Transmigrated Into a Cannon Fodder Phoenix, Stuck With the Ice Dragon-Chapter 134: Married

"He’s okay now..."

I had barely finished the sentence when I turned and met Lucian’s glare.

A full one. The kind that said ’we are not done with this conversation.’

"I told you," I said quickly, already defensive, "I was only using my normal flame. I didn’t use that one."

It was the third time I’d explained it. He still didn’t look convinced.

"You shouldn’t have used any flame at all," Lucian said tightly. "Not after everything that happened."

"I didn’t burn him," I shot back. "I stabilized him."

"That’s not the point." He crossed his arms, frost crawling instinctively along his knuckles before he forced it back.

"You don’t get to decide when it’s safe to expose yourself," he said. "Not when people like Elyndra exist."

"I don’t get to decide?" I scoffed. "Excuse me, Mr. Frost—she’s sealed."

"You know she’s not the only fairy," he shot back without hesitation.

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "I was careful," I said more quietly. "I swear."

Lucian didn’t answer right away.

He looked at me like he was weighing something heavier than the argument itself.

"Being careful doesn’t mean being safe," he said finally. "It just means you were lucky."

That stung.

I dropped my hand and looked up at him. "So what? I’m supposed to stand there and do nothing next time?"

His jaw tightened. "No," he said. "You’re supposed to let me stand in front."

The words hit harder than I expected.

I swallowed. "I don’t want to be protected like glass."

His gaze softened, just slightly. "And I don’t want to lose you," he replied.

Silence stretched between us again.

"Aish..." Thalor sighed weakly, breaking it. "Is this your way of torturing a single person?"

Lucian immediately shot him a glare. "Single? Since when have you been single?"

"I am..." Thalor replied, turning his head away slightly, like he was deliberately avoiding the conversation Lucian had just started.

I raised an eyebrow despite myself, curiosity slipping in even though I was still annoyed with Lucian moments ago.

Lucian narrowed his eyes. "You are married," he said firmly. "Stop acting like you’re single. It’s not appropriate."

"Married?!" My voice came out far louder than I intended. I clapped a hand over my mouth. "Oh—sorry. I didn’t know you were already married."

"I am not," Thalor replied, rolling his eyes upward, clearly done with this conversation. "What kind of marriage only has a groom?"

The room went quiet for half a second.

Then Thalor suddenly pushed himself upright, moving slowly.

"Little phoenix," he said, patting the space in front of him. "Sit here. I have a question."

I blinked several times and glanced at Lucian instinctively before my feet carried me toward the bed anyway. "What is it?"

Thalor leaned forward slightly, supporting himself with both arms. "Your friend," he said. "The fairy. How long were you and her hiding in the other world?"

I stared at him in silence, blinking slowly as my mind tried to catch up. ’Why would he ask that?’

"Don’t tell me..."

The thought hit me all at once. I covered my mouth dramatically, slipping straight into my novelist instincts.

"Are you interested in her?!"

He immediately rubbed his face in irritation. "What does my question have to do with me being interested in her?"

"I mean..." I scratched my head, finally realizing he was right. I laughed awkwardly.

"It’s just—maybe earlier, before I knew you were married, I would’ve liked to set you up with Vivian."

"Then do it," Thalor replied instantly.

I blinked hard.

Once.

Twice.

"What?"

Because that was absolutely not the answer I expected.

"No—no," I crossed my arms in a firm X in front of my chest. "I don’t want my best friend suffering in a plot like that. And why would I let Vivian become a homewrecker? She’s pretty and capable of finding someone better..."

Thalor’s eyes narrowed immediately. "Are you saying there’s someone better than me?"

I didn’t hesitate. I gestured toward my husband, of course. "The best example."

"Ah," Thalor muttered, clearly irritated. "This is damn cringe."

"I’m just stating the facts..." I said, standing up and flipping my hair.

"Answer my question first," Thalor stopped me mid-turn.

"What question?" I frowned. I had honestly forgotten which one he meant.

"How long did you and your friend hide in the other world?" he clarified.

"I don’t really know," I replied slowly. "This world and the human world don’t seem to share the same timeline. But I believe I was there since I was a baby... until I turned twenty-five." I paused, then added, "Is it important? If it is, I can ask her for you..."

"No, it’s fine," Thalor said, already lowering himself back onto the bed. "Tell Vaylen I’ll be resting for a few more hours."

He turned onto his side, facing the window.

The conversation was over, but the question he asked lingered longer than I expected.

"Did I say something wrong?" I hurried over to Lucian, looping my arm through his. "I didn’t, right?"

Lucian pinched my nose gently. "No," he said. "You didn’t."

He let out a quiet sigh.

"That one’s on me," he added. "I shouldn’t have brought up his wife."

I relaxed a little and leaned closer to him.

"Can you tell me..." I whispered.

"Tell you what?" Lucian asked, clearly not following.

"His story," I said, grinning. "It sounded interesting. Who knows? I might get a new idea for my next billionaire romance."

Lucian sighed, then clasped my hand in his.

"Let’s go home," he said quietly. "He might hear us."

I laughed softly and let him lead me away.

As we headed downstairs, I saw Vaylen and Celeste waiting near the steps.

"Where’s Vivian?" I asked at once when I didn’t see her.

Celeste clasped her hands together, worry clear on her face.

"She’s resting in the room beside Lord Thalor," she said. "She said she suddenly felt very sleepy and exhausted."

She paused, then quickly added, "But don’t worry. I asked the healer to check on her. So far, she’s fine. It’s probably just fatigue."

I let out a small breath of relief.

At least, for now, everyone was safe.