The hospital room returned to its quiet calm.
Marcellus leaned back against the pillow, his eyes still fixed on the direction Livia had left, long after she was gone. Sunlight filtered quietly through the gap in the curtains, landing on his chest—where the warmth of her gentle kiss still lingered. He slowly closed his eyes, as if he could still feel the softness of her lips, and the tenderness she couldn't quite hide when she spoke those parting words. A sigh escaped him, but the corners of his lips curled upward in a faint, helpless smile.
Her decisiveness, her unwavering drive, and the unexpected gentleness that slipped through now and then—it was impossible not to fall deeper. But he knew all too well that this was not the time to bask in such feelings. His wounds had yet to heal, the game had yet to reach its conclusion. And she—she had already chosen a path she must walk alone.
He shut his eyes again, gently pressing down the stirring emotions in his heart, as his mind began methodically reviewing everything he'd said to her the night before—scrutinizing each detail for flaws or gaps. The more resolute she was in moving forward, the less he could afford to be her weakness. At least until she reached her goal, he had to be the pillar that never fell.
—
Elsewhere, Livia was en route to her first destination of the day—an engineering site under Adrian's supervision.
The car cruised smoothly along the morning streets, buildings sliding past the windows under a golden wash of sunlight. Seated in the back seat, Livia rested her chin in one hand, her gaze unfocused, slightly distant. Moments from the morning at the hospital still lingered in her mind—Marcellus's kiss, the boldness of her own actions that had surprised even herself, his words of caution, the steady look in his eyes… Each memory stirred her heart like ripples spreading across water.
But soon she gave a small shake of her head, pulling herself back to the present. Now was not the time to get lost in such thoughts.
By the time she arrived at the command center where Adrian was stationed, the staff were already waiting at the entrance. She gave a brief nod in greeting and pushed open the command room door herself.
"I'm coming in—" she began, but stopped short mid-step.
The atmosphere inside was not quite what she'd expected. Adrian was seated by the window at a wooden desk, while Elise stood beside him, carefully pouring a cup of hot tea. Neither had noticed her arrival, their attention focused solely on each other, and in both their eyes was a soft light, unguarded and quietly tender. Especially Adrian—there was a calm, intent gaze on his face, a look Livia had never seen on the usually rational, steel-nerved engineer.
Livia didn't say a word. She simply stood at the doorway, watching them quietly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. It was a smile of quiet contentment—tinged, perhaps, with a touch of complicated envy.
Their future seemed so clear, so within reach. While hers, with Marcellus…
She exhaled lightly and quickly brushed the thought away. She couldn't afford to dwell on such imaginings.
She gave a soft cough, quiet but enough to draw attention.
Adrian and Elise turned almost at the same time, a flicker of panic flashing across their faces. Elise nearly spilled the tea and quickly set it back on the tray, while Adrian cleared his throat and straightened up, trying to smooth over the awkwardness in his expression.
"Well now," Livia strolled in slowly, a half-teasing smile playing at her lips. "Did I… interrupt something?"
Elise flushed red, bowing her head. "Livia… no, it's not that, we just… the tea wasn't ready yet."
Adrian also stood, now looking more composed though the tips of his ears were pink. "Welcome, Lady Livia. We're prepared to deliver today's report."
"Good," Livia replied, a glint of mischief still in her eyes. "I was hoping to hear how the engineering progress is going—and how the interpersonal developments are shaping up too."
The two shared an embarrassed chuckle, while Livia had already taken her seat at the head of the table, her expression swiftly turning sharp and focused. Joking aside, there was work to be done—and none of it could afford to be taken lightly.