CHAPTER 290: IT’LL RUIN MY REPUTATION

Chapter 290 – It’ll Ruin My Reputation

The dining room was quieter now, the frenzy of servants reduced to soft clinks as dishes were replaced with fresh platters.

Naomi was already finishing a warm croissant, flaking crumbs onto her plate, with bacon and eggs beside it.

Rava had chosen soup—clear broth with soft vegetables—and some eggs too, her tentacles lazily curling around her teacup. They looked more alive than they had an hour ago, but Lux could see it in the stiffness of their shoulders, the way their smiles were tempered. They were sore. And he knew why.

Naomi brushed her fingers along her napkin, then sighed. "Guess we need to prepare ourselves then."

Rava nodded, sipping her tea. "Time to go to work."

Naomi glanced at Lux apologetically. "My car will arrive in an hour."

Lux stood abruptly, chair scraping against the polished floor. "Wait."

The two blinked at him, surprised, as he reached into his dimensional pocket. Ether shimmered, and a small glass vial materialized in his hand—its surface black crystal, faint glyphs glowing across it, the liquid inside shimmering like molten ruby.

[You just took out 1 Infernal Stamina Recovery Potion.]

[Description: A legendary post-battle drink favored by high-ranking demons. Thick, dark, and laced with volatile soulfire. Drinking a full dose is not recommended for mortals. Cannot be consumed by celestial beings.]

Naomi and Rava exchanged a wary glance.

He gestured to Lyra, who appeared soundlessly, her porcelain puppet trailing behind. "Two empty glasses," Lux ordered.

Lyra bowed, disappeared, and returned within seconds, setting them neatly on the table before stepping back.

Lux popped the vial open, its sharp, metallic scent mingling with the breakfast air. He poured carefully, only a finger’s width into each glass. The potion hissed faintly when it touched mortal-made glass, fizzing before settling into a steady crimson glow.

"You two might need this," he said softly. "I mean... last night I was a bit..." His smirk faltered, replaced by something almost guilty. "...too much. And I know you’re sore, so—this will help."

Rava leaned forward, eyes narrowing at the liquid. "That’s safe?"

Lux’s golden gaze met hers firmly. "Safe. I guarantee it. You have my word."

Naomi studied his face for a moment, then, without hesitation, lifted her glass. She sniffed it, grimaced at the metallic tang, and then—

In one swift gulp, she downed it.

The effect was immediate. Her back straightened, her shoulders eased, her lips parted with a soft gasp. Color returned to her cheeks, the fatigue melting from her expression like fog under sunlight. She blinked rapidly, then let out a soft laugh.

"Oh my gods," she breathed, touching her arm. "It’s... gone. All of it. The soreness. The heaviness. I feel like—I could dance."

Lux chuckled. "Told you. Efficient."

Rava smirked, lifted her glass, and mimicked Naomi. The potion hit her tongue, her tentacles twitching in surprise at the burn, but within seconds her tiredness unraveled. Her lips curved as she stretched her arms overhead, the stiffness gone.

"Well damn," she murmured. "You weren’t kidding. I feel like I could wrestle a kraken."

"You are a kraken," Lux teased.

"Exactly," she said, smirking as her tentacle flicked at him.

Lux leaned back, satisfaction humming through him. He’d spent two hundred years managing deals, contracts, debts—but nothing felt as good as seeing relief bloom across their faces. He didn’t say it, but the guilt in his chest loosened. Just a little.

Naomi brushed crumbs off her robe. "Time to bathe."

Rava pushed her chair back as well, stretching, tentacles swaying lazily. "Yeah, I need to fix my hair. I feel like Medusa."

Lux moved before they could leave. He caught Naomi’s hand gently, stopping her in her tracks. She blinked up at him, startled.

"Wait," he said.

He reached into his dimensional space again, the air rippling. This time, when his hand emerged, it held a small velvet box.

Naomi tilted her head, suspicious but curious. "What’s this?"

Lux flipped it open. A delicate bracelet gleamed inside—gold intertwined with faint silver runes, simple but elegant, designed to fit her wrist like it had always belonged there.

"A bracelet," he said, his voice steady. "It fits you."

Her brows furrowed immediately. "Lux... I told you. I don’t—"

"This isn’t for last night," he interrupted firmly, pressing the box into her hand. "I bought it for you. Just because I wanted to."

She stared at him, lips parting, then closing again. For a moment, her pride flared—then softened. Finally, she smiled faintly, taking it. "Fine. Thank you."

She leaned up, pressed a soft kiss to his lips, and then stepped back. "I’ll wear it."

He grinned, relief flickering behind his eyes.

Rava raised a brow, smirking knowingly. "Spoiling already. Typical Greed."

"Shut up," Lux muttered, though his smirk betrayed him.

Naomi slipped away first, heading toward her room to shower and get ready for work. Rava followed at a more leisurely pace, her tentacles swaying behind her like she had all the time in the world.

Lux lingered, watching them go, his chest strangely tight. For a moment, he almost felt... normal.

And then a voice cut the quiet.

"Well, well."

Lux turned.

Sira stood in the archway, still draped in one of his shirts, hair tangled, eyes glinting like polished ruby. She leaned lazily against the doorframe, arms crossed, smirk sharp as ever.

"Never thought I’d see this side of you," she drawled. "Should I cry... or be happy for it?"

Lux blinked, caught off guard. Then he chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Depends. Which reaction costs me less furniture?"

Sira’s smirk widened, though her gaze softened for just a moment. "You’re changing, Lux. Whether you like it or not."

He looked at her, red eyes meeting her prideful eyes. For once, he didn’t have a slick comeback. Just a slow smile, warm and tired.

"Maybe," he admitted. "But don’t tell anyone. It’ll ruin my reputation."

She laughed—low, rich, dangerous—and padded toward him, her hand brushing his cheek as she leaned in. "Your secret’s safe... for now."