Lucian’s feet stopped dead in their tracks.

His eyes widened for a fraction of a second before he instantly forced his expression back to a calculated neutral.

A slow smile formed on his lips as he turned around, walking back to the table and sitting directly across from Iris.

"You’re smart, You know, I like smart people."

Then, The smile vanished from his face, leaving behind a dark, unreadable look half-hidden behind his bangs

"What do you know?"

Iris didn’t even flinch. She simply took another calm sip of her tea, her emerald eyes dropping casually to the faint, dark purple mana already crackling around his fingertips.

She let out a low chuckle.

"I had no idea you were this sensitive when it comes to the Hero," she said in a teasing tone.

"And as for what I want... Do you really think you could give it to me if I asked directly?"

There was absolutely no trace of a smile left on Lucian’s face. It was a cold, ruthlessly blank expression — one he hadn’t shown to a single person since arriving at the academy.

"What?" Iris raised an eyebrow, entirely unfazed by his killing intent.

"If you think I’m going to cower just because you’re glaring at me with those eyes, you are severely underestimating me."

Don’t beat around the bush. Get to the point.

Iris smirked and took one last sip from her porcelain cup.

"My goal is the exact same as yours." She slowly slid her hand across the smooth wooden table, her slender fingers lightly reaching toward his.

"Getting the Hero out of the way."

A few heavy seconds passed in silence.

Lucian studied her face carefully, searching for any hint of deception or hidden intent. He found absolutely none.

Slowly, he pulled his hand back and let out a quiet sigh as he pinched the bridge of his nose. When he lowered his hand, that manipulative smile returned to his face like a mask slipping back into place.

"You should have just said that from the start, I prefer people who get straight to the point anyway."

Iris chuckled softly, delicately pressing an index finger to her lips.

"And I prefer people with the cunning mind of a fox."

"Is that a compliment?"

"If you like it, then yes."

She leaned forward slightly, her emerald eyes gleaming.

"Well, back to the point. As I said, I want to separate Cassian and Aria. Can you help me with that?"

Lucian tapped his fingers on the table thoughtfully.

"It’s not that I can’t help you. But if we’re making a deal, I have the right to know exactly how you know Aria, and what your reasons are."

"Fair enough." She folded her hands gracefully.

"My reasons are simple. I despise seeing Cassian near Aria. My sweet, innocent cousin has absolutely no idea about his true nature. I’ve tried to warn her countless times, though she refuses to listen to me."

Cousin? Lucian listened intently, his gaze never leaving hers.

"And as for my personal motives..." Those are simple too. When I want something, I will do whatever it takes to get it. That is all I can tell you for now."

Lucian stared at her for a moment before letting out a soft hum.

"I get it. Don’t you have anything you want to ask me?"

"Like what?"

"Well, you just shared your reasons. Don’t you want to ask why I want to get rid of the Hero?"

"Nope," Iris replied without hesitation as if she were to expect that.

"Alright then... let’s make it official. Tomorrow, we have practical combat in class. And my plan remains simple. I’m going to provoke Cassian in front of the entire class with just a few calculated questions. I’ll slowly drag his true nature out into the light. If I have to shed some of my own blood to make him snap, I will. You just need to bring Aria to see it — wait, no. Aria is sick. She can’t attend."

Lucian tapped his chin, a slight frown forming.

"Then how are you going to—"

"Do not worry yourself, I have the perfect solution for that."

She reached into her small purse resting on the chair beside her, pulled out a small, intricately carved object, and placed it gently on the table.

"A Memory Crystal..."

Lucian leaned forward, his eyes widening slightly.

"Those are incredibly expensive..." You aren’t just some ordinary noble, are you?"

A melodic chuckle escaping her lips.

"You could say that. I will record everything with this memory crystal. As far as proof goes... it will be more than enough."

"Then it’s a deal." Lucian extended his hand across the table.

Iris stared at his outstretched hand for a few long, agonizing seconds. Instead of taking it directly, she calmly reached into her purse, pulled out a pristine lace handkerchief, draped it neatly over her palm, and only then grasped his hand to shake it.

A vein twitched visibly at his temple.

"Well... aren’t we delicate."

She tucked the handkerchief back into her bag, her expression remaining flawlessly neutral.

"Alright, Lucian Valemont. I will see you in class tomorrow with the memory crystal."

"Wait... class?"

"Yes. I am in your class. Did you really not know?"

"Wait, seriously? First-year, Batch B?"

"Yes." She let out a soft, dramatic sigh, placing a hand over her chest.

"Now you are simply trampling all over a lady’s heart, acting as if you’ve never even noticed me sitting in the same room."

Lucian sheepishly rubbed his temple.

"Heh... my bad. Well, I’ll see you tomorrow then, Iris. Bye for now."

He turned on his heel and finally walked out of the chapel.

Iris offered a faint, elegant wave to his retreating back.

After the heavy wooden doors clicked shut, leaving her entirely alone in the quiet chapel...

Later that evening, after leaving the chapel, Iris made her way back to her private dorm room.

The heavy door clicked shut behind her. She stepped inside the unlit room, walking toward the tall wooden wardrobe. opened it and delicately hung her purse on a hook.

For a few seconds, she just stood there in the quiet room staring into the dark closet.

Then, her calm demeanor dropped. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

She frantically opened the purse with each moment her breathing growing erratic until she pulled out that handkerchief — the exact one she had just used to shake Lucian’s hand.

She raised the fabric to her face, pressing it gently against her nose, and took a slow, deep breath, taking in his lingering scent. Her cold eyes softened into something completely obsessed as a deep flush crept up her cheeks.

Slowly, she parted her lips and slid her tongue across the cloth where his hand had touched.

"Ahhhhh... my love... my beloved Lucian..."