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

The moonlight seeped in through the tall window, pale silver pooling across the polished floor of Luca's room. He sat slouched in his chair, one leg bent over the other, staring absently at the faint glow of the lamp on his desk. His thoughts drifted back to lunch—laughter, chatter, voices filling the dining hall—and then to the silence that had weighed down dinner.

His mother had been quiet. Too quiet.

That silence gnawed at him now, guilt pricking at his chest. In a few days, he would leave again. And she would be left with nothing but silence and worry.

A soft knock broke through his thoughts.

Luca straightened slowly, frowning. At this hour?

He pushed up from his chair and padded to the door, pulling it open.

"…Mother?"

Selene stood there, her dark violet hair strikingly similar to Luca, dimly lit by the moonlight spilling through the corridor windows. Her expression was calm, but her eyes held something heavier—something she had not let slip at the table.

Surprise flickered across Luca's face, but he quickly stepped aside. "Please… come in."

She entered with measured grace, her hands folded lightly before her. They both sat—Luca on the edge of his bed, Selene in the chair he had abandoned. For a moment, neither spoke. Only the faint rustle of leaves outside the window filled the silence.

The quiet of the night pressed in, broken only by the faint rustle of leaves beyond the balcony. Luca sat across from his mother, still uneasy from the silence that had stretched between them. Finally, Selene drew in a breath, her hands clasped together tightly on her lap.

"You may feel I am doing too much, Luca… but I can't help it. I am your mother."

Her voice was soft, yet every word carried weight. Luca lowered his gaze, guilt stirring faintly in his chest. He had known this talk would come, but hearing it now was harder than he expected.

"I worry," she continued, eyes glistening faintly in the lamplight. "Every time word comes from the academy… It's you. My son caught up in danger again. While other parents hear of grades or duels or trivial things, I hear of battles, cultists, monsters. Each time, my heart stops, wondering if the next letter will bring worse news."

Luca clenched his fists lightly on his knees, forcing himself not to look away. I never meant to make her feel like this… but if I stopped, if I stayed safe, I'd regret it. This path was never going to be easy—not for me, and not for her.

Selene's lips trembled, but she pressed on. "Your father told me of your decision. That you wish to leave soon… to walk your own path, to grow stronger. He tried to explain it to me, to make me understand. I fought it inside my heart, Luca. I thought—if I could just hold you back a little longer, maybe you'd stay safe."

Her words fell heavy between them. Luca swallowed, guilt and stubborn resolve clashing inside him. Safe? No one is truly safe in this world. Not with what's coming. If I can't grow stronger, then I'll fail everyone—not just myself.

Her lips trembled, but she looked up at him now. Her eyes were shining. "And then, at lunch… I listened."

She paused, her voice breaking before she gathered herself. "Kyle spoke of how you stood by everyone. Selena of how you protected those close to you. Lilliane of how you gave her courage. Aurelia…" Selene's throat tightened as she smiled faintly through her tears. "Aurelia said you stand where no one else dares, even when there is no hope. That you never leave anyone behind. And Luca—every word I heard, it wasn't just admiration. It was trust. The kind of trust people don't give lightly."

Luca's heart pounded as he listened. So she heard it all… every word they said. By how silent she was, I thought she was not listening, to me it felt embarrassing. To her, it was enough to understand.

"I realized then," Selene continued, her tears slipping freely now, "that I have been trying to keep you as the little boy I could protect. But you are no longer just that. You've become someone others depend on. Someone they believe in, even when the world is cruel."

Her hands, trembling but firm, reached out and clasped his. "I will always worry, Luca. I will always be afraid for you. That will never change. But after hearing them speak… after seeing what they see in you… how can I deny it anymore? This is who you are meant to be."

Her voice shook, but her words carried a quiet strength. "So go. Walk your path. Not because I want you to, but because it is yours. And know that wherever it takes you, you have my blessing—not to be safe, but to be true to yourself."

Luca swallowed hard, his throat tight. She's crying… yet she's smiling. She's afraid, but she's letting me go.

So this is what a mother's love is like huh? Selfless. Mother… Thank you.

For the first time that night, neither of them spoke. They didn't need to. The silence between mother and son was no longer a weight—it was an understanding.

They sat like that for a while longer, the silence no longer heavy but calm, almost healing. Finally, Selene let out a small, shaky laugh and wiped her eyes with her sleeve.

"Enough of this," she said, her smile finally settling on her lips. "Where is the baby dragon? You haven't shown her to me since coming back."

Luca blinked, then chuckled softly. "Right… I guess I haven't."

With a gentle wave, he summoned her. A little girl appeared on the bed with a plop, her soft golden hair spilling down her shoulders, two small horns peeking from between the strands. She looked around curiously, blinking wide eyes until they landed on Selene.

Selene's face melted instantly. She spread her arms, her voice rich with affection. "Oww… come to Grandma."

The little one's face lit up at the word. With a happy squeal, she crawled across the sheets and nestled into Selene's embrace. Selene's arms wrapped around her like they had always belonged there, rocking her gently as she laughed, her tears already forgotten.

Luca leaned back in his chair, watching the scene unfold. A warmth spread through his chest, easing the knot that had sat there since lunch. Well… I didn't expect this problem to get solved like this. Still… I'm glad. If I'd had to leave after making Mother sad, it would've weighed on me. Now… now I can walk forward freely—stronger, clearer.

Selene stood, the baby dragon tucked protectively against her shoulder. She turned to Luca, her smile bright but resolute. "Rest now. I'll be taking her with me. Now that you've grown up, I'll keep her with me."

Luca smiled faintly, nodding without protest. "Alright."

The little dragon cooed softly, clinging to Selene, and then they were gone. The door clicked shut, leaving the room quiet once more.

Luca lay back on his bed, closing his eyes. His lips curved into the ghost of a smile. Let's hope tomorrow's day will be more calm.

The moon slipped away and the sun rose gently over the Valentine estate, spilling gold across its tall windows and marble floors. Morning had fully awakened the mansion.

Luca stirred as the sunlight crept across his bed, warming his face. His eyes fluttered open and he blinked against the brightness, letting out a faint groan as he sat up. It's already morning, huh?

He stretched long and slow, arms arching above his head until his back gave a small crack. A yawn left him as he stood, running a hand through his hair. The room was still, save for the muffled bustle of footsteps and distant voices beyond the door.

Pulling it open, he stepped into the hallway.

The house was alive. Maids glided along the corridor with baskets of freshly laundered linens balanced carefully in their arms, while another bent over a vase to replace wilted flowers with fresh blooms. Down below, the butler moved with unhurried precision, carrying a gleaming silver tray set with polished cups. In the corner of the hall, two younger attendants were quietly dusting the carvings of a tall pillar, working in practiced silence.

Luca paused mid-step, watching them for a moment. To think… this many people are needed just to keep a place like this running smoothly. The thought pulled a wry smile to his lips. It was so far removed from the life he had lived in his previous life—the world where mansions and servants were nothing but fantasy set-pieces.

Shaking his head lightly, he descended the grand staircase.

His gaze swept idly across the familiar hall as he reached the base, but then his steps slowed.

There, seated on the couch as though he belonged to the very air of the room, was a man. Silver hair gleamed faintly in the morning light, posture poised yet relaxed. In one hand, he held a porcelain cup of tea, sipping with unhurried grace.

The sight tugged at Luca's breath, recognition sparking like a jolt of lightning. The resemblance to his father was undeniable, yet sharper, younger, carrying a familiar edge that made his chest tighten.

The word slipped from him before he realized it. Quiet. Certain.

"Brother…?"