Chapter 228 - You should not even speak of forgiveness!

The first rays of dawn stretched across the courtyard, their golden hue catching on the grand Valentine mansion. Its tall spires glimmered faintly, and the morning dew still clung to the roses along the path, their fragrance soft in the cool air.

Luca stood a little straighter, though he couldn’t help but feel oddly self-conscious as his mother’s graceful figure lingered beside him. It was time for introductions.

He glanced back at his group of friends. The first to step forward—hesitantly—was Lilliane. She clasped her hands in front of her, knuckles tightening until they were white, and lowered her head. Her gaze never quite met Selene’s, lingering instead on the polished marble beneath her feet.

"L–Lilliane Fairmoore... daughter of Count Fairmoore. It’s an honor to meet you." Her voice trembled, soft as a whisper carried on the wind.

Selene’s eyes softened as she tilted her head slightly, her blue hair shifting like silk with the movement. She studied Lilliane’s posture, then smiled gently. "So polite... yet so nervous." Her voice was warm, reassuring, like a blanket placed around cold shoulders. She inclined her head in acknowledgment. "Welcome, Lilliane. You’re among friends here."

Lilliane’s shoulders sagged as though an invisible weight had slipped off them, and she exhaled quietly in relief.

Next, Luca gestured toward Selena. "This is Selena, daughter of the Magic Tower Master."

Selena stepped forward with her usual composure, her back perfectly straight. Her cold, porcelain-like face didn’t waver, and she lowered her chin in a controlled nod. "Lady Selene. I’m grateful for your hospitality."

Selene studied her for a long second, a flicker of surprise in her gaze before it melted into a knowing smile. "The Tower Master’s daughter... I did not expect my son’s companions to include you."

Selena’s lips pressed together, betraying no reaction, though her eyes briefly softened in acknowledgment.

When Luca turned toward Aurelia, he barely had time to draw breath before Selene’s lips curved. "We’ve already met."

Aurelia stepped forward gracefully, moving with the poise of someone born to nobility. She brushed her skirt slightly before bowing her head, her expression calm and serene. "It is always an honor, Lady Selene."

Luca blinked, momentarily dumbfounded.

Why doesn’t she ever greet me with that kind of grace? I’m her boyfriend, not my mother...

He scratched the back of his neck, stifling a sigh.

Pushing through his small grievance, he motioned casually toward the boy standing with arms folded. "And that’s Kyle. Aurelia’s brother."

Kyle’s grin was crooked, his hand moving up to ruffle his already messy hair. "Nice to meet you, Lady Selene."

Selene’s eyes softened with amusement at his informality, though she returned his greeting with a polite nod. "Welcome, Kyle."

With the formalities done, Selene spread her arm slightly toward the tall mansion doors. "Come, all of you. Let’s go inside."

The doors opened smoothly, the morning light spilling into the entrance hall. Marble floors gleamed beneath their steps, and the faint scent of roses and polished wood lingered in the air. Their footsteps echoed softly as they entered, their gazes immediately caught by the glittering chandelier overhead and the grand tapestries along the walls, each thread shimmering faintly with age and care.

Selene’s voice floated gently through the air as they walked. "Luca, when will Vincent return?"

"Soon," Luca replied quickly, though his brow furrowed.

Even I don’t have the faintest idea what the third years are dealing with right now.

"And father?"

Luca glanced at her, almost holding his breath. "Is he... here?"

Selene shook her head with a calm smile. "Out on business. He’ll return by afternoon."

Luca gave a small nod, but his shoulders lowered slightly. He hadn’t realized how much he had braced himself for that answer.

Their procession reached the main hall. The vaulted ceiling rose like a cathedral, sunlight breaking through stained glass to scatter colored patterns across the polished floor. Luca’s friends paused mid-step, their eyes widening at the sight.

Kyle whistled low under his breath. Selena’s gaze darted around sharply, as though memorizing every detail. Lilliane’s lips parted slightly, her awe unmasked for once. Even Aurelia, though she masked it well, let her eyes linger for a heartbeat longer than usual.

