"You don't need to comfort me. I know my own limits."
Luke let out a sigh. There wasn't much he could do about it.
He couldn't exactly expect to be some once-in-ten-thousand martial prodigy. And growing up malnourished—honestly, just staying alive until now was already no small feat.
"Let's not dwell on that. We can figure it out slowly over time."
Xin Zhao immediately steered the conversation away. "His Majesty has prepared dinner and is waiting in the dining hall. Please come with me."
Luke nodded and followed Xin Zhao out.
On the way, Xin Zhao added, "Prince Jarvan IV has also heard the news. He should be arriving soon. After learning he has a younger brother, he seemed… very excited."
"When I found out I still had family, I was excited too."
Luke smiled, though a large part of that excitement came from discovering his bloodline wasn't ordinary.
Hearing that, Xin Zhao's feelings turned complicated again, filled with sympathy for this unfortunate child.
Luke had probably once truly believed he had no family at all.
Jarvan IV was also a famed hero—the Prince of Demacia.
Just from the title, it was obvious: he was Luke's older brother.
The child of Queen Catherine Ireland and Jarvan III.
In fact, Jarvan IV and Luke shared something in common—throughout their lives, both had lacked the love of someone crucial.
On the day Jarvan IV was born, Queen Catherine Ireland died from complications in childbirth.
From that day on, Jarvan IV lost his mother.
And Luke… because Melli left on her own back then, he had spent all these years not even knowing who his father was.
But in a sense, Jarvan IV was still luckier than Luke.
Because he was the legitimate prince, raised under the protection of the royal family since childhood.
Xin Zhao led Luke all the way to the dining hall. Night had already fallen, but a gentle glow spilled from that direction.
When Luke stepped inside, it looked exactly like what he'd imagined—one of those long rectangular tables from films and dramas, covered with all kinds of lavish dishes.
At the head seat, Jarvan III sat there. There was still worry and sorrow lingering in his eyes, but when he saw Luke enter, he stood up and forced a small smile.
Luke took the initiative to bow. "Father."
Jarvan III said gently, "When there are no outsiders, don't worry about formalities. Sit. If you're hungry, you don't need to wait for your brother—eat first."
"Mm."
Luke sat down in the seat before him. The tempting aroma instantly stirred his appetite. He didn't bother being polite and said, "Then, Father, I'll start."
He really was hungry—he'd barely eaten all day.
Jarvan III nodded. Watching Luke dig into the food in big bites, a hint of warmth appeared in his eyes.
He liked Luke's personality. He wouldn't be shackled by so-called rules in the future—and that was a good thing.
Waiting until everyone arrived before eating was a common rule in many places, and the nobles did it too.
But here, with him, it didn't have to exist.
This entire table had been prepared for Luke. If Luke didn't eat, what was the point?
If anything, Jarvan III had been worried Luke would be too stiff and force himself to hold back.
Half an hour later, a hurried set of footsteps sounded from outside. If nothing unexpected happened, it was Prince Jarvan IV.
Luke rubbed his very full stomach, relieved he hadn't put on a show earlier.
Otherwise, sitting there for half an hour smelling the food while starving would've been pure torture.
"Sorry—I'm late! Father, where's my brother?"
Jarvan IV rushed in wearing royal attire. You could see a clear resemblance to Jarvan III—sharp, defined features, bright eyes, and an impressive presence.
As he spoke, Jarvan IV immediately spotted Luke, who had already risen to greet him.
He strode over, visibly excited, and also a little embarrassed as he said, "I'm Jarvan IV. I'm four years older than you, so I'll take the liberty of calling you my brother. I came in a hurry and didn't prepare a proper gift to meet you with—sorry about that."
He was a bit taller than Luke, broad-shouldered, and his gaze toward Luke was genuinely warm.
Luke laughed openly. "Brother, what are you saying? There's no need for gifts."
"No." Jarvan IV's tone was firm. "This is the first time I've ever had a real brother. How could I not prepare something?"
"Then by that logic, it's also the first time I've had a real brother, so shouldn't I prepare a gift too?" Luke said. "If we both give gifts, they cancel out—so we don't need to give anything to each other."
Jarvan IV froze for a second. It actually sounded pretty reasonable. He thought about it, then nodded. "Yeah… that checks out."
Jarvan III stood up at that moment and said with a smile, "Looks like you two can get along well. I won't say much more. I'm tired today—go talk as brothers. I'll leave you to it."
He and Luke had already talked some. Seeing Luke and Jarvan IV click so easily, he finally felt at ease.
"Rest well, Father," Jarvan IV and Luke said in unison, watching as Xin Zhao left with Jarvan III.
"Are you full?" Jarvan IV asked. "Let's go for a walk."
He obviously hadn't come for the meal—he'd come to meet the brother he'd never known.
"Sure."
Luke accepted the invitation, and the two of them headed outside together.
There weren't many people around. Jarvan IV sighed with feeling. "I really didn't expect to suddenly have a brother. I heard some of what happened on the way here, and about Aunt Melli… I'm sorry.
Back then, I was only three or four years old. If I'd had the ability to speak up, I would've supported it."
His tone was incredibly sincere, because he truly meant it.
At the time, Jarvan IV was only three or four—he probably didn't even understand what was happening. But if the choice had been in his hands, he would've wanted to have a mother.
Unfortunately, he hadn't had that power.
"Mother's story happened so many years ago," Luke said calmly with a smile. "There's not much meaning in talking about it now.
A lot of this really did happen suddenly. I never imagined this country's king would be my father—or that a prince would be my brother."
"Haha. I've always kind of wanted a brother, actually."
Jarvan IV looked Luke over, then nodded in satisfaction, almost talking to himself. "I've always been jealous that Garen has such a cute little sister. Now it's good—I, Jarvan, have a very handsome brother too. Nobody has anything to envy anymore.
From now on, if anything happens, come find me. I'll handle it for you!"
He patted his chest hard as he promised, giving a strong sense of security.
And Luke could genuinely feel it—Jarvan IV's feelings were just as real as his father's.
The two of them seemed to cherish this suddenly appearing bond of family.