After lying on the rocking chair for a while, Luke felt that it was about time, so he got up and walked toward the kitchen inside the hall.
By a little past seven, there were already more people in the living room.
The clear and pleasant voices of several girls chatting added a touch of liveliness to the early morning.
By the time the dishes were served, Fiora returned at just the right moment.
She looked as composed as usual, but she seemed to have dressed up a little, changing into a beautiful noble outfit that made her seem cool, refined, and elegant. She had even put on lipstick, and her cherry-like lips looked even brighter and more vivid than usual.
Miss Duelist usually did not dress like this, so this "formal attire" immediately drew everyone else's curiosity.
However, before anyone could ask, their attention was drawn by today's breakfast.
The large dining table was filled with all kinds of breakfast dishes, even more abundant than usual.
Lux blinked curiously. "Why is breakfast so lavish today?"
"It's my birthday. I should at least treat myself a little."
Luke casually replied, sitting down in his chair and preparing to enjoy today's breakfast.
But those words left the girls seated across from him stunned for a moment.
Lux reacted and opened her eyes slightly wider. "Today is your birthday?"
She glanced at Fiora and suddenly understood why Miss Duelist had dressed so beautifully.
Seeing all of them look at him with expressions that said, "Why didn't you say so earlier?" Luke coughed. "I only remembered today too."
Seeing that he did not seem to be joking, Lux lowered her head and sighed inwardly, feeling troubled. "This happened so suddenly. Where am I supposed to prepare a gift for you now?"
At that moment, Kahina, Quinn, and even Poppy, a yordle who did not often celebrate birthdays, all shared the same thought. They all felt that the news had come too suddenly.
Even Fiora felt the same. Although she had been the first to know, after going home and thinking it over again and again, she still had not figured out what kind of gift would be better.
So she had simply dressed herself up carefully before coming over.
"It's not like I said this because I wanted gifts."
Luke smiled and raised his cup without a care. "A toast to my birthday today!"
The atmosphere mattered more right now, so Lux and the others all temporarily set the matter of gifts aside, raised their cups, and wished Luke a happy birthday.
In truth, if not for the system's reminder, Luke probably would have simply forgotten about his birthday altogether.
But since his birthday had come, then naturally, it had to be properly celebrated.
Everyone enjoyed breakfast very much. The main reason was that Luke's cooking had already become completely flawless. After breakfast, Lux and the others each found excuses to leave.
Luke leisurely lay down on the rocking chair in the front yard and gazed at the blue sky. Suddenly, he thought that if he calculated the time, Sona should be returning soon as well.
A few days ago, he had received a letter from Sona saying that she was already on her way back.
He did not know where she had reached by now.
At eleven in the morning, the sunlight had become a little glaring.
A carriage slowly stopped at the entrance to the yard. The carriage bore the emblem of House Buvelle.
From the carriage, a graceful figure slowly stepped down. Her steps were light, and her brows and eyes carried a smile. Inside them was unconcealable joy, and her delicate face looked rosy and moving.
Luke had taken a lazy nap. After hearing the movement, he instinctively opened his eyes, and what entered his sight was Sona's beautiful, moving face.
She seemed to have been planning a sneak attack. Seeing that she had been discovered, she simply became bold and leaned in, planting a quick kiss on Luke's cheek with a soft smack, expressing how much she had missed him after more than a month apart.
Ever since accepting the position of mage representative, Sona had set out on a tour, mainly visiting several major cities to promote mages.
Her trip had been very successful. Not only had her excellent music earned her even greater fame, but she had also changed many people's views of mages.
Fortunately, there was no one around. Otherwise, Sona would not have dared to be so bold.
Her lips were moist, and the feeling was very pleasant.
"I missed you so much."
Along with the girl's honest inner voice, Luke responded, "Me too."
He was the first to start the conversation. "Was it tiring going out on this trip?"
"Not tiring."
Sona shook her head and sat down on a chair beside him, saying happily, "Although I didn't have much time to rest, I really enjoyed the feeling of letting people immerse themselves in music. I also enjoyed having them recognize my works. Seeing everyone accept mages from the heart made me sincerely happy."
"But you still worked hard."
