Several days later, Lucas came again, but this time, he was not alone.

Lady Lian came with him.

She stood at the entrance of Firefly Pavilion with a troubled expression upon her face. When she saw Caelith emerge, her gaze shifted away slightly, unable to meet her eyes directly.

Lucas smiled gently as he spoke.

"Miss Caelith, Ostenton Embroidery House is hosting an embroidery exhibition. We would like to invite you to serve as one of the judges."

Caelith froze slightly. "One of the judges?"

"Exactly." Lucas nodded warmly. "You are skilled, respected, and widely acknowledged for your craftsmanship. If you preside over the exhibition, everyone will be convinced."

Caelith instinctively looked toward Lady Lian, and the woman nodded, smiling.

"It’s a good opportunity. You’ll meet many useful connections."

Caelith did not know what to say to that. Truthfully, she did not want to go, but she could not refuse Lady Lian either.

Not after everything she had done for her.

Thus, in the end, she nodded quietly.

"Very well. When is it?"

Lucas smiled as gently as ever. "Three days from now. I’ll come personally to escort you."

Then, he turned and left while Lady Lian followed after him. But after only a few steps, she suddenly looked back.

Her gaze rested upon Caelith for a brief moment. It was an unbearably complicated look.

There was worry within it. Guilt, too. And something else Caelith could not quite understand.

Her heart tightened instantly.

Why does this simple invitation seem so dangerous now..?

***

That night, Erian emerged from the rear courtyard and walked directly up to Caelith.

"Don’t go there," he said coldly.

Caelith widened her eyes in surprise. "Lady Lian will be there. It must be fine."

Erian said nothing at once. The look in his eyes made unease stir within her chest again.

There was concern there, mixed with alertness. And something darker she could not decipher.

After a very long silence, he finally spoke again. "The way he looks at you is wrong."

Caelith lowered her gaze, a small smile flashing briefly over her lips. "Yes, I know."

Erian stared at her, confused. "You know, and you’re still going?"

Caelith did not answer immediately. Instead, she walked toward the doorway and looked out into the night beyond.

The alley was swallowed in darkness, empty and silent, yet she could not shake the feeling that something was lurking there unseen.

"At times," she said quietly, "the things destined to come cannot be avoided." Her fingers tightened faintly at her side. "And besides... I owe him a life debt from before. That debt must be repaid."

***

Three days later, Lucas came personally to escort her to the event.

The carriage waited at the entrance of the alleyway. He stood beside it, dressed in strangely formal robes the color of pale moonlight, his posture elegant and refined, the familiar gentle smile resting upon his lips. The moment he saw Caelith emerge from the courtyard, he stepped forward to greet her.

"Miss Caelith."

She nodded lightly before instinctively turning back for one final glance.

Erian stood in the courtyard watching her with sharp eyes. She gave the faintest shake of her head toward him before lifting her skirts and stepping into the carriage.

The carriage soon began moving.

Wheels rolled over the ancient bluestone road, their low rumbling echoing softly through the narrow streets. Lucas sat opposite her at a measured distance—not too near, not too far—the exact distance that allowed comfort without impropriety.

"Quite a number of people arrived today," he said warmly. "Several major embroidery houses from the capital sent their masters. A few noble ladies came as well. They’ve all heard of your craftsmanship and wished to see it for themselves."

Caelith nodded her head politely. "You flatter me too much, my lord."

Lucas’ lips curled into a wide smile. "You deserve it."

The carriage turned into the alley where Ostenton Embroidery House stood.

Caelith lifted the curtain and glanced outside. The streets were lively with merchants and travelers, everything appearing perfectly ordinary.

Yet somehow... She could not shake the feeling that something followed behind them.

She turned to look back. At the distant mouth of the alley, a shadow flickered briefly before disappearing.

Caelith froze for only an instant. Then the corners of her lips curved slightly upward.

So he still came after all.

The embroidery exhibition had been arranged within the rear courtyard of Ostenton Embroidery House.

Silken canopies had been raised overhead, and exquisite embroidery pieces of every imaginable style hung throughout the courtyard like blooming gardens stitched from silk and gold.

The gathering was indeed crowded: noblewomen draped in jewels and brocade; sharp-eyed merchants from famous embroidery houses; well-known embroiderers from across the capital.

The moment Caelith stepped from the carriage, she found herself surrounded.

"Miss Caelith, how did you embroider those butterflies? Could you teach me someday?"

"Miss Caelith, was this handkerchief stitched by you? The needlework is extraordinary!"

"Miss Caelith, I heard your embroidery house has reopened. Where is it located?"

Caelith responded to each greeting calmly, a graceful smile resting upon her face. Yet even while speaking, her gaze subtly swept across the surroundings again and again.

Not far away, Lucas stood conversing with several merchants. Occasionally, his eyes would drift toward her through the crowd.

The weight of that gaze landed lightly upon her. Caelith lowered her eyes and continued speaking with the others.

When the gathering paused briefly for tea, Lucas finally approached her.

"Miss Caelith, there are several embroidery pieces I would like your opinion on." His voice remained warm and courteous. "They are displayed in one of the rear chambers. Might I trouble you for a private moment?"

Caelith hesitated. Before she could answer, several embroiderers nearby immediately began teasing them playfully.

"Oh? Young lord Ostenton wishes for private guidance?"

"Miss Caelith, hurry and go! Don’t keep Lord Ostenton waiting."

Caelith glanced toward Lucas, her expression twisting into something awkwardly annoyed. He, on the other hand, was simply smiling at her, kind and unaffected.

At last, she nodded softly. "Alright. Let us go."