---
The morning sunlight spilled through the silk curtains, painting the chamber in a gentle gold. Eva sat by the bedside, brushing Leo's hair as he pouted quietly, still not quite over his earlier embarrassment.
Just then, the door creaked open.
Luca stepped inside, cheerful as ever, his voice booming through the room.
"Good morning, everyone!"
Eva turned, smiling softly. "Good morning, brother."
Luca's bright eyes fell on the little boy sitting stiffly on the bed.
"Good morning, nephew!" he greeted with exaggerated enthusiasm.
Leo sulked and looked away, lips puffed.
Luca raised a brow. "What's wrong with him, sister? Why is he sulking this early?"
Eva chuckled lightly, leaning closer to whisper something in his ear.
The moment she did, Luca's eyes widened—and then he burst out laughing, clutching his stomach and slapping his thigh.
"Ahaha! You're kidding!"
"Brother!" Eva hissed, putting a finger to her lips, but it was no use.
Luca was already wiping tears from his eyes.
Leo's face turned red. "STOP LAUGHING!" he shouted.
"How can I not?" Luca snorted. "You mean—you woke up in the morning hugging Eyan?"
Leo hid his face with his hands. "It's just… so Embarrassing! Ahh, STOP IT!.., uncle!"
Eva and Luca tried hard to hold back their laughter, but a soft giggle still escaped her lips.
Leo looked between them, cheeks puffed. "But seriously! I was sleeping beside mother! How in the world did I end up in the middle of the bed?"
Eva blinked, feigning innocence. "I don't know… I was asleep."
Luca smirked knowingly, but said nothing. "Alright, alright," he said, patting Leo's head. "Stop sulking now, little man."
Luca's eyes softened. "How's your back, Leo? I heard you were in pain."
Leo glared at him. "I was—and youknow very well because of who!"
Luca grinned shamelessly. "Ah, yes… my bad."
"'My bad'? You almost tore my skin off!"
"Okay, okay!" Luca raised his hands in surrender, laughing. "I'm sorry, will you stop glaring at me?"
Leo gave a dramatic sigh. "I'll let you go thistime. Not again."
"Of course, my little nephew," Luca said, smiling warmly. "Now go change your clothes and come with me. I'll show you around."
He turned to Eva. "Sister-in-law, do you have something for him to wear?"
Eva nodded, walking to the drawer. "Yes, Mr. Hans gave me this this morning."
She unfolded a neatly pressed outfit—a small tunic and trousers of soft navy blue fabric.
"Here," she said, admiring it. "Isn't it nice?"
Luca smiled as his gaze lingered on the fabric.
Eva noticed. "Why are you smiling like that, brother?"
Luca chuckled. "That dress—it's Eyan's. He used to wear it when he was about Leo's age."
Eva blinked, surprised. "Really?"
"Yes," Luca said with a fond sigh. "It was his favorite, actually."
"But if it's Eyan's, why did Mr. Hans bring it for Leo?"
"Eyan must have told him to," Luca replied. "Without his permission, no one can touch his belongings."
Eva's brows furrowed. "Brother… isn't it strange?"
Luca tilted his head. "What is?"
"Eyan," she said softly. "He's been so… gentle with Leo lately. He told him to sleep with us, offered to give him a bath, even worried all night when Leo was hurt. Why would he do so much for an orphan boy he just met yesterday?"
Luca smiled faintly, understanding more than he said. "Sister-in-law, Eyan has always liked children. Since the beginning, he's supported several orphanages. He visits them every month, plays with the kids, brings them gifts. He went there today too."
Eva's eyes softened. "So that's why there were so many carriages loaded with gifts this morning."
"Exactly."
After a quiet pause, Eva turned to Leo. "Go and change your clothes, then go with your uncle."
Leo nodded. "Okay, Mother."
He picked up the outfit and went into the changing room.
Inside, Leo stared at the clothes for a long moment. His small fingers brushed over the fabric.
"…It belongs to Father," he whispered.
A small smile tugged at his lips as he pressed the fabric against his chest.
"This morning was embarrassing," he muttered, recalling how he had woken up hugging Eyan. "But…"
His voice trembled slightly.
"…it felt so warm."
He smiled, clutching the clothes close.
---
(Velmoria Street - Afternoon)
The streets of Velmoria buzzed with life, merchants shouting their prices, carriages rattling down the stone roads, and faint music echoing from the evening taverns. Amid the crowd, two figures moved quietly — a tall man in a dark cloak and a boy with wide, thoughtful eyes.
