CHAPTER 127: CHAPTER 127 - I GOT MY MAMA AND PAPA , HEHEH!

A tense, almost suffocating silence settled over the courtyard of the old woman’s house. The faint creak of the wind chime and the rustle of distant leaves were the only sounds as Celestia stood facing away, her back like a wall of divine stillness. Luca’s instincts screamed at him to retreat, to vanish, to pretend this moment never happened—but it was already too late.

And then, it happened.

Luca saw it almost in slow motion—the moment Celestia turned toward the tiny voice. Her crimson eyes widened a fraction as the baby dragon leapt from his arms and into hers, landing gracefully as if this had been fate. The little creature snuggled against her bosom, tail curling like a vine of affection, and chirped joyfully,

"Mama! Mama! Hehehe~"

Celestia stiffened.

And Luca’s soul nearly left his body.

WHAT. THE. FUCK.

His brain screamed as his eyes dilated in horror.

Did—did she just call her "Mama"?!

No. No no no—this couldn’t be happening. She only knew one word: Papa. That was it. I didn’t teach her anything else. Just Papa. How the hell did she learn Mama?! And why Her Majesty of all people?! There were so many options!

Aurelia! She would have stammered, blushed, and then tried to take responsibility. Selena! She might’ve frozen, then blamed it on me with a cold glare. Hell, even Master! Master would’ve just laughed and said something like, "Looks like I’ve still got it." But Her Majesty?

Luca’s lips twitched.

Do you want to kill your papa, my daughter?

Is this revenge for not taking you out earlier?

This is it, isn’t it? You’ve chosen violence. You’ve chosen murder. You’ve chosen...execution by Empress.

His breath caught as the world tilted again.

That internal death spiral was broken only by the old woman who finally stepped forward, blinking with watery eyes. Her lips curled into a warm smile as she looked at Celestia.

"Oh my, I didn’t think the next time you’d visit me, you’d be bringing a grandson-in-law and a great-granddaughter along," she said wistfully. "I was exhausted telling you again and again to get married... Still, I’m happy. Although..." She glanced at Luca, eyes twinkling. "Isn’t your husband a bit too young?"

The ground beneath Luca may as well have opened up.

A pressure burst in the air.

The temperature around Celestia spiked—just enough for the old vines and grass to sway unnaturally, for the shadows to flee like prey. Her face didn’t change, but the world felt the tremor. It lasted only a heartbeat.

As—

"Mama?" the baby dragon said again, tilting her tiny head and gently touching Celestia’s cheek.

And the flames vanished.

Silence reigned.

Celestia stiffened as she looked towards Luca with the eyes that could kill.

"N-No, y-you misunderstand, ma’am. We’re not married," Luca hurriedly explained, hands raised in defense.

But just then, the baby dragon let out a soft, curious chirp.

"Papa?"

Luca’s lips twitched.

You are really not helping here, my daughter.

The old woman’s eyes narrowed, her voice sharpening like a blade.

"What’s this? Young man, are you denying responsibility after doing the deed with my granddaughter?"

Luca stiffened.

He slowly turned to Celestia—who looked like she was about to explode. Her face was flushed a deep crimson, but whether from fury or embarrassment, he couldn’t tell. Her glare, however, was unmistakable.

Luca hurried again. "W-Wait! Ma’am, she’s not our actual daughter—!"

"Papa! Mama!" chirped the baby dragon again, far too cheerfully.

"Not helping!!" Luca hissed under his breath. Then to the old woman, he practically blurted, "I-I mean, she’s not human! She’s a dragon! She hatched from the egg, and Her Majesty helped!"

The anger slowly faded from the old woman’s expression, confusion replacing it.

"...Explain in detail."

And so Luca did. He walked her through everything—from getting the egg, the strange aura reaction, Celestia channeling energy into him, and how the baby dragon hatched, calling him "Papa" ever since.

"It’s the first time she has met her majesty ever since she hatched, and called her mama."

By the time he was done, the old woman was silent for a long moment. Then... she smiled.

"Aah, so that’s how it is." She chuckled softly, as if everything now made perfect sense. "But that only proves it."

"...Proves what exactly?" Luca asked warily.

