Meanwhile, in a room within the queen's palace, Adelaine and Sofía conversed calmly.
—I see what happened with that woman —Adelaine commented with curiosity.
—That poor lost princess doesn't even know her place —Sofía replied with disdain.
—Your son has been reminding me a lot of you lately, when you were young —Adelaine continued with a smile—. Quite the troublemaker.
Sofía laughed softly:
—Yes, it seems all my efforts to turn Lusian into a strong and respected Douglas are paying off. I was afraid I might have been too strict, but seeing him like this—confident and unwavering before anyone—fills me with pride.
—Yes, it seems you raised him so well that my foolish Elizabeth is interested in him —Adelaine added.
—I don't blame her, she has a good eye —Sofía said with an ironic smile—. What a shame that the Douglas and the Erkhan cannot be betrothed. If it weren't for that, I would gladly welcome Elizabeth as a daughter-in-law.
Adelaine changed the subject:
—Everything you asked for to handle the problem called Caleb is ready. Are you going to go through with it?
—Of course —Sofía affirmed—. Any obstacle that stands in my son's path will be eliminated.
—It seems Laurens really messed it up this time —Adela commented with a hint of amusement.
The next day, Lusian got up to leave, but Albert approached him with information about the adventurer Lusian had ordered to be investigated. After receiving the news, Lusian went to see Sofía.
As he entered, he was surprised by a familiar voice and an unexpected embrace.
—Well, look who it is, my little lord! —Adela exclaimed, radiant as she hugged Lusian.
—Adela, what are you doing here? —Lusian replied, surprised by the sudden encounter, pulling away from her embrace. At that, Adela asked if she was bothering him now.
Lusian felt uncomfortable and decided to respond honestly:
—It's not that I've started to hate you, Adela. We've simply grown, and things have changed. The academy is not a place to act with the same familiarity we had before.
Adela was surprised by Lusian's coldness and asked:
—So that's what this is about? We can't act like we did when we were children anymore?
Lusian noticed the confusion on her face and clarified:
—It's not just that, Adela. There are responsibilities and expectations we have to meet. We've both grown, and it's no longer appropriate for us to embrace like that.
Sofía intervened, drawing both of their attention while stroking the gentle white tiger she had given to Adela seven years ago:
—You two, stop that and come here. Adela, how is this little one's growth going?
—Everything is going well —Adela replied, stroking Aureus—. His magical affinity is improving quickly; at just seven years old, he has reached the Epsilon category. I don't think Casandra is very happy about it.
Sofía frowned:
—Is Instructor Casandra giving you trouble?
—Sometimes —Adela admitted—, but ever since Umber defeated her in such a humiliating way, she has toned it down a bit.
Sofía smiled, a determined glint in her eyes:
—If she steps out of line, I'll have to pay her a visit personally.
Taking advantage of the pause, Lusian made his request:
—Mother, I want to go to Dreville Village. I've heard it's a good place to rest near the capital, and its famous healing fountain seems very effective.
Sofía nodded, but imposed a condition:
—Very well, but take Emily with you. I want the two of you to get along.
—That's not necessary, Mother —Lusian said, trying to dissuade her—. Emily and I already get along well. Besides, she is resting with her family; it's not good to bother her.
Sofía struck the table firmly:
—It seems you've become bold enough to contradict me.
Lusian felt Larryet's growl near his ear and responded quickly:
—Of course, Mother. If that is what you wish, then it shall be done.
Sofía pinched his cheek affectionately:
—Very good, I like that you're a good boy.
Adela, excited, jumped:
—I want to go too!
Sofía sighed:
—Fine, stay and train Aureus. You will go as Lusian's escort. You'd better start practicing immediately. Go inform Albert to prepare three hundred soldiers to accompany him.