Chapter 89: The Person Behind

Lumi slowly opened her eyes, blinking at the unfamiliar ceiling.

She sat up and looked around, only to find herself in a beautifully decorated bedroom. The furniture was elegant, the curtains were neatly arranged, and even the fresh flowers on the bedside table gave the room a welcoming atmosphere.

But she had never been here before.

’Where am I?’

Suddenly, Lumi remembered the masked man who had broken into her bedroom. Her eyes widened as she recalled seeing him approach before everything went dark.

"Ah! That’s right! I was kidnapped!"

She hurriedly climbed out of bed and looked around again.

Strangely, the room didn’t look like somewhere a person would be held against their will. There were no restraints, no bars on the windows, and nothing to suggest she was being imprisoned.

’What kind of kidnapper brings someone to a room this nice?’

Lumi frowned, feeling even more confused.

But before she could figure out what was happening, the bedroom door suddenly opened.

She turned toward the sound, only to freeze on the spot.

A familiar figure leaned against the doorway, his lips curling into that annoyingly sneaky smile she had come to recognize.

"Oh, you’re awake, ugly duckling?" Raphael Valen drawled.

"Y–You?!"

Lumi pointed at him in disbelief, her eyes widening as she finally recognized the person who had apparently kidnapped her.

"M–Me?" Raphael placed a hand against his chest, pretending to be offended. "Of course it’s me! Who else could bypass all that security and that forever number three if not this cute number two?"

He chuckled at his own joke before strolling into the room as though he were visiting an old friend rather than the person who had just kidnapped her.

"Anyway, I’m sorry for knocking you out. I had to make it look real."

Lumi frowned, lowering her hand. "B–But why?"

Raphael dropped onto the sofa beside the bed, looking far too comfortable for someone who had just admitted to kidnapping her.

"My Fated Guide asked me for a favor, of course. How could I possibly refuse such a lovely lady?"

Lumi blinked, "Fated Guide? You mean Celestine?"

"Who else?" Raphael grinned, resting his chin on his hand. "Unless you know another beautiful Guide who’s willing to go to such lengths for her sister."

Lumi stared at him, still struggling to process everything. "B–But... why didn’t she just tell me?"

"Now, that’s a question you should ask her yourself, ugly duckling." He winked. "I’m merely the handsome delivery man. Don’t expect me to explain the entire plan when I was only responsible for bringing you here."

"Handsome delivery man?" Lumi repeated blankly.

"That’s right. And I expect a five-star review for my excellent service."

Lumi could only stare at him. Her life had always been rather dull, and she wasn’t used to this kind of joke, leaving her completely at a loss for how to respond.

"Ah..."

"Ah? That’s all I’ve got?" Raphael placed a hand over his chest, looking utterly devastated. "Goodness, ugly duckling, I’ve risked my reputation, broken into a heavily guarded residence, and carried you all the way here, yet this is the gratitude I receive?"

Lumi blinked at him. "B–But you were the one who knocked me unconscious!"

"Details, details." He waved a hand dismissively before leaning forward with a mischievous grin. "Come on, ugly duckling, you should at least pretend to appreciate my efforts. A simple ’Thank you, handsome Raphael’ would do wonders for my wounded heart."

Lumi’s mouth opened, then closed again. She genuinely had no idea how to deal with this man.

’Was he always like this?’

She had heard rumors about Raphael Valen, of course, but hearing stories about someone and actually facing that person were two entirely different experiences. She had never imagined that one of the Empire’s strongest Sentinels could be so shameless.

"Thank you?" she offered hesitantly.

Raphael stared at her for a moment before bursting into laughter. "Oh, you’re adorable!"

Lumi instantly blushed and turned away. "Anyway... where is Celestine?"

"Oh, she’ll be here in a minute..."

Raphael hadn’t even finished speaking when a knock sounded at the door.

"Must be her," he said, getting up with a knowing grin. "Speak of the devil, and she appears."

He strolled toward the door and opened it, revealing Celestine standing on the other side.

For a brief moment, the twins looked at each other without saying anything.

"You’re awake," Celestine finally said.

Lumi nodded awkwardly. "Mm."

Another silence followed.

Raphael glanced between them, his eyebrows lifting slightly. "Wow. Such a touching reunion. I’m practically moved to tears."

Neither twin paid him any attention.

Celestine stepped into the room, closing the door behind her. "How are you feeling? Does your neck still hurt?"

"A little, but I’m fine." Lumi touched her neck for a second, hesitated before looking at her sister. "Why am I here?"

Celestine’s expression stiffened slightly.

Before she could answer, Raphael casually dropped back onto the sofa.

"Because your lovely twin asked me to help her retrieve you, of course! Honestly, you should be thanking me. Do you know how difficult it is to kidnap someone without getting caught?"

"Raphael," Celestine warned.

"What? I’m only telling the truth." He shrugged his shoulders.

Lumi looked at Celestine again, confusion written across her face. "You asked him to kidnap me?"

"It’s more complicated than that," Celestine replied, avoiding her eyes for a moment. "I’ll explain later."

Lumi lowered her gaze, unsure whether she should feel relieved or upset.

"When is this ’later’?" she asked quietly. "I think you’ve been using that word quite a few times to justify your actions. And I don’t think I can wait anymore..."

Celestine blinked several times, caught off guard by the unexpected firmness in her sister’s voice.

For a moment, she simply stared at Lumi, seemingly unsure how to respond. She had expected her sister to be confused, perhaps even angry about being brought here, but she hadn’t anticipated Lumi calling her out so directly.

After a brief pause, Celestine turned toward Raphael.

"Can you leave us alone for a while?" she asked.

Raphael raised an eyebrow, looking between the twins with an amused smile.

"Oh? A private sisterly conversation? Should I be worried that I’ll miss something interesting?"

"Raphael."

"All right, all right. Joking... I’m going." He raised both hands in surrender before heading toward the door. "I’ll be right outside, so don’t take too long. I happen to be the person responsible for this kidnapping, after all, and I’d rather not have my victims plotting against me."

He slipped out of the room with a chuckle, closing the door behind him.

The moment they were alone, the atmosphere changed.

Celestine turned back toward Lumi, but her sister had already lowered her eyes, quietly waiting for an explanation.

For once, Celestine couldn’t find an easy excuse to end the conversation.

And this time, Lumi didn’t seem willing to let her escape with another promise of later.