Keith knocked at the Duke's office.
"Come in," Craige responded, and the door swung open.
"Luren's family has arrived," Keith informed him.
The Duke set down his glasses, his expression unreadable for a moment.
"Tell the maid to call Luren to the receiving area. I'll join them shortly."
Keith gave a respectful nod and left to carry out the order.
Soon after, a maid gently knocked on Luren's door.
"Luren, your family is here. The Duke is expecting you in the receiving room."
Luren's eyes widened, his heart pounding. He quickly stood up, his legs feeling weak
from anticipation.
As he stepped into the receiving room, Clara rushed forward.
"Luren!" she cried, throwing her arms around him, tears already streaming down her
cheeks.
He froze for a second then melted into her embrace, hugging her tightly as his own tears finally fell.
"I missed
you so much," she whispered between sobs.
"I missed you too," he choked, his voice cracking.
"Lurennn!" Kal and Marian called out as they ran to join the hug. The three wrapped around him like a protective cocoon. Luren buried his face into Marian's shoulder, his
sobs no longer silent.
His uncle Kellen stood nearby, watching with a warm, emotional smile, his eyes misty with
relief.
"Are you okay?" Marian asked softly, cupping Luren's cheek.
He nodded through his tears. "I missed you all… so much."
For the first time in days, he felt like he could finally breathe again.
Keith cleared his throat to announce their presence.
The Duke entered the room with quiet authority, Keith trailing behind him.
Luren's family broke their embrace and turned, startled. It was their first time seeing
the Duke of Seravelle. They hadn't expected him to be so young, except for
Kellen, who had met him before.
"Greetings, Duke Craige Evron Seravelle," the four said in unison, bowing their heads with respect.
Clara, however, rolled her eyes discreetly, unimpressed. Beside her, Kal stole subtle
glances at the powerful man before them, his curiosity barely hidden.
"Please, have a seat," the Duke said calmly, lowering himself onto the grand sofa with
the grace of someone used to command. The rest followed and settled into their
seats, tension still clinging to their movements.
Keith gave a small nod to the butler, signaling him to prepare tea and refreshments for the guests.
Luren sat beside Clara and leaned in to whisper,
"Why does it feel like they're treating you like an esteemed guest?"
Clara shrugged slightly, her brows furrowed.
"I'm not sure... Father only said you'd be safer at the Duke's mansion when I asked
him to get you out of prison they seemed to know each other"
Marian, seated across from them, glanced at the Duke with a composed expression.
"I would like to thank you, Duke, for keeping Luren safe, even as a prisoner," she said sincerely.
The Duke nodded, his tone formal but calm.
"I received a letter from your husband, requesting such arrangements."
He shifted his gaze to Luren.
"We called you here today to learn who Luren truly are—and why he never knew he was an omega."
Clara's eyes widened in shock, her hand instinctively reaching for Luren's.
Kal, oblivious to the tension in the room, continued happily munching on his food.
A heavy silence followed before Marian finally spoke, her voice tight with emotion.
"It was my fault," she admitted. "I chose to conceal the truth… It was a
request made by his real parents."
The Duke's
brows furrowed deeply, suspicion and curiosity flashing in his eyes.
This boy…he's far more of a mystery than I thought.