Soulbound: Dual Cultivation

Chapter 322: Creating the potion 2

Lucas steadied his hand as he added the refined liquid drop by drop. The cauldron released a soft shimmer of pale light that clung to the air like mist. He narrowed his eyes, watching for any sudden reaction, but the mixture settled smoothly. It was a good sign.

Behind him, the ice belle had already finished half the bowl. She held the edge of it with both hands and leaned forward as if trying to see inside the broth for secrets.

"Xavier," she called out, her voice gentle but insistent.

He did not look away from the cauldron. "Yes, little supervisor."

She took another sip before speaking. "Why does the empress need this potion. Is she sick."

Lucas hesitated for a moment, choosing his words carefully.

"It is not an illness. Something was taken from her long ago. I am trying to restore what she lost."

The ice belle rested the bowl on her knees. "If someone takes something from me, I will freeze them into a statue."

He smiled faintly. "That sounds exactly like something you would do."

"I am strong," she said with pride. "Stronger than before. So I can help you and the girls in the war too."

Lucas paused his stirring and finally turned toward her. "Soon you will. But not yet. You need time to grow."

She puffed her cheeks slightly. "I am already big."

"You are bigger," he corrected, "but not big enough."

She considered this in silence for a while, then nodded slowly. "Fine. But when I am big enough, I want to fight beside you."

Lucas gave a quiet hum of agreement. "When the time comes, I will rely on you."

Her expression softened and she returned to sipping the broth like an old lady enjoying soup on a winter morning.

Lucas turned back to the cauldron. The mixture began to thicken into a luminous silver-blue solution. He reached for another vial and uncorked it with care.

Just then, the door creaked slightly.

Tom peeked in, holding the frame with both hands as if afraid to disturb anything.

"My lord, forgive me. I came to report that the chief of servants approved the change. I have been reassigned under your command."

Lucas offered a brief nod without looking away from the steaming cauldron. "Good. From now on you will handle errands and messages for me. There will be many in the coming days."

Tom stepped farther inside and bowed his head.

"I will serve you with everything I have. If there is anything you need, even in the middle of the night, call for me."

The ice belle stared at him over the rim of her bowl. "Can you cook chicken."

Tom blinked rapidly. "I can try, my lady."

Lucas stifled a laugh. "You should learn soon. It seems your position comes with unusual responsibilities."

Tom flushed but nodded. "I will do my best."

"You may leave for now," Lucas said. "I need silence for the final stage."

Tom bowed again and stepped out quietly, closing the door behind him.

The room returned to stillness except for the low bubbling of the cauldron.

Lucas lifted the ladle and allowed the liquid to run through the sieve. It passed cleanly, without residue. His shoulders loosened.

"It is working," he murmured.

The ice belle set aside her empty bowl and crawled onto the bed to lie on her stomach, her chin resting on her crossed arms.

"Are you almost finished."

"Not yet," Lucas answered. "This potion needs a perfect balance. One flaw and it will lose its purpose."

Lucas allowed himself a quiet breath of exhaustion before pouring the final essence into the cooling mixture. The silver-blue surface rippled once, then stabilized into a clear, glowing liquid.

He watched the light settle and whispered under his breath,

"One more refinement. Then it will be ready."

The ice belle turned her head slightly, her voice soft but certain.

"You will succeed. You always do."

Lucas did not respond immediately. His gaze remained on the cauldron, but there was a quiet warmth in his eyes that had not been there before. After resting for a while...he kept working on finishing it until it was morning.

He let out a slow breath and stretched his fingers after tying the final seal around the glass vial. The faint silver glow dimmed, leaving the potion looking deceptively ordinary. He set it gently on the table and leaned back in his chair for a moment before glancing toward the bed.

The Ice Belle was curled up near the pillows, sleeping so deeply that her hair looked like a pile of frost scattered across white silk. Her tiny arms wrapped around the bowl, even though it was now completely empty.

Lucas spoke quietly as if afraid that a louder tone might ruin the peace inside the chamber.

"Thank the heavens she finally ran out of words. I have never met a spirit who talks more in one night than an entire palace does in a week."

He stood up slowly and walked toward the bed, checking whether she would stir. She did not move and continued to breathe softly in a rhythm that almost matched the morning breeze slipping through the window.

There was still no response from her, and Lucas felt genuine relief.

"I should cherish this silence while it lasts. By the time she wakes up, she will probably ask for dessert and then demand to supervise the delivery of the potion."

He turned away from the bed and began organizing the tools on the table so that nothing looked out of place. His voice dropped to a whisper as he glanced once more at the sleeping spirit.

"At least I managed to finish everything before sunrise. The Empress will not have to wait."

He picked up the vial and held it up to the light, ensuring the consistency remained stable. The liquid shimmered faintly, proving that the formation inside was complete.

Satisfied, Lucas placed it back into its protective case.

"She will definitely be impossible to handle when she wakes up, but for now I will be grateful that the room is quiet and my ears are safe."

He closed the case carefully and straightened his robes, ready to step out and begin the morning.