Some time had passed since the Lady Kaitlyn had left and Lukas spent the rest of his time, strategizing, plotting, coordinating every single aspect of his plan. His mother entered without a word, carrying a tray of food. Simple dishes, warm and familiar, the kind he hadn't realized he missed until the scent filled the room. Selene placed the tray down and sat across from him, saying nothing except giving him a warm smile.
"You did the right thing," she said finally.
Lukas exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "The Kraken escaped."
"Yes and you spared a man who was under his control. You allowed a father to return to his family." She folded her hands on the table. "You made the right decision, son."
He looked into her eyes, searching for something he wasn't sure he'd find. Perhaps doubt? To see if she really meant every word she spoke, to see if she was just saying these things to put his mind at ease. But her gaze was steady, unwavering. She believed in what she said. She believed in him. For all the uncertainty and chaos in Linemall, there was none he could find in her.
"Rest. Eat. And Think. But don't ever doubt yourself. And even if you do, believe in me that believes in you, Lukas." Selene whispered lovingly, placing her hand on his and giving it a small squeeze. Lukas smiled for the first time in hours, grateful for this woman that was in his life.
His mother stood to leave but Lukas held onto her hand, shaking her head. He cleared the desk and began to dig in. He had time. He still had time. The Kraken could wait. He was not alone anymore and he would spend every chance he got with the people he cared about.
For tonight, he would eat dinner with his mother and put all of his worries at the back of his mind.
"The old man, Samuel, talked about the Sterlings hating the Drakos Family since the Great War, what's that all about?" He asked her.
Selene raised an eyebrow. "Wow, you really don't remember a thing huh? I actually fought in the Great War, you know. Those were hard times."
"I'm afraid not. Tell me about the Great War, Ma. Tell me about the past."
And that was all that he'd asked for in this second life: He was no longer alone. He had a family to call his own.