After finishing the meal, Sophia decided to return on foot.
The streets of the noble district were still filled with carriages and merchants taking advantage of the last hours of the afternoon.
Larriet walked behind the group with absolute calm.
His enormous body forced pedestrians to move aside long before he even reached them.
No one complained.
On the contrary.
Many lowered their heads respectfully upon recognizing the majestic golden lion.
—That is the Duchess Douglas's beast...
—Lady Sophia...
Whispers followed in their wake.
Emily discreetly watched the scene.
Only a few hours earlier, she had understood that a great noble did not rule through strength alone.
They also ruled through presence.
Eventually, they reached the central park.
At the heart of the area stood a massive white marble fountain.
Above it rested the figure of the goddess of light, Aurora Celestia.
The statue radiated serenity.
Dozens of people left small offerings at her feet before continuing on their way.
Lusian looked up for a few seconds.
He said nothing.
It was still strange for him to live in a world where gods walked among mortals.
At that moment, a knight hurried toward them.
He bowed before Sophia.
—Your Excellency.
Her Majesty the Queen requests your presence at the Royal Palace.
Sophia nodded naturally.
—Understood.
Then she turned toward Albert.
—Escort Emily to the Carter residence.
I will go to the palace.
Albert bowed.
—As you command.
Without unnecessary farewells, Sophia changed direction with Larriet.
Emily watched as they disappeared into the distance.
Even the crowd seemed to instinctively part before them.
It was impossible to ignore the authority that woman carried.
The Carter residence was not far away.
When the carriage stopped in front of the mansion, Count Daniel Carter was already waiting at the entrance alongside Manuel.
The count slightly bowed his head.
—Welcome, Young Master Lusian.
It is an honor to receive you.
I have followed the news from the academy closely.
Allow me to offer my congratulations.
Entering among the top fifteen students while still being a first-year student is an extraordinary achievement.
Lusian returned the greeting politely.
—I appreciate your words, Count Carter.
Then he slowly shifted his gaze toward Manuel.
—I see your heir appears to have recovered his manners.
Emily closed her eyes for a moment.
—Lusian...
Manuel stepped forward before his father could intervene.
He performed a flawless bow.
—I wish to apologize for my behavior at the academy.
There, we are students.
Here, we represent our families.
I confused the two.
It will not happen again.
Lusian observed him for a few seconds.
He remembered Sophia's words during lunch.
"Every action represents the lineage."
Finally, he nodded.
—I understand.
The academy has its own rules.
Count Daniel released an almost imperceptible sigh.
The tension disappeared immediately.
Emily smiled in relief.
—I knew you two would eventually understand each other.
Lusian shook his head with a tired smile.
—Don't exaggerate.
I simply prefer avoiding unnecessary problems.
Then he gave a slight bow toward the Carter family.
—Emily.
Have a good night.
—Good night, Lusian.
Emily waited until the carriage disappeared down the avenue.
She did not know why...
But she felt that, little by little, the real Lusian Douglas was very different from the boy everyone talked about.
Meanwhile, in a private room of the Royal Palace, Queen Adelaine shared tea with Sophia.
The atmosphere was relaxed.
There were no guards.
No formal protocols.
Only two women who had known each other for decades.
Adelaine placed her cup onto the saucer.
—So Alessia finally spoke with you.
Sophia let out a faint laugh.
—She did.
—And how did it go?
—Exactly as expected.
She still believes that being an imperial princess will allow her to pressure me.
Sophia shook her head.
—Poor woman.
She still does not understand her place in this kingdom.
Adelaine smiled with amusement.
—I assume she did not enjoy hearing a "no."
—Not particularly.
For a few seconds, both women remained silent.
Then the queen smiled again.
—Your son is starting to remind me of you when you were his age.
You always found a way to create a diplomatic incident.
Sophia let out a small laugh.
—That means my education is producing results.
There were times when I feared I had been too strict with him.
But seeing him defend the prestige of our house without hesitation...
It makes me think it was worth it.
Adelaine rested her chin on one hand.
—It also explains why Elizabeth cannot stop talking about him.
Sophia raised an eyebrow slightly.
—Your daughter has good judgment.
It is a shame that an engagement between the Douglas family and the royal family is impossible.
Otherwise...
I would have gladly welcomed her as my daughter-in-law.
Adelaine smiled without answering.
She knew that possibility could never exist.
That was precisely why Elizabeth would never be able to choose freely.
After a few moments, the queen's expression became more serious.
—Regarding Caleb...
Everything is prepared.
Are you still determined?
Sophia's eyes showed no hesitation.
