Soulbound: Dual Cultivation

Chapter 324: It better be chicken

The Empress’s breath began to tremble as she stared at her reflection. Her eyes glistened and her lips quivered, the weight of years of hiding and shame finally breaking loose. She tried to speak, but only a shaky exhale escaped her.

A soft tear slid down her cheek.

Before either of them could react, she turned away from the mirror and crossed the room in a rush. Lucas barely had time to register what was happening before she threw her arms around him and pulled him into a tight embrace. Her forehead rested against his chest, and her hands clutched the fabric of his robes as if afraid he might vanish.

Lucas froze for a moment, startled by the sudden closeness, then slowly wrapped his arms around her, steadying her as her shoulders trembled.

Her voice came out muffled against him.

"Thank you... I do not know how to repay this. You have given me back something I thought was lost forever."

Lucas lowered his head slightly.

"I only did what I could."

She shook her head gently without letting go.

"No. You did the impossible."

Across the room Seraphine watched them, her expression soft and warm. She didn’t interrupt, only clasped her hands together and smiled, relieved and genuinely happy. She had never seen the Empress look so vulnerable, nor so alive.

After a long moment, the Empress finally drew back, her eyes still shimmering but her face radiant with joy, and Seraphine’s smile widened even more.

Lucas cleared his throat softly and gave a small smile.

"I should probably get going now. There are a few things I still need to take care of," he said gently.

The Empress nodded, still overwhelmed, her fingers lightly brushing her restored cheek as if confirming it was real each passing second.

"Thank you again, Xavier," she whispered.

He bowed his head slightly.

"I am glad that it made you happy."

Seraphine opened the door for him, still smiling with a warmth that was rare for her. Lucas stepped out quietly and made his way back through the palace corridors, feeling strangely lighter. Even he could not deny that seeing the Empress’s joy had lifted something inside him.

When he pushed open the door to his chamber, he stopped in the doorway for a moment.

Tom was already inside, sleeves rolled up and moving around briskly. He had folded Lucas’s robes, dusted the shelves, and straightened the bedcovers.

The boy turned quickly when he noticed Lucas.

"My lord, good morning. I hope I did everything correctly. I have already cleaned the entire room, sorted your clothing and placed your boots near the cabinet so you can reach them easily. I also swept the balcony and aired out the cushions because I thought you might want to sit there later."

Lucas chuckled softly.

"You did well, Tom. I did not expect you to start this early."

Tom’s face brightened with pride.

"I wanted to make sure you never regret choosing me, my lord. I will do everything properly from now on."

Before Lucas could respond, a tiny yawn echoed from the corner of the room. The ice belle sat up on the bed, her hair a mess, eyes half open, and her cheeks puffed in annoyance.

She pointed at Tom with a glare that did not match her small size.

"Tell him to go get food. I have been awake and nobody has brought me anything."

Tom blinked, startled.

"I did not know she was awake, my lord. I can go to the kitchens right away if you wish."

The ice belle narrowed her eyes at him dramatically.

"You should have known."

Lucas sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose, trying not to laugh.

"She just woke up, Tom. Do not take her seriously. Go get her something to eat before she starts accusing the entire palace."

Tom nodded quickly.

"At once, my lord."

The ice belle crossed her arms as she watched him hurry out of the room.

"He runs fast. I like that. He should always run when I am hungry."

Lucas finally let out a laugh he could not hold back anymore. He walked toward the bed and leaned his elbow beside her tiny figure while shaking his head slowly.

"At this point," he said with a playful tone, "I am convinced you eat more than five people combined. For a creature your size, it makes absolutely no sense."

The ice belle gasped loudly as if someone had insulted her ancestors.

"That is not true. I am very small, so I need more food to maintain my strength. Everyone knows that."

Lucas raised an eyebrow.

"No one knows that. In fact, you are the only person who has ever said it."

She lifted her chin stubbornly and turned her head away.

"Well, then everyone else must be wrong. Besides, food helps me grow."

Lucas grinned.

"Grow into what exactly? A glutton spirit?"

Her mouth dropped open in horror.

"How dare you. I am a noble spirit. I require proper meals. And anyway, you should thank me for not eating the palace kitchens empty while you were gone."

Lucas laughed again and nudged her lightly with a finger.

"You nearly did. I heard the cooks complaining that someone kept ordering trays of roasted chicken even in the middle of the night."

The ice belle tried to look offended, but her cheeks puffed in a way that only made her look guiltier.

"That was only five times. Maybe six. But that is because I am still adjusting to this world. You cannot expect me to cultivate on an empty stomach."

Lucas smirked as he crossed his arms.

"You rarely cultivate even when you are full."

The ice belle froze and stared at him with wide eyes, clearly caught.

Tom finally returned, balancing a wooden tray with both hands. He placed it carefully on the small table near the bed and bowed.

"My lord, the kitchens said breakfast was already prepared, so I brought what was ready."

Lucas nodded and thanked him, but before he could say anything else, the ice belle had already leaned forward with sparkling eyes...only for her entire expression to crumble the moment she saw what was on the tray.

There was not a single piece of meat.

Only sliced mangoes, berries, grapes and a bowl of steamed sweetroot.

Her face went blank with betrayal.

"...What is this supposed to be?" she asked in a flat voice.

Tom blinked, confused. "Breakfast, my lady... or, um, my spirit?"

The ice belle stared at the tray as if it were a crime scene.

"No chicken. No beef. Not even fish. This is an insult."

Lucas burst out laughing, louder than the first time. He tried to cover his mouth, but the sound escaped anyway.

Tom looked between them awkwardly. "Should I... go back and request something else?"

The ice belle threw her tiny hands up.

"Yes. Tell them I am dying. Tell them I need meat immediately."

Tom hesitated, unsure if she was serious.

Lucas wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.

"Tom, stay. She is being dramatic."

The ice belle snapped her head toward him.

"I am not dramatic. I am starving. Do you want me to faint and never wake up again?"

Lucas leaned back in his chair, still smiling.

"If you faint, it will only be from overeating, not hunger."

She gasped in outrage and pointed at him with her little finger.

"You have changed. Ever since you started laughing more, you have become very wicked."

Lucas only laughed harder.

"I think I like this version of myself. It keeps my head clear before everything that is coming."

Tom relaxed a little when he saw Lucas’s mood, but the ice belle folded her arms and turned her back to both of them in exaggerated silence.

Lucas shook his head, still smiling as he said,

"Eat the fruit first. I promise I will get you meat later."

She didn’t turn around, but her small voice replied quietly,

"It better be chicken."