Luca stopped when Leo suddenly did. The boy's gaze had turned distant, scanning the place where the cobblestone street bent toward the old fountain.
"This is the place, right?" Luca asked, lowering his voice.
Leo nodded slowly. "Yes… this is where I felt that person's presence last time."
Luca's sharp eyes studied the surroundings. "Then try again. Maybe he's still near."
Leo frowned, glancing at the noisy street filled with people. "It's too crowded, Uncle. Let's go somewhere quieter."
Luca gave a short nod. "Fine. Follow me."
They slipped into a narrow alley and walked until the noise faded behind them.
Luca looked around once more. "No one's here. You can use your magic now."
Leo inhaled deeply, his small hands clenching. "Okay."
With a faint hum, he dismissed the disguise spell. His red eyes flared to life — bright, burning, and ancient. The air around him rippled as if the world itself bowed to his power. The ground trembled faintly under Luca's feet.
"Wha—" Luca staggered backward, clutching his chest. The pressure pressing down on him was suffocating.
In his mind, panic raced. His power… it's overwhelming. I can barely breathe.
Then, as suddenly as it came, the pressure vanished. Leo's eyes returned to normal, their glow fading into soft brown again.
"Nothing," Leo said, shaking his head. "I can't sense his presence anymore. That person's gone from here."
Luca was still on his knees, gasping.
"Uncle?" Leo tilted his head. "Why are you on your knees? Get up."
Luca hurriedly stood, brushing the dust off his cloak. "Leo… you're power it's overwhelming."
Leo smirked, almost proudly. "What else did you expect? Of course I'm powerful. Because I'm Zeradros."
Luca chuckled breathlessly. "I knew you'd be strong, but I didn't expect this strong."
Leo smiled faintly.
Then he looked down at his hand, flexing his fingers. "I'll try to track that person again tomorrow."
"Fine," Luca replied. "Now I'll use my own magic to look for anyone suspicious."
The two began walking again, moving deeper into the quiet lanes. By the time they finished searching, the sky had turned indigo and the city lamps flickered to life.
Leo's breathing had grown shallow.
"You okay?" Luca asked, his tone suddenly worried.
Leo forced a small laugh. "Just… a little tired. This tiny body of mine gets exhausted easily."
Luca smiled faintly. "Then let's go back."
Leo nodded. "Okay."
After a short silence, Luca spoke again, his tone cautious. "Leo… how long do you plan to stay in the palace?"
The boy fell silent.
"You know your mother, Eva—she'll get anxious if you stay too long," Luca continued. "She's already made enough mistakes in front of Eyan."
He sighed. "You should come with me to the Magic Tower until we find that person. It's safer there."
Leo's fists tightened at his sides.
"What's wrong?" Luca asked, noticing.
"Nothing," Leo said quietly.
"Let me see your hands," Luca demanded.
Leo hesitated, then held them out.
Luca's eyes widened. "Your finger… it's completely healed." He looked up, astonished. "Did you know Eyan's wolves can heal you too, even though you're from another world?"
Leo blinked, then smiled softly. "I didn't think his power would work on me… but it did."
Luca's tone softened. "And your heart? You're not feeling any pain in your body?"
"No," Leo said brightly. "I'm perfectly fine now. I don't have to worry about that anymore. I can heal with Father's wolves."
Luca chuckled, teasing. "You say you're twenty-one, but your eyes just sparkled when you said that. Do you like Eyan's wolves that much?"
Leo's cheeks turned pink. "Yes— I mean, I never saw them before, or touched them myself. I only read about them in Mother's diary… so it was a new experience."
Luca smiled warmly. "You're cute."
Leo glared at him. "Who are you calling cute?"
"Fine, fine," Luca laughed. "I know you're grown up. Ruler of Velmoria in your world, right?"
Leo's expression darkened for a fleeting second. He whispered, almost to himself, "I'm not the king in my world…"
Luca frowned. "Did you say something?"
Leo shook his head. "No." He looked toward the glowing palace lights in the distance. "It's getting late, Uncle. Let's go back. Mother will worry if we're late."
Luca smiled and patted his shoulder. "Alright. Let's go."
Together, under the pale moonlight, the two walked back toward the palace — unaware that something unseen had begun watching them from the shadows they left behind.
---