Luke hadn’t intended to kiss Zuri in that moment.
However, when he looked at her, so cornered and alone, he couldn’t stop himself from giving her something else to think about.
Yeah, that sounded pretty scummy, but he could live with it.
He had always despised men who treated their partners poorly.
He couldn’t change everyone’s mindset, especially in a world where almost every men genuinely believed themselves superior to their other halves. That kind of belief had been ingrained into society for generations. Luke knew he wasn’t some hero capable of changing an entire world’s culture.
But he could still make a difference in the lives of the people around him.
He could at least be there for the few women close to him.
He could give them the care, respect, and affection they deserved but had never received from the men who were supposed to cherish them.
As a sympathetic young man, he considered it more or less his duty.
"How is she now?" Terek asked as Luke stepped outside.
The others had gathered nearby as well, their expressions carrying varying degrees of concern.
Luke let out a quiet sigh.
"She’s definitely shaken up, but she’s recovering. Unlike physical injuries, though, this isn’t something medicine can heal. Only time can."
He looked directly at Terek.
"Give her time, and don’t force anything. Whatever she saw must have been so horrifying that she couldn’t even bring herself to talk about it. So don’t pressure her. Let her recover at her own pace."
Terek lowered his gaze before nodding.
Zuri had only managed to tell him bits and pieces of what had happened, including how they had encountered the Hunter Killer capable of using magic.
She had never mentioned the vision.
No matter how many times he asked.
In fact, unable to understand why she refused to answer such an important question, he had even scolded her several times out of frustration.
Thinking back on it now, guilt slowly settled inside his chest.
Only now did he realize just how sensitive the matter truly was.
"I understand," he said quietly. "I’ll be patient with her."
Luke inwardly sighed.
That was the very least Terek could do for her.
Yet even something so simple had seemed difficult for him until now.
Truly pathetic.
Still, at least he finally seemed to understand.
Shaking his head, Luke pushed the matter aside and headed toward the kitchen with Monica walking beside him.
Once they were out of earshot of the others, he spoke.
"Gary found a house for us."
He then gestured for Ginna to come closer before continuing.
"It’s the one near the well house."
Ginna raised an eyebrow.
"That big one? Isn’t it a little too spacious for just a few people?"
Luke shrugged.
"We’ll use the extra rooms for storage. Besides, I’ll turn one of them into a workshop for brewing potions, so it’ll work out."
His potion-making supplies had already begun piling up, and working inside a half-finished bathing area wasn’t exactly ideal.
Having a dedicated workspace would make experimenting far easier.
Ginna nodded in understanding.
She had seen Luke spend hours inside that cramped bathing area, surrounded by herbs, bottles, and strange-smelling mixtures.
Compared to that, an actual room sounded comfortable and necessary.
Monica then looked toward Ginna with concern.
"What happened during your talk with Dalia? Was she okay with your decision to move out?"
Luke had been wondering the same thing.
He knew how attached Dalia was to her mother.
Likewise, Ginna had spent years alone without her daughter...so now they are together again...
Naturally, he expected Dalia to ask her mother to remain nearby.
To their surprise, however, Ginna smiled wryly.
"Actually... it went completely opposite to what I expected."
...
"You should move out with him, Mother."
Dalia’s words caught Ginna completely off guard.
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at her daughter.
For a brief moment, she even wondered if she had misheard.
"What?"
Dalia simply smiled before letting out a quiet sigh.
"You’ve lived alone for so long."
"After I moved away, you were simply counting the days, with no ambition or real source of happiness in your life."
"You woke up, worked, returned home, and waited for tomorrow."
Her expression softened.
"Even after coming here, you devoted yourself to taking care of everyone around you."
"You cooked for people."
"You cleaned."
"You worried about everyone else’s problems."
"But you never once thought about yourself."
A bitter smile appeared on Ginna’s face.
She couldn’t deny a single word.
Dalia continued.
"In fact, I think you and Monica became such good friends because she once thought the same way you did."
"You both always put everyone else’s happiness before your own."
"You never stopped to ask yourselves what you actually wanted."
The blue-haired woman looked straight into her mother’s eyes.
"But the relationship you’ve built with Luke..."
"It changed you."
"It finally showed you that there’s a life beyond the shell you’ve trapped yourself in."
Ginna remained silent.
"Ever since you met him," Dalia continued with a gentle smile, "you’ve smiled more."
"You’ve started dressing better."
"You’ve begun taking better care of yourself."
"I’ve even caught you humming while cooking."
Her smile grew even warmer.
"And every time I see that..."
"It genuinely makes me happy."
"Dalia..."
Ginna whispered, her voice thick with emotion.
Her vision gradually blurred.
Dalia gently took both of her mother’s hands.
"So don’t let go of the happiness you’ve finally found."
She squeezed them softly.
"Luke is your happiness."
"And you should choose him over everyone else."
She paused before adding with complete sincerity,
"Even over me."
Tears welled up in Ginna’s eyes.
Without another word, she pulled her daughter into a tight embrace.
"You silly child..."
...
A gentle smile appeared on Monica’s face after hearing the story.
"She’s such a thoughtful girl," she murmured.
Luke smiled as well.
He stepped closer before gently cupping Ginna’s cheek.
"Then I’ll make sure Dalia never regrets saying that."
His thumb softly brushed against her warm skin.
"Your happiness is my responsibility now, Ginna."
Warmth immediately spread across the older woman’s cheeks.
No matter how many times she reminded herself to behave like someone her age...
She became utterly defenseless whenever Luke looked at her with those gentle eyes.
Her heart simply refused to listen.
After allowing the sweet atmosphere to linger for a moment, Monica finally broke the silence.
"Do you really not want to come with us?"
Luke chuckled.
"Let her stay with her daughter a little longer, Monica."
He looked toward Ginna.
"Once we return, she’ll be separated from Dalia anyway."
Monica thought for a moment before nodding.
"You’re right."
Ginna smiled gratefully.
"Bring me something nice from there."
"I’ll be waiting for you."
Monica returned the smile without hesitation.
"I promise."
Watching the two beautiful women get along always filled Luke with quiet contentment.
Just seeing them smile together made him feel as though everything was exactly as it should be.
It truly was a heartwarming sight.
"Luke."
Monica suddenly turned toward him.
"Can you do something for me?"
Luke raised an eyebrow.
"What is it?"
Instead of answering immediately, Monica led him into the kitchen.
After searching through one of the shelves, she picked up a small clay pot before handing it to him.
"I made something this morning. Can you give it to Nadia for me?"
Luke looked at the pot before glancing back at her.
"So suddenly?"
Monica let out a quiet sigh.
"That kind girl is always sending things over for us. Whether it’s vegetables, herbs, or little snacks she makes herself..."
"We’ve accepted so much from her."
She smiled helplessly.
"I feel bad that we’ve never really given her anything in return."
"Since we’ll be away for a few days, I thought today would be the perfect time."
Luke nodded in understanding.
"I’ll take it to her."
As he accepted the pot, another thought surfaced in his mind.
Ever since that day...
He hadn’t seen Nadia even once.
He stared thoughtfully at the small pot in his hands.
I wonder if she’s still upset with me...
~~~~~
A/N: I hope you liked the Chapter.