The Dreamer's POV

[01 Months: 10 Days: 04 Hours]

"A letter, huh? I haven't gotten anything like that from them in a while."

Theo, sweat dripping from his body huffed as he spoke.

"You know that means, don't you?" I glanced at him and nodded slightly.

It meant his family was already beginning to make their move.

Theo already knew how I felt concerning the issue, and we had already been expecting some sort of action from them.

With this letter serving as the first indication of that, I expected more things to be revealed from the letter itself.

"Let's see what they have to say, shall we?"

I nodded in affirmation, and so did Darius.

With Theo's reluctant permission, I carefully unfolded the parchment of the letter, and from within it, a certain name was written on it.

"It's from Theresa."

"Grandmother?" His eyes seemed to widen more than I expected, which meant the shock must have really gotten to him.

I could tell he was doing his best to maintain composure.

"G-go on. Read it." He added.

The sun cast long shadows across the room, and the ray it provided served as a candlelight that danced upon the words written in elegant script.

I began the reading.

"My dearest Theo,

It is with a heavy heart that I pen this letter to you. News of your father's passing reached my ears, and my heart aches for the pain and loss you must be feeling. I want you to know that I have begun my journey to your side as soon as I received the grievous news.

I shall arrive in Lyma Estate in the company of some dear family members, and we shall do everything in our power to comfort and support you during this difficult time.

I remember the days when you were but a child, running through the halls of the Mansion, your laughter filling the air. Those were simpler times, my sweet boy, and I long for the days when we could share stories and secrets. You have always held a special place in my heart, and I want nothing more than to be by your side once more, to offer you the solace only a grandmother can provide."

Theo's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as he listened to the words of the letter. His grandmother's words seemed to hold a genuine warmth, and for a moment, he appeared comforted.

But I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. The letter continued:

"Our journey to Lyma Castle will be an unpredictable one, my dear, and we shall arrive in due course, though I do not know when. Until then, please know that we are thinking of you and sending our love from afar. Your well-being is our utmost concern, and we shall spare no effort in ensuring your comfort upon our arrival.

Theo, my sweet boy, we shall reminisce about the past, and I shall regale you with tales of your ancestors. We shall rekindle the bond we once shared, and I shall cherish every moment spent with you. In the meantime, do take care of yourself and know that you are loved beyond measure.

With all my love,

Grandmother."

Theo sighed as I returned the letter to the envelope. I could see his fingers trembling slightly.

"It's been so long since I've seen her, Luke," he said, his voice tinged with a mix of nostalgia and longing.

I couldn't deny the genuine affection Theo held for his grandmother, and I could understand how that affected the difficult path he now had to tread.

"I know, Theo," I replied, my tone as serious and cautious as ever. "But we must remain vigilant. There's something about this letter that doesn't sit right with me."

Theo furrowed his brow, confusion evident in his young eyes. "What do you mean, Luke? It just seems like a heartfelt letter from my grandmother."

'Ah, sentiments really go a long way, don't they?'

Theo was usually sensible, but I suppose he was still a child. He must have held his grandmother in high esteem for him not to believe she could be conniving with others for his position.

I leaned in closer, lowering my voice. "Theo, your grandmother's timing is suspicious. She claims to have set out as soon as she heard the news, yet it's been weeks since your father's passing. Why the delay? And why bring other family members with her, especially when they've been absent from your lives for just as long?"

Theo's gaze shifted back to the letter in my hand, and his brow furrowing deeper this time. He gritted his teeth, almost as if caught between a rock and a hard place.

"You think they have ulterior motives?" Drius asked, his tone being a bastion of maturity.

I nodded gravely. "It's a possibility we can't ignore. No, it's most likely the case the way I see it."

And I had my reasons for thinking this way.

Theo sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I wish I didn't have to think this way about my grandmother, Luke. It feels like a nightmare."

I placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I know, Theo, but it's the reality we face now. We must protect your position as the heir of the Luna Region and defend your father's legacy."

The way I saw it, everyone else was a parasite.

"This isn't the time to act on emotions. We can't trust your grandmother, or anyone else for that matter. I'm sure you'll see that yourself once they arrive."

Theo nodded, a determined glint in his eyes. "You're right, Luke. The fact that they took so long to even respond shows it's suspicious. I guess it's just something I'm having a difficult time believing."

Now that was more like it.

"So, what do you think we should do now, Luke?" Drius asked, once again donning his calm demeanor.

Responding to his words, I simply smiled and shrugged gently.

"It's simple, really."

Now that the enemy was finally making their move, we had to make ours too.

"We fight back."

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[A/N]n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

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