Chapter 286
Luke swallowed, his jaw tightening, his mind trapped between pride and joy. Of course he was happy. Emilia’s well-being meant everything to him. But it stung that the change had been triggered by someone from Veydrin—from that bloodline.
Alina didn’t let him off easily. "That’s her son, for god’s sake, you damned fool. Do you plan to hate him for your whole life just because of who his father is?"
Luke clenched his fists, grounding his resentment. At last, with a bitter breath, he stood up.
"I need to see her."
He moved quickly through the manor, heart pounding in both anticipation and anxiety. When he reached the familiar, somber door of his sister’s room, he didn’t hesitate—he pushed it open.
And what he saw stopped him cold.
Emilia, the same sister who had barely left her bed in years, was sitting upright by the window, her shawl draped gracefully over her shoulders. Her long purple hair shimmered in the light. In her lap lay a silver-white creature curled peacefully—its tail gently flicking.
She was smiling.
A quiet, peaceful smile. Not wide. Not loud. But real.
Beside her sat Kael, arms folded as he watched the scene with a faint warmth in his eyes. On either side of him were two young women: a sharp-eyed, regal-looking blonde—Ariana, and a demure dark-haired girl with a quiet gaze—Lyria.
Luke stood frozen in the doorway, stunned.
His memories, long buried, flashed before his eyes—of a bright little sister who used to laugh and pull pranks. Of her chasing butterflies in the garden. Of her radiant smile, before life, marriage, and war stole it from her.