Chapter 319

Chapter 319

15 years ago.

On a winter day when white snowflakes were falling.

"..."

Lucas looked down at the corpses of his parents who had died in a crash.

The overturned carriage had rolled off the bridge and fallen below.

It was winter, and the river under the bridge had dried up completely. There was no chance of surviving by falling into the water.

The carriage was shattered into pieces, and his parents were crushed to death.

Just before the carriage rolled off, Lucas was the only one who survived, thrown out by his mother.

However, Lucas couldnt immediately hold a funeral for his parents. He wasnt even given time to collect their bodies.

"Youre Lucas McGregor, arent you? The eldest son of the McGregor family."

A cold voice reached Lucass ears as he looked down at his shattered parents below the bridge.

It was the Capital Defense Force, who had rushed there after receiving a report of the accident.

For them, escorting the surviving Lucas to their destination was a priority over recovering the corpses of the McGregor couple.

"Please come this way. His Highness is waiting for you."

"But, my parents..."

"We will handle the recovery. Now, hurry."

The soldiers, seemingly unfazed, sat Lucas in a new carriage.

Lucas was led away, leaving behind the corpses of his parents.

It felt so unreal that he couldnt even shed tears.

Shocked by the death of his parents and covered in dirt and blood from the accident, Lucas was taken to the imperial palace.

To be exact, a minor palace.

It was the residence of the second prince, Fernandez.

***

"Its unfortunate that the head and the wife of the McGregor family died in an accident. My deepest regrets."

Tap. Tap.

Light footsteps resonated, coming closer to Lucas, who was kneeling.

Numbly staring at the ground, Lucas slowly raised his head.

"I was planning to strengthen the bond between your family and mine upon introducing myself today. Its unfortunate this happened."

A boy with glasses perched on the tip of his nose stood there.

His shiny black hair had a red hue flowing through it, and his pitch-black eyes also held a fiery red light.

Fernandez Ember Keeper Everblack.

He was the twelve-year-old second prince of the empire.

Seven-year-old Lucas shivered as he looked up at the prince. He had no clue what was going on.

Fernandez gave a gentle smile. Although his red eyes were not smiling at all.

"We should also talk about the repayment of debts."

"Debt...sir?"

"Yes, debt. As you will become the head of the McGregor family, you should know."

Fernandezs explanation was simple.

The McGregor family was in financial ruin, they had to take on debt to survive, and Fernandez had lent them money based on the familys name.

However, the McGregor family had failed to repay on time, and the interest had snowballed.

"I had called your parents today to discuss that debt... this is a headache."

Lucas, who was just seven years old, couldnt fully understand Fernandezs complicated words.

However.

"Even if its unfortunate and pitiable, we cant just forget about the debt, can we?"

He was perceptive enough to realize that this conversation was a matter of life and death.

No, not just for him but for everyone left in the family.

He instinctively understood that the fate of the McGregor family rested in the hands of the boy standing before him.

"...Ill do whatever it takes."

And so, Lucas bowed his head.

"Just... please spare us."

As he looked down at Lucas, Fernandez whispered with a faint smile.

"Good timing, Lucas."

"Huh...?"

"I have a task that suits you. Moreover, youve lost your parents and become an orphan, which makes you even more appropriate for this job."

Fernandez bowed slightly, locking eyes with Lucas, who was visibly trembling.

"Alright, kids, listen up! As I told you this morning, starting today Lucas will be living here with us. Hes younger than you both, so youll need to take good care of him, got it?"

Dustia then introduced the two to Lucas.

"This is Serenade! Shes three years older than you and frequently visits the palace, so youll have plenty of chances to say hello. Serenade, this is Lucas. Youre the eldest among the three of you, so please look after him."

"Yes, Mama."

The girl with hair like water, Serenade, bowed deeply toward Dustia, then gave Lucas a shy smile. Lucas awkwardly averted his eyes.

"And this here is my son Ash! Hes a year older than you."

At Dustias gesture, the boy with black hair dashed behind Serenade to hide.

Serenade chuckled briefly as if tickled, and Dustia let out an incredulous laugh.

"Ash? Oh, boy. Hiding behind your sister again? Come out and greet Lucas. What are you so wary about?"

"..."

"You were so excited yesterday, talking about how happy you were to get a new sibling. Now youre shy when you finally meet him? Cant even greet him? Should I do it for you?"

"No, no, I can do it..."

The boy with black hairAshtimidly emerged from behind Serenade.

"Hem, hem, ahem!"

Glancing around nervously, Ash then rubbed his tiny hands on his pants and extended one for a handshake.

"Hello!"

"Ah... Hello, Your Highness."

Lucas awkwardly reciprocated the handshake. Ash looked at Lucas with fascination.

"So youre really going to be my bodyguard?"

Lucas had been appointed as Ashs exclusive bodyguard, being the successor of the McGregor family. It was under this pretext that he was allowed to reside in the Star Palace.

"Yes! Your Highness, I may still be lacking, but I promise to train diligently so that I can adequately serve as your guard...!"

Lucas shut his eyes tightly and recited the lines he had memorized beforehand.

And the rest just slipped out.

"Ill definitely become the strongest knight in the Imperial Capital...! To uplift the honor of the McGregor family, and also...!"

It was always the same refrain from his parents.

You must become stronger than anyone else, theyd say. To revive the fallen McGregor family.

His parents had been drilling that message into him until the very moment their carriage plummeted off a cliff.

Lucas, who had been speaking rapidly, suddenly caught himself and halted.

Watching Lucas with wide eyes, Ash responded with a beaming smile.

"You dont have to be the strongest knight, Lucas."

"Huh?"

"I may never become an emperor, but my dream is to become the coolest guy in the world."

Ashs big, round eyes sparkled like the moon, and he smiled brightly.

"So, as my bodyguard, you should aim to become the coolest knight in the world."

Not the strongest knight, but the coolest knight.

"Got it?"

"..."

It was the first time Lucas had ever heard such a story in his life.

The most splendid knight?

What was that about?

Dazed, Lucas nodded hesitantly. Ash grinned as if satisfied.

Just then, Alberto came into the garden carrying a tray filled with a teapot and snacks.

"Ive brought tea and refreshments, Your Majesty."

"Thank you, Alberto. Well, kids, shall we eat and chat?"

Ash and Serenade chirped an affirmative Yes and gestured to Lucas to join them.

Unsure of what to do, Lucas took a seat at the table, following his brother and sisters lead.

Ash and Serenade bickered over what tasted better and fed Lucas some snacks.

The second empress of Dustia watched the childrens interactions with a smile.

Though it was winter, the garden at midday even had a warmth to it.

In Lucass life, no

In the lives of Lucas, Serenade, and Ash, the warmest and most peaceful days began just like this.

- Keep an eye on that childs every move and report to me.

And at the same time,

Days harboring poison also began.