Luca's mother taught him to be kind and forgiving. She didn't want him to grow up with hatred in his heart, especially towards his father's family. When Luca made a mistake, his mother wouldn't scold or beat him. Instead, she would stop talking to him until he realised the mistake and apologized.
Once, when Luca fought with some kids who called him "fatherless," his mother sat him down and said, "Luca, those kids don't know what they're saying. They're just ignorant. I'm not asking you to forgive them, but try to ignore them. When they grow up, they'll realize their mistakes."
As a child, Luca often felt envious when he saw other kids playing with their fathers. But he buried those feelings deep in his heart.
Luca's thoughts were interrupted by Finn's voice. "Hey, Luca! I'm heading home. Come visit me whenever you're free!" Luca smiled and invited Finn to his home as well. They said their goodbyes, and Luca walked towards his house.
As he approached his home, Luca noticed that the door was locked. He knew his mother usually kept the key under the flower pot. He lifted the pot and found the key. Luca unlocked the door and stepped inside.
He put down the things he bought from Elmwick and looked around the familiar room. His mother, Rhea, would be working at this time of day. She'd return at dusk. Luca felt a mix of emotions: happiness to be home, but also a hint of sadness thinking about his father.
Luca shook off his thoughts and headed to the kitchen to find something to eat. Instead of his favourite rice and vegetables, he found a humble meal of porridge and stale bread. His mother, Rhea, always cooked his favourite dishes whenever he was home. Seeing the frugal food, Luca felt a pang of concern.
He ate the porridge and waited for his mother to return. She arrived soon, having learned of his return from others. As soon as she saw Luca, she rushed to him, tears welling up in her eyes. Luca, too, felt emotional, and his mother's hug brought him comfort.
Rhea, wiping away her tears, asked, "Luca, did you get recruited into the military?" Luca nodded, and Rhea's face lit up with pride. "Your father would be overjoyed," she exclaimed.
Realizing what she had said, Rhea quickly changed the subject. "Why did you lose weight? Is the training hard?" she asked, concern etched on her face. Luca reassured her, "Mom, I've actually gotten taller and more muscular."
Rhea's face brightened. "What do you want to eat? Do you want chicken? I'll quickly get some from the village meat shop." Luca stopped her, saying, "Mom, no hurry. I have a four-month holiday." Rhea's face lit up with joy. "Good!"
Luca handed her the clothes and winter garments he had bought from Elmwick. Rhea, though overjoyed, said, "Luca, I have clothes; no need for extra." But her smile betrayed her happiness.
Luca then handed her the remaining silver coins. Rhea wanted to refuse, but Luca insisted, "Mom, I'll be angry if you don't take it." Rhea relented, saying, "Okay, okay. I'll save these for your marriage." Luca shook his head, smiling.
Rhea then said, "I'll cook some eggs for you to eat," and headed to the kitchen.
As they shared a meal, Luca asked his mother about the porridge and stale bread he had found earlier. Rhea brushed it off, saying, "I just woke up late today, and I had to rush to work on time. I cooked something quick." But Luca knew his mother too well; he could tell when she was hiding something.
Luca understood that his mother was frugal, but he also knew that good health required good food. Now that he was earning silver from his missions, he wanted to make sure they could afford better meals. Luca thought to himself that he would slowly make changes to improve their living situation.
As they sat together, Luca shared stories about his herb-picking missions and his journey from the military camp to Eldermoor. He carefully avoided mentioning the difficulties he faced at the camp or any sensitive topics. When he talked about the children he met in Elmwick, his mother's expression turned sympathetic.
"Luca, if you ever have the chance to help those children, you should," she advised. Luca nodded in agreement.
As the night drew to a close, both Luca and his mother slept soundly. Luca felt a deep sense of peace wash over him, a feeling that only came from being home.
The next morning, Luca woke up early, a habit he had developed during his time at the military camp. He picked up his sword and began his training, swinging it hundreds of times with precise and swift techniques. The sword sliced through the air, creating a soft whooshing sound that echoed through the still morning air.
Since he couldn't find suitable weights like those at the camp, Luca thought he'd search for some heavy stones in the village or near the mountains. As he practiced, sweat dripped down his face, and he decided to take a break and refresh himself at the nearby river.
After a refreshing bath, Luca returned home, where he found one of their neighbors, Mrs. Elara, chatting with his mother. The distance between homes in the village was considerable, with fields separating each house. Mrs. Elara was speaking enthusiastically with Rhea, her eyes sparkling with warmth.
As Luca approached, Mrs. Elara finally noticed him. "Luca, it seems like you were just a kid yesterday, and now you're all grown up!" Luca exchanged polite greetings with her, smiling at her warm words. After a while, Mrs. Elara bid them farewell and left, leaving Luca and his mother alone.
Luca asked his mother, "What was Mrs. Elara doing here?" Rhea replied, "She just brought some vegetables. I also gave her some of our vegetables from our field." Then, with a warm smile, she added, "Come, Luca, I've specially made the chicken soup you love, with some freshly baked bread, steaming hot rice, and a side of roasted vegetables. Come have breakfast."