Allurement | Sebastian Sallow

"I love you, I'm sorry"

«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»

Though Liya and Sebastian hadn't properly defined their relationship after the kiss, their dynamic changed significantly.

That included lots of...

Stolen glances,

Longing looks,

Whispered flirtation.

The mutual attraction was undeniable, Liya didn't mind their inevitable romance taking a backseat and Sebastian had repeatedly assured her that he was okay with it. After all, she had a lot on her plate - between the stress of her academics to the anticipation of her next trials, she wasn't in a hurry for a proper relationship.

Sebastian was worth waiting for.

At least they knew where they stood with each other, there was no misinterpretation or misunderstanding.

Ominis, ever so perspective, caught on to it too. Though he didn't comment directly, his smirks whenever Liya had something flirty to say and occasional eye roll when Sebastian attempted a pick-up line were evidence enough.

That day, Ominis had suggested that they visit the Scriptorium. Sebastian couldn't be excited enough, he was practically bouncing off the walls as they headed to meet Ominis at the designated corridor - where the Scriptorium entrance was hidden.

Sebastian's enthusiasm was infectious, had Liya not been so wary, it would have rubbed off on her too.

She knew it was best to keep her wits about her.

Turning round the corner, Ominis came into view. He pushed himself off the wall he was leaning in when he heard the echo of footsteps in the otherwise deserted hallway. Liya squinted her eyes, trying to find a hidden doorway but found none. It looked like an ordinary corridor to her, save for three strategically placed braziers surrounding it.

"It may not look like much but it's here." Ominis said wryly as Sebastian and Liya neared.

Sebastian arched an eyebrow. "How do you know it was us?"

Ominis let out a scoff, as if personally offended by the question. "You stomp around like a troll, and Liya shuffles her feet like an old witch in worn-out slippers," his voice laced with sarcasm. "I would be a horrible friend to not notice that."

Liya flushed, ducking her head. "Sorry, it's a bad habit I'm working on."

Her mother's voice echoed in her mind, crisp with her French upbringing - "Liya, stop dragging your feet. A proper lady walks with grace, not like a weary old man." She had heard it so many times growing up that it was practically ingrained in her. But no matter how many times she tried to correct it, the habit stuck.

Maybe it was because she was always exhausted, buried in books and notes, shuffling from one class to another, too lost in thought to care about how she walked. It had followed her into adulthood, a small but stubborn remnant of long hours poured over studying textbooks, ink-stained fingers turning page after page, hungry for knowledge and the validation of being the smartest.

Sebastian scowled but didn't deny either.

"There should be braziers around here. Light them up with quick succession and it should grant us access to the scriptorium..."

Before Ominis finished his sentence, Liya had already cast confringo, setting the braziers aflame. Her analytical mind had already made the connection.