The Useless Extra Knows It All....But Does He?

The silence that followed Luca's shaky outburst was suffocating. The air in the hall, once light with laughter, now clung thick and heavy. Aurelia lounged back against the armrest, her crimson hair spilling over one shoulder, watching him with a sly curve of her lips. Lilliane glanced between them all, fidgeting with her skirt hem as though the fabric itself might give her the right answer. Selena sat stiff, arms folded, her gaze sharp yet evasive, as if weighing whether to play along or not.

Selene's poised eyes, calm yet probing, rested on Luca like a hawk circling prey. Her silence pressed harder than any accusation.

Damn it… say something, please, someone!

Finally, Aurelia tilted her head, her smirk softening as though she'd decided to be merciful. With a casual wave of her hand, she said, "Of course. We're here just to… hang out with him. Relax. Nothing more."

Her tone was light, deliberately unbothered, but her eyes glittered with amusement at Luca's visible relief.

Lilliane, startled, blinked rapidly before bobbing her head. "Y-Yes! Just… um, to relax! Spend time together." Her words tumbled out awkwardly, her cheeks coloring, but she forced a smile anyway.

Selena crossed her legs, her expression cooling. Her voice came out flat, almost clipped. "…Same." No warmth, no effort—just a cold acknowledgment, but at least it was an agreement.

Luca nearly sagged into the sofa, his lungs filling with air in a shaky breath. Relief washed over him in waves, though the lingering sharpness in his mother's gaze pricked at the back of his neck.

"See?" He spread his hands with a forced laugh, still trying to appear casual even as sweat tickled his temples. "That's all there is to it, Mother. Nothing serious."

Selene's lips curved faintly—too faintly. Not a smile of belief, but one of quiet, dangerous suspicion. Her eyes softened, but only at the surface. Beneath, Luca could feel them peeling back layers, searching for cracks.

She should have bought that right, I am right, right?

And then—

"Yo, what's going on here?"

The booming, cheerful voice shattered the tension like glass. Everyone's heads turned just as Kyle strode into the hall, broad grin plastered across his face.

Selene's expression smoothed into graceful neutrality. "Nothing, dear. I was simply asking the purpose of your visit."

"Oh, that?" Kyle laughed, scratching the back of his head. "Well, that's easy! We're here to go on a trip with Luca."

Luca froze.

No. No, no, no—shut up, shut up, shut up!

Kyle kept going, completely oblivious. "Yeah, some dangerous adventures! You know, the kind that'll push us to our limits and force us to grow stronger." His grin widened, utterly proud of himself. "It'll be great training for all of us!"

The hall went dead silent.

Aurelia's eyes widened, then she slapped her forehead with a groan. "Unbelievable."

Lilliane gasped softly, shrinking back into her seat as though she could disappear.

Selena's expression iced over entirely, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Luca's stomach dropped into a pit. Fury surged hot in his chest, every muscle tensing as his nails dug into his palm. Kyle, you colossal idiot! You just spilled every damn thing I was trying to hide! Do you even have a brain?

Selene's gaze shifted back to him, unreadable yet heavy with implication.

Oh gods. I am definitely not going back to the academy again.

Kyle finally noticed the weight in the room, blinking as his grin faltered. He glanced around at the wide eyes, Aurelia's groan, and Luca's barely restrained twitching.

"…Huh?" He scratched his cheek, utterly bewildered. "Did I… say something wrong?"

Aurelia didn't waste a heartbeat. Her eyes narrowed, and with a swift smack! the flat of her hand landed on the back of Kyle's head.

"Ow! What was that for?!" Kyle yelped, rubbing the sore spot as he stumbled.

"Don't play dumb," Aurelia hissed through clenched teeth, her voice sharp enough to cut steel. Her lips curved in a strained smile for Selene's sake, but her hand gripped Kyle's collar like an iron vice.

"W-Wait! Where are we going?!" Kyle flailed helplessly as Aurelia dragged him toward the door. His feet scraped against the polished floor, heels squeaking. "I didn't even say anything bad!"

"You said everything bad," Aurelia muttered darkly, yanking him harder until his protests faded down the hall.

Luca blinked. His face twitched. There goes one idiot down. But what about me? Oh no, Mom's gaze—she's looking this way!

"I-I, um…" Lilliane suddenly shot up from her seat. Her hands fumbled nervously with the hem of her skirt, and her face flushed pink. "I just remembered—I-I have something to do!"

Her voice cracked at the end, and without waiting for permission she practically bolted out of the room, her hair bouncing wildly behind her.

