CHAPTER 293: HE’S AWAKEN 2

The moment the door closed behind the king and the empress, the Ice Belle’s eyes sparkled. She let out a cheerful trill and, without hesitation, leapt onto Lucas’s chest again...this time with even more enthusiasm than before.

Lucas grunted softly from the sudden weight but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at his lips. "Easy there..." he muttered, his voice still hoarse from weeks of silence.

The little creature tilted her head, chirping happily, as if scolding him for staying asleep so long. Then, with a quick spin, she raised her tiny hands and released a gentle wave of frost that swirled beautifully above them. The faint glimmer of snowflakes danced in the air, refracting the light of the lamps.

Lira covered her mouth, laughing softly. "Oh, she’s showing off," she said teasingly, watching as the Ice Belle clapped her hands and created a miniature snow sculpture...a tiny figure of Lucas, lying flat with his eyes closed.

Lucas stared at it for a second, then chuckled weakly. "That’s supposed to be me?"

The Ice Belle nodded proudly, her chest puffed out.

Even Lira couldn’t hold back her laughter now. "Looks just like you when you were asleep....peaceful but stubborn."

Lucas smiled wider this time. The sight of the little creature’s joy, the way her icy aura no longer felt cold but soothing, filled him with a quiet warmth he hadn’t felt in a long while.

As the frost dissolved into harmless mist, the Ice Belle nuzzled against his neck and hummed softly, her emotions clear without words...she had missed him deeply.

Lucas gently brushed her head. "I missed you too, little one," he whispered.

Lira watched them with a fond smile. For a moment, everything felt calm...no battles, no usurpers, no pain. Just warmth, laughter, and the faint glitter of snow.

The door suddenly burst open with a sharp clang, startling both Lira and the Ice Belle, who immediately puffed up and took a defensive stance midair again.

"Xavier!" Nyx’s voice rang out first...breathless, urgent, and trembling with emotion. Henrietta was right behind her, her usual cold grace nowhere to be found as both women rushed to his bedside.

Lucas barely had time to react before Nyx threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Her voice cracked as she said, "You’re awake... thank the heavens, you’re finally awake!"

Henrietta, who was normally composed and regal even in chaos, knelt beside the bed and took his hand. Her lips parted, but for a moment no words came...only a deep exhale of relief. "I thought... I thought you might never wake," she admitted softly, her voice shaking despite her effort to steady it.

Lucas blinked slowly, still weak but managing a faint smile. "Didn’t I tell you... I don’t die that easily?" he murmured.

That small joke was enough to break the tension...Nyx actually laughed through tears.

Then, before anyone could say more, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor. The door swung open again.

"Xavier!"

It was Selene. Her hair was disheveled from running, her face flushed, eyes wide with disbelief and joy. She didn’t hesitate...she ran straight to him, pushing past the others and falling to her knees at his side.

"You’re awake," she breathed, tears spilling freely now as she clutched his hand like she was afraid he’d disappear again. "I felt it... through our bond. I felt you..."

Lucas’s heart tightened at her words. They had all truly felt it...the faint ripple of his Qi awakening again.

"Yeah..." he said quietly, his voice gentle but sincere. "I’m back."

The room filled with warmth....Nyx smiling through her tears, Henrietta exhaling softly, and Lira standing by with a fond look. Even the Ice Belle fluttered around Lucas excitedly, chirping her approval as if announcing to everyone that her master had returned at last.

Henrietta stood quietly at the edge of the bed, her fingers resting lightly against the carved post as she watched the others surround Lucas. Nyx was still holding onto his shoulder, speaking to him softly, her voice a mixture of excitement and disbelief. Selene remained close too, her hand still in his, unwilling to let go even for a moment. Lira was by his other side, gently pressing a damp cloth against his forehead, her expression full of care and relief. It was a sight Henrietta had long expected...and one she had already prepared her heart for.

Back in Valerion, before their return, she had felt what Lucas had done...how he had formed bonds with Lira, Nyx, and Selene. The knowledge hadn’t shocked her; instead, it had brought a quiet sense of understanding. They had all walked through fire together, faced death side by side, and survived against impossible odds. In truth, Henrietta had seen how each of them had come to rely on him, not merely as a cultivator or leader, but as someone who anchored their hearts in the storm. She wasn’t jealous of their closeness; rather, she respected it. As long as Lucas remembered what he meant to her....as long as he remained true to the bond that tied them... she would not feel threatened by the presence of others.

She stepped closer and said softly, "You’ve caused quite a stir, Xavier. Half the palace held its breath waiting for you to wake. Even the Queen herself has been worried sick." Her tone carried a light smile, though her eyes revealed the weight of all those sleepless nights she had endured waiting for this very moment.

Lucas turned his head toward her, still weak but smiling faintly. "I’m sorry for making everyone worry. I didn’t mean to... vanish for so long." His voice was hoarse.

Henrietta shook her head gently. "You don’t need to apologize. Just being alive is enough." She paused for a moment, studying his face. "I could feel you through our bond, but it was faint, like a flicker in the dark. I knew you were fighting."

The room grew quiet for a moment, the weight of all they had endured together settling between them. Lucas’s eyes swept over each of them, a mixture of gratitude and disbelief that they were all still here...alive, together, in the safety of the palace walls. The faint sunlight filtering through the curtains made the moment feel almost unreal.

Finally, Lucas broke the silence. "Where’s Mirielle?" he asked, his tone suddenly turning serious. "I haven’t seen her since before the battle."

Lira, who had been standing nearby, turned toward him. Her expression softened as she answered. "She’s safe, Lucas. She stayed behind with the Empress’s loyalists."

Lucas exhaled slowly, a shadow of concern passing through his eyes. He then leaned back slightly, his hand brushing over his chest as if trying to ease the ache in his heart.

Henrietta looked at him with quiet understanding. "Rest while you can. Whatever comes next, we’ll face it together."

Nyx and Selene both nodded in agreement, the determination in their eyes mirroring her words.

The Ice Belle fluttered to perch on Lucas’s shoulder, letting out a soft chime that almost sounded like approval.