CHAPTER 552: BE WITH HIM

Back in Grandeur City, the moon hung high above the skyline, but its pale glow was drowned beneath the brilliance of countless lights that shimmered across the streets and towers below. The city was alive, humming with movement even at this late hour, yet far from the noise and bustle, deep within Mystica’s private quarters, the atmosphere could not have been more different.

There, she reclined comfortably in her enormous bathtub at the center of her room, her elbows resting lazily on the smooth marble edge as she leaned back with her eyes closed. Warm water enveloped her body, carrying the calming scent of lavender and roses, the steam curling gently through the quiet chamber. She breathed in deeply, letting the warmth seep into her muscles, dissolving every trace of tension accumulated from the day.

A content sigh slipped from her lips—an exhale of relief she seldom allowed herself. But her serenity was short-lived. The soft hum of peace cracked the moment her door swung open without warning. Yet she didn’t startle; she didn’t need to open her eyes to know exactly who had entered her chambers unannounced at such an hour.

A faint smile appeared on her face as she let her eyes remain closed, her voice slipping out in a silken, teasing drawl. "Arriving this late after disappearing for so long... don’t tell me you’ve come to join me for a bath."

Footsteps crossed the chamber, unhurried and familiar, stopping only once the intruder chose a place to sit.

"Not really," Galen’s voice replied, calm and low from behind her. "I’m here because this is the only place I always end up coming to."

Mystica’s chuckle drifted lightly over the water. She shifted smoothly, rotating herself in the tub until her arms folded over the edge. She rested her chin atop them, facing him now. Galen lounged back on one of the couches, crimson eyes fixed on her violet ones with that usual unreadable calm that carried just the faintest undertone of exhaustion.

"Well then," she murmured with a playful curve of her lips, "I suppose I should feel honored, shouldn’t I?"

"If that’s what you want, you’re welcome to feel honored," Galen said with a quiet scoff, though there was no real bite behind the words.

Another soft laugh escaped her. "Anyway, tell me—where have you been? You vanished for an entire month. Not that it’s unusual for you, you disappear regularly. But still..." Her eyes softened slightly. "Where were you? I was worried, you know."

Galen gave her a long, skeptical look. "Worried? Really? Is that supposed to be a joke?"

"Not worried as in physically worried, idiot," she said, flicking her fingers dismissively at him. "Worrying about your safety would be a waste of time—I’d have to be stupid to think you’d die that easily." Her voice gentled, the teasing fading into something softer. "You know exactly what I meant."

Silence lingered as Galen held her gaze, the edge of fatigue in his expression more noticeable the longer she looked. Eventually, he exhaled through his nose. "Yeah... yeah, you’re right." His voice dropped, stripped bare for a moment. "I was a bit worked up after what the kid told me. But I’m fine now. So stop stressing yourself over me."

Mystica studied him for a few seconds more, then smiled faintly before shrugging. She pushed away from the edge of the tub, gliding across the water toward the luxurious silk robe folded neatly outside it. "Alright," she said lightly. "If you say so, dear Gally."

While she reached for her robe, Galen leaned over to the table beside him, grabbing a bottle of wine and pouring himself a glass. "Where’s Magnus?" he asked, taking his first sip. "I expected him to be here causing trouble."

"He’s out doing what Magnus does," Mystica replied as she rose from the tub. Water dripped down her form before she lifted a hand, using a gentle pulse of magic to dry herself instantly. She slipped into her robe with practiced elegance. "Having fun."

"Figures," Galen muttered before taking another sip. "How are things around here, then? I heard the announcement earlier about the academies reopening."

"Mm." Mystica walked toward the bar in the corner of the room, selecting her preferred wine bottle. "All three kingdoms have agreed to bring students back. They’re needed everywhere after the war’s aftermath—especially in Solara and here in Tempest." She poured her glass, leaned back casually against the counter, and took a slow sip, her expression settling into one of quiet contemplation.

"I see," Galen muttered, his voice carrying a low roughness as he paused. "What about Liam? He’s good?" he asked after a moment, his curiosity slipping through despite his composed front.

"Yeah, your nephew is fine. More than fine, actually. He’s already getting back to his usual self and sparring with his bodyguard girlfriend," Mystica replied, her tone edged with teasing as memories of Liam and Mabel flickered across her mind.

