Cassandra stopped dead in her tracks, her earlier introspection about calling him ’husband’ completely forgotten.
The sudden, uncharacteristic awkwardness from him, coupled with the implication of sharing a room, sent a ripple of heat through her.
He was usually calm and composed, so... this unexpected vulnerability, this sudden display of a very human concern for propriety...
"...I mean," Lumin cleared his throat, still avoiding her gaze. "We’re not actually... that is to say..." He trailed off, seemingly unable to find the right words, much like herself.
Silence stretched between them, filled with a tension that wasn’t there just a few moments ago.
Cassandra found herself staring at his profile, still looking ahead into the darkness, a small, almost unnoticeable twitch at the corner of his lips betraying his feigned nonchalance.
A soft, involuntary giggle escaped from her.
Lumin glanced at her in confusion. Perhaps he couldn’t understand the reason or for something else entirely, he looked away.
"You could have taken the floor," Cassandra said suddenly, surprising herself with her boldness. Well, she was usually bold, but not in situations like these.
This time, Lumin didn’t look at her. "...I could have."
"...You didn’t want to put me in that position." Cassandra continued her boldness.
"...Yes," Lumin admitted honestly. "I didn’t."
Something warm unfurled in Cassandra’s chest at his consideration. How many men would have thought twice about such arrangements? Especially when maintaining a cover story?
Many even would have used such a scenario to their advantage, forcing a closer, more intimate setting under the guise of necessity. They would have exploited the situation, seeing it as an opportunity rather than a dilemma.
The thought made her stomach twitch unpleasantly, a stark contrast to the warmth Sir Lumin’s actions had kindled.
He not only protected their mission, but also her comfort and dignity as well. He... He had prioritized her feelings, anticipating a potentially awkward or uncomfortable situation, and neatly sidestepped it.
That quite decency, so rare in her world of masks and manipulations, disarmed her more effectively than any blade could.
"...Thank you." She muttered softly.
"For being..." she hesitated for a moment, then decided to be honest. "For being a gentleman. Even now..."
Lumin turned to her again, his earlier confusion replaced by a knowing look. He simply nodded, acknowledging her sentiment without further comment.
They resumed walking in silence. Cassandra kept glancing at him from time to time. She noticed how quickly he had regained his composure. Even in that moment of vulnerability, he handled it with grace.
He was still the dependable half-elf who had navigated through the interrogation flawlessly, who stood up for others, who protected her without hesitation, who somehow always seemed to know exactly what to do. As for that brief moment of awkwardness, it only made him more human... more real.
It was reassuring in a way. Because, no matter what situation arose, she felt safe, knowing he would handle it well. But of course, she would intervene and act if needed. She wasn’t a delicate flower that needed constant protection. She had her own strength, skills, and capabilities.
Still, having someone reliable and trustworthy at her side... it was a comfort she realized she’d been missing.
But what else she didn’t know was, beneath that calm exterior, Lumin was anything but composed.
Thank goodness she didn’t say anything else, he thought, carefully maintaining his steady pace while his mind continued racing. I really don’t know what I would have said anymore...
The memory of his earlier behavior crashed over him like a tidal wave, again.
Calling Cassandra his wife so naturally and intimately, the protective way he’d responded to that thug, the gentle tone he’d used when asking her to remove her veil...
Honey? My wife? Seriously?
He barely stopped himself from running a hand through his hair in embarrassment. What’s more, the words just slipped out so effortlessly, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
He should be grateful that Cassandra hadn’t gotten angry or misunderstood his words and slip-ups. She could have easily taken offense, could have questioned his intentions, could have made this entire escape mission more complicated that it already was.
Thankfully, she was Cassandra. She was sensible, pragmatic, and understood the necessity of their charade. She had also played along perfectly, never once breaking character or questioning his... overly enthusiastic performance.
But that only made him feel even worse about it.
Why did I call her honey instead of just calling her with a fake name?
The cringe-worthy memory made his jaw clench involuntarily. He’d crossed so many lines and lies tonight that he’d lost count.
Some traitorous part of him... enjoyed it.
The way she’d fit so perfectly beside him, the protective instinct that had flared when that thug soldier had gotten too close, the strange feeling he’d felt when introducing her as his wife, acting as her husband...
...Get it together Ama-, I mean, Lumin!
He scolded himself fiercly in his mind.
That was just an act, nothing more, nothing less...
But even as he tried to rationalize his behavior, he still couldn’t shake the memory of how she’d looked when thanking him, that soft gratitude in her voice, the way she called him a gentleman...
Lumin risked a sideways glance at Cassandra. She seemed lost in her own thoughts, occasionally adjusting her robes against the night breeze.
But on another thought, he didn’t regret his actions or words at all, well, at least the non-embarrassing ones. If he had a choice, he would certainly think it over and try to find other efficient ways, but he would still have done the same.
He would have protected the civilians again, even if it meant taking all the attention to himself.
He would still confront and punish that fool who dared to harass her and other women.
He would find a way to ensure the comfort and dignity of anyone in Cassandra’s position.
That wasn’t special treatment.
It was simply... who he was.