CHAPTER 287: HOME SWEET HOME 2

In truth, Henrietta had felt this moment coming long before their arrival. The day Lucas had faced the Empress’s celestial Qi explosion, something deep within her had stirred...a sharp, wrenching pain that laced through her chest, a feeling she couldn’t explain but knew too well. The soul bond between them had trembled violently, then dimmed. She had felt him slipping away. Since then, though she knew he still lived, her heart had been restless, heavy with dread. Seeing him now, pale and unmoving, confirmed every fear she had been trying so desperately to silence.

The King noticed her expression and followed her gaze. His eyes widened slightly when he saw the figure being carried out of the carriage. Lucas’s body was draped in a dark travel cloak, his face ghostly pale beneath it, lips faintly blue, his breathing shallow but steady.

The king’s composure shattered. He broke away from Nyx and The Queen without hesitation, he strode toward the group. The royal guards parted instantly, bowing as he approached.

"What happened to him?" the king demanded, his voice deep and unsteady, the authority in it undercut by worry. He knelt beside Lucas as Varran and the others laid him carefully on the ground.

Henrietta followed closely behind, falling to her knees beside the King. Her trembling hands hovered over Lucas’s face, brushing the edge of his hair. "He’s cold," she whispered, her voice breaking. "He’s cold."

Nyx came forward slowly, lowering her head. "He... saved us," she said softly, her tone filled with guilt and admiration.

The words hung heavy in the air, and for a long moment, no one spoke. The king’s jaw tightened as he looked down at Lucas, the young man who had saved his daughter, the one who had already endured too much for his age.

It was at that moment that Elder Gideon Alden arrived, his robes sweeping behind him as he moved with surprising speed for his age. Beside him was Lady Mariana Alden, her face pale and stricken.

"Xavier!" Lady Mariana’s cry echoed across the courtyard as she broke into a run. She fell beside her son, cupping his face in trembling hands, her tears spilling freely. "My son...what happened to him?!"

Elder Gideon’s composure faltered as he saw the state of his child. He knelt down, pressing his fingers lightly against Lucas’s wrist to check for a pulse. When he felt the faint thrum of life, his shoulders dropped in visible relief, though his face remained grim.

"He’s alive... but barely," Gideon murmured. "His meridians feel... unstable. As if they’ve been ravaged by divine energy far beyond mortal tolerance."

The King placed a hand on Gideon’s shoulder. "Then we must get him inside at once. The palace healers..."

"No," Elder Gideon interrupted, his tone sharp but respectful. "The healers can do little for what’s afflicting him. This... is beyond ordinary Qi damage. We must take him to the Hall of Resonance immediately. It’s the only place that might stabilize his flow."

Lady Mariana wiped her tears, nodding frantically. "Please, Your Majesty, let us take him there. He won’t last long if we delay."

The King turned to his guards, his voice ringing with command. "Clear the way to the Hall of Resonance! No one is to obstruct them."

The Empress, who had remained silent throughout the commotion, finally stepped forward. Her bearing was calm and regal, though fatigue lingered in her eyes beneath her veil. The faint shimmer of celestial energy still clung to her presence, enough to make even the seasoned cultivators nearby feel a quiet awe.

"Do not move him," she said softly, yet her tone carried a weight that silenced everyone instantly. "His meridians and Dantian have already begun their natural restoration. To interfere now, even with the best of intentions, would only disturb the balance forming within him. He has passed through the most perilous phase... what he needs now is rest and time. His life is no longer in danger."

Elder Gideon hesitated, torn between reverence and disbelief. "Are you certain, my lady? His body is fragile...his meridians were on the verge of collapse."

"I am certain," the Empress replied, her gaze resting gently on Lucas. "His condition is unlike anything I have ever seen, but he is safe now. To force the healing process further would be reckless."

Her calm assurance spread through the group like a quiet balm. Lady Mariana, still holding her son’s hand, exhaled shakily, tears glistening on her cheeks. The king straightened, studying the mysterious woman before him. Her aura was unmistakable...serene yet commanding, radiant yet distant.

"Who are you?" The King asked finally, his voice respectful but firm.

Before the Empress could respond, Seraphine stepped forward, bowing slightly. She then turned slightly, gesturing toward the woman beside her. "This... is Her Majesty, Empress of Lechia."

"The Mighty Empress of Lechia?" the king repeated slowly, his voice filled with disbelief.

The words struck through the gathered nobles and soldiers like a bolt of thunder. Murmurs spread instantly among the guards and attendants, their eyes widening in awe. Even Elder Gideon and Lady Mariana looked stunned, as if their minds were trying to grasp how such a powerful and distant figure could be standing right before them.

The King turned toward Princess Nyx, his expression demanding confirmation. Nyx, still holding her mother’s hand, gave a quiet nod. "It’s true, Father," she said softly. "She is indeed the Empress of Lechia."

That was all the king needed to hear. Understanding the weight of her presence, he straightened his posture immediately and stepped toward the Empress. Despite his surprise, his tone was filled with respect. Slowly, he extended his hand, taking hers with the reverence due to an sovereign. He bent forward slightly and pressed a courteous kiss upon the back of her hand.

"Your Majesty," he said with a calm that masked his inner astonishment, "your arrival in Valerion is an honor to us all. You must be exhausted from such a journey."

The Empress inclined her head gracefully, her expression serene. "Your Majesty is kind. I am deeply grateful for your hospitality."

The King released her hand and gestured toward the palace gates, his tone warm. "Please, come within. We shall see to it that you and your companions are given proper chambers. We will discuss all matters...diplomatic and personal...once you have had the time to rest and refresh yourself."

The Empress nodded lightly, her silver-lined gaze sweeping briefly over Lucas’s resting form before turning back to the king. "You have my gratitude, your courtesy honors me."

The royal attendants moved swiftly to lead her and Seraphine into the palace...while her loyalists were taken to the guest quarters too. The courtyard slowly began to settle, though the awe in everyone’s eyes remained.