Lucian waited outside while Mercedes hurried into the tent to change. Her clothes were already painfully tight, and the moment she tried squeezing herself in, she heard the soft but humiliating rrriip of fabric tearing. She froze. She didn't need anyone to explain what had just happened.
Inside the tent, Mercedes covered her face with both hands.
"Why now…" she muttered, embarrassed. Her body growing stronger had been exciting at first, but now it was getting out of control.
Outside, Lucian's gaze softened, even though he pretended he wasn't listening. He could feel her emotions through the faint connection forming between them, a bond even he didn't fully understand yet. The forest itself seemed to echo her presence, protective and strangely affectionate toward her. Lucian wasn't sure if that was good or bad… but he knew it would matter someday.
As he was lost in thought, he heard a sound behind him: a quiet, elegant footstep. Light, but too heavy to belong to a human. And definitely not Mercedes.
Lucian didn't bother turning immediately. Whatever it was, it posed no threat to him, not with the arrogance that flowed naturally through his veins.
"What do you seek?" he asked calmly.
Roar.
A resonant, respectful roar answered him, not hostile… almost reverent.
Lucian turned and raised a brow.
A lion stood before him, its fur blazing red like embers, its long golden mane flickering with flames as if the sun itself rested on its shoulders.
"A lion? In a forest?" Lucian muttered. Lions didn't belong here. Savannah, yes. A dense jungle like this? Impossible.
"How did you get here?" he asked.
The lion dipped its head, proud yet humbled.
[ I was chased by a group of hyenas. I fled here to rest… then your blood touched the ground. I was… baptized. ]
Lucian nodded slowly. "I see. Lucky you."
For creatures, such encounters were life-changing. Destiny-shifting.
The lion lifted its gaze again.
[ My Lord… I wish to return to my territory. To reclaim my pride. To take back what I lost. ]
But Lucian shook his head.
"You can't leave. Everything in this forest is becoming sentient because of me. They need a leader. And since I transformed this place… you all remain here."
The lion's fury surged, its pride awakening.
Lucian narrowed his eyes.
"Do I need to remind you of your place?"
A crushing force of gravity slammed the beast down, immobilizing it instantly.
Growl.
It lowered its head, accepting its fate.
When Lucian spoke again, his tone was calmer.
"You will guard this forest from intruders. Rule them like the king you are. If you agree… I'll allow you to bring your family here."
The lion's eyes lit up with joy as the pressure vanished.
"I shall name you Fury," Lucian declared in the ancient language of the Otaenians, a decree that resonated through Heaven, the Primordial Realm, and even the Netherworld. He willed a blob of Origin energy into Fury's head.
[ Yes, my Lord. ]
Lucian dismissed him just as Mercedes stepped out of the tent.
Her cheeks were slightly flushed, not just from embarrassment, but because she had sensed Lucian's attention lingering on her. Somehow, even when he pretended not to care… he always noticed her.
"You know," Mercedes said, watching the lion leave, "that would've been an amazing ride."
"And you would've been breakfast," Lucian shot back.
She rolled her eyes, relieved by his familiar teasing, it always grounded her when she felt insecure.
Lucian turned slightly, his voice gentler than before.
"Come on. Pack the tent. We're heading out."
Mercedes glared. "Why me?"
"Because you ripped your clothes," he said bluntly. "You need the exercise."
Her mouth dropped open, and Lucian almost smirked, almost.
But then his tone softened so subtly only she would catch it:
"Don't worry. I won't let anything harm you."
Mercedes froze for half a second, warmth blooming in her chest. She hated the chores, yes… but moments like this, when his guard slipped, made everything worth it.
"Yes, master," she said softly, not in annoyance this time, but with a quiet trust.
She gathered their things, comforted by one truth:
Wherever Lucian walked, she would always be safe beside him.