The room was filled with the warm scent of cinnamon from the freshly brewed tea. The afternoon sun peeked through the large window, casting golden light onto the table where neatly arranged business documents lay. On one side, Lucian Von Veltorin sat with his usual elegance, though his sharp, cold gaze remained unchanged.

It had been a year since you arrived in this world—a year since you started getting close to him, giving him attention beyond mere friendship, slowly steering his fate away from its original course. By now, in the novel, he should have already set his plan in motion to kill his younger brother. But he hadn't.

Perhaps it was because of the advice you always gave him. Or perhaps... it was because of you.

As you were discussing the market potential for jewelry trade, Lucian suddenly closed the document in front of him with a single hand, the soft sound breaking the quiet atmosphere. He looked at you for a moment before speaking in his usual, indifferent tone:

"Ride the carriage with me."

The command was abrupt, spoken so casually it almost seemed meaningless. As if you were just someone conveniently nearby, and he was merely inviting you out of boredom. But you knew better than that. Lucian Von Veltorin never did anything without a reason.

His gaze remained locked onto yours, unreadable, waiting for an answer. When you didn't respond immediately, he added in a quieter voice:

"To the royal national park. I want to take a walk."

The royal national park—a place where nobles frequently visited to enjoy the scenery, engage in light conversations, or even publicly display their chosen partners.

But this was Lucian. And he never did anything without a reason.