Luke stood up, placed his hands on Sona's shoulders, and kneaded them. Amid the firm, smooth, fragrant, and soft touch, there was a trace of stiffness. "Your shoulders are a bit stiff. Sit properly. I'll massage them for you."
This long-awaited skinship made Sona's whole body tremble. Then she nodded gently, a blush already rising across her face.
"Mm..."
Under Luke's skilled massage, Sona could not help letting out a faint moan, and her inner voice reached his mind.
Luke's movements were not as simple as just kneading her shoulders. Sometimes, he also had to massage her back and several points near the front of her shoulders.
After a while, Sona's legs unconsciously pressed together. The flush on her face became even more moving, and her eyes shimmered. She bit her lip lightly, as if she were desperately holding something back.
At this moment, Fiora walked out and also noticed that Sona had returned.
However, she did not step forward to disturb the two of them at this moment. Instead, she stopped and looked at the scene before her with a thoughtful expression.
She had been thinking all this time about what kind of gift she should prepare.
Now, she suddenly thought of a rather good gift, one that would definitely satisfy this guy.
After another while, Luke finally stopped moving his hands. Once he let go, Sona also let out a breath at the same time.
Her body immediately felt much more relaxed. She raised her emotional eyes and looked at Luke with a light smile. "My shoulders feel much better. I don't feel tired at all now."
"Well, you have to see whose technique it is."
Luke's tone was slightly smug, and he casually said, "Want me to massage the front too?"
Naturally, only massaging the shoulders could not completely relieve fatigue.
Hearing his suggestion, Sona felt tempted, but at this moment, she also noticed Fiora. Her face turned even redder, and then she gently shook her head. Her shy inner voice came over. "Tonight."
When no one else was around, she still had the courage to be a little intimate with Luke.
But even one extra person would make her lose that courage.
Especially when it was in front of Fiora.
For some reason, she always felt a little lacking in confidence in front of Fiora.
However, Fiora had no intention of coming over to disturb them. She only glanced over, then turned and went to the backyard.
Luke then lay back down on the rocking chair and said, "Did you receive the news from Ionia?"
Sona immediately nodded, and her somewhat joyful inner voice came over. "I did."
"Eight years. Winning really wasn't easy."
Luke's tone at this moment was also quite emotional.
News traveled quickly now. The news that Ionia's resistance forces had defeated Noxus at the Placidium had also reached Demacia a few days ago.
This was something Sona had always kept in her heart.
Although Luke had known from the start that Ionia was destined to win this war, thinking about it as reality, that was eight years, eight full years. Who knew how much sacrifice and blood had been paid during that time?
The difficulty was plain to see.
The good news from her homeland finally allowed Sona's suspended heart to settle. She had always blamed herself for not being able to do anything to help Ionia.
But that could not truly be blamed on her.
After all, Demacia was now her second homeland, the place where she had grown up. Even if her heart was tied to Ionia on the other side, she had to resolve Demacia's problems first.
"After this great victory, Noxus's morale has already been completely crushed. I estimate it won't take too much longer before they are driven out of Ionia entirely."
As Luke said this, he began thinking slightly.
The Noxian army's failed campaign must have come with enormous losses, and the general defeated in this battle was a champion he knew.
The Noxian leader, Swain.
At present, he was the general leading the campaign against Ionia, and his reputation had always been considerable. This time, he had also fallen in Ionia.
However, Luke knew that the famous Swain would not fall so easily.
He would stir up a great storm in Noxus.
And the wind Luke had sent toward Noxus had already begun to blow as well.
He felt that this seemed to be a rather good opportunity.
Along the way, Luke thought of something else. After chatting with Sona for a while, he stood up. "I'm going to the palace. I'll be back this afternoon."
"Mm-hm."
Sona nodded. After traveling all that way, she also wanted to rest properly.
So Luke ordered Yurna to prepare the carriage, and before long, he set off toward the palace.
Now, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the capital had changed a little. Walking through the streets, one could feel the breath of a changing era blowing toward them.
One side was new, the other old, like the transition between two eras.
The train tracks had already begun spreading through the capital. Almost a month ago, the train route had already been set.
Its main purpose was a small passenger train that made movement within the city more convenient. The train crossed the capital. Although there was currently only one line, it could already reach many places and save people a great deal of time.
