Deborah's POV
Sitting at the table in the dimly lit restaurant, I let my gaze drop slightly, carefully concealing the resistance and detachment I felt inside.
I maintained the gentle, somewhat distant demeanor befitting someone who had only recently reunited with a parent.
For some time now, I had been cautiously performing in front of Lugh, cultivating an air of contradiction: a certain aloofness tempered by a hint of longing for paternal affection. This delicate balance prevented him from reading my true thoughts and helped lower his guard.
The atmosphere at dinner was meant to be harmonious, yet I intentionally brought up Chad's name, subtly hinting at a growing interest in him while not hiding a faint sense of disappointment from his recent cold rejection.
I was fully aware that Lugh already had plans for my marriage. Although he hadn't explicitly named my future husband, his intentions weren't difficult to deduce.
In the Sky Cities, only three families held power in the remaining cities.
Besides the Edwards family, there were the Thorne family in Tairngire and the Vandran family in Macha. The heir of the Vandran family was a daughter, clearly not part of his plan, which left only one possible candidate: Barron Thorne, the youngest son of the Thorne family in Tairngire.
I knew very little about this youngest Thorne. He was young, twelve years my junior, and I'd never had much interest in boys so inexperienced and sheltered.
I preferred someone more mature and steady, someone I could trust as I once trusted Chad Baker.
But now, I was only twenty-two, and Barron Thorne, at twenty, seemed a perfect match on paper.
Lugh appeared oblivious to my subtle resistance, smoothly transitioning into a monologue about the Thorne family's achievements in technology.
There was a touch of ambition in his tone as he praised the Thorne family for controlling much of Sky Cities' advanced technology, even going so far as to mention that the entire city now relied almost entirely on their support.
I sensed the underlying intent behind his words. He wanted to use me as a bridge to the Thorne family, slowly gaining control over their scientific and technological resources, until they were entirely absorbed by the Edwards family.
"Technology will always advance, won't it?" I asked casually, deliberately planting a seed of doubt in his plan. "Even if you can seize it for a time, it would be difficult to maintain full control."
Lugh smiled slightly, a flash of something sharp in his gaze, his words carrying a faint hint of warning. "There's no need to act too hastily before everything is in place," he said in a knowing tone. "We can take a more prudent approach. Once technology is fully at our disposal, then we'll make the final move."
His choice of words was subtle, yet a chill crept down my spine. His "more prudent approach" could mean only one thing: using Domination to control the Thorne family members, turning them into puppets for the Edwards family.
More unsettling was that this seemed to be his usual modus operandi.
I gave no outward reaction, merely nodding with an expression of thoughtful agreement.
But deep down, I knew I had to tread carefully, gaining his trust step by step while uncovering all his secrets.
I understood that although Lugh held some semblance of familial affection for me, he would never fully trust me—not until I had wholly accepted his vision.
Yet Deborah—or rather, the person I had become—could never be one to follow the rules or settle into a predictable role. Seizing the moment, I allowed a hint of frustration to seep into my voice as I murmured, "Can't I even choose whom I love?"
Lugh hesitated, clearly not expecting this resistance, a faint flicker of irritation crossing his brow before his expression returned to normal.
Seeing that he didn't respond, I rose quietly, excusing myself by saying I needed some air.
Once outside, I headed straight to the garage, a plan already forming in my mind.
At night, the splendor of the Sky Cities transformed into something colder and more remote, the neon lights outside the car window cutting through the darkness like countless cold blades, slicing into the night.
I took a deep breath and drove to the small restaurant where I had last spoken with Chad. The owner and servers there seemed familiar with him; I intended to gather more information from them, especially about where he lived.
Inside, the warm lights of the restaurant softened the ambiance, and the owner greeted me warmly as I entered. After a few pleasantries, I casually mentioned Chad's name, pretending to ask offhandedly, "Does he still come here often?"
The owner chuckled, replying, "Of course, Chad comes by a few times each week. He lives in the apartment building nearby."
A glint of satisfaction crossed my eyes as I continued the casual conversation, slowly steering it until I'd gotten the exact address of Chad's apartment.
Everything went surprisingly smoothly.
After leaving the restaurant, I parked my car outside Chad's building, looking up at the modest apartment. Although my plan was set, I knew I couldn't act recklessly. Caution was essential.
Still, with so many doors on his floor, locating his exact apartment was a challenge. For now, I was left waiting outside, unable to proceed further.
The Sky Cities' nighttime chill was far sharper than that of the surface world, cutting through the air with a biting edge.
