Part 5:
As Lucian walked with her, he pondered over the events that had just transpired. She had cried on his shoulder, her sobs eventually fading into a soft embrace. Now, she seemed slightly embarrassed, regaining her composure as she gave him a grateful smile.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Lucian nodded, and after a moment, introduced himself again. "I am Lucian. Pleasure to meet you."
She blinked, realizing she hadn't shared her name. "I'm Seraphina," she said with a giggle. "Pleasure to meet you too."
As they continued their walk, Seraphina asked, "Where do you live, Lucian?"
"I don't have a home," he replied, his tone as flat as ever.
Seraphina looked surprised. "No home? What about your parents?"
"Don't know," Lucian answered, his face showing no sign of emotion. He quickly fabricated a story, not wanting to mention that he just arrived out of nowhere and spent his night reading. "I just wander, hoping to find somewhere to stay, maybe an inn if I'm lucky."
Hearing this, Seraphina's face softened with concern. She seemed almost devastated. "You've been through a lot, haven't you?"
Lucian wondered if his response had been too much, but before he could say anything more, they arrived at the entrance of Seraphina's large house. As he began to say his farewells, Seraphina grabbed his hand and offered, "You can stay here as long as you want. Or...forever, if you'd like."
"Thank you," Lucian replied. "But I don't want to be in your debt."
Seraphina looked at him with exasperation. "You really don't get it, do you?" she muttered, pulling him inside. She seemed irritated but determined as she dragged him through the grand entrance. "Where are you planning to go if you don't have a place to stay? What are you going to buy with those 100 crowns? Dry bread?"
Lucian was silent.
Seraphina sighed. "Look, I live alone in this big house. It's boring here, honestly. You'd be doing me a favor by staying."
She stopped at a large living room, waiting for his response. Lucian, ever monotone, replied, "So now I'm your boredom relief toy?"
She laughed. "I guess so!"
As Lucian glanced around the mansion, he was struck by its size and grandeur. Surely, a mansion like this must have a library. Sensing Seraphina's strong mana, stronger than any adventurer he had encountered, he realized there was much he could learn from staying with her. Perhaps she could teach him about emotions, and maybe...he could experience what it meant to have a family.
With that thought in mind, Lucian made his decision. "I'll stay."
Seraphina beamed, her joy evident. "Welcome home, Lucian."
And so, both Lucian and Seraphina began to live together, forming an unusual yet promising bond (Perhaps like mother and son) that felt like the beginning of something new.
To be continued~