Lucian's POV
I attempted earnestly, putting in great effort, to divert my gaze from Zora. The soft, diffused light from the carriage window cast a gentle glow on her delicate features, highlighting the innocence that shone in her eyes. It was a kind of wonder I hadn't expected to witness, especially in the midst of the darkness that I was used to. Her fascination with the world beyond those moving window panes was palpable, and it struck a chord within me.
Her innocence and curiosity were out of place in our world, where ruthlessness and cunning were the currencies of survival. In that moment, I knew I should ignore her, suppress any inkling of interest, and treat her as the maid she was supposed to be. But, as much as I willed myself to look away, I couldn't. It was as if an invisible f
