In the evening.
A few moments before dinner, the living room was quiet except for the low hum of the refrigerator from the adjacent kitchen.
Mrs. Walker sat on the center of the sofa, holding a warm mug of tea with both hands and Mellisa was curled up in the armchair right beside her, staring intently at the rug with a red flush still dusting her cheeks.
Kagen stood at the bottom of the stairs for a long moment, taking a deep breath before walking into the room. Lucien followed directly behind him, moving with quiet, deliberate composure.
Finally, it was time for Kagen to officially introduce his person to his family.
"Mom,"
Kagen began softly, stepping toward the center of the room.
"Can we please talk for a minute?"
Mrs. Walker looked up, setting her mug down on the glass coffee table. Her expression was calm, though her eyes held a quiet seriousness as she looked at her son, then shifted to Lucien standing tall beside him.
"Of course, honey,"
Mrs. Walker said gently.
"Come sit down."
Kagen sat on the edge of the sofa opposite his mother. Lucien sat beside him, his massive frame sinking slightly into the cushion. Without hesitation, Lucien reached out and laced his fingers firmly through Kagen's hand, holding it in plain view on his knee.
Mellisa squeezed her eyes shut for a second.
"I swear I didn't mean to barge in! The door was unlocked, and I was just bringing up the folded clothes—"
"It's fine, Mellisa," Kagen interrupted with a soft, nervous chuckle, though his hands were trembling slightly. He looked back at his mother.
"It was my fault for keeping our relationship a secret at the first place. Perhaps I should have been honest from the start."
"So...Mom, Mellisa.. Lucien isn't just a friend from abroad."
Mrs. Walker looked down at their joined hands, then back up into Kagen's anxious eyes.
"Oh well if I may be honest with you two... I've had my suspicions of my own for a while now," she said quietly, scratching the back of her neck.
Kagen blinked, stunned.
"You–... you did?"
A gentle, motherly smile appeared on Mrs. Walker's face and she shrugged.
"Kagen, I'm your mother. You've been glowing for the past three weeks in a way I haven't seen since you were a child, you are not one to befriend people and you like your own space. But every time Lucien enters a room, your eyes light up and just follow him everywhere he goes. And Lucien..."
She turned her gaze to the tall knight. "...-he looks at you like you're the only person in the entire world."
Lucien's breath caught slightly in his throat. He bowed his head with deep respect.
"Lady Walker... I owe you a sincere apology for causing any shock or dishonor in your home."
"Oh, stop with the 'Lady Walker' business, dear," Mrs. Walker said warmly, reaching across the table to put down her mug.
"There's no dishonor here. I'm just glad my son found someone who cares about him so deeply."
Mellisa peeked up from her armchair, her jaw slightly open.
"Wait... so you guys are actually dating? Like, for real?"
"Yes," Kagen said, feeling an enormous weight lift off his chest as he squeezed Lucien's hand.
"For real."
Mellisa suddenly gasped, her face lighting up with excitement. "Oh my god! I knew it! I literally told my group chat on day two that you guys gave off insane power-couple energy!"
"Mellisa, please," Kagen groaned, rubbing his face with his free hand, though he couldn't hide his smile.
Mrs. Walker laughed softly, leaning back into the sofa cushions.
"Well, that settles that. But Lucien, dear... how long are you able to stay with us? Kagen mentioned your situation abroad was complicated."
The living room fell into a quiet, heavy hush at her question.
Kagen and Lucien exchanged a swift, solemn look. The three-months limit hovered in the air like a shadow—a quiet reminder that their peaceful time in this world was rapidly drawing to a close.
"It is complicated, Mrs. Walker," Lucien said quietly, his eyes filled with genuine gratitude.
"But whatever happens... the kindness you have shown me in this home is something I will carry with me forever."
Mrs. Walker smiled gently, sensing the depth behind his words without needing every detail.
"Oh child, you will always have a place at this table, Lucien. All the time."
*****