.

A potted blue rose swayed as the evening's cold breeze brushed it.

One of its petals went along with the gentle wind as it entered through the open doors of the second floor's balcony, it landed on the grey fur-carpeted floor just next to a black shoe fit for an eight year-old.

In the middle of the room were two red Louis XV armchairs next to a carved wooden table made from ebony. A grand piano could be seen on the far corner, with a framed painting of a red fiery dragon hung behind it.

The only light that fought the darkness was the one given off by the stars peaking from outside.

Lucas was sitting on one of the chairs, staring at the hard cover of the book he had on his lap, 'Law and Sovereign Affairs 8th ed.' it read.

"Oh? You're still awake."

Unsurprised, Lucas turned his head to the door. He knew it was his father.

"It's late. Why aren't you in your room already?" Natsu said as he entered, closing the door behind him.

"I was reading," Lucas answered. He thought his father couldn't sleep either, which was why he was there, "I just finished the book."

Natsu sat on the other chair, resting his back as he sighed unnoticeably, "I see."

Both went quiet after that.

Lucas continued to stare at his book. Natsu was looking straight outside the balcony, more precisely at the pot of rose which Lucy had put there.

"Where is mother?" the boy asked.

"Asleep."

Then it was quiet again, longer this time.

Lucas felt that his father was keeping something from him...from the family. He needed to know what it was and why. Somehow, his gut feeling told him that it had something to do about his mother.

"I know..." Lucas started as he placed the book on the tea table, "I know that you're hiding something from me, father."

Natsu didn't give off a surprised face. He just turned to look at his son who was now staring at him.

"About mother...is she sick?" he continued as his voice became quieter,

"There's more to her condition, am I correct? Her... miscarriage with my little sister... there's more to it...is there?"

Lucas looked at him with determined eyes, even though it was painful to speak about Natalia. He was waiting, ready to know the truth.

The Don looked at the unwavering young version of himself. This boy had been keeping this assumption for a long time now, he could tell. With his character, it wouldn't be a surprise if he knew already.

Should he tell his son, his blood, about his secret then?

When his father's lips slowly parted to speak the answer he was looking for, his heartbeat went faster and time felt like it was stretching for too long...and then his eyes showed a glint of fear. For a moment, he could've sworn his father hesitated.

"And where did you get that story from?" was Natsu's answer, a low soft chuckle accompanied it, "You're still young with an active imagination."

Lucas blinked as the tension slowly faded away. He was taken aback. He was sure his father was going to say something else.

"Wha-..." he still could not believe it. His brows slightly creased, "Stop lying..."

"I'm not." Natsu said firmly, his face turning stern.

"Your mother is healthy. You know...that the miscarriage is the only reason why she seems weaker now, but she is taking her medicine. Aside from that, there is nothing else you should know."

Lucas stared into Natsu's eyes, as if looking for a hint if he was lying or not. He wasn't satisfied.

But he could not read his father's face. He was always too difficult to predict.

His thin lips pursed together and Natsu knew that his son was getting impatient...impatient to know the truth.

"I'm not a naïve little boy who doesn't know about the things happening around me!" Lucas looked upset now.

His eyes were shut as he stood up from the chair and shouted at the floor. He didn't want to disrespect his father by shouting at his face, this was the first time he raised his voice against him.

"She's sick! I've seen it... her body is getting weaker every day. Mother has been frail even before the miscarriage," tears were forming but he didn't let one escape, "Everyone believes that her frailty is caused right after that incident...but not me."

His head slowly lifted up to face his father.

"Please... tell me the truth. Is she...is she dying?"

Now both of them looked each other in the eye. Natsu could see his emotions, he was easy to read and as transparent as glass and he was obviously keeping it in. As a father, it was torture to see him that way.

Telling their son about Lucy's condition would only make things worse, Natsu believed this.

He could never break Lucas' heart like that. Not like how broken his own heart already was.

The Don stood up calmly, he patted Lucas on the head, slightly messing up his salmon-pink hair.

He could feel his father's gentleness as he did it. This time, Lucas appeared calm and more at ease.

"Your mother is getting better. You don't have to think on matters that are not even true," Natsu spoke convincingly, "Don't fill your head with these assumptions..."

He gave a genuine smile at the boy.

"I'm going to bed. You should, too."

With that, he turned to leave and headed towards the door. Lucas watched as he walked away. But there was something he still wanted to say.

"Father?"

Natsu stopped as his name was called, though he didn't look back.

"You are the don, and I the heir. But please... don't forget that I'm also your son." Lucas spoke with love in his voice, "I am your family, your blood. Whatever it is you are keeping to yourself and protecting me from...you can always tell me."

The wind from the balcony blew these words into Natsu's ears.

How pure and warm it meant to him... All the more reason he wanted to protect his son from the truth...and from the threats of the world.

"I know," He answered quietly.

Natsu continued his way to the door and out of the room. The heir followed his figure until he was out of sight, and then turned to the blue rose on the balcony. His mother always tended that flower.

.

.

.

Natsu walked through the quiet hall towards the master bedroom, dim lights guided his way.

The conversation with Lucas repeated in his head. He had been feeling this heaviness in his chest the entire time they spoke.

But what got him stopping on his track were the words,

'Is she dying?'

A sudden jolt of pain stabbed his chest, as if crushing it. The abrupt sensation caused a course of chill throughout his body. He had to place a hand on the wall to keep himself standing as he clutched his chest with the other, ruffling his suit.

He breathed heavily, like he was drowning. The pain took too long to subside. He had to grit his teeth to suppress a sound from escaping. No one was there to witness this.

Their people were either on patrol, or in their own houses in the compound.

.

.

After a long while, the pain stopped...leaving a bearable burning sensation.

And as Natsu recollected himself and stood up as if nothing had happened, the only thing he could think of was her.

"Lucy..."