Chapter 230 - The Weird Dream.

The battlefield reeked of smoke and iron. Luca stumbled forward, his twin sabers dragging against the blood-soaked earth, eyes locked on the figure sprawled a short distance away. Celestia. Her golden hair, once like sunlight, was drenched crimson, spreading in a pool around her fragile form.

"No..." Luca’s breath hitched, his steps heavy as if the ground itself tried to hold him back. His body trembled, chest burning with grief and panic.

"Y-Your Majesty!!!" His voice cracked as he cried out, desperation clawing at his throat.

But before he could reach her, the world quaked. The battlefield dissolved into fragments of ash, melting into a haze of light.

Suddenly, laughter—clear, innocent, and bright—filled the air. The smoke was gone, replaced by the warm glow of sunlight streaming through arched windows.

A younger Luca, no older than seven, dashed across the polished wooden floor of the mansion’s hall, clutching a wooden sword almost too big for him. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he shouted, "Brother, catch me if you can!"

Vincent, already tall and steady for his age, chased him with a grin. "You little brat, give that back before you break something!"

Selene stood nearby, shaking her head with a smile, though her voice carried mock sternness. "Luca, don’t run inside—"

Thud!

The boy tripped, sprawling flat on the carpet, but even then he popped up with a sheepish grin, rubbing his nose.

"See, mother, I’m fine! I’m strong!" he announced proudly, chest puffed out.

Darian, leaning against the doorframe with arms crossed, chuckled. "Strong? You nearly broke your nose."

Selene walked over, brushing dust off Luca’s hair with a sigh, though her lips curved warmly. "Honestly... you’re going to give me gray hairs faster than your father."

The boy only laughed, his joy bubbling so naturally that it filled the entire hall.

And then...

THUDDDDD!

The sound echoed in Luca’s ears, pulling him back violently. He jolted upright in bed, clutching his skull as if it were splitting open.

"Ughhh..." His groan was low, strained. The headache pounded at his temples, sharp and insistent, leaving his vision hazy. He leaned forward, elbows on knees, burying his face in his hands. "What... what the hell was that?"

His breathing was ragged. The flashes of the battlefield, Celestia’s lifeless form, Eric’s blood-soaked smile, and then—his own , No Luca’s childhood laughter—tangled together in his mind like threads of a frayed tapestry. The contrast made his chest ache.

"Why... why am I seeing this?" he whispered, biting his lip, voice barely audible.

As the throbbing in his head slowly dulled, Luca blinked, noticing something odd. His towel had slipped from his waist at some point during his sleep, lying in a heap beside the bed, as he saw a towering pillar in front of his eyes.

"...Huh?" He tilted his head, squinting down at it. "Did it... just fall off by itself?"

And...why is it like this?

He rubbed his messy hair with a tired hand, still feeling the heaviness of the dream pressing on his chest. Shaking his head, he pushed himself up unsteadily, his legs weak beneath him.

"Forget it... I need to get my mind straight."

His movements were sluggish but deliberate. He slipped into his casual clothes—a plain shirt and trousers—buttoning them with fingers that trembled faintly. Every now and then he paused, wincing as the echo of that battlefield cry rang in his ears.

Standing in front of the mirror, he caught his reflection: his eyes seemed clouded, as if still haunted by fragments of the dream. He let out a slow sigh, shoulders sinking.

That was such a weird dream... but it felt so real.

Yet even as the confusion lingered, there was a stubborn resolve in his gaze.

"Whatever it is... I’ll figure it out."

Luca stepped out of his room, the polished door closing softly behind him. The corridor stretched quiet and long, his footsteps echoing faintly as he walked, one hand brushing along the smooth wooden railing of the grand staircase. His brows furrowed slightly, thoughts circling.

That dream... What was it even supposed to mean? Blood, ash, laughter, Celestia... Luca’s childhood? Did I imagine it after what the old butler said?

He descended the stairs slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. Then, faint at first, a ripple of cheerful voices drifted toward him. One laugh was soft and melodic, another bright and crisp, while the third—warm, full-bodied, commanding—belonged unmistakably to his mother.

"Hehe... ehe..."

"Ahaha! Hahaha!"

"Fufufu... hohoho~"

As he reached the landing, Luca paused.

