CHAPTER 75: IF ONE DAY YOU DISAPPEAR

"What’s wrong?"

The moment Lucian entered the room, he spotted me sitting on the floor instantly, like his eyes were trained to search for disasters involving me.

Panic flickered across his face.

"Seraphina—" he rushed forward, crouching in front of me, "is something wrong? Are you hurt?"

His gaze swept over me, sharp and frantic, as if expecting to find blood or another fruit knife in my hand.

"I’m fine," I said quickly, pushing myself up before he could start checking my pulse or something.

But his hands hovered at my waist anyway, steadying me.

"What happened?" he asked, voice low with worry. "Why were you on the floor?"

I looked away, biting my lip.

If I told him I was eavesdropping, I would rather die again.

"I just slipped," I said.

Even I didn’t believe myself.

"Slipped?"

Lucian’s expression tightened with worry. He immediately looked down at the floor, sweeping his feet gently over the tiles as if checking for water, ice, anything.

"It’s not wet..." he murmured. "Did you twist your ankle? Did you hit something?"

He shifted closer, then crouched down again, his hands hovering near my legs.

"Seraphina, where does it hurt?" he asked softly, eyes scanning like he was ready to carry me straight to Dr. Darian if I said one wrong word.

The sincerity in his voice made my throat tighten.

"I’m not hurt," I said quietly.

Lucian lifted his gaze immediately, searching my face as if hoping to find confirmation there instead of in my words.

"You’re sure?" he asked, still crouched.

I swallowed. "Yes. I’m fine."

Lucian let out a tiny breath, relief, before he gently pushed himself up.

He offered me a small smile, soft in a way that made my chest twist.

"That’s good," he murmured. "If anything feels wrong... tell me right away, okay?"

His hand slipped through my hair, brushing it back with a tenderness that almost hurt.

And at that moment, the only thing I wanted to do was... hug him.

So I did.

My arms wrapped around his waist before I could think twice.

Lucian froze completely.

"Wha—what happened?" he stammered, hands hovering awkwardly in the air. "I don’t think you’re okay... your behavior says you’re not—"

I shook my head against his chest, refusing to pull away.

"Lucian..."

The words clogged in my throat.

I hesitated because if I said them, if I asked this question, there’d be no taking it back.

"What is it?"

He tried to gently pull back to see my face, but I clung to him tighter, refusing to let him read my expression.

And then I let the words slip out, small and trembling against the fabric of his shirt.

"If one day... I disappear, what would you feel?"

The silence that followed hit like a drop of icy water.

Lucian’s entire body went rigid beneath my cheek.

His hands, still uncertain, slowly settled on my back, lightly.

He stiffened even more.

"Seraphina..." His voice dropped lower, almost dangerous. "Why would you ask—"

"Just answer me," I whispered, clutching his shirt tighter.

My fingers trembled against the fabric.

"Would you be sad?" I swallowed hard. "Would you... tear this whole world apart to find me?"

The question hung there, raw and reckless.

I could feel his chest moving up and down faster but his body remained unmoved.

When he finally spoke, it didn’t sound calm and collected.

"Of course I would." His hand came up, pressing gently but firmly on the back of my head, pulling me back into his chest.

"I would burn every boundary, cross every realm, freeze the world if I had to..." His breath hitched, "because losing you once already nearly drove me insane."

A thin tremor ran through his arms as he held me.

"So don’t—" his voice broke, just slightly, "don’t ever talk about disappearing again."

I pulled my head away and looked up at his face, "Can you cross the realm...?" I innocently asked him as I blinked a few times waiting for his answer.

He tapped on my nose and chuckled, "I mean... literally... there is no other realm, little bird..."

His answer punched a small hole in my chest.

"No other realm," I repeated softly.

Lucian nodded, still smiling faintly as he brushed a thumb over my cheek. "This world is all we have."

I blinked again, slowly this time, letting my gaze settle on him.

"Then..." I murmured, "if there was another realm... hypothetically... would you cross it for me?"

He froze.

Just like that, his smile gone, amusement gone, eyes sharpening with an intensity that made my breath stumble.

"Seraphina," he murmured, his voice deeper now, "are we talking about hypotheticals..."

He leaned closer, his forehead almost touching mine, "or are you planning something?"

My heart thumped so hard I swore the floor shook.

I coughed and looked away very fast, my voice jumping an octave. "Hy–hypothetical. Obviously. Obviously!"

Lucian narrowed his eyes, unconvinced.

"Little bird," he said quietly, "you’re terrible at lying."

"I am NOT—!"

He gently pulled my face toward him.

"I know something’s wrong. Just tell me, what is it?" He let out a weak breath, the kind that trembled on its way out.

"Because hearing you say the word disappear... is enough to make my legs weak. So please... be honest. Why did you ask that?"

I shook my head instantly, forcing a smile. Trying so hard not to make it look forced that it probably looked even worse.

"No... it’s just... I was wondering how deep your feelings are toward me."

Lucian stared at me like he could peel the lie straight off my skin.

"That," he murmured, "is not an answer."

But I kept smiling anyway.

The kind of smile glued together with panic, desperation, and a very stupid kind of bravery.

"I’m serious," I insisted, voice thin. "I just... wanted to know how deep your feelings go."

Lucian went quiet. Too quiet.

Then, slowly... he answered.

"I don’t know either," he said, voice low. "I don’t know how deep it is."

He leaned closer, his breath brushing my cheek.

"But one thing is certain..."

His eyes held mine, unwavering.

"If one day you disappear... I might frost the whole world."