"That she is your daughter."

"Heh?"

Goddess, have you decided to kill me today no matter what?

Celestia’s voice cut through the confusion. "What do you mean, Grandma?"

Her tone was more controlled now—tinged with suspicion, but no longer explosive.

The old woman nodded sagely. "The dragon child was born through a mix of both your energies. You, Celestia, passed your energy into him, which then merged with his and was absorbed by the egg. That’s precisely how dragon hatchlings identify their parents. It’s a sacred bonding process, traditionally done only by the mother and father."

She gestured at the baby dragon now perched on Luca’s shoulder, humming happily.

"Do you really think a dragon would call someone Papa or Mama without a reason?"

Luca blinked. Wait, it works that way? That’s an actual thing?

He turned to Celestia, who was also looking at him with slightly widened eyes. Their gazes met—an unspoken message passing between them.

I didn’t know about this at all, his expression said.

Hmph, her look replied, pink still dusting her cheeks.

The baby dragon purred, content and oblivious. "Mama... Papa..."

Luca slumped inside. This is it. I’m going to die from second-hand misunderstandings.

The old woman stepped forward, her white hair swaying gently in the breeze. Her aged hands reached out and gently patted the baby dragon resting in Celestia’s embrace.

"My baby," she murmured softly. "I am your grand-grandma. But you can just call me grandma, okay?"

Celestia’s cheeks flushed a deep red.

"Pap-ma..." the baby dragon blinked her wide crimson eyes before giggling.

The old woman chuckled, then turned toward the boy standing awkwardly nearby.

"And what’s your name, young man?"

"Luca Valentine, ma’am," he answered politely.

She paused. Just a heartbeat too long. Then with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, she returned to stroking the baby dragon’s head.

"Call me grandma from now on."

Luca blinked, taken aback. "G-Grand—"

But before he could finish, he felt a deathly gaze pierce through his soul. He glanced sideways. Celestia was glaring at him with the intensity of a thousand suns.

"...It’s okay, ma’am," he corrected swiftly.

The old woman glanced at Celestia’s expressionless face and snorted.

"Don’t listen to her. As a man, you should have some dignity in front of your woman."

There was no change in Luca’s face. No panic. No flustered embarrassment. Just calm acceptance.

He had seen the future.

He had accepted death.

"Come here," the old woman beckoned him with a grin. "Look closer. She has your eyes and nose. And the lips and hair—that’s all Celestia."

Luca hesitantly approached and looked down at the baby dragon nestled in Celestia’s arms. She giggled again, flapping her tiny hands as she stared up at him with glowing eyes.

Now that he really looked...

He glanced at the baby dragon.

Then at Celestia.

Back at the baby dragon.

Then at Celestia again.

Same hair. Similar mouth shape.

Celestia shot him a dangerous glare, as if daring him to say a single word.

He shut his mouth wisely.

From afar, they truly looked like... a family. A beautiful mother, a tired but responsible father, and an adorable child in between.

The old woman gave a satisfied nod. "You’ve had a long day. Go get some rest. You can leave tomorrow."

"But Grand—" Celestia tried to protest, only to be silenced by a single sharp glance.

"Go. Sleep."

The tone was final.

Then she turned to Luca. "Young man, take the room to the left of the courtyard."

"Yes, ma’am," Luca nodded.

He bent down to pick up the baby dragon—but she flinched away and clung tighter to Celestia.

"Mama!" she chirped sweetly.

Luca froze mid-motion. His pupils shook.

He staggered back, pressing a hand over his heart like a man betrayed by destiny itself.

This world... this cruel, cold world... had left him behind.

You got a mama now... and you forgot your poor papa... he cried internally as a lone tear threatened to escape.

The old woman patted his shoulder sympathetically.

"Go. Celestia will bring her to you once she’s asleep."

Luca left like a soulless husk, dragging his feet with the air of a condemned man.

After a long silence, the old woman spoke again.

"So," she asked quietly, "is he... his descendant?"

Celestia gave a small nod.

The old woman exhaled, eyes clouded by memories.

"...Why did you bring him here?" she asked slowly. "Don’t tell me you plan to go there."

Celestia didn’t reply.

But her silence was louder than any answer.