"Something really important!" her excuse echoed faintly from the corridor.

Luca stared after her, then turned his head back toward his mother. His lips twitched in a weak smile as his stomach dropped.

They're abandoning me one by one! Traitors! If I stay here another second, Mother will interrogate me until there's nothing left! I—I should run too! Right now!

Selene, graceful as ever, remained seated, watching quietly. Then she rose with unhurried elegance, her expression unreadable. She stopped before Luca, tilting her head just slightly.

"There is something I want to talk about," she said coolly, her pale eyes catching the light. Her lips didn't smile, but her voice held an odd softness. "Can you come with me?"

Relief crashed over Luca so suddenly his shoulders sagged. His clenched jaw eased, and he almost wanted to drop to his knees in gratitude. His chest swelled with relief. Selena! My beautiful savior! You must truly be Heaven-sent!

He bobbed his head rapidly, too eagerly, a little grin tugging at his lips. "Yes! Absolutely—yes, of course!"

But then—Selene lifted a slender hand, halting him mid-step. Her brows lowered slightly, her tone sharper. "You… stop."

"Huh?" Luca froze in place like a guilty child caught sneaking sweets. His eyes darted around in panic. No, I definitely can't stop now!

Before he could spiral further, the sound of small, measured footsteps drifted from the staircase.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Luca's gaze snapped toward it. A little girl descended the steps, her silver hair catching the glow of the chandeliers, her eyes bright though still hazy with sleep. She rubbed at them with her tiny fists before peering around curiously.

"Hello…" Lisa's soft voice broke the silence, innocent and light. "Where's everyone?"

Selene's motherly expression flickered across her face for a heartbeat as she looked at the child.

And in that one opening—Luca's instincts screamed.

Now!

His body moved before thought. He lunged forward, clasping Selena's hand in both of his as if she were his last lifeline. His fingers gripped tight, his posture half-crouched like a thief caught mid-act, but his eyes gleamed with raw desperation.

"Perfect timing, Lisa!" he blurted, his voice almost cracking. Without giving Selena a chance to resist, he tugged her along in a frantic sprint.

Selena's eyes widened, her usually calm face breaking for a split second. "W-What are you—?!"

But Luca was already halfway to the hall's exit, dragging her with surprising determination.

His thoughts were a whirlwind of relief and panic. Thank you very much, Lisa—you are truly the best sister! A guardian angel in the flesh! I owe you my life!

Behind him, Lisa tilted her head, blinking in confusion, her silver hair swaying. Meanwhile, Selene—Luca's mother—remained on the sofa, her narrowed eyes following her son's escape with quiet, unreadable calculation.

And Luca? He didn't dare look back. Not once. Escape had never felt so glorious.

Their hurried footsteps echoed against the marble halls as Luca dragged Selena along without direction, his mind too frazzled to care. Curtains fluttered in their wake, and the portraits of ancestors on the walls seemed to glare disapprovingly at their reckless sprint.

Finally, breathless, they burst through a set of glass doors and stumbled onto a wide balcony. The cool breeze rushed against them, carrying the faint scent of the garden's roses. Luca released Selena's hand at once, doubling over with laughter as though he had just survived a battlefield.

"Ha—hahaha! Hahahaha!" He clutched his stomach, leaning against the balustrade for support. His chest rose and fell in frantic gasps. "Oh, thank the heavens! Selena, you saved me! You don't even know how much!"

Selena stood still, her usually composed face tinted with faint confusion. She lifted her hand, fingers closing lightly around her wrist where his grip had been. Her brows knit together as she tilted her head at him, white hair falling to one side.

"…What did I help you with?" she asked softly, her tone even but edged with genuine puzzlement.

Luca froze mid-laugh. He blinked at her, his grin faltering into an awkward half-smile. "Eh? Didn't you—wait." He straightened, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly. "Didn't you just say all that… to, you know… get me out of that mess?"

Selena's lips parted slightly before pressing into a thin line. Understanding dawned in her gaze, cool and sharp. She exhaled slowly, her shoulders rising and falling as the breeze caught her hair.

"No," she said with deliberate clarity, her voice calm but unwavering. "I really wanted to talk with you."

Luca stiffened, blinking once. Twice. His throat bobbed as he forced a laugh that came out hollow, his fingers tapping nervously on the railing. "…O-Oh."

For a moment, the humor drained from his expression, leaving only cautious curiosity. He turned to face her fully, lips tugging into a crooked smile, though his brows were still creased. "Then… what is it you want to talk about?"

Selena's eyes held his, calm and unflinching, as the afternoon heat carried silence between them.