"Lady Sterra," Samuel said calmly,
"have you heard the phrase—
'Fortune favours those bold enough to claim it?'"
She paused.
Only briefly.
Then smiled.
"No… I haven't, Your Royal Highness. But why do you ask?"
Samuel tilted his head slightly.
"Drop the formalities."
A moment of silence passed.
Then—
"…Goddess of Fortune."
Her expression faltered.
Just for an instant.
Samuel stepped closer.
"Or… whatever name you go by now."
Her gaze sharpened.
And suddenly—
Everything stopped.
Sound vanished. Movement froze.
Time itself stood still.
Only two remained.
Sterra… and Samuel.
She stepped forward slowly.
"You shouldn't know that," she said quietly.
Samuel met her gaze.
"There are many things I shouldn't know."
Silence.
Heavy. Pressing.
For the first time in years—
Sterra felt something she couldn't control.
Uncertainty.
Her instincts… her fortune…
They weren't working.
And the reason stood right before her.
"…who are you?" she asked.
Samuel didn't answer.
He simply looked at her—
Calm.
Unbothered.
As if he had already seen everything.