—Of course.
As long as Lawrence continues feeding those false hopes...
that problem will not disappear on its own.
Adelaine sighed.
—It seems that, this time, Lawrence managed to complicate everything.
Sophia picked up her cup again.
—No.
She calmly corrected her.
—He did that many years ago.
Now we are only seeing the consequences.
The next day, Lusian was preparing to leave when Albert appeared carrying several documents.
—Young Master Lusian, we have information regarding the adventurer you asked us to investigate.
Lusian quickly read through the report.
It was enough.
Without wasting time, he headed toward his mother's office.
The moment he opened the door...
A cheerful voice echoed through the room.
—My little lord!
Before he could react, a young woman with black hair rushed toward him and hugged him tightly.
—It has been so long!
Lusian took a small step back in surprise.
—...Adela?
The young woman looked up with a huge smile.
Her yellow eyes shone with happiness.
—Yes!
I returned a few days ago! I wanted to visit you at the academy, but Lady Sophia told me to wait.
Lusian awkwardly tried to pull away.
—You can let go now...
Adela immediately obeyed.
She stepped back.
However, the moment she saw Lusian's uncomfortable expression, her smile weakened.
—Did I bother you...?
The question came out almost as a whisper.
Lusian sighed internally.
"What an awkward situation..."
He remembered Adela perfectly from the game.
She was one of the most difficult bosses to defeat.
She and that enormous white tiger froze the battlefield while protecting Lusian until their final breath.
But he had never imagined that, outside of combat...
...she would be this affectionate.
—It's not that.
He answered calmly.
—It's just that we are not children anymore.
Adela tilted her head slightly.
—Can I not hug you anymore?
—We are in the main residence.
There are servants.
Knights.
Officials.
It is not appropriate.
Adela remained silent for a few seconds.
Then she performed an elegant bow.
—I understand.
Forgive my lack of decorum, my lord.
The immediate response made Lusian feel slightly guilty.
"She obeys too quickly..."
At that moment, Sophia let out a small laugh.
—Enough, you two.
Both of them looked toward her.
At her feet rested an enormous white tiger with immaculate fur.
The feline lifted its head upon recognizing Lusian.
Its blue eyes carried an intimidating calmness.
Aureus.
A Glacier Tiger with ice affinity.
The same creature Sophia had given to her disciple years ago.
Adela smiled proudly and stroked the enormous beast's neck.
—He has grown a lot.
Sophia looked at the animal with satisfaction.
—I see he has already reached rank 50.
—Yes.
Adela replied with obvious pride.
—He is only seven years old, but his growth has been excellent.
I think he will soon surpass even my expectations.
Sophia slowly nodded.
—I expected as much.
He was an exceptional cub from the beginning.
Then she added:
—Is Cassandra still bothering you?
Adela smiled politely.
—A little.
But ever since Lord Lusian defeated her salamander with Umber...
she does not insist as much anymore.
A faint smile appeared on Sophia's lips.
—Then she learned her lesson.
And if she forgets her place again...
I will personally remind her.
Adela nodded without hesitation.
—Yes, Master.
Lusian used the moment to intervene.
—Mother.
I want to ask for permission to travel to Dreville Village.
Sophia turned her gaze toward him.
—For what purpose?
—I want to visit the Fountain of Life.
I heard its waters possess healing properties, and I would also like to see the place.
The duchess remained thoughtful for a few seconds.
—You may go.
But you will take Emily with you.
Lusian frowned slightly.
—I don't think that is necessary.
She is enjoying her break with her family.
I would not want to interrupt her.
Sophia slowly placed a hand on the table.
—Lusian.
Are you questioning one of my decisions?
Larriet slowly opened one eye.
The enormous lion did not even need to stand.
That single movement was enough for Lusian to feel a chill.
—...No, mother.
She will come with us.
Sophia smiled in satisfaction.
Then she reached out and gently pinched his cheek.
—Good.
A proper son.
Adela immediately raised her hand.
—I want to go too!
Sophia looked at her for a few seconds.
—Very well.
You will go as Lusian's escort.
Adela's eyes lit up.
—Yes, Master!
—But first...
I want to see how much you have improved.
You will train during these days alongside Albert.
And Aureus as well.
Adela bowed again.
—Understood.
I will give everything I have.
Sophia turned her gaze toward Albert.
—Prepare an escort of three hundred knights.
I will not allow my son to travel with anything less.
—As you command, my lady.
Lusian could only rub his forehead.
"Three hundred knights..."
"Every time I try to do something peaceful... it turns into a military expedition."