The pain arrived immediately, however Lloyd managed to endure it.
His body had moved on its own, placing itself in front of her, using his forearm to block the knife.
"W-what are you doing?" the woman asked bewildered. "Why are you protecting that murderer!?"
The woman took a few steps back, while roughly pulling the knife from Lloyd's arm, who had to stifle a groan of pain.
Everyone watched the scene, in shock. Everyone except Baltazar, who analytically observed what was happening.
"She didn't murder your son... If you want to blame someone, blame me," Lloyd said firmly, before the woman's surprised gaze. "Gustavo died trying to protect me, he saved my life... If you wish to take someone's life, let it be mine."
"W-what?"
"No... It was my fault," Joan then said, it was the first time he'd said anything since the attack. "I provoked the xenos, I'm the cause of all this, and the one who deserves to die."
The woman shook her head, as if she wouldn't accept what was happening.
"Carla," Baltazar then intervened. "It seems Gustavo died defending his friends, don't stain his courage by spilling blood, there have been enough deaths tonight."
The woman's body trembled, the knife fell to the ground again. Carla hugged herself while breaking down again.
"My little one... He was so good... He died like a hero..." another cry was heard. "Why? Why did you leave your stupid mother alone!?"
Gustavo's father approached her, also hugging her with tears in his eyes.
"But you're not alone... We'll get through this together," the man said while also crying.
Lloyd grabbed the wound on his arm, letting out a groan.
"Let me see the wound."
Baltazar took the boy by the arm, while passing his hand over the cut. When he did, his arm returned to normal.
The pain disappeared... It was a miracle, a mystery... It was magic.
"Thank you father."
The boy felt some relief when the wound disappeared, though his guts were still churning.
But that feeling was fading.
"What you did was very brave son, I'm proud of you," his voice still sounded neutral, but there was affection in it.
The man's hand moved to ruffle the blond's hair, who for some reason felt a sensation of joy invade him.
He wasn't his father. Why did it feel so good that he was proud?
The boy smiled slightly, that night wasn't so horrible now.
After a while, Baltazar decided it was time to return to the mansion.
"Don't you want us to take your friend home?" the man asked along the way.
"No need, I've decided to keep her," Lloyd affirmed.
Why did it sound like he was adopting a dog?
"I understand," the man didn't argue, from her clothing he already suspected she was a vagrant, she probably didn't have parents either.
Lloyd glanced at Calypso to see her reaction, she looked happy, she even had a small smile.
"Looks like we're here."
The boy looked up, swallowing.
Was he really going to live there?
Before him rose a magnificent mansion. A large gate surrounded the beautiful garden, from whose center stood out a large fountain with statues on it.
"Welcome back, Mr. Baltazar, Mr. Lloyd," one of the maids greeted, while opening the door.
The boy didn't have time to greet back, without warning, something lunged at him.
"Lloooooyd!" something caught him in its arms, crushing his face against something very... Soft. "Why did you come back so late my little bird? You had me sooooo worried."
Lloyd felt himself being spun in the air, though he already knew who it was.
It was his mother, or rather, Lloyd's mother.
And most likely the reason he was such a spoiled child.
"I-I'm sorry mother, some things happened," Lloyd said with difficulty, he was being squeezed quite hard.
"Mother?" the woman said surprised, releasing the boy. "How can you be so cold!?"
The woman's voice sounded scandalized, as if he'd said something outrageous.
"I'm sorry... Mommy."
It was embarrassing for him to say something like that, however it was better not to cause conflict, he'd already had enough with everything that had happened today.
"That's better," she said, smiling again.
"Barbara, we need to talk," the man then said.
The woman's face suddenly hardened, her gaze fixed on Baltazar.
"Of course we need to talk. Do you think these are the hours to come back with the child? What were you thinking?"
Barbara's voice sounded authoritative, no one would say she was talking to the head of the mafia.
"Son, you can return to your room if you want, I'll talk to your mother," Baltazar said unfazed.
Lloyd nodded, he was exhausted and sleepiness was starting to affect him.
"Follow me, Master Lloyd," said the maid at the door.
"Don't worry, I can go back alone, instead. Could you take care of her? She'll be living here now," the boy ordered while starting to walk, ignoring the screams his mother was starting to make.
He couldn't help but feel sorry for his father.
Before he knew it, Lloyd had already returned to his room, too exhausted to do anything, the boy threw himself on his bed.
That day had been hard and he was eager to sleep.