Eight hours passed.

  The flickering candlelight barely illuminated the somber chamber, casting long, eerie shadows along the walls. The once vibrant warmth of the Ardentis estate felt hollow—as if life itself had paused.

  Inside the dimly lit room, three figures remained by the bedside of the unconscious Lucius.

  His mother, Lady Seraphina Ardentis, sat at the edge of his bed, her hands trembling as she clutched Lucius' cold fingers. Her once radiant emerald eyes were dulled with grief, her face pale, and dark circles marred her delicate features. She had not moved from that spot since her son collapsed.

  Beside her, Selene and Irene, his two sisters, stood with sorrow-stricken expressions, watching over their mother with concern.

  “Not again…” Lady Seraphina whispered, her voice raw and fragile.

  Her gaze never left her son’s still form. His chest barely moved, his skin was unnaturally pale, and his body had been eerily unresponsive for hours. It was too familiar—too painful. She had almost lost him before, and now…

  Tears streamed down her cheeks as she gripped his hand tighter. “Why? Why must my son suffer like this?”

  “Mother, please…” Selene placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, her own eyes filled with barely restrained tears. “He is strong. Lucius will wake up.”

  Lady Seraphina shook her head, her voice shaking.

  “No, I should have protected him better. I should have taken care of him. If only I had been there, if only I had done more… my poor child…”

  Irene knelt beside her mother, embracing her tightly. “Mother, please don’t blame yourself. It’s not your fault.”

  “But it is!” Lady Seraphina cried, her grip on Lucius’ hand tightening. “He has always been alone in this house. Ignored, abandoned… and I let it happen! I let them treat my son like he was nothing!”

  Selene bit her lip, her own emotions threatening to spill over. It was true—Lucius had always been the forgotten child, the one cast aside by their father, overshadowed by their elder brothers. And despite their love for him, they had failed to protect him from the pain of loneliness.

  Irene stroked their mother’s hair soothingly.

  Silence fell upon the room.

  The flickering candlelight continued its slow, rhythmic dance. The only sound was the faint crackling of fire in the hearth and the quiet, choked sobs of Lady Seraphina.

  Then—

  A sudden, shallow breath broke the stillness.

  The fingers beneath Lady Seraphina’s trembling hands twitched.

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  A faint stir, the slightest movement.

  And then—his eyes fluttered open.

  For a brief moment, the world was blurred, colors shifting between darkness and light. Lucius' golden eyes slowly adjusted to the dim surroundings. His body felt… different. Stronger. No pain. No weakness.

  He was back.

  “...Mother?”

  The soft, hoarse whisper sent a shockwave through the room.

  Lady Seraphina froze. Her breath hitched, her tear-streaked face twisting with disbelief.

  Irene and Selene’s heads snapped toward their brother, eyes wide with pure shock.

  Lucius was awake.

  “Lucius…?” Lady Seraphina whispered, her voice trembling.

  Lucius blinked at her, confusion flickering in his gaze. But before he could speak again, his mother lunged forward and enveloped him in a crushing embrace.

  “My son! My baby! You’re awake! You’re alive!”

  The dam broke. She sobbed into his shoulder, holding him as if she would never let go. Her entire body trembled, her hands clutching at him desperately.

  Lucius sat frozen, stunned by the sheer intensity of his mother’s embrace.

  “Mother…”

  Lady Seraphina clung to him tighter. “I thought—I thought I lost you again,” she choked out. “I was so afraid. I was so afraid that you would never wake up.”

  Lucius’ chest tightened. He had always known his mother loved him, but this… this overwhelming desperation, this pure grief and relief—

  It was something he had never truly felt before.

  He lifted his arms slowly and wrapped them around her. “I’m fine, Mother,” he murmured softly. “It’s alright.”

  But Lady Seraphina shook her head violently. “No! It’s not alright! I should have done more! I should have protected you—I should have never let you suffer alone!”

  Selene wiped her tears and knelt beside them. “Lucius, you collapsed so suddenly… You were barely breathing for hours. We feared the worst.”

  Irene clutched his hand tightly. “You’re not leaving us, Lucius. Ever.”

  Lucius exhaled slowly, his fingers curling into his mother’s back.

  He had lived two lives. He had seen betrayal, pain, and death. But in this moment, as his family held him close, as his mother sobbed into his shoulder, he realized something profound.

  This warmth—this love—was something he had never truly embraced in his past life.

  He had always chased power, believing it was the only thing that mattered.

  But here, in the arms of his mother and sisters, he understood.

  Power meant nothing if he had no one to protect.

  A small, almost imperceptible smile crossed his lips.

  “I’m here,” he whispered, his voice filled with newfound resolve. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  Lady Seraphina pulled back slightly, cupping his face with trembling hands. Her emerald eyes, still shimmering with tears, searched his face as if to reassure herself he was real.

  “My son…” she whispered.

  Lucius gently wiped a tear from her cheek. “I promise, Mother. I will be fine.”

  Selene let out a shaky breath, smiling through her tears. “That’s a first… You never reassure anyone, Lucius.”

  Lucius chuckled, voice still weak but steady. “Perhaps I should start.”

  Irene narrowed her eyes. “And you are NOT moving from this bed.”

  Lucius arched a brow. “I feel fine—”

  “No.”

  Irene’s stern gaze froze him in place.

  Selene crossed her arms. “She’s right. You are not moving. We’re calling the priest.”

  Lucius sighed. “I don’t need—”

  Lady Seraphina placed a hand on his chest, her expression fierce.

  “You will rest.”

  Lucius blinked, completely thrown off by the unyielding tone in her voice.

  She had always been gentle, delicate in her love. But now, there was no room for argument.

  Lucius sighed in defeat. “…Fine.”

  Selene and Irene exchanged victorious glances.

  “We’ll summon the priest at once,” Irene said.

  “You will rest for two full days,” Selene added.

  Lucius sighed again, but deep down, a quiet warmth filled him.

  He had always walked this path alone.

  But maybe—just maybe—he didn’t have to anymore.