There they were—Selene seated elegantly on the central sofa, posture straight yet relaxed, her eyes glinting with warmth as she presided over the little gathering. Aurelia leaned comfortably against the armrest, her crimson hair catching the afternoon light, while Lilliane sat a bit more stiffly at Selene’s side.

Lilliane’s fingers fidgeted with the hem of her dress, a hint of hesitation in her posture, yet a small smile curved her lips as Aurelia said something that made both women laugh.

Luca’s gaze lingered, a faint curve tugging at his mouth.

Well... she’s still awkward, but at least she’s trying. And Mother—she really is a matriarch for a reason. She’s making sure Lilliane doesn’t feel left out, weaving her into the conversation without a crack showing.

The warmth of the scene made him hover for a moment longer than he intended, but when he realized he was just standing there, watching them like a statue, he cleared his throat loudly.

"Ahem."

Three pairs of eyes turned his way. Luca straightened, forcing a casual air as he stepped closer. "What are you laughing so hard about?"

Aurelia smirked, a teasing gleam lighting her gaze. She leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand. "Oh, nothing much... just that we didn’t know you were so

’strong’

in your childhood."

Her tone practically dripped with amusement.

Luca blinked, puzzled. "...Strong?"

Before he could press further, Selene’s eyes twinkled knowingly. She folded her hands gracefully in her lap, her voice smooth as silk. "I was just telling them one of your childhood stories, dear."

"Wait—what story—" Luca started, but his question trailed off as the rhythmic

click... click... click

of heels against marble echoed through the hall.

Selene turned her head, her lips curling into a fond smile. "Ah, Selena, dear. What are you doing out there? Come, join us."

Luca instinctively shifted his gaze toward the sound.

And there she was.

Selena entered the hall with measured steps, her usual calm grace intact—at least at first glance. But the moment her eyes met Luca’s, she faltered ever so slightly. Her lips parted, then closed again quickly. A faint flush rose on her cheeks, blooming to the tips of her ears. She averted her gaze almost immediately, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as if it would shield her from him.

She crossed the room, posture a little too stiff, clearly avoiding looking in his direction again.

Luca tilted his head faintly, baffled, his thoughts catching on the odd reaction.

Huh? What happened to her?

Selena had just settled into the circle when Selene’s gaze drifted over the four of them. Her smile lingered, but her tone carried that effortless poise that made Luca feel as though she could peel right through excuses.

"Oh my, I nearly forgot to ask..." Her hands folded neatly over her lap, eyes glinting with curiosity. "Is there any particular reason you’re all gathered here for your holiday’s?"

The question landed like a stone in Luca’s gut.

His back stiffened.

Crap. Crap, crap, crap—

He hadn’t expected her to ask so directly.

If she caught wind of the trip, after what she said in the morning, she’d never let me slip away so easily.

He darted a glance at Aurelia, who raised a brow in amusement as if to say,

Well, aren’t you going to explain?

Lilliane blinked, startled, her fingers tightening on her dress hem.

Selena, still sitting a little too rigidly, shifted as if she were about to speak—

—and Luca’s heart lurched.

"Uh—! W-Well, Mother, it’s nothing serious!" He blurted, forcing a shaky grin. His hand came up to rub the back of his neck, a bead of sweat already gathering at his temple. "We just... thought it’d be nice to spend some time together, you know? For fun. Just friends hanging out."

His voice cracked ever so slightly on

fun

.

Selene tilted her head, her gaze sharpening with the kind of suspicion that had frozen him in his tracks since childhood. "...Is that so?"

She doesn’t believe me. Damn it, she doesn’t believe me!

Desperation spurred him on. Luca shot a quick look at the others, widening his eyes meaningfully. His expression screamed,

Back me up, please.

Beneath the table, his hand flicked twice—a small, urgent gesture which seemed to say

follow my lead

.

Aurelia’s lips curved slowly, though she leaned back with a look that said she was enjoying watching him squirm. Lilliane blinked again, obviously confused, her mouth opening just a little before she shut it. Selena froze mid-breath, caught between answering honestly or following his signal.

Why are you all just staring? Come on! Work with me here!

His pulse pounded in his ears. Selene’s gaze hadn’t left him, patient but piercing, as if waiting for the cracks to show.

Luca’s smile wavered, panic edging into his tone as he leaned forward slightly. "C-Come on, guys, say it... I’m right, right?"