Damien

Lilia's P.O.V

Damien...

"Who the hell is causing trouble in my club!?" Tears welled up in my eyes as I stared at the man before me. In that instant, the present world faded, and my mind was pulled back into memories of a past life.

The sun's rays were harsh, but a hand shielded my eyes. I looked up at the owner of that hand.

"Damien, I'm not so delicate that a little sunlight will harm me." A tired smile tugged at my lips as I rose from the ground.

"Indeed." Damien's arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me close. He took a strand of my hair, holding it near his face with affection. "You, my lady, are strong enough to slay a dragon. Who am I to protect you?"

"Such a silver tongue!" I playfully pushed him back, but he didn't budge an inch.

Just as I was about to respond, hurried footsteps approached. A maid, breathless and wide-eyed, skidded to a stop in front of us, her voice trembling as she spoke.

"Lady Lilia, Mr. Butler... Emperor Augustus has arrived."

My smile faltered, my heart skipping a beat at the mention of Augustus. I glanced at Damien, who had gone rigid beside me. His playful demeanor vanished, replaced by a dark glare. His grip on my waist tightened as if he feared I might slip away.

"Why is he here?" Damien's voice was low, dangerously calm, though I could hear the undercurrent of anger.

The maid hesitated, sensing the tension. "He... he requested to see Lady Lilia."

I turned to Damien, meeting his gaze with steady calmness. "I have to go, Damien. It's an imperial summons."

His jaw clenched, and for a moment, I thought he might refuse to let me go. But then, with a sharp exhale, he released his hold on me. "You're really going to him?" His voice was thick with barely concealed hurt.

I placed a gentle hand on his cheek, my eyes softening. "It's my duty," I whispered, though my heart ached at the look in his eyes. Steeling myself, I left him standing alone under the tree and went to Augustus.

It wasn't that I was blind to Damien's feelings for me. But in this life, I wasn't capable of returning them. 

Maybe, if fate allows… if we get a second life… I wish to meet you again. A life where I'm not bound by Augustus's favors, Damien.

Because without them, my choice would always be... you.

"Miss! Are you ignoring me after causing trouble in my club?" 

My eyes snapped open as I was jolted back to the present. The man's intense gaze locked onto mine, and it was as if time itself had stopped.

"No. I didn't mean to…" My voice faltered as a lump formed in my throat. I quickly wiped away the tears threatening to fall, but the ache in my chest remained.

The man's face twisted into a peculiar expression, a mix of confusion and something else I couldn't quite place. He turned sharply to the bouncer. "Get me the CCTV footage."

The bouncer nodded and quickly left the room, leaving just the two of us standing there. The man's eyes never left mine. 

The Damien I once knew, the man who had whispered sweet words in another life, was no longer here. These feelings should have been buried in my past life. Why were they resurfacing now? Why!?

"Pretty girls shouldn't cry, Miss. If a man bullies you, just end his lineage and run." His voice was calm, but I could feel his effort to lighten the mood as he held out a handkerchief for me.

I nodded as I took his handkerchief from him, wiping my tears off. "Also, on that note, you don't seem like the type to get caught up in this kind of trouble. You don't even seem like the kind to visit a club."

My heart pounded in my chest, and I struggled to find the right words. Snap out of it, Lilia. He just looks like Damien. How would that mean he is Damien? Hell! How would it even imply his name is Damien?

"I didn't mean for things to get out of hand," I finally managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. "That man tried to touch my sister, Damien. That's all." Before the realization struck me. I had already called him Damien.

What the hell is wrong with you, Lilia!? Just get out of here!

The man's brow furrowed. "How do you know my name? Have we met before?"

My breath hitched. How could I explain knowing him from a past life without sounding insane? I shook my head, forcing myself to look away. "Not exactly. You just… reminded me of someone."

He took a step closer, and I could feel the intensity of his presence, the way he looked at me like he would swallow me whole. "And, the person has the same name as me?"

I nodded, unable to meet his gaze. "Yes… It was someone important."

He didn't say anything for a long moment, and the silence between us felt heavy, charged with all the unspoken words. When he finally spoke, his voice was softer, more gentle. "It must've been someone special to make you cry like that."

I blinked, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall again. "He was…" My voice cracked, and I quickly looked away, not wanting him to see the vulnerability in my eyes. "But it doesn't matter now. He's gone."

"Gone?" Damien's tone shifted slightly, a note of something I couldn't quite place—was it concern?

I swallowed hard, nodding. "Yes… long gone."

Before he could say anything more, the bouncer returned with a USB drive in hand. "The footage, boss."

"Who?" Damien's word held an air of authority as the bouncer stared at the floor while responding. "The man indeed tried to harass the ladies first, Sir."

"Break his legs and throw him out. If he steps foot in here again. I'll fire you." Damien's voice got rough again as I watched his men drag away the man who tried to harass Marie.

"Thank y…" I don't know what happened. I don't know how it happened, but my vision turned black for some reason as I felt strong hands wrap around my waist. The sirens of darkness slowly dragged me away into a warm space.

"Young Miss!"

"...ia!"