Selene chuckled lightly, covering her smile with one delicate hand. "Ah, I mustn’t forget—this is the first time most of you have stepped into our home."

With that, she turned her head toward the waiting line of maids and butlers, who bowed instantly. "Guide them to their rooms."

The servants moved forward with precision, and one by one Luca’s friends began to follow, murmuring polite thanks.

Lisa, too, was about to slip after Aurelia when Selene’s voice, gentle yet carrying an undeniable weight, rang out behind her.

"Not you, Lisa. And you as well, Luca. Stay here for a moment."

Lisa froze mid-step. Her small frame stiffened, and she instinctively retreated a half step closer to Aurelia before hesitating, glancing nervously at her mother.

Luca blinked, then turned toward his mother with a puzzled look. For reasons he couldn’t explain, a shiver crawled down his spine. Selene hadn’t raised her tone, yet the command settled in the room like a veil of quiet authority.

The others exchanged brief glances but respected her words, allowing themselves to be guided away. Soon the sounds of footsteps faded, leaving only three figures standing in the vast, echoing hall—Luca, Lisa, and Selene.

The silence pressed in, sharp enough that Luca’s throat went dry.

The hall seemed to grow quieter once the others left, the vast chandelier above casting shifting light across the polished floor. Selene’s gaze turned, steady and sharp, toward Lisa.

Her tone was calm, yet it cut with unmistakable weight.

"Lisa. You left this house... ran away to the academy without telling anyone. Do you understand what you did?"

Lisa’s small shoulders hunched immediately, her fingers gripping the hem of Aurelia’s borrowed cloak. Her head lowered, and she mumbled, barely above a whisper.

"...I just wanted to see my brother."

Selene’s eyes narrowed, the faintest crease forming at the corner of her brows. "That is no excuse. You frightened everyone in this house. Do you know how your father and I felt when we realized you were gone?"

Lisa flinched, biting her lip. She glanced at Luca once before bowing deeply, her hair falling over her face. "I... I’m sorry, Mother. I didn’t mean to... I just..." Her voice cracked, guilt weighing down every syllable.

Luca sighed, the sound low but resolute. He stepped forward, placing a hand gently atop Lisa’s head, as if shielding her from the storm of reprimand. "Mother, it’s enough. Lisa has already realized her mistake. Please forgive her."

Selene’s gaze shifted to him, her eyes hardening, the warmth of a mother replaced with the steel of a matriarch. "You. You should not even speak of forgiveness."

Luca stiffened, his hand pausing against Lisa’s hair.

"From the moment you left for the academy," Selene continued, her voice rising slightly with the edge of restrained emotion, "all we hear are stories of you throwing yourself into danger. Of you getting injured again and again. Do you think we feel no fear every time news of your recklessness reaches us?"

Her words struck harder than he expected. Luca lowered his eyes, his chest tightening. Guilt coiled in his thoughts.

She’s right..... I’ve done nothing but make them worry since the day I stepped into that academy.

"...I’m sorry," he said quietly, his voice carrying sincerity.

Selene’s expression softened, but only slightly. She shook her head, her earrings catching the faint light as she turned. "No. I don’t want your apologies. From today onward, I’ve decided. You will stay here. There is no need to do anything else."

"What—" Luca began, taking half a step forward, but Selene raised her hand, silencing him without another word.

Her decision was absolute.

Luca clenched his jaw, exhaling slowly.

It seems it will be more difficult than I thought...

But a faint smile tugged at his lips

. Even so... there’s warmth in her words. She only says this because she’s worried for me.

Selene’s eyes softened finally, her tone returning to gentle calm. "Go. Both of you. Rest in your rooms."

Lisa scurried off quickly, relieved, though her head still hung low in lingering guilt.

Luca, however, stood rooted to the spot, blinking. He looked left, then right, the vast corridors stretching like a maze.

...Wait. I’m not getting guided to my room? Where is it supposed to be again? How am I even supposed to know that?

His lips parted in a silent sigh as he rubbed the back of his neck, feeling oddly abandoned in his own home.