The Grand Duke's Son Is A Heretic-Chapter 286

Luke swallowed, his jaw tightening, his mind trapped between pride and joy. Of course he was happy. Emilia’s well-being meant everything to him. But it stung that the change had been triggered by someone from Veydrin—from that bloodline.

Alina didn’t let him off easily. "That’s her son, for god’s sake, you damned fool. Do you plan to hate him for your whole life just because of who his father is?"

Luke clenched his fists, grounding his resentment. At last, with a bitter breath, he stood up.

"I need to see her."

He moved quickly through the manor, heart pounding in both anticipation and anxiety. When he reached the familiar, somber door of his sister’s room, he didn’t hesitate—he pushed it open.

And what he saw stopped him cold.

Emilia, the same sister who had barely left her bed in years, was sitting upright by the window, her shawl draped gracefully over her shoulders. Her long purple hair shimmered in the light. In her lap lay a silver-white creature curled peacefully—its tail gently flicking.

She was smiling.

A quiet, peaceful smile. Not wide. Not loud. But real.

Beside her sat Kael, arms folded as he watched the scene with a faint warmth in his eyes. On either side of him were two young women: a sharp-eyed, regal-looking blonde—Ariana, and a demure dark-haired girl with a quiet gaze—Lyria.

Luke stood frozen in the doorway, stunned.

His memories, long buried, flashed before his eyes—of a bright little sister who used to laugh and pull pranks. Of her chasing butterflies in the garden. Of her radiant smile, before life, marriage, and war stole it from her.

He stepped forward.

"E-Emilia...?"

She glanced at him with just a nod.

There was no smile nor any words unlike when she was talking with Kael and others.

Luke’s face twitched. Why does she smile at them but greet me like a stranger? he thought in frustration.

Then.

"So," Emilia said, peering at Kael and the two girls, "which one of them is with you? Or are you planning to marry both?"

"W-What?!"

Ariana choked on her own breath, eyes widening. She quickly composed herself, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.

"We don’t even know each other well," she said, her voice calm. "I’m the Baroness of Altross City, assigned to protect Lord Kael’s lineage. That is all."

"I-I’m just a maid," Lyria added quickly, but the redness of her ears betrayed her emotions.

Emilia looked between the two with a frown. "Really?"

"Of course," Kael said, brushing it off. "I’m not marrying anyone. At least not until I deal with a few personal matters."

Like meeting his past lover. The thought lingered in his mind like a looming shadow.

Emilia hummed. "I was already married at your age."

Before Kael could respond, Elfie chirped from her lap and pointed toward the door.

"Grandma! Look!"

They all turned.

Luke stood stiffly at the entrance.

"S-Sister..."

Emilia greeted him with a mere nod, making his expression falter further. His jaw twitched in irritation.

"What are you doing? And what’s this—this cat?"

"Cat?" Kael echoed in disbelief.

A silence followed before he corrected him dryly, "That’s not a cat, dear uncle. That’s a dragon."

Luke paled.

"A... a what?"

Just then, Elfie stretched her limbs and gave a long yawn. Her wings unfurled slightly, releasing a brief, glimmering aura that made the temperature drop.

Luke staggered back a step.

He could feel it—the miraculous, mythical power.

"Wh-where did you buy this dragon?!" he gasped.

Kael glared. "Excuse me? You think dragons are sold in markets? I found her. Or maybe she found me."

Luke muttered under his breath, Why the hell don’t I have that kind of luck...

Then Emilia looked at her brother. "Since you’re here, I have something important to say."

Luke straightened. "What is it, sister?"

"I want to go outside."

The words hit like a thunderclap.

The color drained from Luke’s face. "W-What...?"

Emilia calmly turned back to the window.

"I want to go outside. Walk in the garden. See the sun. Breathe real air."

Luke’s throat tightened. His face turned ashen.

"But... but... what if something happens...?" he whispered.

Kael looked at Emilia’s profile and smiled.

This time, it was real progress.

....

Inside the estate, Luke paced restlessly, one hand on his waist and the other scratching at his already tousled hair. Alina watched him from the corner of the room, arms folded, expression calm.

