Celine's gaze fell on the empty bottles around her, analyzing the number, the time between each one, and the effect it had on him, "I'm not surprised that it's not working on you, who feeds on rotten food, medical herbs and other concoctions… regularly."

Lucian blinked slowly, processing her words, "What do you suggest I do instead?"

Just like how society could advance with new inventions, one could use new discoveries to find better, faster, and more efficient methods of advancement.

Purification was what most people relied on to advance to the silver stage, but the medicine he was consuming might be lowering the efficiency of the process.

Rather than obsessing over poison resistance, Celine suggested he work on his exterior defenses. She could see silver's reflective properties in preventing heat loss during cold seasons and more.

As a frequent traveler, this ability would come more in handy.

The copper stage helped him regulate heat but it didn't deflect or reflect the heat. Silver could. (Imagine a thermal blanket made of reflective foil. That's the overall idea.)

It wouldn't be a straightforward path like purification, where he could depend heavily on his body's instincts to filter toxins.

"I don't think I have time for experiments of that kind," Lucian said, not sure how to become a reflective surface. He could only imagine how ridiculous it would look.

A northerner could learn to channel the qualities of metals and ores containing the earth's core energy within them, but doing research and testing out new things was a time consuming and expensive process.

There were already well-researched and proven paths that would guarantee success if followed, so why bother?

"I have a few ideas, and they are all within your capabilities," Celine began to explain her ideas.

As a jewel making hobbyist, she had come into contact with enough metals and ores to learn a bit about how to utilize their properties for different purposes.

"I promise," Lucian had to promise Celine that he wouldn't do the experiments she had just explained alone.

"Maybe you should skip the hunting competition and travel to the North Hills early. The snow there never melts and you could use it for the experiment," Celine said, sounding a bit sad at the prospect of not having him around, "It would be a better place to test the theory."

Lucian already planned to pick a few fights during the competition in order to test himself, "I'll go there after the competition is over. I can't pass up an opportunity to see you wearing riding clothes."

"Alright then," she said, blinking at him expectantly. She was really bad at setting the mood.

"...Ahem," Lucian cleared his throat and tried to set it for her, "Thank you for helping me out."

She nodded, not caring for his gratitude.

"...I hope I didn't ruin your night too much," he continued.

She nodded again, still not saying a word.

"...How can I repay you?" he asked carefully after a moment of silence, "Beside marriage," he added quickly before she could say anything.

Her shoulders sagged slightly, as if in disappointment, but then she straightened up again, "I'll stack the favor with the previous one, until marriage becomes the only option available for you."

"You mean until I will be able to defend myself against your father's attempt at killing me," Lucian corrected her.

"You were ten years old and the order was universal, not targeted at you. He probably forgot you even existed by now, and besides, you have grown to become a fine young man. I'm sure he will be impressed by how brave and smart you have become," she assured him.

"Have you told him about me already?"

"...Not yet," she admitted, "I will, once you agree to cooperate with me. Don't worry, I will make it look natural, like it's my punishment, nobody will suspect a thing. You'll be safe from harm, an innocent victim of circumstances, just how you like it."

Lucian sighed, "Is seeking death your favorite hobby? It's not only your reputation and life that will be at stake, but also that of your family, your people, the dukedom."

He brushed his hand through her back.

"Why can't you wait until I ask you to marry me properly, Celine? I'm not refusing you, am I?" he asked, exasperated. "Just a few more years, and I will have enough power to express my love to you openly, and not be afraid of the consequences."

Celine didn't say anything for a while, her face hidden in his shirt, "Would it mean having to clean my image and reputation?" she asked, "A good man like you would never find someone like me worthy."

"One of us has to do it, and since you aren't planning to become a worthy woman, I guess it falls on me to become an unworthy man," Lucian said, chuckling at the idea of matching her public image instead of the other way around.

Her lips trembled slightly at his words. "You would do that? You would lower your image for me?" She looked at him, her eyes wide in disbelief.

"I'm not lowering my image," he said, "I am becoming a better version of myself, one that I will be proud of."

"Your righteous self would be ashamed," she said, "You're not trying to make me feel guilty, are you? I don't want you to do anything that will make you hate yourself...or me."

"A compromise then," he suggested, "You try your best not to get worse and I'll try my best to become the man proud to have you by his side, worthy of being seen in public with you, maybe even help you bully a few people together."

She laughed, shaking her head at his words, "...I can't imagine you doing that. You are too nice and proper to do something like that. You wouldn't dare to."

"I don't know, a man in love does some crazy things," he defended his case, "Who knows, maybe one day I will wake up and decide to become the worst version of myself."

She shook her head again, squeezing him tighter, as if afraid to lose him.

He hugged her back, enjoying the closeness.

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╔═══ Author's note ════╗

There are definitely more reasons why he doesn't want to marry her right away.

It's not only to ground Celine's superior complex.

Celine's plan is to marry him through a scandal (Lucian refuses to let her sacrifice her reputation and dignity for it).

There will be more reasons along the way, so stay tuned. 😁

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