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"?!
