Transmigrated Into a Cannon Fodder Phoenix, Stuck With the Ice Dragon-Chapter 66: For His Mother

"No..."

Lucian’s voice cut through the air, low and cold.

He looked straight at me, no gentleness, no softness, none of the sweetness he used to wear like a mask. His face was sharp, unreadable, every trace of warmth gone.

I guessed since his secret was out now, he didn’t feel the need to fake it anymore.

"Why?" I asked, a bitter laugh escaping before I could stop it. "You’re worried I’ll run? Don’t worry... I just wanted to go there... to confirm something."

I took a slow step closer, my voice trembling with a kind of hollow defiance. "Then I’ll crawl back here. Back to you. Back with the flame you wanted so much... safe and sound."

I forced a small smile, the kind that hurt to wear. "That’s what you want, right?"

"I said no, you can’t leave..." His voice was low but firm, like I wouldn’t have a say in them anymore.

My face was scrunched with frowns, "So... Do you plan to lock me now since I already know your plan?"

"What is my plan?" He asked, his eyes cold but I can’t read them this time, like there was a high wall blocking his emotions.

I scoffed, "You wanted my flame to heal someone, didn’t it?"

"And... so?"

His voice was calm, steady... maybe too steady? Like none of this was as big a deal to him as it was to me.

I stared at him, my heart twisting painfully. "So? That’s all you have to say?" I laughed, the sound bitter and hollow. "You married me for that flame, Lucian. Don’t you dare act like you didn’t."

His expression didn’t change. No guilt, no denial. Just silence, it felt cold and suffocating.

"I didn’t marry you for it," he said finally, his tone flat, careful. "It was... part of the reason, yes. But not—"

"Stop." My voice cracked, and I raised a trembling hand. "Just... stop trying to make it sound noble."

He exhaled, slow and patient, as if I was the one being unreasonable. "Seraphina, you’re not seeing this clearly—"

"Oh, I see perfectly clear." I took a shaky step forward, my anger and hurt spilling into every word. "You looked at me... every time, every word, every touch and I thought it meant something. I thought you really meant it."

His gaze softened just slightly, but I didn’t let him speak, more like I didn’t dare to hear more of his excuses.

"I thought maybe," I continued, my voice trembling, "for once... someone wanted me just because I was me. Not because they pitied me, or needed me, or saw something useful to keep."

I let out a shaky laugh. "In my world, I was the girl no one stayed for. And here..." my voice broke, "I’m the girl everyone wants, but only because of what burns inside me. Aaa... shit!"

I looked down, the tears... the tears... Although I knew there were no tears breaking down, I was tearing apart.

"Seraphina—"

"But from the start, it was always about the flame, wasn’t it?" I forced a laugh, bitter and sharp. "All that sweetness, all those words, all that care... just so you could keep your precious power close."

Lucian’s eyes darkened, but his silence only made it worse.

I covered my face, taking a deep and long inhale, "I should applaud you for your acting when you wanted to cancel the marriage... that was really really..." I pressed my lips thin and raised a thumb up.

"That was really, really convincing," I said, my voice shaking as I dropped my hand and looked straight at him. "The way you acted like you were doing me a favor. Like you didn’t want to marry me."

A bitter laugh tore from my throat. "Turns out, you were already scheming at that time, making me step into the trap myself."

Lucian flinched, just slightly, but it was enough.

"Every word, every gesture..." I went on, the anger spilling now, raw and cutting. "You built it so perfectly that I didn’t even notice I was walking right where you wanted me. Smiling while I was falling."

I shook my head, the sound of my own voice breaking. "You played the part so well, Lucian. I’ll give you that."

Silence stretched between us, damn thick that I felt suffocating. He didn’t take the bait, didn’t defend himself, didn’t even move.

"So," I said finally, my tone sharp, brittle, "since I’m basically your captive now, why wait? Go ahead, use my flame. At least then I can end this disgusting relationship that started with manipulation."

His jaw tightened, but still no answer.

I took a shaky breath, forcing out a mocking laugh. "Tell me, who are you trying to save, huh? Your white moonlight? Maybe an ex? Or..." my lips curled into a bitter smile "One of those countless women who used to warm your bed?"

That got a reaction.

Lucian’s head snapped up, his eyes flashing, not with anger, but something deeper, colder, dangerous. "Watch your words, Seraphina."

I scoffed, blinking back the sting in my chest. "Why? You can play with my life, but I can’t play with your ego?"

He took a step closer, voice low, controlled but trembling at the edges. "You think this is a game? You think I did all of this to use you?"

I met his gaze, refusing to back down. "Didn’t you?"

Lucian’s silence cut deeper than any confession could have.

Then he moved, slowly as he was closing the distance between us. His hand rose, cupping my cheek. The touch wasn’t harsh, but firm enough that I couldn’t turn away.

His eyes locked on mine, steady, unblinking. "My mother..." he said, his voice low, almost a whisper.

I frowned, confusion and anger twisting together. "What? What about your mother? Don’t tell me you’re trying to play a pity card now."

Lucian didn’t flinch. He just looked at me and in that quiet, something heavy filled the air between us.

"I wanted to use your flame," he said softly, "for my mother."