CHAPTER 52: DINNER AND SECOND ALLY?

There’s a glint in Linus’ eyes at Theo’s words. He slowly focuses his attention on Theo. No one knows what he’s thinking.

"Oh my god, Thea! Thank God you’re safe!" Completely oblivious to the sudden tension, Claudia reacts to Theo’s casual remark. Then she turns to him, eyes wide with genuine concern. "I can’t imagine going through what you went through."

She looks solemn for a moment, then brightens. "But tell me about the dungeon. I’ve never been to one and I don’t plan on entering one, but I’m curious what it’s like in there. The documentaries I watched are all about the haelions, Heartstones, mining, and stuff. Maybe you noticed something different?"

"Claudia." Miranda scolds her daughter softly, though it’s clear she also wants to know.

Theo looks like he’s thinking.

Arthur’s eyes never leave him. He’s ready to step in, to deflect questions Theo doesn’t feel like answering. But something in his heart tells him that right now, Theo doesn’t need his help.

Julian flinches at Theo’s words earlier, his face tightening as if in pain. It doesn’t escape Theo’s observant eyes. He makes a note to ask Julian about it later.

Theo slowly turns to Claudia, ignoring everyone else, as if he’s speaking only to her. He smiles softly. His expression looks fragile, and only Claudia, Miranda, and Leila can see it. Arthur, from where he sits, can only see Theo’s profile, clenches his teeth.

"It was breathtaking," Theo says softly, barely audible, forcing those across the table to lean in and listen.

Linus does the same, but the next second he laughs inwardly. Little minx.She completely controls the room. He can’t help feeling a rare appreciation for Theo, and he notices that his own son looks very captivated.

He sighs quietly. I guess I need to prepare.

Then he turns his focus back to Theo.

"I’ve never been to a dungeon either, and like you, I’ve only seen documentaries. But it’s a completely different feeling when you’re actually in there." His voice grows stronger, following the rhythm of his own ’enthusiasm.’

"At first, I was completely disoriented and terrified," Theo begins to weave his story, blending truth and deception. "It was dark. No, it was pitch black." He corrects himself softly, as if reliving it.

"I couldn’t see a thing, and then I heard a growl." Theo continues, his tone steady, vivid enough to hold everyone’s attention. In his tale, the one who fought the haelions isn’t him, but ’a woman.’

At the mention of the woman, Theo completely captures Liam’s attention.

When Theo reaches the part about the fissure, he shifts his seat slightly, turning to face the entire room. His voice carries naturally, inviting everyone into the memory. Every now and then, he glances at Liam, just enough to hold his gaze before moving on.

"I was falling headfirst, but she... what’s that woman in the press conference said her name was? Arthur, you remember?" Theo suddenly pulls Arthur into his performance.

Arthur, who’s been paying attention, immediately answers, "Aldriana."

At the same time, Liam also says, "Aldriana."

Hearing Liam’s first solid words since the dinner began, Theo whips his head toward him, eyes bright with feigned excitement. "You know her too? Have you met her?"

Not giving Liam a chance to reply, he turns back to Arthur. "Aldriana. That’s right, Arthur, you also said Aldriana, didn’t you? That’s what that woman... what’s her name again? The one giving her statement at that press conference we saw a few hours ago?"

Arthur smiles slightly. "Megan Lambert. And yes, Ms. Lambert said Aldriana."

"Right! Ms. Lambert!" Theo echoes, nodding eagerly.

"So, I was falling head first. And Aldriana, sort of... like, I don’t know, move her hands, I guess? Just gently, and I suddenly flipped! Now, my head is up and feet down, and... this is where it’s crazy! I felt my fall, slowing down!"

He looks around the room. "Isn’t that crazy?!" He suddenly looks at Julian, "Jules. You are the expert among us all. How do you think she did it?"

Theo now pulls Julian into his narrative. He wants to see Julian’s reaction. The man hasn’t been himself since dinner started.

Theo is right. Julian’s distracted, clearly preoccupied, yet his scientist’s brain has still caught every word Theo’s said.

When Theo loops him in, he startles for a second but quickly composes himself, slipping into his analytical expression.

After a brief pause, he says, "Judging by your description, it’s most probable that her manipulation of Heartstone energy is very advanced."

Liam suddenly chimes in, "That’s what I thought as well!"

Got you, Theo smirks inwardly.

He puts on a confused mask. "Heartstone manipulation? What is that?"

Every head turns to Julian. Each of them has an idea of what it might mean, but among them, Julian is the one most capable of explaining it.

Julian clears his throat. "Heartstones contain energy. Our technology today focuses on extracting that energy and channeling it to power our gadgets and well... everything else. Now, I’ve never seen or heard of humans doing that directly. But from what Thea is describing, this woman, Aldriana, can do just that. Either she’s found a way to extract Heartstone energy and bend it to her will, or she’s using some kind of gadget to achieve it."

He pauses, then adds with quiet confidence, "A gadget which, I’ll admit, I wouldn’t know how to make. Yet."

"Where do you think she gets the gadgets?" Liam suddenly asks Julian. He knows how smart Julian is. Most of Montrose’s products came from his brilliant mind. If anyone could make the gadget in question, Liam would bet all his money on Julian Montrose.

Julian shakes his head. "That, I don’t know. I don’t want to brag, but currently, in the whole Concordia, if I can’t make it, no one will claim they can."

No one counters him. They all know he isn’t bragging, he’s simply stating the truth.

Theo also shakes his head. "I don’t think it was a gadget."

Liam looks at Theo sharply. "Why do you think that?"

Theo meets his gaze. "I was extremely close to her. She once helped me get up, and I didn’t see anything that could be considered a gadget. She didn’t wear any jewelry, or a watch, or even hair accessories. Nothing."

He pauses, then adds, "And her movements were too quick and precise. I imagine if she’d been using a gadget, there would’ve been some delay. But there wasn’t."

"Like she was using magic," Liam whispers to himself.

"What was that?" Theo presses.

Liam takes a deep breath and looks straight into Theo’s eyes. "I said, like she was using magic."

"Yes!" Theo nods firmly. "Exactly that."

"Liam." Linus calls.

And Liam looks at his father.