After the train came into use, a journey that usually took three hours now only required forty minutes.
After all, this was only the first step. Future plans had to proceed one step at a time, such as expanding the city, adding tracks, and most importantly, building long-distance trains.
Only when trains could directly reach every part of Demacia would the true launch begin.
Likewise, a month ago, specialized personnel had already left the capital and begun selecting and mapping routes, preparing in advance for the construction of rail tracks.
Once they each finished traveling around Demacia and returned, that would also mark the official beginning of train tracks spreading across the entire nation.
Most importantly, this was a world where supernatural power and magic existed.
That meant such things were not especially difficult to accomplish.
The carriage stopped at the palace gates.
Luke entered the palace and first went to Jarvan III's office.
When he pushed open the door, what he saw was not Jarvan III, but Jarvan IV.
A large pile of documents was placed in front of his desk. They were all reports sent from various places, each waiting for him to review and approve personally.
After all, he was a beginner, so his work efficiency was far inferior to Jarvan III's.
In just one month, Jarvan IV looked as though he had aged several years. That young and vigorous man now suddenly looked much more seasoned.
He just looked very tired, his face full of worry.
His distracted state was practically carved from the same mold as the office workers in Luke's memories.
Seeing this scene, Luke secretly felt glad. Fortunately, the person sitting in that position was not him.
Just imagining himself sitting there every day, reviewing an endless pile of documents, made Luke want to end it all.
Hoping in his heart that Jarvan IV would work even harder, he stepped forward and greeted him. "Good afternoon, Brother."
"Luke?"
Seeing Luke, Jarvan IV put down the work in his hands, let out a tired breath, and smiled. "Good afternoon. What brings you here?"
"Nothing special. I just wanted to come see you and Father."
Luke smiled and casually told Jarvan IV about his birthday today.
He felt that, since it was his birthday, it was still necessary to inform his two relatives, Jarvan III and Jarvan IV.
"Happy birthday, Luke." Jarvan IV was somewhat surprised, but he still offered his blessing with a smile across his face. "I don't really have anything good to give you. How about I give you some experience in governing?"
He looked as though he intended to give Luke all the documents on the desk.
Luke said with a serious face, "No need. I appreciate your kindness, Brother, but you should enjoy that precious experience yourself."
Jarvan IV sighed. What he had said just now was naturally only a joke. He said, "It's almost noon. Why don't you stay, and we brothers can have a few drinks?"
He had started forming other ideas.
Ever since he began coming into contact with government affairs, Jarvan III had not even let him touch alcohol.
But today was Luke's birthday. No matter what, he had to drink.
"Sure."
Luke smiled and agreed. "Brother, you keep working for now. I'll go chat with Father."
"Mm, go ahead."
Jarvan IV sat back in his seat. His smile vanished all at once, and worry returned to his face.
After saying goodbye to Jarvan IV, Luke went to Jarvan III's chamber and found Jarvan III, who was cultivating his health and character.
Ever since throwing a pile of matters to Jarvan IV, Jarvan III looked much younger overall.
Luke likewise told him about his birthday.
Jarvan III was stunned for a moment at first, then came back to his senses. "Is that so? Today is already your birthday."
Before this, he had not known Luke's birthday.
Now, seeing Luke's birthday arrive, a strange emotion rose in his heart.
Time passed so quickly.
After learning that today was Luke's birthday, Jarvan III clearly gained several thoughts on his mind, his expression looking as though he wanted to be alone for a while.
Luke could naturally see that. So after only chatting for a few sentences, he bowed and took his leave.
After Jarvan III watched him leave, his gaze drifted toward the portrait in the room, and he murmured to himself, "That child has grown another year older. He has protected himself very well, and even I have received much help from him. Now I feel more and more that he was sent to my side by you to help me. I will do everything I can to support him. You may rest assured."
After leaving Jarvan III's chamber, Luke went all the way to the royal mausoleum, the place where the royal family's ancestors and loved ones were buried.
Melli was now buried here as well.
Her grave was very clean, and someone often came to sweep it. Thinking about it, she must also be sleeping peacefully underground.
Luke stopped and slowly sat down in front of her grave.
He looked at the tombstone and simply sat there, silent for a long time, but in his heart, he was still grateful.
This woman had given him a different life.
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