In the car…
Lucien sat by the window, staring outside, while Lyra kept her eyes on him without saying a word.
The silence stretched.
He shifted slightly, growing uncomfortable under her gaze.
"Can you stop staring at me and just say whatever you want already?" he finally said, clearly irritated.
Lyra didn't look away. "How did you know there was a needle hidden inside my hairpin?"
Lucien paused.
"I… I didn't know," he said quickly. "How would I know something like that? Yesterday, I accidentally dropped it from the dressing table and saw the needle. I recognized it as an acupuncture needle, so… I used it."
He gave a small, awkward smile, hoping she would accept it.
Lyra raised an eyebrow. "Then explain how you know acupuncture. And don't say you learned it abroad—I know you studied business."
Lucien cleared his throat. "Ahem… it is true. I learned it abroad."
His eyes shifted away, avoiding hers.
"Oh really?" she asked, clearly unconvinced.
"Just listen first, okay?" he said quickly, then continued, "I went abroad for business studies, yes. But I met a mentor there. He taught me about traditional culture, cooking… and medicine. He was a traditional doctor. I got interested, so he taught me acupuncture too."
He looked at her carefully, trying to read her reaction.
Lyra's expression remained blank.
"And what was your mentor's name?" she asked.
Lucien paused for a second, then said confidently, "Zeus Morningstar."
It wasn't a lie. It was his father's name.
Lyra studied his face, searching for cracks in his story.
"Then why didn't you ever tell me before that you knew medicine?" she pressed.
Lucien met her gaze this time. "Because you never asked."
His tone was steady, almost challenging.
For a moment, Lyra fell silent.
He's right.
She had never asked about his life. Not once.
That realization hit her harder than she expected.
'I don't know anything about him…' she thought.
Her expression softened slightly. "Fine. I believe you."
Lucien's eyes lit up instantly.
He turned toward her with a smug look. "Hmph. Lyra, you really don't know how amazing your husband is. If you did, you'd realize how lucky you are to have married me—without even putting in any effort."
Lyra stared at him… then laughed.
Where did this arrogance come from?
She reached out, grabbed his cheeks, and pulled them lightly. "You're right. I'm so lucky. My husband can cook, treat patients, handle people with elegance…" She leaned closer and lowered her voice. "And I'm sure he'll be good in bed too."
Lucien froze.
"You… you're shameless!" he stammered, quickly turning his face away, his ears turning red.
Lyra chuckled, amused.
'He's so easy to tease,' she thought. 'I should do this more often.'
By the time they reached home, Lucien got out of the car without waiting and hurried inside.
Lyra blinked in surprise.
Inside the house, he rushed straight to his room, shut the door, and leaned against it.
He covered his face with both hands and groaned.
No matter where he was now, he was still the same man from another era.
And talking about… those things so casually?
He simply couldn't handle it.
…
After freshening up, Lucien went downstairs.
Lyra was sitting on the couch, phone in one hand and laptop on her lap, clearly working.
When she noticed him, she gestured for him to sit beside her.
He quietly took the seat.
After finishing her call, she turned to him and smiled brightly.
For a moment, Lucien just stared.
How could someone be this beautiful?
Her smile alone felt enough to disarm anyone.
Then he realized… she only smiled like this in front of him.
That thought warmed his chest.
"Aren't you going to the office today?" he asked.
She shook her head. "No. I want to spend the day with you."
As she spoke, she reached out and pinched his cheek again.
He smiled helplessly. She was becoming bolder by the day.
"If you don't want to go, then don't. You're the boss anyway," he said lightly.
She smiled, then closed her laptop and turned fully toward him.
"I'm skipping work to stay with you," she said, locking eyes with him. "Shouldn't you compensate me for my losses?"
Lucien understood exactly what she meant.
But he pretended not to.
"Of course," he said seriously. "I'll repay you with my hard work."
Her lips curved, thinking she had won—
Until he continued, "I'll cook you a great lunch. And I'll give you a proper massage to help you relax."
Her smile froze for a second… then returned when she heard "massage."
"Fine," she said. "Massage will do."
After that, Lucien prepared lunch.
Lyra ate everything without leaving a bite.
It was delicious.
Far too delicious.
'I'm going to gain weight at this rate,' she thought, half-annoyed, half-pleased.
After lunch, they sat together with tea.
Lucien spoke up, "Lyra, I was thinking… I want to grow medicinal herbs in the backyard. I can make healthy drinks for you. And maybe send some to your family too."
She looked at him, listening.
"Yesterday, I noticed Grandfather's knee pain," he continued. "And Mother mentioned his diabetes. If I prepare something natural for him, it could help control it better."
Lyra nodded. "Do whatever you think is right. I don't understand medicine, so I'll leave it to you. And this is your house too—you don't need my permission for things like that."
Then she reached into her wallet and handed him a card.
"Take this. If you need anything, just use it. No limits. The password is your birthday."
Lucien stared at it for a moment.
Then he scoffed lightly. "Spend as I like? Money shouldn't be wasted carelessly. If you have that much to spare, it's better to use it for charity."
His tone was calm but firm.
"I'd rather help people than waste it on unnecessary things."
Lyra looked at him… and smiled.
This man really had changed.
The same man who once spent money without thinking was now lecturing her about responsibility.
She stepped closer, wrapped her arms around him, and hugged him tightly.
"Alright, my dear husband," she said softly. "Do whatever you want with it. It's yours now."
Lucien didn't pull away.