CHAPTER 18: UNDER HIS CLOSENESS

Lucien returned home in the afternoon and retired to his room. He let the blazer hung on the chair and uncuffed his sleeves before unbuttoning his shirt. Removing it, he went to the washroom to freshen up.

After having a shower, Lucien stepped back into the bedroom while tying the knots on the bathrobe.

Checking his phone, he didn’t find any important message and left it on the table.

As he walked toward the bed, he sensed Leia’s presence.

"Why are you here?" Lucien asked, turning to her.

Leia stood near the doorway, a tray in her hands. Her gaze dropped the moment she saw him, his hair tousled and his robe loosely tied around his toned form.

"I thought you might be hungry," she said softly, stepping forward. "So I brought you a light meal."

"I’m not hungry," Lucien replied as he sat on the edge of the bed. His eyes flicked toward her. "And why are you doing the maid’s job? I told you to rest, not wander around."

"I’ve been resting for hours," Leia said, placing the tray on the table. "And Caleb gave me a bunch of energy drinks. I had three, so I’m fine now." Her voice held some insistence. "Besides, I cooked for myself and thought I’d make something for you too. Kieran told me you were coming home."

Lucien sighed and walked over, his eyes briefly meeting hers before he sat beside her. He reached for the tray and lifted the lid.

The aroma of warm, seasoned rice and grilled chicken greeted him, along with sautéed vegetables and two small bowl of soups.

Leia quietly served the food onto a plate and handed it to him. "Eat," she said simply, before turning to prepare her own.

Lucien took his first morsel, rice and grilled chicken. His brows lifted slightly in surprise. The flavors were different, unfamiliar in the best way. He hadn’t tasted anything quite like it before, subtle spices, a warmth that lingered, and a comforting balance only homemade food could offer.

Before he realized it, he was eating faster, his appetite waking up with each bite. He hadn’t eaten properly since the previous night, and this was exactly what his body craved.

Leia glanced at him from across the table, a smile tugging at her lips as she watched him devour the food.

"You can slow down," she teased gently. "I’m not going to steal it from you."

Lucien paused mid-bite, suddenly aware of how fast he was going.

He cleared his throat and set his spoon down for a moment. "It’s just... I’m hungry," he admitted reluctantly, but he didn’t tell her that food was delicious.

"I thought you liked the food I made," Leia remarked as she picked at the last few bites on her plate.

Lucien glanced at her, then nodded. "That too," he admitted.

Leia’s lips curled into a softer smile, and she resumed eating. When they finished, she stood up and began gathering the dishes onto the tray.

As she turned to leave for the kitchen, Lucien stood as well, locking his hands behind his back. "Leia," he called gently, "I want you to rest properly."

She hummed in acknowledgment but didn’t stop moving.

"And... I’ll give you the job," he added.

Leia froze for a second, then turned to face him, eyes lighting up. "Really?" she asked, a hint of excitement in her tone, followed immediately by mischief. "Just don’t take it out on me later, saying you were being ’generous’ by giving me a job."

Lucien scoffed under his breath. "You love to argue with me over everything."

"You started it," Leia said, rolling her eyes with a playful shake of her head.

In the next instant, Lucien crossed the room in a blink, reaching the wall beside the bed. He pressed a small bell embedded there. Leia blinked in confusion, about to ask what he was doing when a knock sounded on the door.

She opened it, revealing a maid waiting outside.

"Take the tray to the kitchen," Lucien ordered, appearing behind Leia almost soundlessly.

The maid gave a small nod, took the tray from Leia’s hands, and walked away.

Just as Leia was about to step out, Lucien’s arm shot out, and his hand pressed against the door, firmly closing it shut.

Leia turned her head sharply when she realized she wasn’t the one moving. Lucien had gently guided her back. Her spine met the cool surface of the closed door, and before she could react, he was standing inches away.

Lucien’s hand rose, fingers brushing lightly along her jawline, trailing with a slow deliberation that made her breath hitch. His intense gaze locked onto hers.

"Why do you always argue with me?" he murmured. "But with my brothers, you sound so gentle."

His brow lifted slightly.

Leia’s eyes narrowed slightly, refusing to flinch under his closeness. "That’s because Kieran is gentle with me," she replied evenly. "And with Ronan, I’ve barely even spoken. I don’t pick fights for no reason."

She paused, lips tugging into a faint, defiant smirk. "You should’ve eaten those muffins I brought that day."

Lucien’s expression darkened with something unreadable. "In my position," he said, "I don’t have the luxury of trust. Especially not with what I’m served."

Leia’s gaze faltered for a second, reading between the lines. "You think I’d try to harm you?"

"It’s not about you," Lucien replied, his fingers brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "It’s about the world I live in, Leia. And earlier, I ate the food made by your hands without any suspicion on you."

"So, what job will you give me? It would be best if I work with Kieran," Leia said.

"You won’t work with him, but me," Lucien replied with a smirk.

"No! I don’t wish to work with you. You look into pack works. And I am not interested in that," Leia affirmed.

"You’ve got no choice. Either work for me or stay in the mansion," Lucien asserted. "I’m the Alpha here, so you’re supposed to listen to me."