My Sister Stole My Mate And I Let Her (Seraphina) novel Chapter 167

Chapter 167: Chapter 167 VALUABLE LESSONS

LUCIAN’S POV

Dinner was supposed to be easy.

A quiet, celebratory meal after a long couple of weeks—something that might bridge the subtle distance I had sensed between Sera and me.

The restaurant’s lighting was soft, golden, warm—the kind designed to buffer harsh edges. Gentle music played in the background, and the low murmur of conversation filled the air.

The scent of roasted herbs lingered, mingling with the clink of cutlery and the flicker of candles, giving the whole place an easy, inviting calm.

But none of that could hide the restlessness in Sera’s eyes, and as I watched her from across the table, I realized I had my work cut out for me. Steak and potatoes weren’t a strong enough bridge.

The last couple of times I’d eaten out with her, she’d been ravenous due to her rigorous training schedule.

Now, though, she hadn’t touched much of her food, just prodded at it absentmindedly, her thoughts clearly miles away.

Daniel was seated beside her, digging into his food with the enthusiasm she lacked and talking animatedly about the amusement park and all the rides he and Kieran went on.

Every few sentences, Sera smiled and murmured something appropriate, but I could see the tension pinching the muscles at her jaw, each fake laugh a little too brittle.

Dinner with Sera was light, fun, comfortable, warm. Not...this.

Finally, I set my utensils down. “You don’t like the food?” I asked lightly, though my voice came out rougher than intended.

Her head lifted. For a heartbeat, her expression was blank—like she’d forgotten where she was. Then she blinked and shook her head. “No, no. It’s fine, really. I think I’m just...tired.”

A lie, and a poor one at that.

I leaned back in my seat, studying her. The faintest flush rose on her cheeks under my scrutiny. “You sure?”

Her eyes flickered to Daniel and then back to me. “Positive,” she said quickly. “I just need a minute.” She pushed back her chair and stood. “Excuse me.”

She didn’t wait for a response before walking away.

I watched her retreat toward the restroom, her steps surer than when we’d first met. Every instinct in me wanted to go after her, but I held back.

I knew it was too soon to tell definitely, but it was undeniable that something had shifted since the Trials ended.

She’d always been reserved, a little careful and withdrawn, but she’d begun to loosen up around me—smiling more easily, teasing, letting her laughter slip through unguarded.

But now, the warmth she used to show me had cooled, replaced by this polite, distant kind of civility that I didn’t know what to do with.

“Lucian?”

Daniel’s small voice broke my thoughts. I turned to find him staring at me curiously, spoon of mashed potatoes in hand.

“Yes?”

“You’re thinking really loud,” he said seriously, and I almost laughed despite myself.

“Am I?”

He nodded gravely. “Mom does that too sometimes.” He shook his head. “Adults think a lot.”

“Right.” I cleared my throat. “So...how was your day today? What was the amusement park like?”

Daniel snorted. “So that’s it.”

My brows lifted. “What do you mean?”

He shrugged, shoving the spoon into his mouth. After he swallowed, he said, “You want to know if something happened between my mom and dad today, don’t you?”

I froze. “What makes you think that?”

“I’ve been talking about the amusement park all night. You don’t want to hear more about that.”

I let out a soft huff of air, leaning back in my seat. “You’re perceptive for your age.”

Daniel shrugged. “I sense things.”

I felt the corner of my lips quirk up. Daniel really was a marvel. I was sure that when people looked at him, they attributed his remarkableness to Kieran.

But I knew the truth.

I knew whose bloodline fed the strength and intuition young Daniel possessed.

“Alright then,” I said, half-amused, half-wary. “So tell me—how was the park today?”

His grin faltered slightly. “It was awesome. Really.” He fidgeted with his spoon. “But Mom didn’t go on many rides with Dad and me, and she looked...well, like you.” He shrugged. “Like she was thinking too much.”

The words tugged at something sharp inside me. “I see.”

“But,” he continued, meeting my gaze again, “if you’re trying to find out if something weird happened between them, you can just ask her yourself.”

I blinked, caught off guard by the bluntness. “Excuse me?”

“Grandpa says grown-ups waste time by pretending not to care when they actually do,” Daniel said matter-of-factly. “You like her. That’s not a secret. If you think there’s something off between you two, then face it head-on before it’s too late.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

I hadn’t realized I’d been holding my breath until I exhaled slowly. “You’re...unusually insightful.”

He tilted his head. “I’m just saying you should talk to her. Pretending everything is fine doesn’t fix it.”

A humorless smile curved my lips. “You sound like someone much older than nine.”

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