Darkness.
Endless, suffocating darkness.
Luxe felt nothing.
No pain.
No sound.
No warmth.
Only the lingering memory of what he had just lost.
Lumi…
Her final smile burned into his mind like an unhealable wound.
Her voice.
Her warmth.
The way she called him "Your Highness" even in her final breath—
"I am glad… I could protect you…"
"Don't leave me…" Luxe whispered into the void, his voice breaking as if it were being torn apart from within.
"I didn't deserve that… I couldn't protect you… I failed you…"
Silence answered him.
Then—
A sound.
THUMP—THUMP—
A heartbeat.
Luxe's eyes snapped open.
Light flooded his vision.
"…What…?"
The ceiling above him was unfamiliar—
No…
It was too familiar.
Carved marble. Golden edges. Soft white curtains drifting gently in the wind.
"…This room…"
His breathing became uneven.
His hands trembled as he slowly raised them before his eyes.
Small.
Unscarred.
Unburdened.
"…This is… my childhood body…"
Luxe sat up abruptly, his heart pounding violently against his chest.
"This is Valcrest Palace… my room… from when I was eight years old…"
His voice trembled.
Not from fear.
But from realization.
"I… came back…"
Memories surged through his mind like a raging storm.
The war.
The betrayal.
Kael's blade piercing through him.
And—
Lumi.
Her lifeless body in his arms.
"…Lumi."
Without hesitation, Luxe threw aside the blanket and stepped off the bed.
"Where is she…? She should be here… she must be here…"
If this is truly the past… then she is still alive.
Before he could move further—
The door opened.
"Luxe!"
Queen Rosario rushed inside, her expression filled with worry.
Behind her stood King Albert, his presence calm yet imposing as always.
"You suddenly collapsed earlier," the Queen said, walking quickly toward him. "You frightened us. Are you feeling unwell now?"
Luxe froze.
"…Mother…"
"…Father…"
His voice came out quieter than expected.
Almost fragile.
King Albert stepped closer, observing him carefully.
"You are speaking strangely," he said in a low tone. "What happened? Your gaze… feels different."
Luxe stared at them.
Alive.
Untouched by war.
Free from the tragedies he had witnessed.
They're alive…
For a moment—
His composure nearly broke.
"…I'm fine," Luxe said, forcing himself to steady his voice. "I just… had a strange dream."
A lie.
But a necessary one.
Queen Rosario gently placed her hand on his head.
"You should rest more," she said softly. "You push yourself too much, even at your age."
Luxe lowered his gaze slightly.
"…I understand."
Then—
A presence.
Faint.
Quiet.
But unmistakable.
Standing near the door, almost blending into the background—
"…Lumi."
She stood there.
Alive.
Unharmed.
Watching silently as always.
His chest tightened.
For a brief moment—
He couldn't breathe.
"Young Master," Lumi said calmly, bowing her head slightly. "I am here if you need anything."
Her voice.
The same as before.
Unchanged.
Luxe took a slow step forward.
"…Come closer."
Lumi blinked once, slightly surprised.
"As you wish."
She stepped forward obediently.
Luxe looked at her carefully.
Every detail.
Every expression.
As if confirming she was real.
"…You're really here," he whispered.
"Of course," Lumi replied gently. "I have always been by your side."
Not always…
You died.
Luxe clenched his fists slightly.
Not this time.
"…Stay close to me," he said quietly. "From now on, don't leave my side unless I order it."
Lumi tilted her head slightly.
"…That was already my intention," she replied. "Your safety is my highest priority."
A faint, almost invisible smile appeared on Luxe's lips.
"…Good."
King Albert crossed his arms.
"You speak as if something has changed within you," he said. "Your tone… your presence… it is no longer that of a child."
Luxe met his gaze.
Calm.
Steady.
"…I realized something important," he said.
"Strength is the only thing that truly protects what matters."
The room fell silent.
Queen Rosario looked at him with concern.
"…Luxe…"
But he did not look away.
"This time," he continued inwardly, his eyes hardening slightly,
"I will not hesitate… I will not be naive… and I will not lose anyone again."
Kael.
The name echoed in his mind like a curse.
I know what you will become.
I know how you will betray me.
And this time—
His gaze sharpened.
I will be ready.
Outside, the wind blew softly through the palace.
But within Luxe's heart—
A storm had begun.