"What’s going on now?" she asked, arching an eyebrow.

Luke stopped in place, turned, then spun again in frustration. "It’s a big problem this time."

"What problem?"

He looked straight at her. "She’s going out."

Alina blinked. "Your sister?"

He nodded. "She’s leaving the estate."

A moment of silence followed, then Alina softened. "Isn’t that... good for her health?"

"It is—but what if her symptoms flare up again?" Luke’s voice was rough. "What if she collapses? What if she—"

"She’ll be with Kael." Alina cut him off gently. "He handled her once. He can do it again."

Luke paused, chest rising and falling heavily. The lines on his face looked deeper than usual. His eyes, often cold and sharp, were rimmed with unease.

"...All these years," he muttered. "We kept her hidden behind these walls, thinking we were protecting her. But maybe all we did was build a cage. And now, the cage is opening and I’m terrified she won’t survive outside it."

He looked at his wife, vulnerability etched in his voice.

Alina stepped forward and placed a hand on his arm.

"She has her son now. Let that be enough."

After a long silence, Luke nodded slowly.

"Send a physician with them," he finally said. "Jess. And... Let Seraphina accompany them too."

---

At the estate’s entrance, Vic leaned slightly toward Kael, a teasing smirk on his face.

"What?" Kael narrowed his eyes.

Vic snorted. "Don’t you think you’re surrounded by too many women already? Now you’re adding two more?"

Kael turned his head slowly.

Ahead of them stood Seraphina, cold and silent, already dressed in riding gear. And next to her—Jess, a striking woman in her late twenties. More mature than the rest, with smooth plum-colored eyes and a composed elegance that instantly made people lower their voice around her.

Ariana coughed pointedly. "Lord really has good luck with women."

"Shut up..." Kael muttered, exasperated.

Near the front, Emilia held Elfie gently in her arms. The small dragon nestled close to her chest, eyes blinking curiously at the bright world beyond the estate walls.

Emilia looked around.

The estate... her home for so long... felt both familiar and foreign. The gardens, the white marble pillars, the open sky—all of it had been right there for years. And yet, she had not dared to cross the threshold more than a few times.

Except for occasional walks in the garden or short, masked trips to the market under heavy escort, she had never really gone out.

Now, Jess stood beside her—not just as a doctor, but as her personal maid and guardian on this journey.

Luke and Alina approached.

There was no grand farewell—only the quiet kind, laden with weight.

Luke opened his mouth several times but couldn’t get the words out.

Alina broke the silence first.

"Take care, Emilia," she said softly, hugging her briefly.

Luke took a step forward and met his sister’s eyes. "If... anything feels wrong—come back.There is nothing to be ashamed of.Just come home safely.

Emilia nodded faintly.

She didn’t say anything either. But her expression softened, just slightly.

Luke watched as Kael helped her into the carriage. The door shut with a final thud.

And then the journey began.

.......

Outside the estate gates, crowds had gathered.

Word had spread quickly that Lady Emilia is leaving.

People leaned from balconies, vendors left their stalls, servants rushed out with wide eyes. Some brought flowers, others clutched tiny prayer scrolls or candles.

"She’s coming!"

"I saw her! Look, she’s really there!"

Emilia peeked out through the small window of the carriage, astonished at the sight.

People cried. Some even bowed down, while others stretched their hands forward just to catch a glimpse of the woman they hadn’t seen for years but never forgot.

"May the heavens watch over you, Lady Emilia!"

"Be strong, My Lady!"

"Thank you for staying alive... We never stopped praying!"

Knights had to forcefully part the crowd as people rushed forward in tears.

Kael, watching all this from inside, sucked in a deep breath. His mother... was loved like this?

He looked at her face. Emilia didn’t cry. But her gaze shimmered faintly. The weight of their devotion was heavy—but it wrapped her like a blanket.

And then, as the horses started moving and the wheels creaked forward, the carriage rolled down the hill road, disappearing into the open path.

The people stood still—hands clasped, lips moving in silent prayer—as the carriage became a shadow and then finally disappeared into the horizon.

Only the sound of wind and distant sobs remained.

And with that, the journey had begun.