"I have never heard of someone named Luca in the Empire."
Silence.Top of Form
Lucavion's black eyes flickered, but he didn't react.
"There's no way someone like you would go unnoticed."
For a moment—**just a moment—**his smirk faded.
And then—
Lucavion met her gaze directly.
"Sharp."
Aeliana huffed. "That much is obvious. I don't need to be sharp or anything."
Lucavion tilted his head, exhaling softly.
Then—
"Well… now that it's come to this, I guess I can say it."
He leaned back slightly, raising his head toward the cavern ceiling, his expression unreadable.
"Your real name?" Aeliana said, looking into his eyes.
Lucavion raised his head slightly, his black eyes glinting in the firelight.
His smirk was still there, but it had shifted—less playful, less teasing.
More curious.
"You knew…?"
Aeliana met his gaze, her amber eyes steady.
"Indeed."
Lucavion exhaled softly, watching her. Studying her.
Aeliana leaned back slightly, crossing her arms.
