School had returned to normal.
As if nothing had happened.
No one knew about Daggerbone. No one knew about the battle in the dead of night, about how close they were to something far bigger than the life of a privileged student.
But change was there.
Lucien Falkner was no longer just a shadow walking through the halls in his black hoodie. The clothes he wore now were neater, more refined—something Evelyn had suggested when they went shopping before.
He wasn't completely different, but the difference was enough to be noticed.
And it was noticed.
"Who is that?"
"Wait, is he new? Damn, he's kinda hot."
"Wait, no way—that's L-L-Lucien?! What the—"
Evelyn heard the whispers around her.
She saw how several girls were eyeing Lucien, some gathering the courage to approach him.
She gripped the strap of her bag a little tighter, not realizing it herself.
---
At the cafeteria, Lucien sat at his usual spot, eating in silence. Ryan Caldwell was beside him, chewing on fries while scanning the room with an amused smirk.
A group of girls nearby were whispering, hesitating, trying to find an excuse to talk to Lucien.
Before they could move—
Evelyn appeared and casually took the seat beside Lucien.
Lucien glanced at her, raising an eyebrow slightly, but said nothing.
> Lucien: "You good?"
Evelyn (smiling normally): "Of course. Just thought you might need some company."
Ryan (grinning): "Uh-huh. Sure."
The girls hesitated.
And then, they backed off.
As if they understood that Evelyn had some kind of claim over Lucien.
Evelyn pretended not to notice.
But Ryan noticed.
And Lucien noticed.
---
Ryan leaned back, arms crossed, watching Evelyn with a knowing smirk.
> Ryan: "So… this is interesting. You didn't care about Lucien before, but now you're lowkey gatekeeping him from other girls?"
Evelyn: "I'm not—what? That's ridiculous."
Ryan: "Sure, sure. I totally believe you."
Lucien continued eating in silence, but Evelyn caught a hint of a smirk on his lips.
He noticed. He knew.
Evelyn took a deep breath and focused on her food. But her mind was full of something she refused to acknowledge.
---
After school, Evelyn chose to walk home alone.
The evening air was cool and refreshing, but her thoughts were a mess. She knew she was acting weird. She knew she was paying too much attention to someone who shouldn't matter at all in her life.
And somehow, she found herself talking out loud.
"Why am I still thinking about him? He's just… Lucien."
> Lucien: "Talking to yourself is a sign of insanity, you know?"
Evelyn nearly jumped.
She spun around to see Lucien standing a few steps behind her, hands in his pockets, his expression neutral as always.
> Evelyn: "Can you NOT sneak up on me like that?!"
Lucien (calmly): "Wasn't sneaking. Just passing by."
Evelyn narrowed her eyes, about to snap back—
But another voice interrupted.
---
Ethan Appears – Excited to See Lucien
> Ethan: "Luci!!"
Evelyn froze.
From a distance, Ethan Mercer, her younger brother, ran towards them with a big grin.
Without hesitation, he punched Lucien's chest playfully, grinning ear to ear.
> Ethan: "It's been a while! You just disappeared after that night!"
Lucien: "Had things to do."
Evelyn stood still, observing the interaction.
Her brother… was close with Lucien?
She knew Lucien had saved Ethan before, but she hadn't realized Ethan actually liked him.
Ethan, full of excitement, suddenly turned to both of them.
> Ethan: "Come on, it's still early! Let's go somewhere!"
Lucien (shrugs): "Fine."
Evelyn: "...What?"
Before Evelyn could protest, Ethan grabbed her wrist and pulled her forward.
Lucien followed beside them.
And for some reason—
Evelyn felt strangely uncomfortable with all of this.
---
The three of them walked through the city together, with Ethan rambling about random things—about his school, about soccer, about his favorite food.
Evelyn glanced at Lucien from time to time.
Lucien… was this what he was actually like?
Not a mystery. Not terrifying.
Just someone who could stand beside her without making her feel like she had to be on guard.
---
When they reached Evelyn's house, Ethan rushed inside first, leaving Evelyn and Lucien outside.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Lucien leaned against the front gate, his gaze steady on Evelyn.
> Lucien: "Go inside. It's late."
Evelyn (quietly): "Lucien…"
Lucien (raising an eyebrow): "Hm?"
Evelyn: "...Never mind."
Lucien nodded slightly, before turning and walking away.
Evelyn watched his back as he disappeared into the distance.
And for the first time—
She realized that Lucien had become a part of her life.
But she wasn't ready to accept it yet.
End of Chapter 39