Luzella's face reddened slightly as she huffed, "You're calling me 'little girl, little girl, little girl' this whole time. If you think I'm a little girl at this age, doesn't that mean I'm still a child?" Her voice was tinged with indignation, her arms crossing over her chest in a defensive gesture.
Alaric's eyes danced with amusement as he asked, "Tell me something, were you acting all this time in front of everyone?" His voice was laced with playful skepticism, his lips curling into a hint of a smile.
Luzella's brow furrowed in a frown as she asked, "What do you mean?" her eyes narrowing slightly as she awaited his response.
Alaric's gaze locked onto Luzella's as he explained, "Everyone says you're a sweet and kind girl, but all I see is a fierce and temperamental girl standing right in front of me."
Luzella's eyes widened as she gasped and her frown deepening as she demanded, "Did you make inquired about me?" Her voice was sharp, her face tense with a mix of surprise and annoyance.
Alaric's smirk deepened, his eyes glinting with amusement as he said, "How do you think I found you if I didn't make inquiries about you?" His voice was low and smooth, a smile still playing on his lips.
Luzella's face flushed as she grasped his point, her features scrunching up slightly. "It's because you're different towards me compared to others, so I'm different with you," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of fury.
Alaric took a step closer, his voice dropping to a whisper as he asked, "Why do you think I'm different from others to you, little girl?" His breath grazed her skin, sending a subtle shiver through the air.
Luzella took a step back, her eyes locked on Alaric's as she replied, "Because no one's ever made inquiries about me before, and yet here you are, who has. Isn't this reason simple enough for you?"
Alaric let out a soft sigh, feeling he'd expected too much from the fiery woman standing before him. His gaze softened as he realized he'd gotten anger instead of the special connection he'd hoped for. "Fine," he said, his voice gentle. "Calm down, my lady. Go change your clothes. Once you're ready, we'll head out together. Is that alright?" His words were a soothing balm, aimed at diffusing her frustration.
Luzella's anger melted away, replaced by a radiant smile that spread across her face, softening her features. Her lips curled up in a sweet, gentle curve as she replied, "That's good. Wait for me here."
Alaric hummed in response to acknowledge Luzella's words. With a gentle nod, he watched as she turned and left. Sometime later, the soft rustle of fabric announced her return, and Luzella descended the stairs, looking refreshed in her new attire. She walked towards Alaric, a smile still playing on her lips, and said, "I'm ready. Shall we go?" Her eyes sparkled with a hint of anticipation.
Alaric nodded, his eyes gleaming softly in the dim light, and stood up, his movements quiet and deliberate. Together, they walked side by side, their footsteps muffled on the cool night floor as they left the grand mansion behind, the midnight darkness wrapping around them like a silent blanket.
Luzella settled into the front passenger seat, the leather creaking softly beneath her. Alaric slid into the driver's seat, his movements were precise. He inserted the key, turned it, and the engine roared to life. The headlights cast a golden glow on the darkness ahead, illuminating the path as they pulled away from the mansion, the wheels smoothly gliding over the driveway.
Alaric's eyes remained fixed on the road ahead, his gaze intent and focused as he navigated the darkness. The silence between them was punctuated only by the soft hum of the engine and the occasional passing of streetlights, casting fleeting shadows on his profile. His voice was low and smooth, as he asked her "Don't you have any questions to ask me?"
Luzella's frowned, her brow furrowing in confusion as she asked, "What?" Her voice was laced with a hint of uncertainty. Alaric's replied straightforward, his voice calm and even, "About the earlier incident in the room." The silence that followed was brief, with Luzella's gaze drifting to his hand, her eyes lingering on the spot where the molten lava had touched his skin.
"Oh," Luzella said, a smile spreading across her face as she replied, "Actually, I'm shocked beyond your belief." Her eyes flashed with concern as she continued, "Maybe I was more afraid of what happened to your hand in that moment and didn't think much of it then." Her voice trailed off, and she took a deep breath before adding, "It's been some time now, and I'm still trying to process what happened." Luzella's gaze drifted to his hand again, her expression softening. "I don't mind listening if you want to tell me, but I won't ask."
Alaric's eyes flicked towards Luzella, his gaze piercing as he asked, "Why? Don't you want to know about it?" His voice was low, with a hint of curiosity, as if genuinely interested in her response. The dim light of the dashboard highlighted the sharp angles of his face.
Luzella glanced at Alaric, her eyes thoughtful as she replied, "I want to know, but that doesn't mean I have to ask. What if it's something personal? It's not my place to pry." She paused for a moment, collecting her thoughts before continuing, "You didn't answer the questions I had to ask, and instead, you told me to find out for myself. So, I think other things are unnecessary to ask." Her voice was measured, her tone considerate.
Alaric eyes remained fixed on the road ahead, as he asked, "Don't you fear me anymore, that I'll do something to you?" his tone seemed to awaiting for her honest response, as if eager to hear her thoughts.
However, Luzella's response was a vague hum, her gaze drifting out the window as she stared into the darkness. The passing streetlights cast fleeting shadows on her face, but her expression remained calm.
Alaric's eyes flicked towards Luzella briefly, his gaze softening as he suggested, "If you're sleepy, you should take a nap. It'll take some time to reach." a hint of consideration underlying his words.