Soulbound: Dual Cultivation-Chapter 49: You’ve changed

Lira’s cheeks flushed instantly. She didn’t even try to hide her blush this time. The words still echoed in her ears—"I don’t want my girl looking like a maid when she walks into the palace beside me."

Beside him.

He hadn’t said with me as my servant. He’d said beside me. That meant something. Something... more. She wasn’t sure what exactly, but her heart was already racing in her chest like a drum. With a soft smile creeping on her lips, she quickened her steps and caught up with him. Then, without thinking too much about it, she gently held onto his arm. Her fingers wrapped around his bicep like it was the most natural thing in the world. She clung to him like a girl in love, not the dutiful maid everyone knew her to be.

Lucas looked down, caught by surprise, but he didn’t mind. Not one bit. He let her hold on, walking casually as if they did this every day. A small, amused smile tugged at the edge of his lips.

Soon, they reached the women’s clothing section. The stall owners were already throwing their best smiles, catching sight of Lucas’s rich robes and Lira’s delicate face. One look at the two of them, and it was clear, this wasn’t just a master and servant shopping trip. No, there was something more.

Lira tried outfit after outfit, giggling and twirling like a child as the fabric danced around her. Lucas stood with his arms crossed, watching quietly. He didn’t say much, but his eyes followed her every movement. She was glowing today, alive in a way he hadn’t seen before.

She finally settled on a beautiful wine-red gown. It hugged her waist perfectly and flowed with elegance. The color made her look radiant, more mature, and incredibly graceful. Lucas gave a subtle nod of approval, and Lira caught it. That alone was enough to make her day.

But Lucas wasn’t done. As she admired herself shyly in the mirror, he signaled the tailor to wrap up two more gowns she had tried earlier. When Lira turned to ask what he was doing, he merely shrugged and said, "You’ll need options."

And then, as if it wasn’t enough, he led her across to another stall, this one filled with fine jewelry and accessories. Bracelets, earrings, delicate hairpins, he bought a modest but beautiful set for her. A silver band with a red gem, matching her new dress, and a pair of simple earrings to go with it.

"Master... I... thank you," she said, bowing her head, her voice trembling just slightly. Her eyes looked glassy for a moment.

Lucas didn’t reply. He just gave her a small pat on the head. "You’re welcome."

They made their way back toward the Alden Estate instead of returning to the academy dorms. The sun had begun to set. Lira walked a little behind him now, carrying her bags carefully, but her smile had not faded once.

When they got to the estate, Lucas didn’t go straight to his room. Instead, he turned and made his way toward his parents’ chambers. It had been a while, and he felt it was time to see them.

The guards bowed and let him in. Elder Gideon and Lady Mariana were seated together, reviewing scrolls. They looked up the moment he entered, and a wave of warmth crossed both their faces.

"Xavier," his mother said, rising immediately. "You’re home."

Lucas bowed slightly. "Mother. Father."

Elder Gideon stood and clasped his shoulder with a firm hand. "It’s good to see you, son."

They spoke for a few minutes, nothing too serious. Just casual talk. Questions about his cultivation, how he was adjusting back to the academy. Lucas kept it vague and respectful. He didn’t want to delve too deep.

Afterwards, he excused himself and returned to his chamber. When he got there, Lira was already waiting quietly by the window, the bags neatly arranged. She stood as he entered.

"Master."

He nodded. "Thank you for today."

She smiled. "It was... one of the best days of my life."

Lucas looked at her for a brief moment—taking in the way her eyes sparkled when she smiled. Then he gave a small sigh and moved toward his inner room.

"Get some rest, Lira. Big day tomorrow."

She bowed her head softly. "Goodnight, Master."

And with that, she turned and left the chamber, her footsteps quiet down the hall.

Lucas stood still for a few seconds. The room was silent again. Peaceful. But the thoughts in his head weren’t so quiet.

Still, for tonight... he allowed himself to just breathe.

