----
Luca burst into the palace, his cloak billowing behind him as the heavy doors slammed shut with a thud.
In the main hall, Hans quickly straightened and bowed. "Welcome, Master Luc—"
But before he could finish, Luca brushed past him in a blur.
Hans blinked after him, muttering, "Why's he in such a rush…?"
Luca threw open the door. "Sister-in-law!"
Eva turned at once, her face lighting up. "Brother, you're back!"
"Where is he?" Luca demanded, scanning the room.
Eva smiled softly. "He's here."
From behind Eva's dress, a small head peeked out—Leo, eyes wide, one tiny hand clutching tightly to her leg.
Before Leo could react, Luca swooped down, lifted him effortlessly into his arms, and hugged him.
"Hey—what are you doing? Let me go!" Leo squirmed, glaring up at him.
Luca laughed, holding him at arm's length, examining the boy like a rare find. "Sister-in-law, he's so small! And so cute!"
Eva couldn't help a smile.
Leo glared. "Who are you calling small and cute?"
"To you, of course," Luca said with a teasing smile.
He tilted his head, studying the boy's face. "Hmm… with that disguise magic on, I can't really tell if he's Eyan's son."
Leo's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Put me down this instant if you don't want to die."
Luca shot Eva a sidelong glance, smirking. "Yep. Definitely Eyan's son."
Eva burst into laughter, covering her mouth as Leo glared between them both.
Luca leaned forward, curiosity glinting in his eyes. "Leo, can you show me your real face? I want to see what you actually look like."
Leo crossed his arms stubbornly. "First, put me down."
Luca raised a brow but gave in. "Fine."
He set Leo gently on the floor.
Leo closed his eyes for a moment, the air around him shimmering faintly as he lifted the disguise magic. When the illusion faded, silver hair spilled over his forehead and bright red eyes looked up at Luca.
Luca froze. "No… way."
He knelt down immediately, hands reaching out to cup the boy's face in disbelief. "He looks exactly like Eyan, when he was little," he breathed, grinning wide. "Not only does he talk like him, but he even looks like him! Same nose, same eyes, same hair, and—"
He pinched Leo's cheeks playfully. "—same cheeks."
Leo winced. "That hurts…"
Eva chuckled from behind them. "I told you, brother. He looks just like his father."
Luca nodded, still smiling. "I believe it now that I've seen it with my own eyes."
Leo looked up at Eva, pouting. "Mother, tell him to stop pinching my cheeks."
Eva giggled softly. "Leo, don't be like that. Your uncle's just showing his love."
Leo sighed in defeat. "Fine…"
Luca finally released his cheeks, laughing. "Alright, alright."
"Tell me, Leo—why did you come here so suddenly?" Luca asked.
Eva quickly answered for him, smiling. "He came because he missed me."
Luca arched a brow. "Really?"
Leo nodded. "Yes."
Luca said, clearly amused. "Sister, did Eyan meet him yet?"
Eva's smile faltered slightly. "He did."
"And… how did that meeting go?"
Eva sighed. "Don't ask. They argued the moment they met."
Luca chuckled under his breath. "Looks like Eyan finally found someone equal to him."
"They are alike." Luca said smiling.
Leo frowned. "No, Uncle. You're mistaken. We're not alike—we're different."
Eva and Luca said at the same time, "No, you're not."
Leo blinked, exasperated. "Fine… we're alike. But just a little."
Eva burst into laughter, and Luca joined in heartily.
Leo frowned, crossing his arms. "Stop laughing, both of you. We have more important matters to take care of."
Eva blinked, straightening. "Right… I almost forgot." She looked at Luca, her tone shifting. "Brother, I need your help."
---
Luca's eyes hardened. "Don't worry about that man, sister. I'll take care of him."
Eva nodded slightly. "Please do."
A short silence passed before Luca exhaled, rubbing his temple. "Sister, I'm getting a little headache. Can I get a cup of tea?"
Eva smiled faintly. "Of course."
She turned to leave. "I'll go and bring it."
"Thank you," Luca said, leaning back slightly.
Eva glanced between them. "You two have a talk."
Luca smiled knowingly. "Alright."
Eva left the room, the door closing softly behind her—leaving Luca and Leo alone.
Luca sat down in front of Leo, his expression turning serious. "Show me your hands."
Leo immediately hid them behind his back.
"Stop hiding them and let me see," Luca insisted.
After a pause, Leo reluctantly held out his hands. The tips of his fingers were cracked, faintly glowing with a dull red light.
Luca's eyes narrowed. "What happened to your hands?"
Leo looked down. "It's because I used my magic to call you here. It's nothing serious."
Luca's tone sharpened. "Leo, you can't use your magic here."
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I'm not from this world. I can't use my powers freely here."
He looked up at Luca with a small, pleading expression. "Don't tell Mother. She'll just worry."
Luca exhaled heavily. "I know. That's why I sent her away."
"Then, Uncle, if you're done worrying, go take care of that man. The knights will bring him here any moment. Don't waste your time he—"
"Why are you here, Leo?" Luca cut in, voice low.
