The afternoon sun slanted across the balcony, casting long shadows over the stone railings. A warm breeze tugged faintly at Luca's hair as he leaned one elbow against the balustrade, his gaze fixed on the quiet gardens below. The laughter that had burst out of him moments ago had ebbed, leaving behind only a small, crooked smile and a faint unease as he waited for Selena to speak.
Her voice, cool and deliberate, finally broke the silence.
"What are you going to do about your mother?"
Luca blinked, tilting his head slightly, puzzled. "Hmm? About Mother?"
Selena's amethyst eyes held his with a calm steadiness, though there was a faint hesitation in her tone as she continued.
"From the conversation earlier… I think you're hiding that we're going on an adventure from her. M-maybe because she's too worried about you. Or… because she doesn't want you to go back to the academy."
For a moment, Luca just stared. His eyes widened, his lips parting ever so slightly as her words sank in.
