20 Mother's Love

3rd POV:

Lucy and Alex are currently in a carriage. Lucy's face is not as stoic as usual. Her expression is furious. Alex could only look down. He didn't dare look Lucy in the eyes.

"Haa... You are in big trouble, mister. How am I supposed to explain your left eye to your mother? She's gonna kill us both." Lucy sighed.

"...I'm sorry."

"You don't need to repeat that to me, you need to say that to your mother."

Alex stayed silent. His head tried to come up with an explanation for his mother, but all he got was none.

"The healer said that your scar burn will heal and disappear over time, but your eye is a different story. The healing magic didn't affect your left eye. I feel that there is some secret you didn't tell me, Alex."

Alex clenched his fist. He doesn't want to tell his master about the tomb; he wasn't sure if Lucy would believe him.

"I won't pry any further. Just come up with a good explanation for your mother when we are home." Lucy shook her head. She stares at the scenery outside the carriage.

Alex let out a low sigh. Felt relieved that his master wasn't so mad.

"Don't be misunderstood, Alex. The only reason why I didn't give you any punishment is that I neglected my duty as your guardian. You are lucky that I made a promise to your mother." Lucy's cold eyes glared at him.

Lucy then continued, "But that doesn't mean I won't pinch your ear!"

Lucy pinched Alex's ear.

"Ow! Master, you are gonna rip my ear off!" He cried out.

"What is the use of your ears if you don't listen to me? I know that you are more mature than kids your age, but that doesn't mean you have the luxury of being careless." Lucy ridiculed.

"Alright! I am sorry, it's just that I couldn't tell you how!"

Lucy let go of Alex's ear. She huffed, "I'll let you go this time."

Alex rubbed his ear. His face was full of guilt. He couldn't tell her and he was planning to do it in his own way, alone. His life was his, and even though Lucy was one of the important people in his life, he couldn't let Lucy decide his choice.

It's not like he didn't trust her. He viewed his master as his older sister, the one who cares for him and the one who teaches him magic and swordsmanship. But yet, there is an invisible boundary between them.

* * *

"Madam, we arrived in Xyrus City." The Knight who is escorting them said.

Lucy nodded and took out something from her pocket.

"Here, an eyepatch I personally made. It's better to hide your left eye using this rather than using a bandage."

Alex grabbed the white eyepatch from her hand.

"Master knit?" Alex curiously asked as he put his eyepatch on.

"What's wrong with knitting? I knit in my spare time and it's relaxing." Lucy helped Alex out and properly put his eyepatch on.

"No, nothing." Alex stared at Lucy's right golden eye but soon averted his gaze.

Lucy has many hobbies. Adventuring and knitting are her main hobbies. She loves everything that is relaxing to her mind. While she is mysterious about her background, she doesn't hesitate to tell anyone what she likes to do.

"Madam, we finally arrived in front of the Helstea Manor." The knight opened the carriage door.

Lucy nodded and exited the carriage. Alex hesitated for a moment, but he soon took a deep breath and hardened his resolve.

"Home..." Alex muttered to himself as he look at the Manor.

Lucy talked with the Knights for a moment, and then the carriage left the two of them. Lucy secretly sighed as she stared at Alex's hesitation.

"Let's not stand here like idiots."

Alex nodded and they walked to the door. He knocked on the door and someone answered.

"Wait for a moment!" Alex knew who the voice was. His mother, Alice.

Alice opened the door and she stare at the two people in front of her. She stare at Alex for a few seconds before Alex broke her trance.

"I'm back... mom." He closed his eyes expecting some yelling.

"Alex... What's happened to your left eye and what with the scar burn? Did your face got burned?" Her mother softly said. She gently inspects her son's face. Her face is full of worry.

"I think it's better if we explain in the living room." Lucy suddenly said.

Alice nodded. She grabbed her son's hand and walked to the living room, while Lucy followed behind.

"Where are the others?" Alex asked.

"Your father is busy, Ellie is sleeping, and the Helstea family is not here for a moment. And... your brother is finally home and currently training in the backyard." His mother explained as they sat down.

"Art is finally back..."

"Alright, now explained what happened to my son's left side face." Alice demanded an explanation from Lucy as she stared at Lucy's eyes.

"No, mom, this is my-" But before Alex could finish.

Lucy suddenly bowed her head to Alice.

"I apologize for neglecting my duty as a guardian. The results of Alex's left eye and her left side cheek are my fault."

Alex stared at Lucy in bewilderment. He thought that he was supposed to be the one to apologize. No, anything besides that. He should be the ONE apologizing to his mother since he was the one who caused his left eye to be blind in the first place.

"That's not what I wanted. I wanted an explanation." Alice firmly demanded.

However, Alex suddenly interrupts Lucy before she can say anything.

"No, this is my fault. How did I get this because of my mistakes, I overcharge my fireball and it flew to my left side face." Alex solemnly said.

Lucy only stares at Alex with a surprised expression.

'Who the hell believes that nonsense?' That's what's in Lucy's mind.

"How can you be so irresponsible, Alex?!" Alice suddenly yelled.

"I-I am sorry." Alex was pretty startled. He didn't expect his mother to yell, even though he had expected her to yell.

"Is there a chance for Alex's left eye to recover?" Alice asked Lucy.

"Unfortunately, healing magic won't affect his left eye since there is something blocking the healing magic or it just doesn't affect his left eye at all. Currently, we don't have any other way to recover Alex's left eye." Lucy shook her head.

The reason why healing magic won't affect Alex's left eye is that it's already been replaced with Aether eye. Aether eye is not damaged in any way so healing magic won't do anything to Alex's left eye.

"Alex..." Alice stared at Alex with sorrowful eyes.

"Sorry..." Alex repeated himself as he looked down.

Alice embraced Alex. He doesn't know whether to apologize again or stay silent but the thought of him breaking his mother's heart is painful.

"I'll leave you two alone." Seeing that Lucy didn't want to disturb the mother and son, she left the living room for somewhere else.

* * *

Arthur is currently training his magic. He was trying to train his lightning magic, but suddenly, he heard footsteps.

Before he could turn around to see who

A heavy killing intent blares in the sky. Arthur felt pressured by the air. He had a hard time trying to breathe.

'What with this killing intent?!'

But the thought of a dangerous person behind his back makes him think about the safety of his little sister and mother.

He turned around as he prepared himself.

A shadow with red dense killing intent around the body.

'How is this possible?! This massive killing intent is impossible without killing the whole kingdom...' Arthur gulped.

"You... are Arthur Leywin, right?" The massive killing intent immediately disappeared without a trace.

Arthur for a second thought he was hallucinating. The shadow was replaced by a beautiful woman with white hair.

"Who are you?" Arthur asked, feeling suspicious about the stranger.

"Ah, let me introduce myself. My name is Lucy, Teacher of Alexander Leywin, your brother." She smiled.