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He wrapped his hands around hers and tugged her to the side.
Ray barely had time to react before she was pulled away from Gaia and Teo. Surprise flickered across their faces, but neither of them stopped him
Lucian didn't slow down.
He came to a halt suddenly, and Ray, struggling to keep up, rushed straight into him before she caught herself.
The proximity made her gasp.
"Now explain," he said. His voice was low.
"What are you doing here?"
Ray remained still. Her mind scrambled for words, excuses, half truths but none of them felt solid enough to convince him.
Then her gaze dropped to their hands, still firmly wrapped together. Lucian followed her gaze, and released her at once.
His expression still, indifferent as though nothing had just happened.
Ray bit her lip, nervously thinking for an answer. Then it came to her. What better way to avoid a question than to answer with another?
"What are you doing here? She shot back. "Are you following me?
Then folded her arms across her chest, feigning seriousness. Lucian shut his eyes,fingers pressing briefly into his temples
Of all the tricks she could have used, she chose the oldest one. "If you are going to lie," he said at last "at least have the decency to do it properly."
He dropped his hands and looked at her again. "Now I'll ask you one more time," he continued, every word deliberate. "What were you doing in there?"
Ray let out a slow breath. There was no point trying to lie to him.
"I'm here because of the commoners' disappearances".
Lucian expression turned grey. "Why," he asked, his voice low and dangerous. One that sent shivers down her spine.
Telling the full truth wasn't an option. But a half one…
Ray parted her lips to speak.
"Excuse me?" A gentle voice cut between them.
Their heads snapped toward the sound.
Aleena stood a few steps away, her hood neatly draped over her head, and a soft smile etched onto her lips.
"Oh." She gasped lightly, her brows knitted into what looked like startled guilt. "Am I interrupting something?"
For a brief second, neither Lucian nor Ray responded.
Then Lucian straightened, turning toward her.
"No," he said. The word rolled off his tongue,cool and calm. As though he wasn't radiating intimidation just moments ago.
"Thank you," Aleena said. "For intervening."
Lucian inclined his head "how did you know the reason I was here?" He asked. His unreadable gaze locked onto Aleena's.
The reason he was here? Ray's thoughts spiraled.
So… he wasn't following me?
Aleena did not waste time. "I sent word to the officials overseeing the case,' she said calmly. "When no response came, I was informed the Investigation had been transferred."
Lucian expression did not change. Aleena's lips curved faintly. "I wasn't told to whom, of course. I only intervened to prevent unnecessary bloodshed."
Her gaze flicked briefly towards Ray. "But you have just answered the question."
Ray felt it. A strange sensation curled up in her chest. Not pain, not jealousy. It was irritation
She watched them, Lucian and Aleena standing so easily in slightly close proximity.
As though the world was already aware of the history they would have.
The warmth she had felt earlier didn't disappear, but now it twisted into something sharper.
It's not me any more, it's the story.
This wasn't how things were meant to unfold.
Not yet.
Ray exhaled slowly, her jaw tightened. The story wasn't deviating in accordance to her intervention, but had fully gone off the rails.
If Aleena was here already, then the story's timeline was collapsing faster than she anticipated. There was no room for hesitation left.
And no way was she stepping aside. If the story insisted on changing itself then fine,
She would change with it.
Aziah stepped toward them, his expression composed. "I have spoken to the people," he said quietly to Lucian. "I gathered more information about the disappearances."
He paused. "We should leave."
Lucian gave a short nod in agreement, then inclined his head at aleena once and turned to leave.
Only to be stopped. Aleena's fingers closed the sleeve of his coat. Lucian halted.
He looked down at her, his expression unreadable.
"Pardon me," she said, her voice lowered, almost a whisper meant just for him. "You will continue the investigation…won't you?"
Her grip tightened slightly. "Your presence gave them hope," she continued. "I only ask that you don't abandon them as the others have."
Silence stretched between them. Lucian studied her for a long moment. Then slowly he inclined his head.
Aleena released his sleeve and Lucian walked away while Ray followed behind him.
Ray turned to Gaia, with a soft voice. "Gaia. We should go now."
Teo exhaled, rubbing the back of his next. "I can take you back. It's late, and.."
"No need." Lucian cuts in. They all turned to his direction.
"You have done enough for today," he continued. "Take your rest."
Ray frowned slightly. "Then how are we meant to get back?"
Lucian didn't look at her immediately, his hands fixed properly the saddle on his horse.
"With us." He turned to Aziah. "Gaia will ride with you." Then without pause he added.
"Lady Celestine will ride with me."
Aziah blinked once, then nodded. "As you wish."
Gaia hesitated, but before she knew it, she was already being guided away onto Aziah's horse. Ray remained still, surprise flickered across her face.
Before she could protest, hands were wrapped around her waist and suddenly she was mounted on the horse.
Lucian swung up behind her, and with a sharp flick of the reins, they were already riding away.
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The horse slowed to a stop at the marquis' estate. Elara stood outside with the marquis and some servants. Pacing the stone path restlessly.
Then Elara spotted the Duke and Celestine visibly seated before him. They hurried forward.
Lucian dismounted first, then his hands found Ray's waist, guiding her down carefully, setting her gently on the ground before letting go.
Elara rushed toward Ray, pulling her into a tight hug. "I was so worried about you! Do you know how late it is? I thought I told you not to leave the house!"
Ray stiffened slightly, but before she could respond, Elara's gaze flickered to Gaia. The girl bowed her head, cheeks flushed with embarrassment and fear.
Lucian stepped forward, his voice calm. "I apologize, my lady. I had kept her. I didn't realize how late it had become."
All heads turned toward him. Ray's eyes widened. Was Lucian….covering for me?
Elara's eyes narrowed as she looked from Lucian to Ray. "Is that true, Celestine?"
Ray swallowed, forcing a casual tone. "Of course. I wanted to speak with Lucian… I didn't realize how late it was." She hoped her voice didn't betray her racing heart.
Elara studied the two of them for a moment, then gave a quick nod to the maids. They stepped forward, guiding Ray into the mansion. Elara bowed her head slightly before following.
Ray couldn't tear her eyes away from Lucian as they walked. He had no reason to cover for her and yet he did. Their gazes lingered, long after the others had faded from view.
The moment was broken by the marquis stepping in front of Lucian, offering him a firm handshake. His gaze flicked briefly to Ray.
"Even though you two are engaged," he said carefully. "I think you should mind how you handle situations like this."
Lucian's Jaw tightened slightly, he didn't know whether to debunk his ideology or wait for Celestine to do so.
He could have easily explained they had agreed to call it off, yet chose not to. Unsure why.
Lucian inclined his head respectfully, then jumped on his horse and went away.
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Ray lay flat on her bed, exhaustion sinking deep. Her eyes stayed fixed on the ceiling as a tired sigh slipped from her chest.
What was her next move now?
With the female lead already present, Lucian would be naturally drawn to her. That was how the story worked.
So where did that leave Ray?
Before the thought could settle, a familiar icon flared to life before her eyes. Ray dragged a hand down to her face and groaned.
"What now…" she muttered, already drained.
She was tired of the system, tired of its sudden demands and deliberately vague missions.
Her eyes scanned the glowing text.
SUB MISSION: Discover the True cause of the disappearances.
She frowned. Then another line appeared.
Failure to comply: information blockage.
Ray's breath stilled. "Information blockaged?" She whispered.
As if answering her, more text held onto the screen.
Information blockages: Ray Degrassi. Author of Weeping Hill, will result in the loss of 60% of your knowledge of the novel.
Her blood ran cold.