sharp frustration. "She practically said she owes him her life now."

Alaric folded his arms. "And?"

Lucien's eyes flashed. "And she's taking him to the human world."

Both boys looked at him.

"What?" Kade said.

Lucien nodded. "She already got permission from the Thrones."

Alaric's expression darkened slightly. "That's... unusual."

Lucien leaned forward, irritation boiling over now. "She says it's just to 'thank him.'" His voice dripped with disbelief. "As if anyone actually believes that."

Kade rubbed the back of his neck. "Maybe she really does just want to thank him."

Lucien scoffed loudly. "Please." He stood up and began pacing. "If Damien hadn't fallen for Melinda and Cressida's lies in the first place, none of this would have happened."

His anger was rising now. "The Aetherstar wouldn't have been released." He turned sharply. "Seraphine wouldn't have nearly died."

Alaric's gaze sharpened slightly.

Lucien continued bitterly. "And I wouldn't have to stand there listening to her praise him like he's some tragic hero."

Kade frowned. "That's not really fair."

Lucien ignored him. "She thinks he proved something by giving up his essence." His voice grew colder. "Well good for him."

He laughed bitterly. "Now he's powerless, disowned, and suddenly the most noble person in the world."

Lucien shook his head. "If he hadn't made those stupid choices in the first place, none of us would be in this mess." His expression darkened. "I really detest him for it."

The words hung heavily in the room.

Then a quiet voice spoke behind him.

"Do you?"

Lucien froze, and so did Kade. Alaric slowly turned toward the doorway.

Standing there was Damien Drakaris. The former dragon prince leaned against the doorframe.

He looked different now.

The faint golden aura that once surrounded him was completely gone.

No dragon fire.

No royal power.

Just a quiet, human stillness.

But his eyes were steady.

And it was clear from his expression that he had heard everything.

Lucien slowly turned around to face him.

The room fell silent.

For several seconds no one spoke.

Kade finally stood up. "Damien..."

Damien stepped into the room calmly. His gaze remained fixed on Lucien. "So," he said quietly. "Y
ou detest me."

Lucien straightened slightly. His pride refused to let him back down. "You heard me."

Damien nodded once. "Yes." He paused.

"Unfortunately... I heard all of it."

The fire crackled softly in the silence between them.

And suddenly-

The tension in the Four Lodge felt far more dangerous than any battle they had fought before.