Galen let out a short scoff as he lifted his cup for another sip. "Very much expected from him. And... please, let’s not make calling him my nephew a thing. I know he is, but I’d prefer just calling him Liam."

Mystica studied him for a brief second, a glimmer of playfulness mingling with something softer in her eyes. "You two are surely blood related indeed."

She brought her glass to her lips, savoring a small taste of wine before she continued. "Anyway, since we’re already on the topic of him, now’s the perfect time to fill you in on what’s been happening."

Galen arched a brow and looked at her more fully, clearly wondering what she was leading toward.

Sensing his silent cue for her to go on, Mystica began explaining everything—Liam’s restriction issue, the complications around it, and the method he intended to use to turn the situation in his favor.

"He plans to use that as leverage?" Galen asked when she finished.

"Yep. It’s quite a smart move if you ask me," Mystica said, her tone steady.

Galen scoffed again, though this time an amused smirk pulled at his lips. "You’re not wrong. That is a clever thing he put together. But still, having him go into the very kingdom that wants him dead is like dropping him into a lion’s den."

"True, but he won’t be going alone," Mystica replied. "Queen Lucy will be there, and I’ll be there too to make sure King Valemir doesn’t try anything. Plus, Queen Lucy will definitely put terms and conditions in place to prevent Valemir from pulling something unexpected."

"I see," Galen said, nodding once. "Then everything should be alright."

"Mmhmm," Mystica hummed, agreeing as she shifted slightly against the counter. "But you know, Valemir—and the whole Crescent Kingdom, really—would be far more cautious if you were present as well. With you there, Valemir wouldn’t dare risk doing anything foolish."

Galen studied her with a measured stare. "Yeah, you’re right. But I doubt the kid needs me there to make things work for him. So it’s best I sit it out."

Mystica paused, watching him in silence long enough for understanding to settle in. Then a small, knowing smirk curled on her lips. "Are you really planning to use the fact that you failed to watch over him when he was younger—like your sister wanted you to—as an excuse to stay away from him now?" she asked gently, making Galen lift his eyes to hers.

"Look," she continued, her voice softer but firm, "the fact that Liam lost his grandfather and you weren’t there to take care of him isn’t your fault. You didn’t even know where they were living after they left Tnaji. His grandfather made sure you couldn’t find them because he believed it was best for Liam."

Mystica leaned back slightly, her expression warm yet serious. "And yes, I know Liam had to go through terrible things after losing Billy, but that does not make you a failure. You stepped up the moment you discovered he entered the academy. You had me erase memories left and right just to protect him—and it was all for your nephew’s sake."

"If you’re worried that Liam will hate you for the truth, you’re wrong," she said, holding his gaze. "Sure, you two won’t suddenly have that warm family bond immediately, especially since you had a teacher–student relationship before the truth came out."

She offered a small smile, one filled with quiet certainty. "But as much as you want to be there for him, he wants to know you too—even if he doesn’t show it."

"So don’t even think about distancing yourself from him again," she added softly. "You’d only end up hurting your sister’s memory."

Galen stayed quiet as her final words lingered between them, letting the weight of them spread through the stillness. Only after a long moment did he lift his glass again, taking another slow sip while a smirk gradually formed on his lips.

When he finally raised his eyes, they met Mystica’s violet ones across the counter where she leaned comfortably, her posture relaxed and her wine glass poised delicately between her fingers. His gaze drifted down the length of her body with an assessing calm before he spoke.

"Do you want to have sex or something?" he asked, as if it were the most natural question in the world.

"What?" Mystica let out a soft chuckle, slightly startled by how abruptly the question surfaced. "Is that supposed to be your version of a thank-you for my heartfelt speech?" she asked, raising a brow.

"No, not really. Well, maybe," Galen replied, entirely unfazed. "It’s just that you look a bit more erotic than usual, so I was wondering if you wanted to have sex."

Mystica held his stare for a long, quiet moment, her expression unreadable until a slow, mischievous smirk curved her lips. Her eyes darkened with a familiar, dangerous sparkle. "And what if I do? Are you prepared to satisfy whatever I’m in the mood for?"

"Wouldn’t be the first time," Galen said as he rose from his seat with an easy, unhurried confidence.

Mystica watched him stand, finishing the last sip of her wine with deliberate slowness before setting the glass down on the counter. She never broke eye contact, her gaze following him with growing heat and amusement.

"Alright then," she said, her voice low, inviting, and certain.