Chapter 308: Overload

Words : 1302 Updated : Oct 3rd, 2025

Chapter 308: Overload Xavier had been thinking about it, and the only reason he hadn’t said something to Luca was that he didn’t want to cloud his judgment by forcing this responsibility on him. Worst case scenario, it was not beneath the prince to abdicate in favor of his sister Nina. And frankly, without a solid footing in the Imperial Capital, it would be unsafe to drag in his wife, only to be surrounded by all those "well-meaning" jackals. That wasn’t going to happen under his watch. And this was precisely why Xavier wanted to establish Luca under the Duchy’s banner. For the moment they were both recognized as official members of the Imperial Family; they’d have to act on behalf of the Empire. So, until he manages to change a few things around, they’d have to make sure that the Duchy was built up to stand against everyone else. This would likely spark a political battle on how everyone should have equal rights to the discoveries and glories of the crown. But that would be over his dead body. It’s just that it might not be too difficult, considering how the Duchy of Kyros would come after him first. In about a few hours or so. See, when their group of four spelunkers exited the cave tunnel, they weren’t expecting to witness that kind of scene. It looked like organized carnage? And in the middle of it was a slumped white mecha with that memorable golden trim. It was D-29. "Captain! Finally!" Voiced Kyle, who maneuvered far around Luca to get to him. "Xavier! Please, you need to go help my brother!" Pleaded Ollie. Xavier’s blood ran cold. While Ollie was usually dramatic, he had always reacted right when it came to Luca’s safety. "What happened to Luca?!" "!!!" This obviously alarmed the three women, who had now only realized that something was wrong. After all, looking at Luca’s mecha, one would think it was a tad bit too clean. "No! Your Grace, don’t approach him!" Shouted Butler Gary, who realized they would likely run to him. But before they could ask what kind of nonsense that was, the cockpit of Luca’s mecha opened. D-29 couldn’t hold its host any longer. And out came a blur that was so fast they only realized what happened after it hit Xavier like a guided missile. The Crown Prince hit the ground with an "oof" that shocked even himself. A heavy, buzzing warmth clung to him as arms wrapped around his torso and refused to let go. Luca was practically melting into him—his body warm, trembling faintly, and radiating spiritual energy like an overcharged kettle. Xavier barely had time to process this before Luca pressed his cheek to the crook of his neck with a long, breathy sigh of relief. Then— Hands. Luca’s hands were everywhere, grabbing onto Xavier’s coat, trying to squish himself further into the cool surface like he could merge with him. The little guide’s limbs wrapped around Xavier like vines, his body trembling faintly. His wife needed to be discharged badly. He was radiating too much spiritual energy like a dam about to burst. And that was fine, provided he didn’t look to the side where he could feel horrified and dagger-like stares. But with Luca like this, there really was no time to think about everyone else’s opinions about this.. "Luca...?" Xavier managed to choke out. Honestly, Ollie was the only one who couldn’t really see what was up, but he could definitely feel it. On the other hand, the women who couldn’t be more scandalized couldn’t move much because they could clearly see it. Luca, their Young Lord and the Duchess Amelia’s most precious son, was enveloping Xavier with tendrils that could rival their originally voluminous hairs. Spiritual tendrils bloomed around the two like glimmering starlight that kept on curling around them protectively. And only a suicidal idiot would move to threaten that kind of spiritual energy manifestation. Even when the scene before them was getting more and more intense. "Is—Is that normal?!" Cece whispered, eyes wide. "Not exactly normal," Kyle said, still maneuvering around the piles. "It’s fine. Mostly. As long as no one touches him." Ollie nodded, wide-eyed. "Yeah, don’t touch him. Last time, I was apparently almost turned into confetti." Meanwhile, Luca continued to press himself into Xavier’s chest, nuzzling and sighing like an overcharged spirit cat. His eyes were open, but vacant and unseeing. He didn’t recognize anyone. Except Xavier. Or rather, Xavier’s energy. "Mnnn." Luca whimpered, voice fogged. The Prince bit the inside of his cheek, already cupping the back of Luca’s head protectively. "I’m here. You’re okay. Just hold on." He shifted carefully, wrapping an arm around Luca to support his weight as Luca melted further into him with a broken sigh. "Kyle, stay with them," he said over his shoulder. "Ollie, can you check on D-29?" "Wait—where are you taking him?!" Gisella demanded. "To fix his energy overload." "And how are you going to fix that?!" Asked the wide-eyed Duchess. Xavier didn’t answer. Not because he didn’t have one. But because he was too focused on Luca, whose tendrils had started curling tightly around his wrist like ivy, refusing to let go. He walked toward Sid with his precious storm bundled in his arms like a half-melted sun, glowing too bright to look at. And then— Luca kissed him. Just a press of his lips to Xavier’s jaw. Soft. Quiet. Unthinking. The women collectively forgot how to breathe. There was a pause. A heavy one. Filled only by the sizzling crackle of spiritual energy still lacing the air like static. "...Did he just—?" Cece began. "No, no, that—what was that?!" Gisella whispered in disbelief, clutching at Amelia’s arm. "Did we see that right?!" Amelia didn’t answer. She couldn’t. Because her eye had just twitched, and that only ever happened when something was about to go very wrong. The three women turned, as one, to the nearest available source of answers. Butler Gary. Who was, very clearly, trying to blend into the shadows of the battlefield with the grace of a man who’d trained for assassination, not social interrogation. Unfortunately, he wasn’t fast enough. "You old geezer," Gisella said sweetly, eyes narrowing. "What exactly is going on here?" "Butler Gary," the Duchess said, voice dangerously calm, "Just what on Solaris is happening here?" Gary straightened like he was facing a firing squad. "Your Grace. I...ah..." He cleared his throat. "There have been...a number of developments." "Obviously," Gisella deadpanned. "Unreported developments?" Amelia asked, her voice silky enough to be lethal. Technically, they were very much reported, but how do you deal with the situation when even now it was their Young Lord who just jumped the bones of that white wolf? Also, he just found out why a few minutes ago, so he couldn’t even explain it all even if he wanted to. And with his oath, there was just no way he could say anything concrete. "Your Grace, it’s something you must hear from the Young Lord himself." And everyone turned to the mecha that was still operational. Clearly, the passengers were hell-bent on not leaving the safe confines of their mecha. Just no. The Duchess took a deep breath, held it, and then said very quietly, "I have a feeling I’m going to need tea. And possibly a sword." And though she hadn’t voiced it aloud— A sinking certainty curled in her gut. A mother’s instinct whispered something she didn’t want to admit. Because there was only one kind of bond she knew that could produce this kind of spiritual dependence. And even that wouldn’t be like this by a long shot. And if she was right— Someone, somewhere, was going to bleed. From whom, she wasn’t exactly sure.

Chapter 308: Overload

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