Chapter 134 — Touching Moment

Chapter 134: Chapter 134 — Touching Moment

Chapter 134 — Touching Moment

Lyra sat alone in the jail cell.

She slowly wiped the blood from the corner of her lip, removing what remained from Zuban’s attack.

After cleaning herself, Lyra sat upright and crossed her legs.

She knew escaping wasn’t an option.

Not with Levron outside.

From the moment she had been brought here, he hadn’t left the jailhouse once.

Lyra wasn’t sure why.

Was he protecting her from Zuban?

Or was he simply making sure the clan’s laws were followed and that nobody touched her before her execution?

Levron was one of the reasons she had been so afraid when he and Zuban appeared in the forest.

Zuban had been one half of it.

Lyra knew Zuban.

She knew what he wanted.

She knew exactly what kind of person he was beneath the smile he showed everyone else.

She had known that being seen with Victor would eventually lead to something like this.

But Levron...

He was different.

Levron had been almost like a brother to her.

When her parents were still around, Levron had already been part of their family before Lyra was even born.

She had heard the stories many times.

Her father had taken Levron in and cared for him almost as though he were his own son.

And Levron had loved and respected her father just as deeply.

That love had extended to Lyra.

Her mother had always told Levron to take care of her.

And he always had.

He had been the protective older brother who watched over her when she was young.

The one who made sure she was safe.

The one she could rely on whenever she needed help.

The one who had always been there.

Even after her parents disappeared, that bond hadn’t vanished immediately.

Lyra had eventually been taken into the Patriarch’s home, separating her from Levron.

She couldn’t see him as often anymore.

But sometimes, he would still come find her.

And whenever she needed something, he was there.

Then, slowly, things changed.

It was almost as though Levron had forced himself to separate from her.

Perhaps looking at Lyra reminded him of everything he had lost.

Not because he had stopped caring.

But because caring hurt.

Lyra lowered her eyes.

She hadn’t only been afraid of what he could do.

She had been afraid of what he would think.

Levron had seen her standing beside a human.

One whose scent was all over her.

She could still remember his expression when they had returned to the village.

His face had remained calm.

His voice had remained emotionless.

He had barely even acknowledged that she existed.

Yet he hadn’t allowed Zuban to touch her.

That contradiction hurt more than Lyra wanted to admit.

She could handle Zuban’s hatred.

She had expected it.

But Levron’s disappointment?

That was different.

Lyra stared toward the cell entrance.

"Levron?"

Silence.

She waited.

Nearly a minute passed.

Then his voice finally came from outside.

"What?"

Lyra smiled faintly.

"I just remembered something from years ago."

Levron didn’t answer.

Lyra continued anyway.

"Father wanted to take you camping in the wilderness."

Her smile grew slightly.

"You were younger back then."

She looked toward the bars.

Silence.

Lyra chuckled softly.

"You argued with Father the entire time because you didn’t want to leave me behind."

Her voice softened.

"You were worried something might happen to me."

Levron remained silent.

But Lyra knew he was listening.

"I’ve always cherished that memory."

Still nothing.

Lyra’s smile faded.

"I’m sorry."

Her fingers tightened slightly against her clothing.

"I know this isn’t what you expected from me."

She took a breath.

"And I know seeing me standing beside Victor wasn’t something you wanted to see."

The silence stretched.

Finally, Levron spoke.

"It’s too late now, Lyra."

Lyra lowered her head.

"Yes."

She paused.

"You’re right."

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Lyra looked toward the entrance again.

"But if only you had gotten to know Victor."

Levron remained silent.

"He isn’t..."

She hesitated.

"He’s not like most humans."

Her voice became more earnest.

"He’s not like the humans who took our parents."

She paused.

"And he’s not like the betrayers the clan has told us about for all these years."

Levron said nothing.

Lyra continued.

"Victor has a gentle soul."

Her expression softened.

"And I don’t necessarily regret getting to know him."

She gave a small, almost embarrassed smile.

"I’d never tell him this to his face..."

A faint laugh escaped her.

"But I do think of him as a friend."

Silence.

Longer this time.

Then Levron finally spoke.

"Sometimes we make decisions."

Lyra listened.

"I don’t think your parents would have been very happy seeing you standing beside a human."

His voice remained calm.

"Especially with that human scent all over you."

Lyra lowered her gaze.

"But you’re grown now."

There was a brief pause.

"You’re old enough to make your own decisions."

His voice became quieter.

"And you’re old enough to deal with the consequences of those decisions."

Then he stopped.

Lyra could feel it.

The conversation was over.

She didn’t try to force him to continue.

After several seconds, she spoke softly.

"You’re right, Levron."

She looked toward the entrance. ℴ

"Just know that no matter what happens..."

Her voice trembled slightly.

"I still care about you deeply."

Levron didn’t answer.

The silence continued.

But if Lyra could have seen him clearly through the bars, she would have noticed something unusual.

His calm expression had cracked.

Only slightly.

A faint trace of pain appeared in his eyes.

He lowered his head and stared at the sword resting in his hand.

His fingers slowly moved along its hilt.

For several seconds, the pain remained.

Then it disappeared.

His expression returned to normal.

The same calm exterior.

The same unreadable face.

Lyra’s gaze slowly shifted toward the side.

Toward the direction Victor was in.

She could feel him.

Their Soul Bond remained.

It wasn’t strong enough for her to know exactly what was happening, but she could sense something.

Struggle.

Pressure.

Danger.

Victor was fighting something.

Something that was pushing him toward the edge.

At times, the sensation became so intense that Lyra could almost feel the boundary between life and death.

Her fingers curled slightly.

She didn’t know where he was.

She didn’t know who he was fighting.

She didn’t know how badly he was injured.

All she could do was feel the faint connection between their souls.

Whatever you’re doing...

I hope you come out alive.

She slowly leaned back against the wall.

For now, there was nothing else she could do.

So she closed her eyes.

And waited.