"My head..." the hooded girl murmured, her hand rising to her temple as consciousness returned. Her eyes fluttered open, focusing gradually on the figures surrounding her. When her gaze landed on Lucian, standing a respectful distance away with his hands clasped behind his back, terror flooded her features.
"You struck your head when you fainted," Lucian said evenly, his tone neither warm nor cold. "Can you stand?"
"Stay away from me!" She scrambled backward on the bench, her voice trembling. "Don't hurt me!"
Lucian remained perfectly still, his expression calm. "I have no intention of harming you. You're not in danger."
"I don't believe you!" Her words came out in a rush, panic evident. "The rumors say you execute people for the smallest offenses. That you're cruel and—"
"Rumors," Lucian interrupted smoothly, his voice carrying quiet authority, "are often exaggerated. Though I admit, in this case, they have some foundation." His gaze remained steady, assessing. "However, the past is precisely that. Past."
The girl stared at him, clearly struggling to reconcile his words with her expectations. Her movement caused her hood to slip back, revealing striking features: fiery red hair that caught the light, deep brown eyes wide with lingering fear, delicate bone structure marked by the hollowness of malnutrition.
Lucian's expression didn't change, though he noted the details with clinical precision. *Fifteen, perhaps sixteen. Malnourished but not starving. Intelligent eyes. Resourceful to have evaded capture this long.*
A moment passed before he realized he'd been observing her longer than strictly necessary.
"Why are you staring at me?" she asked, her voice defensive.
Lucian's composure didn't falter. "I'm assessing," he replied simply. "You don't fit the profile of a common thief. Your movements earlier showed training, and you targeted only necessities rather than valuables." His head tilted slightly. "Which suggests desperation rather than criminality."
The girl's expression hardened. "Of course I'm desperate! You wouldn't understand, Your Majesty. You've never gone hungry, never had to choose between feeding yourself or your siblings." Her voice carried bitter accusation. "You don't know what it's like to be without family, without options."
Lucian absorbed her words without visible reaction. "You have siblings depending on you."
"Yes." Her chin lifted defiantly despite her fear. "And I'll do whatever it takes to keep them alive, even if it means stealing."
"How many?" Lucian asked, his tone remaining level.
She hesitated, clearly suspicious. "Three. Why does it matter to you?"
Lucian considered her for a moment, then made his decision. "I'd like to see them. To understand your situation properly."
"Absolutely not." Her refusal was immediate and firm. "I don't trust you anywhere near them."
"Understandable," Lucian acknowledged without offense. "Then let me propose an alternative." He reached into his coin purse with deliberate calm, withdrawing several gold coins that gleamed in the sunlight. "Enough to feed your family for several months. No theft required."
The girl's eyes widened at the sight of more wealth than she'd probably seen in her life. Suspicion warred with desperate hope across her features. "Why? What do you want from me?"
"Nothing immediately," Lucian said smoothly. "Consider it an investment in civic welfare. A city where children starve is a city with deeper problems that require addressing."
Nara, who had been silent throughout the exchange, stepped forward. "Your Majesty, perhaps we should—"
Lucian raised a hand, silencing her without looking away from the girl. The gesture carried absolute authority, and Nara fell silent immediately, though her jaw tightened with barely concealed frustration.
"Since we're having a civil conversation," Lucian continued, his attention still on the girl, "I should know your name. We appear to be of similar age. There's no need for excessive formality between us."
Nara's expression darkened at his words, something flickering in her eyes that might have been jealousy. She looked away, her voice barely audible as she muttered, "Idiot."
The girl studied Lucian warily, clearly trying to determine if this was another trap. Finally, she spoke, her voice cautious but steady. "Aila. My name is Aila."
"Aila," Lucian repeated, his tone carrying a subtle warmth that hadn't been present before. He extended his hand with the gold coins. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Aila stared at the offered coins, then at his face, searching for deception. Slowly, she reached out and took them, her fingers trembling slightly. "I... thank you, Your Majesty."
"Luc," Lucian corrected gently, allowing himself a slight smile. "Since we're acquaintances now, as you said, there's no need for such formality."
Aila's cheeks colored faintly, though whether from embarrassment or something else was unclear. "Nice to meet you... Your Majesty," she said, a hint of defiance still present despite her gratitude.
Lucian's smile didn't waver at her continued formality. "In time," he said simply, as if confident she'd eventually comply.