Chapter 45: Return

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Lucia accepted Garling's arrangement without hesitation, throwing herself into training with the Figarland family's escort team. She pushed herself relentlessly, driven by a simple belief: if Carl never returned, at least she could grow strong enough to make a difference.

But in the end, Carl couldn't hold on. He died in the laboratory at the age of eight.

Of course, such an event was never made public. Only a handful of figures within the Figarland family—and a few of the highest-ranking Celestial Dragons—knew the truth.

Lucia remained unaware of Carl's death, and in some ways, that was a mercy.

For years, Carl had been her reason to fight, to endure. If she had known the truth back then, she might not have survived.

The happiest day of her life came when Garling returned from the **Valley of the Gods** and told her Carl had made it out. Due to special circumstances, he couldn't return to Mary Geoise just yet, but he was alive.

The relief was overwhelming. Though she regretted not seeing him, the weight on her heart finally lifted. It fueled her even further. She continued to train, dreaming of the day they would meet again.

Six years later, that day finally arrived.

When Garling sought her out and told her Carl was returning, she was ecstatic. Now the captain of the escort team, she gathered her men and arrived before dawn, waiting for his arrival.

As the elevator doors slid open, her gaze locked onto the young man at the center.

The boy who once called her **"Lucia-sister"** had grown into a tall, handsome figure.

She had waited so long for this moment.

But perhaps it had been too long—Carl didn't seem to recognize her at first after she removed her helmet.

It didn't matter.

**Carl was back.**

He stood before her, alive. And for Lucia, that was enough.

---

Memories flooded Carl's mind, sharpening like a once-blurred image coming into focus.

His gaze softened as he looked at Lucia. He remembered her—the girl who had burst into the lab alongside Garling.

Lifting his hand, he gently traced the scar beneath her left eye. Lucia trembled at his touch, staring at him in a daze.

**"Lucia, I'm back."**

Carl's voice wasn't loud, but to Lucia, it struck deep—like a hammer against the most fragile part of her heart.

Her amber eyes brimmed with tears.

But this was Mary Geoise, a world bound by strict rules and hierarchy. She swallowed her emotions, forcing a bright smile as she bowed.

**"Young Master, welcome home!"**

Carl gave a slight nod, their gazes lingering on each other for a long moment.

The golden-armored guards remained motionless, their heads lowered.

Even Spandam, standing stiffly behind them, didn't dare to breathe too loudly. The remaining government agents were wise enough to keep their eyes on the ground. **At times like this, counting the ants beneath their feet was the safest choice.**

Carl reached out, gently wiping away the tear in the corner of Lucia's eye.

**"Take me to see Uncle Garling,"** he said.

Lucia hummed softly in acknowledgment. Then, as she turned away, the warmth in her eyes vanished, replaced by a steely coldness.

**"Line up and escort the Young Master home!"**

At her command, the guards moved with swift precision, forming two orderly rows behind Carl.

Spandam swallowed hard, scrambling to keep up.

**"L-Lord Carl! I'll be waiting for you on the ship!"**

No one responded.

Carl and his procession were already moving forward in quiet, commanding unison.

---

Along the path, Celestial Dragons passed by on their grotesque human mounts.

At the sight of Carl's entourage, whispers began to spread.

**"Hey, isn't that the Figarland family's escort team? Who's the guy leading them?"**

**"No idea… Oh, wait, isn't that Lucia? She's gotten even more beautiful. Imagine having her as a personal attendant."**

**"Tch. Dream on. Saint Garling already announced she's reserved for his nephew, Saint Carl."**

**"Saint Carl? Oh, right. I nearly forgot about him. A direct heir to the Figarland family, but he's never been seen in public. Does he even exist?"**

**"Exactly! My father told me the Figarland family hasn't produced an heir in this generation. Saint Garling and Saint Darian don't seem interested in women. If this keeps up, their family will disappear entirely."**

**"That would be perfect! Then all their resources could be divided among the rest of us!"**

The arrogant, thoughtless chatter of the Celestial Dragons echoed through the air.

Carl's expression remained unreadable, unfazed.

Lucia, however, sneered in disdain.

**"No matter how much the Figarland family declines, you vermin will never be worthy of touching it."**

She had spent years within the Figarland household. And even now, she felt she had only glimpsed the surface of their true power.

But none of that mattered anymore—because **Carl was back.**

And as long as he remained, the Figarland legacy would continue.

Still…

Lucia glanced down at her hands, the faint trace of her slave branding lingering beneath her gloves. A shadow passed over her face.

**Unfortunately, I can never be part of that future…**

---

**"Lucia."**

Carl's voice cut through her thoughts.

She looked up to find him watching her, a slight crease in his brow.

**"Your face doesn't look right. What are you thinking about?"**

She quickly shook her head. **"It's nothing, Young Master. I just felt sad for you after hearing what those people said."**

**"Sad for me?"** Carl raised an eyebrow.

Lucia nodded. **"You are the rightful heir of the Figarland family, yet due to… everything that happened, your glory was taken from you. Even now, you haven't been truly acknowledged."**

Though these weren't the thoughts occupying her mind moments ago, they were still the truth.

Carl sighed softly, turning his gaze forward.

**"Aren't you the same?"**

Lucia blinked in surprise.

**"Uncle Garling told me you were once a princess. If your country hadn't been destroyed, wouldn't you be living a far happier life than here in this so-called Holy Land?"**

Lucia's breath caught.

Even after all these years… he still remembered.

**"Young Master…"** she whispered, her voice trembling.

Carl didn't look at her. Instead, he continued,

**"Lucia, I heard you've become a captain. That's impressive. But I know it hasn't been easy for you."**

Lucia couldn't hold back anymore.

Before she could stop herself, she threw herself into Carl's arms, clutching onto him as sobs wracked her body.

**"Lord Carl… I missed you! Where have you been all these years?!"**

Carl let her cry, his hand resting gently on her back.

**"First, in a country called Sorbet for six years. And now… with the Marines."**

Lucia's head snapped up. **"The Marines?! Young Master, why would you join them?"**

Carl chuckled, his eyes drifting toward the Figarland estate that now loomed before them.

**"Simple,"** he said, his voice quiet but firm.

**"To gain strength. Otherwise… I wouldn't be able to meet his expectations, would I?"**