"Reeeyyyy~~~!"
Jasmine's voice rang out from the kitchen, sharp enough to yank Rey out of his wandering thoughts.
He turned slowly, his back stiff.
'Did she hear me?'
Before he could finish panicking, Jasmine walked toward him.
There was no sandal in her hand.
Instead, she was holding a box.
A very familiar box.
The sweets.
She stopped in front of him and tapped a small sticker on its side.
1396 DP.
Rey's heart sank.
He had forgotten to remove the price tag.
She looked at him, eyes narrowing.
"What is this?" she asked calmly.
"Mom… I can explain. It's not what you think. I didn't—"
She raised a hand, stopping him.
"Didn't I clearly tell you not to accept such expensive gifts?" she said, her voice firm but not angry. "What will his parents think? That you're using their child to get costly things?"
Rey froze.
"James is a good kid," she continued. "But parents don't always see things that way. Please don't let this happen again."
He nodded quickly.
"Yes, Mom. I'll tell him."
She studied his face for a moment, then sighed.
"Good. Now… are they coming late for dinner or not?"
Rey blinked, then snapped out of it.
"Oh. No. I told James to come, but his mom called him back. Since Evan isn't in the city, some urgent family matter came up."
Jasmine nodded.
"That Evan again… right. It's fine. He can come another day."
She turned to leave, then paused.
"Oh, and dinner's ready. Come eat."
Rey let out a quiet breath of relief.
The dining table was filled.
Too filled.
Emmy stared at the dishes with sparkling eyes, clearly impressed.
As they sat down, Rey ate more than usual. His stomach had been empty since he rushed home earlier.
By the time dinner ended, most of the plates were cleared.
Before Jasmine could say anything, Rey gathered them and carried them to the sink.
"Rey, I'll do that—"
"I've got it, Mom."
She tried again.
He ignored her.
She had cooked all day, decorated the house, helped Emmy, and still smiled through it all.
He wasn't letting her clean too.
Jasmine watched him silently, a faint smile forming.
Her lessons hadn't been wasted after all.
Later, the three of them sat in the living room, watching a show together.
It felt peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Rey knew better.
The three relics hidden within him would shatter this quiet life someday.
Yet they were also the only reason he could protect it.
The show ended.
Emmy rubbed her eyes.
Jasmine sent her to bed, brushing teeth included.
Rey wasn't spared either.
As Rey turned to leave for his room, Jasmine coughed lightly.
"Rey."
He stopped.
"Come to my room. There's something I need to talk to you about."
"Now?" he asked. "It's already late."
"Yes. Now."
Her tone left no room for argument.
Rey glanced at Emmy, but she only shrugged sleepily before disappearing into her room.
With unease creeping in, Rey followed Jasmine.
"Close the door," she said. "Sit there."
He obeyed, watching her tie her hair into a bun.
"So… what's wrong, Mom?" he asked carefully. "You've been acting strange since dinner."
She paused.
"Do you remember the story you loved as a child?" she asked. "The one you kept asking me about?"
Rey frowned, then his eyes widened.
"…The Blood Emperor?"
Jasmine chuckled softly.
"Yes. That one."
She turned to face him.
"I told you I'd answer your questions one day. I held back because you weren't ready. Because the truth carries weight."
Her eyes darkened.
"The legacy of that man… it was never gone. It was only waiting."
Rey swallowed.
"What are you saying?"
She stepped closer.
"The one meant to inherit it has already been chosen."
Her voice was low. Almost distant.
Rey felt a chill crawl up his spine.
"I don't understand, Mom."
She took a deep breath.
"Rey… what I'm about to say may sound impossible. Or cruel. But you must listen carefully."
Her hands trembled.
"You are not a member of the Dragonstorm family."
The world stopped.
"Huhhh…?"
The word slipped from Rey's mouth before he could think.