Leo froze. "Why are you asking me that again?"
"I told you i came because I missed mothe—"
"Stop lying," Luca said firmly. "Tell me the truth."
Leo hesitated, eyes shifting away.
"Leo," Luca pressed, "tell me."
Finally, Leo whispered, "I came here looking for someone."
Luca frowned. "Who are you looking for?"
Leo's expression darkened. "Uncle… besides Mother, someone else came back in time."
Luca's eyes widened. "What?"
"But… who?"
"I don't know," Leo replied quietly.
Luca leaned closer. "How did you find out about that?"
Leo looked at his hands. "Because I'm Zeradros. I know when someone makes a wish to me."
"You do?"
"Yes," Leo nodded. "And right after Mother made her wishes, I heard four more other wishes."
He began counting softly with his fingers.
"The first was… 'What happened to Eva Elvaris.'"
"The second… 'What did Eva Elvaris wish for.'"
"The third… 'I want to go back in the same time as Eva Elvaris.'"
His voice turned grim.
"And the fourth… 'Destroy everything. Kill everyone. Don't leave anyone behind.'"
Luca's face went pale.
Leo continued quietly, "After I heard that fourth wish, I went there to see what happened. But there was nothing left. Everything was gone. I only saw Zeradros flying across the sky—and the whole world was in ruins."
Luca stared, shocked. "Who made those wishes?"
"Four people," Leo said, his tone low. "And one of them came back in time. Everyone else… died because of that last wish."
Luca swallowed. "Can't you see who made those wishes?"
Leo shook his head. "No, Uncle. I can only hear the wishes, not see who makes them."
He looked up, voice heavy with certainty. "But whoever came back in time knows Mother. That person returned only because of her."
Luca's brows furrowed. "That's not good."
"Yes, Uncle." Leo nodded gravely. "That's why I have to find that person before something happens to mother."
He lowered his gaze. "But it's difficult. I can't use my power freely here. I can only use it once a day. If I use it twice… I feel sharp pain in my heart, and my fingers start to break like this."
Luca's face softened with worry. "Then how do you stop the pain?"
"I go back to my world and heal myself there," Leo said calmly. "Then I return here to keep searching."
Luca stared at him. "How long have you been doing this?"
Leo thought for a moment. "About a week, I guess."
"So you've been doing this for a week straight?" Luca asked incredulously.
"Yes."
"Are you crazy?" Luca said, voice rising. "You're putting yourself through that pain again and again!"
Leo gave a small, confident smile. "Don't worry, Uncle. I can handle that much pain."
"But Leo, you're just a child. How can yo—"
Leo cut him off sharply. "I'm not a child."
Luca blinked. "What?"
"I'm twenty-one, Uncle."
Luca's eyes widened. "You're twenty-one?!"
Leo nodded. "Yes."
"Then why did you come here as a child?"
Leo raised a brow. "Uncle, do you think I can walk around Velmoria looking like Father and not get recognized?"
Luca groaned. "Right… that would cause a problem."
"But you could've used disguise magic to hide your identity," Luca said.
Leo shook his head. "I can't. If I do, my body starts to hurt."
Luca frowned. "But disguise magic isn't that powerful."
"It's not," Leo agreed softly. "But for me—it is now."
Luca leaned forward. "Then why are you using it right now? And why did you come to the palace in the first place?"
Leo smiled faintly. "Because Mother asked me to. I can't say no to her."
Luca sighed. "Leo… tell me. What will happen if you use too much of your power?"
Leo's expression darkened. "If I do that, my body will break—and I'll die here."
Luca's face turned pale. "Leo, then you shouldn't use it at all. It's not worth the risk."
"I know, Uncle." Leo's tone softened. "But to find that person, I need my powers."
"You can actually find them using your powers?"
"Yes," Leo said. "I can sense anyone who's made a wish to me."
"Really?"
Leo nodded. "Right now, I sense only two people—Mother, and that other person."
Leo's brows drew together. "And I was this close to find that person?"
"Really"?
Leo nodded again. "Three days ago, I sensed that person nearby. I tried to track their location, but then… Mother saw me."
He sighed. "So I had to hide from her."
"Why?" Luca asked. "Why would you hide from your own mother?"
"Because I knew she'd ask why I was here," Leo said. "And I couldn't tell her the truth."
He lowered his eyes. "But in the end, I had to show myself. And when she asked me why I came, I had no choice but to lie."
Leo straightened slightly. "Uncle, can you take care of that man first? Mother's worried he might tell Father something he shouldn't have."
His voice grew quiet. "That man also saw me call her 'Mother.' I need him gone."
Luca stood up, his eyes cold with resolve. "Don't worry. He won't get a chance to speak to Eyan. Leave it to your uncle."
Leo smiled faintly. "Okay."
Luca rested a hand on his shoulder. "After I deal with that man, I'll help you find that person. Alright?"
Leo nodded. "Okay."
Luca gave a small smile. "And don't push yourself too hard, Leo."
Leo smiled back, soft but determined. "I won't, Uncle."