The night air was unusually heavy—dense with awkward tension, like a taut string ready to snap.
The silver moon cast a pale glow over the academy's central fountain, its waters gently rippling under the soft breeze. The rhythmic splash of droplets hitting the surface was the only sound that accompanied the silence... until the word that broke it all:
"Papa?"
Luca froze.
Completely still, baby dragon still in his arms, water clinging to her hair and scales, her small finger pointing toward him with that innocent, damning word.
He slowly turned around, his eyes locking onto a familiar figure standing behind him.
White hair. Violet eyes.
Her cold gaze pierced through the shadows like a blade of frost.
Selena.
She stood tall and composed as ever, her arms crossed under the violet shimmer of moonlight, but her sharp eyes were narrowed and suspicious.