Next morning, the sunlight had barely crept in through the window blinds, casting faint streaks of gold across the floor. Lucas was still deep in sleep, lying shirtless atop the silken sheets, his chest slowly rising and falling. His dreams were formless, a rare moment of stillness in his otherwise chaotic mind.

Knock knock knock!

A heavy, impatient knock jolted him from sleep.

His brow tightened, and he groaned softly, dragging the covers off him. His body ached slightly from the intense cultivation of the past days, and his muscles were still stiff from yesterday’s shopping trip. The knock came again, louder this time.

"Damn it..." he muttered under his breath, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He swung his feet to the ground and got up, groggy and clearly annoyed. "Lira would never knock like that," he mumbled to himself. Who the hell is banging this early?

He reached the door, unlocked it with a swift click, and pulled it open. There she was.

Selene. Of all people.

Lucas stared at her blankly for a second, his annoyance barely masked. His lips remained still. His expression? Far from welcoming.

"Good morning to you too," Selene said, stepping past him without waiting for an invitation.

He ran a hand down his face, sighing inwardly. Why did it have to be her? He wasn’t exactly in the mood for her clinginess, not so early in the day. Had it not been for the fact that her Yin energy was useful to his cultivation... he would’ve cut ties with her long ago. She was too unpredictable, too jealous, too dramatic, and at this point, more of a liability than an asset.

Selene didn’t seem to notice, or maybe she just didn’t care. She walked straight into his room like she owned it, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

"Your place is too quiet," she said, then glanced toward the wardrobe. "Have you even decided what you’re wearing to the prince’s party tonight?"

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "I’ll figure it out."

She didn’t respond. Instead, she went over to his closet and pulled it open.

"I was thinking we wear something matching," she said, flipping through his clothes with an overly casual tone. "Maybe something silver or deep blue... I’ve already picked my dress. If we match, we’ll look like the perfect couple."

Lucas’s expression tightened.

He walked over slowly, not bothering to hide the irritation building behind his eyes. "Selene," he said flatly.

She turned, holding up a tunic against his chest as if to see how it’d fit him. "This one looks good on you."

"I’m not taking you," he said plainly.

The words landed like a rock. Selene blinked, frozen with the fabric still in her hands. "What?"

"I said I’m not taking you to the party."

"But...I was invited. Of course I’ll be there," she stammered, the smile on her face quickly replaced by confusion. "Why wouldn’t we go together? We’re—"

"We’re nothing official," Lucas interrupted. "You’ll go, I’ll go. Separately."

Her lips parted slightly, and for the first time that morning, she was quiet. Stunned, maybe. Offended, definitely.

Lucas walked past her and reached for a robe lazily draped on a chair. He threw it over his bare shoulders and looked at her from the side.

"There’s already someone I’m taking," he added without looking back at her.

Selene’s eyes narrowed. "You mean Lira, don’t you?" Her voice was laced with something dangerous now. "You’re taking her to a royal party?"

Lucas didn’t answer. He didn’t have to.

That silence spoke more than any reply ever could.

Selene let out a sharp breath, her chest rising slightly as she stared at him, hurt, angry, and confused all at once.

Lucas didn’t flinch. He didn’t soften his gaze. He was tired of her games. Tired of being guilt-tripped into decisions he didn’t want to make. Lira had earned his trust, his respect. And tonight, she was the one he wanted walking beside him.

Selene slowly put the tunic back in the closet, her movements mechanical now.

"You’ve changed, Xavier," she said quietly. "You’ve changed a lot."

Lucas gave her a shrug. "Maybe. Or maybe I’m finally becoming who I was meant to be."

Selene clenched her jaw, turned sharply, and stormed toward the door without another word.

He didn’t stop her, didn’t call her back and he didn’t care to. As the door shut behind her, Lucas exhaled deeply and rubbed his temples.

Read 𝓁atest chapters at fr(e)ewebnov𝒆l.com Only