Even in these comfortable, temperature-controlled apartments, with their superb insulation, the cold was kept entirely at bay. The buildings in the Sky Cities had few windows, and none opened to let in the frigid night air; indoors, it was perpetually spring.
In hindsight, even the Edwards mansion, with its palatial scale, was a carefully maintained temperate environment. The garden was nothing more than a greenhouse with regulated temperatures, a manufactured scene of warmth. No matter how harsh the world outside, those living in the Sky Cities relied on a perpetually stable, artificial climate.
But tonight, I was standing outside in the biting cold, the wind cutting through my coat as if it wasn't there, chilling me to the bone.
Of course, I didn't intend to stand here shivering the whole time. To create an "accidental meeting," timing had to be precise; otherwise, the effort would be wasted, leaving me looking foolish.
Earlier, I'd overheard Lugh mention that Chad had gone to Tairngire on business and wouldn't be back until later tonight. I intentionally arrived at his building in advance, waiting for the perfect moment. As I stood there, I adjusted my posture, making sure to appear suitably affected by the cold.
It was a little trick I—no, Lianora from thirteen years ago—had mastered.
I remembered being nineteen, stubbornly waiting for Chad outside his home, huddled in the wind. I'd stood there, braving the chill, waiting just to catch a glimpse of him. I had been young and foolish then, driven by the naive boldness of youth. When he found me there, the concern and care in his eyes had etched themselves into my memory. It was the simplicity of that young, innocent love.
I wondered if, at thirty-six, Chad could still be moved the same way.
As time passed, the night grew darker, and the cold more biting. While I waited, I took in my surroundings. No matter how radiant Sky Cities' prosperity appeared, it was, after all, a floating metropolis—a man-made structure, cold and remote. It was far removed from the warmth and authenticity of the earth, which I had briefly experienced.
Even though the surface world now faced extreme weather, I found myself missing it. Returning here made me understand why Lugh was so eager to wage war and conquer Tirfothuinn.
Everyone desires the richness of the land, the free air, the warmth of true nature. Here in Sky Cities, all the advanced technology was nothing but a means to escape a harsh environment. Given the choice, even rough, untamed ground would feel more authentic than these cold, sterile high-rises.
But now, the surface is plagued by dangerous Enigma radiation.
The cold grew more intense, making me hunch my shoulders and pull my coat tighter. The wind howled, and the air felt as if it was freezing solid around me. I tucked my hands in front of my chest for warmth, wrapping myself in the oversized coat, which swallowed me whole, leaving only my eyes peeking out as I watched the street.
Huddled like this, I felt like a small, bundled creature, encased in the warmth of the coat yet isolated in my lonely vigil. Even as I curled up, the cold still seeped through, creeping into my limbs. I took steady breaths, trying to remain composed against the biting wind. Still, no matter how I tried to reassure myself, the cold gradually wore down my resolve, my shoulders shivering as a hint of helplessness surfaced within me.
Just then, I heard the sound of hurried footsteps.
I held my breath, glancing up to see a familiar figure drawing closer, his stride steady and powerful. It was Chad. He moved through the cold night with ease, his broad shoulders and upright stance exuding a reassuring strength. I quickly lowered my gaze, pretending not to notice him as he approached, still curled up like a small, weather-beaten creature, hoping to catch his attention.
The footsteps stopped in front of me, and a light breeze ruffled my hair. I risked a glance upward and saw him frowning, a faint look of surprise mixed with concern in his eyes.
"Miss Edwards?" His voice was low and laced with surprise, as though he hadn't expected to find me at his doorstep on such a cold night.
I didn't respond immediately, feigning a startled reaction at the sound of his voice. I lifted my head, looking at him with wide-eyed innocence and confusion. "Chad?" I whispered softly, feigning surprise, as if I hadn't expected to see him here either.
He stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over me with a slight hint of disapproval at my shivering form. "What are you doing here? It's freezing. How long have you been standing outside?"
I lowered my head, biting my lip to hide my inner turmoil, letting a hint of tremor slip into my voice. "I… just wanted to see you." Pausing, I added, "I couldn't stop thinking about our last conversation…" Before I could finish, I looked away, pretending to be embarrassed by my own honesty.
For a moment, something shifted in his expression, as though he was moved by my words, but he quickly composed himself. "This isn't the place for you to be. Don't do this again," he replied firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I'll take you home."
Hearing the cold detachment in his voice made my heart sink, a subtle pang of disappointment washing over me.
Indeed, thirteen years had changed far too much. The look in his eyes was calm and distant, unmoved by the same gestures that once connected us.
Yet, I wasn't ready to give up. I looked up, forcing a lighthearted smile. "Alright… I just had a little argument with my father."