Knock, knock…
Even though Lucian had the key to her dorm room, he wasn't the type to walk into a girl's room without knocking.
The door opened with a slow creak.
Elira stood there, looking at Lucian with groggy eyes while letting out a long yawn. Lucian's gaze briefly shifted to her attire—she was wearing nothing but a white silk nightgown that barely reached her mid-thighs.
He immediately turned his head away. In a tone of forced neutrality, he muttered:
"Were you sleeping? I guess my timing is off... Never mind, go back to sleep."
Just as he turned to depart, Elira reached out and caught his sleeve, her other hand coming up to rub the sleep from her eyes.
"Where are you going... alone this late?"
"Well, you told me to inform you before leaving. I just came to do that."
"Lucian, that wasn't an 'inform.' It was a promise."
"Yeah, it's basically the same thing..."
A moment of silence passed. Lucian kept his face turned toward the corridor, avoiding her gaze.
