Luciana had recovered remarkably well, but not even Eirene could find a way to heal her eyes. Since the condition wasn't a wound or an illness, it couldn't be cured. Her only conclusion was that the spell Luciana had cast was more like a trade — an exchange — and to reclaim what she'd lost, she would have to take it back from the one who'd received it.
"So I have to go back to Holwin and take that king's eyes."
"It's possible. Let me look into it further — don't make any rash decisions," Eirene urged.
Luciana nodded at her words.
Meanwhile, back in Holwin, ever since the rumor of Luciana's escape with a lover had spread, Kael's mood had turned foul. So foul, in fact, that he'd gotten into an argument with Diego when the assistant confronted him for believing Eloisa's lies — for forgetting everything Luciana had done for him. In the end, Diego resigned as his personal assistant and now served the Queen Mother instead. She was another one who stood firmly against Eloisa and insisted that everything the woman had said about Luciana was pure fiction.
She'd even implied that Eloisa had probably done something to get rid of Luciana, since she was the one who benefited most from her disappearance — after all, the entire court saw Eloisa as Kael's mistress.
Two knocks on the door to Kael's study, and it creaked open.
"Kael... I brought you something to eat. You've been locked in here every day and you're barely eating." Eloisa entered carrying a bowl of soup, her voice gentle and sweet.
She set the tray on the desk. Kael sat in his chair, his back pressed against the rest, ignoring her entirely. When Eloisa noticed his gaze fixed on a single point, she turned. There on the wall beside the door hung a portrait of Luciana at fifteen — painted long before he'd lost his sight and she'd used the exchange spell.
In the portrait, Luciana smiled, seated in the garden, holding a small bouquet of flowers that Kael had given her that day.
Eloisa couldn't help but press her lips together when she realized he hadn't looked away from the painting. Despite everything she'd said about Luciana, the woman still lingered in Kael's heart.
"Kael, stop torturing yourself... She left. She didn't care about your feelings. She chose another man," Eloisa reminded him. "While she's happy in her lover's bed, you're in here going days without eating or sleeping..."
Kael turned to face Eloisa and fixed her with a hard, severe look.
"Kael... please..." She ignored his anger and knelt beside him, clasping his hand between both of hers. "I'm worried about you. I don't want you getting sick. It breaks my heart to see you like this while she doesn't even care."
Eloisa feigned sadness, leaning forward without releasing the king's hand.
"Go and rest, Eloisa," he ordered.
"Kael, I... I'll go only if you come with me. Please, stay with me tonight. I haven't been feeling well, and I'm scared." She lifted her gaze, tears glistening in her eyes.
Kael closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. In the end, he agreed to go with Eloisa.
Of course, this only fed more rumors — people saw Kael entering Eloisa's chambers at night and not leaving until morning.
The Queen Mother was far from pleased. The court had begun to talk as well, especially since Duke Sandoval had withdrawn his troops from the border, weakening the kingdom's defenses. If other realms or clans caught wind of this, they might decide to invade Holwin.
"If this continues, this palace will become a battlefield. Is there still no word on Lady Sandoval?" the Queen Mother asked.
"My uncle hasn't found anything yet. People talk... That forest is dangerous. They fear she may not have survived," Diego said, lowering his gaze.
"N-no... She has to be alive. Use every resource available. Don't stop searching — I refuse to believe she ran off with another man," the Queen Mother replied, her voice tight with worry.
Diego nodded at her command. For now, he couldn't tell the Queen Mother the truth. If Kael noticed his change in demeanor, the king might start digging.
Six months later...
Luciana walked through the town with Onix and Nox at her sides. No one dared approach with those dogs flanking her. As she passed a market stall, she stopped, catching the scent of fresh herbs. She reached out and picked up a small bunch of yellow flowers — though she couldn't see them, the fragrance told her exactly what they were.
"Those flowers make a great tea — refreshing, and good for helping you sleep," the vendor explained.
"I'll take them. Miss Eirene's been staying up all night lately," Luciana mentioned.
The vendor chuckled. "Miss Eirene grew up among vampires — that's probably why she prefers the night."
"Perhaps. I've heard her complain about the sun," Luciana replied.
The redhead paid for the bouquet and tucked it into a pouch at her waist. That done, she continued on her way — but she could tell someone was following her.
Luciana kept walking until she reached the carriage. The dogs climbed in with her, and the coachman set off.
Once they were well outside town, the carriage lurched to a sudden halt.
"M-miss... It's bandits. They're blocking the road," the coachman stammered, his voice shaking.
Luciana ordered him to get down and hide. Then she stepped out of the carriage herself, her dogs beside her.
"Well, well... What a beauty. Shame about the eyes, but we'll still have a good time," the man laughed.
The others leered at her with the same vile hunger. Luciana remained calm, but she raised one hand and let her arm shift — gray fur rippled across her skin, and long, curved claws extended from her fingers.
"She's a lycanthrope."
"Careful" she might be blind, but she could have sharp hearing.
"She can't take all of us."
The dogs dropped into fighting stances too, bodies low to the ground, hackles raised, teeth bared.
"Stay," Luciana commanded.
The dogs relaxed and took a couple of steps back, sitting down obediently. Three bandits moved in first, but the instant they reached Luciana, she struck with her claws and seized one by the throat. A sharp crack echoed through the air, and when she released him, he dropped lifeless to the dirt.
The other two took a cautious step back, then charged her at the same time. Luciana dodged and struck them down, so more men rushed in to join the fight. Luciana brought down three more, stunning the rest who now circled her warily. The girl couldn't see, and yet she was holding her own against all of them.
"Stop playing around — grab her!" the leader barked.
Luciana let mana flow into her hands and thrust them forward. The energy surged outward, creating a crimson shockwave that hurled the bandits away from her. After that, a glowing sigil blazed to life beneath her feet and expanded outward, sending crackling arcs of power into the remaining men. The discharge was strong enough to leave most of them charred and lifeless.
The few who survived turned and fled. The coachman stood trembling, stunned — and relieved, because he'd been certain his life was over.
"Miss, you're incredible... I'd swear you're on par with Lady Eirene herself," the coachman said.
"I intend to surpass her," Luciana replied.
She climbed back into the carriage, and the coachman urged the horses forward.
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