Relief surged through Valeria as she took in the scene before her. Lucavion, though battered and bloodied, was alive. The sight of his smirk—irritating as it was—brought an unexpected sense of comfort. She let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, her chest loosening as the worst of her fears dissolved.
"Haaah…" A soft, almost involuntary sound escaped her lips as she stepped further into the room. Her shoulders slumped slightly, the tension she had carried since seeing Elder Xue melting away.
Lucavion's gaze shifted to her, his dark eyes gleaming with that infuriating mixture of amusement and awareness. His smirk deepened, as if her presence was exactly what he'd been waiting for.
"You're here," he said casually, his tone light despite the blood staining his clothes. "A bit late, though."
