The night had not fully settled when silence returned.
The aftermath of the attack lingered in the air—faint groans, the uneasy shifting of injured men, the restless stamping of horses. The moon hung above, pale and distant, casting long shadows across the broken road.
Lucas stood still amidst it all.
The wind moved softly, brushing against his platinum hair, lifting the strands just enough to reveal the cold focus in his eyes. His breathing was steady, controlled, as if the fight had barely required effort.
But his attention was no longer on the fallen attackers.
It was on the man before him.
Liang.
Now that he stood closer, the details became clearer. Long green hair flowed past his shoulders, shifting gently with the night breeze, and his yellow eyes held a quiet sharpness—observant, calculating, yet not immediately hostile. His tall, slender frame gave him an almost unassuming presence, but something about him felt… deliberate.
Measured.
"You handled them efficiently," Liang repeated, his voice calm. "Not many would remain this composed after such an ambush."
Lucas did not immediately respond. His gaze lingered for a moment longer before he finally spoke.
"They were unskilled."
Liang's lips curved slightly. "And yet, they were enough to stop an ordinary noble."
"I'm not ordinary."
A brief silence followed.
Then—
"No," Liang agreed softly. "You are not."
The air between them shifted, subtle but undeniable.
From behind Lucas, a familiar voice broke in.
"Well, that was dramatic," Esther said, stepping out of the carriage as if she had not been told to stay inside. Her light blue hair caught the moonlight, shimmering faintly, while her emerald green eyes flicked between the two men with open curiosity.
She placed a hand on her hip. "So, are we done here, or are we starting a new conversation club in the middle of the road?"
Lucas didn't look back. "You were told to stay inside."
"And you were told not to look like you're about to interrogate someone," she shot back easily. Then her gaze shifted to Liang, narrowing slightly—but her smile remained.
"So," she said, "you're the famous eastern merchant."
Liang inclined his head slightly. "I see my reputation travels far."
"Oh, it does," Esther replied. "Especially when someone has been quietly searching for you."
Lucas's eyes flickered—just briefly.
Liang noticed.
"Searching?" he repeated, his tone unchanged, though the interest behind it sharpened. "That is… intriguing."
Lucas finally spoke, his voice steady. "I have a question."
Esther sighed. "Straight to business, huh? No small talk? No 'thank you for not dying'? You're terrible at this."
Lucas ignored her.
Liang, however, seemed faintly amused. "Then ask."
Lucas held his gaze.
"You are from the east."
"I am."
"You deal in knowledge as much as trade."
Liang's eyes narrowed just slightly, though his smile did not fade. "Careful. Assumptions can be dangerous."
"I don't make them lightly."
Silence stretched for a moment.
Then Liang spoke.
"…Continue."
Lucas exhaled quietly.
"I need a teacher."
The words hung in the air.
Esther blinked. "Wow. Direct. I'm almost impressed."
Lucas continued, unfazed. "Someone capable. Someone not tied to the politics of this place."
"And this 'someone,'" Liang said slowly, "is for you?"
Lucas's gaze shifted, just slightly.
"…No."
For a brief moment, something softer passed through his expression—gone almost as soon as it appeared.
"A child," he added.
Esther's teasing expression softened just a fraction.
Liang observed everything.
"The child must be important," he said.
Lucas did not deny it.
Another pause followed, heavier this time.
Then Liang stepped forward, his long green hair shifting with the movement.
"You ask for a great deal," he said. "A teacher from the east is not something one simply acquires."
"I'm not asking for something simple."
Liang studied him for a long moment, his yellow eyes sharp and searching.
Then—
"You were at the banquet tonight," he said. "Yet you left without speaking to me."
"I was interrupted."
A faint smile. "By ghosts of the past?"
Lucas did not answer.
But the silence spoke clearly enough.
Liang nodded once, as if confirming something to himself. "I see."
From the side, Esther crossed her arms. "If you're trying to analyze him, you're going to be here all night."
Liang glanced at her briefly. "And you?"
"Me?" she grinned. "I'm just making sure he doesn't scare away the only useful person he's met in a while."
Lucas exhaled quietly. "Esther."
"What? I'm helping."
Liang let out a soft breath—almost a chuckle.
"You are… interesting companions."
"That's one way to say it," Esther muttered.
Then Liang's expression shifted.
Slightly more serious.
"The child," he said, looking back at Lucas. "What is his name?"
"…Charles."
The name settled between them.
For a moment, nothing was said.
Then Liang nodded slowly.
"I will consider it."
Esther blinked. "That's it? No dramatic conditions? No impossible price?"
Liang's gaze flicked toward her. "Would you prefer that?"
"…No, actually."
Lucas stepped forward slightly. "What do you want?"
Liang's eyes returned to him.
"Nothing," he said.
Lucas's gaze sharpened.
"That is not how this works."
Liang's faint smile returned. "On the contrary… it is exactly how it works. For now."
The answer did not satisfy him.
It wasn't meant to.
"Then why?" Lucas pressed.
Liang held his gaze.
"Because," he said quietly, "I am curious."
The wind passed between them, carrying the weight of something unspoken.
Curious.
About him?
About Charles?
Or something else entirely?
Esther clicked her tongue. "Great. Mysterious and unhelpful. My favorite combination."
But Lucas did not speak again.
Because for the first time—
The path forward had opened.
Even if it came with questions.
Liang turned slightly, gesturing toward his carriage. "My men will recover. We will depart shortly."
Then, after a brief pause, he added—
"I will visit."
Lucas's eyes narrowed slightly.
"When?"
"When I decide the time is right."
Esther groaned. "Of course you will."
Liang stepped back, his figure already half-turned away.
"Until then, Lord Lucas…"
He paused, glancing over his shoulder.
"…try not to disappear again."
And then he left.
Silence followed.
For a long moment, Lucas said nothing.
Then—
"…He's dangerous," Esther said quietly.
Lucas's gaze remained fixed on the departing carriage.
"I know."
"But you're still going to trust him."
A pause.
"…No," Lucas replied.
The wind stirred again, softer this time.
"I'm going to use the opportunity."
Esther smiled faintly.
"There you are," she murmured. "That sounds more like you."
Lucas turned back toward his own carriage.
"Let's go."
As he stepped inside, his thoughts lingered—not on the attack, not on the banquet—
But on what came next.
Because somewhere, far from the noise and judgment of the capital…
A decision had been set into motion.
And Charles—
Unaware of it all—
Was about to become part of something far greater than he understood.