CHAPTER 128: CHAPTER 128 - THE SILENTLY AWKWARD NIGHT

The door creaked open as Luca stepped into the room. Though the house was visibly old, worn down by the years and the creeping vines of time, it still bore the dignity of royalty. Marble columns stood proud in the corners, faded tapestries fluttered slightly with the breeze from the cracked window, and despite everything, the room was immaculately clean.

Of course it was. It belonged to a member of the royal family.

Luca sighed as he removed his outer cloak, heavy with the dust and weariness of the day. He was exhausted—physically, mentally, and now emotionally too. His thoughts spiraled as he sat down at the edge of the bed, barely noticing its comfort.

First, I don’t even know why I’m here... and now, I’m not sure if I’ll even make it till morning.

The room felt too silent. Too still.

Then, a soft knock at the door. He looked up just as it opened, revealing Celestia.

She entered with soft steps, the baby dragon bouncing happily in her arms. The little girl chirped and flailed playfully, wriggling free to scamper toward Luca as soon as she set it down. Without hesitation, it climbed onto his lap and clung to his chest, nuzzling in with an affectionate hum.

Luca blinked. "Now you remember your papa?" he muttered under his breath, a hint of a smile twitching at the edge of his lips.

He looked up again—and froze. Celestia stood a few feet away, the door now closed behind her. A faint blush dusted her cheeks, and her hands were awkwardly folded in front of her. For a moment, the silence returned—thicker, heavier than before.

"...See you tomorrow, Your Majesty," Luca said, breaking the stillness. "Good night."

She nodded slightly. Neither moved. The awkwardness hung in the air like an unspoken spell.

Luca tilted his head. Why isn’t she leaving?

"Um... is there something you need, Your Highness?" he asked politely.

Celestia stiffened slightly. Then, in a small voice, she stepped in further. "Ahm... this room and the one my grandmother uses are the only ones clean and fit to stay in right now."

Luca blinked. "Oh. I see." He stood up. "No problem, I can sleep somewhere else—a dusty corner won’t kill me."

But she immediately cut in, voice a touch sharper. "No, you can’t. I— I mean, I need you in full strength tomorrow. No coughing. No fatigue. No dying from allergies."

"...Huh?"

She looked away, flustered. "Just... just rest here. In some corner. Anywhere."

"...WHAT?"

Celestia sighed heavily, rubbing her temples. "It’s my grandmother’s wish, alright? You stay in this room tonight. Just rest. It’s only a few hours till dawn."

Luca stared at her, utterly confused. "...Are you sure, Your Majesty?"

"Don’t make me repeat myself," she said, turning away as if it would hide her embarrassed expression.

When her grandmother said she’d bring her to me... I didn’t think she meant like THIS... Luca groaned internally.

With no better option, he nodded and awkwardly settled himself against the far wall,after putting the bay dragon on the bed. Sleep was nowhere near his eyes.

Celestia sat down on the bed quietly, the mattress barely creaking under her. She looked over at the baby dragon and reached out, gently scratching behind its ears.

"...The first time I saw you," she whispered, "you were still in your beast form. A little, cute thing... and now, you are even cuter than back then" as she smiled slightly.

The dragonlet chirped and giggled in response, pawing at her hand with stubby fingers. Whether it understood or not didn’t matter—her voice was softer now, the kind one used when speaking to old memories.

Luca watched the two of them. A Majestic Empress, a smiling dragon baby. A strange sense of calm began to settle over the room.

Still, his thoughts wouldn’t stop.

Just a few hours. Then morning will come... and whatever happens after, I’ll face it.

Luca sat in silence for a long moment, his thoughts swirling restlessly. Sleep was a lost cause.

Screw it... I won’t be able to sleep anyway. Might as well train.

He reached for his backpack, quietly unbuckling it so as not to wake the baby dragon curled up nearby. From within, he pulled out a slim, weathered manual marked by an emblem of two crossed sabers on the front cover.

Celestia, sitting a short distance away with the dragon resting peacefully in her lap, looked over with curiosity.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"I realized something," Luca said as he flipped open the book. "I don’t have a proper finishing move. I’ve been getting by with instinct and basic techniques, but it won’t cut it in real battles." He paused, then added, "This one here is the only technique I know that might work... but it’s too powerful. If I can’t control it, it could shatter my inner circuit."

His eyes scanned the densely-packed text and diagrams, trying to decipher the layers of energy flow and saber transitions.

Celestia’s expression turned dry.

"Don’t waste your time. I know that technique. No one can use it properly in the Core Compression stage. You’d need to reach at least the Spatial Expansion stage to handle its recoil."

Luca looked up in surprise. "Wait—how do you know that?"

"None of your business." She flicked her gaze away like it was the most natural answer in the world.

Luca chuckled and shook his head. "I still want to try."

Celestia huffed. "Hmph. Suit yourself. But don’t come crying when your veins start tearing."

Luca grinned. "And what if I actually pull it off?"

"You won’t."

"But what if I do?" he repeated, pushing her buttons.

Clearly annoyed now, Celestia narrowed her eyes. "Fine. If you do... I’ll grant you another favor."

Luca blinked. "...Wait, seriously?" A stunned silence followed, then a quiet, mischievous laugh rose in his chest. Hah... I didn’t expect that to actually work.

Another favor... from her. I’m a genius. Finally, something good happens.

Then, reality hit him like a hammer.

...But how the hell am I going to pull this off?!

He slapped both cheeks lightly, shook his head, and muttered, "Focus, Luca. Nothing’s impossible."

With renewed determination, he buried his head into the manual. Hours passed as he practiced forms, traced internal mana paths, and failed over and over. His fingers ached. His body groaned in protest. But still, he kept going.

Eventually, the first pale rays of dawn slipped through the cottage window.

Luca stood, stretching his arms with a long yawn. He glanced at Celestia—still awake, her back straight and vigilant, the baby dragon now fast asleep in her lap.

He rubbed the back of his neck. "I’ll step outside for a bit. Just want to get some fresh air."

Celestia nodded without looking at him. "Make it quick. We will leave as soon as possible."

As Luca arrived in the courtyard, the old lady was already waiting there. She looked toward him and said, "Young man, come here."

Luca approached her, and she spoke again.

"The place you’re heading to... it’s dangerous. No one knows what lies inside."

She paused, then added, "I don’t know why she brought you here, but stay safe. And take care of each other."

Luca offered a faint smile. "What care does Her Majesty need? She’s the strongest in the world."

"Hmph," the old lady scoffed. "What do you know? Do you think everything can be solved through strength? That girl has her own problems."

Luca blinked, surprised by the remark. What kind of problems could someone like Her Majesty possibly have? he wondered.

As if seeing right through him, the old woman continued,

"You’ll understand one day. That girl may seem domineering on the outside, but inside, she’s still soft. Make sure to treat her well in the future."

Luca quickly shook his hands in denial. "It’s really not like that, Grandma. There are no feelings between us."

She only smiled knowingly. "You already have a strong connection in the form of that baby girl. And you can’t fool the experienced eyes of an old woman."

She raised a wrinkled finger. "Promise me you won’t ever treat her badly."

Luca sighed internally. There’s no point in refusing...

"I promise," he said.

Just then, Celestia stepped into the courtyard, her expression calm and composed, as always.

"Get ready. We’re leaving."

Luca nodded and turned to head inside, needing a moment to freshen up.

Finally, he thought. I’ll get to know why I’m here. Let’s go.