After studying her for a moment, Luke returned to his warm smile and nodded at Hera. "As long as he's not getting too familiar or showing any improper interest, I won't read too much into it." He added with a hint of jest as he sipped his tea, casting a fleeting glance at Gerald. However, to anyone listening—including Hera—his words carried more weight as a subtle threat than as a light-hearted joke.
Even Rafael had never seen this side of Luke before, but he inferred that Luke must be recognizing the intensifying competition for Hera's attention. It seemed clear that Luke felt the pressure as other suitors stepped up their game. Rafael guessed that if Luke didn't raise his own efforts in courting Hera, he risked not only losing her but also watching others advance their relationships with her. This realization, Rafael suspected, would deeply affect Luke's pride and sense of masculinity.
