A Mother's Presence

In the quiet of Lucas's study, the soft knock on the door signaled the arrival of his appointment he had been eagerly waiting for.

With a smile hinting at anticipation, Lucas rose from his chair, his voice smooth as silk. "Come in."

The doors opened, revealing Celia and Xulan, ushered in by Olivia. Celia's posture was stiff with unease, while Xulan seemed to carry a nervous air about him. They both offered a respectful bow in Bai Ling's presence.

Olivia, bright and cheerful, led the way. "I thought it best to personally escort them, since they're not just any guests," she said, her smile never wavering as she approached Lucas.

Lucas's response was immediate and affectionate. "As always, you know just what to do, my dear," he said, his arm encircling Olivia's waist. Then, to the surprise of their guests, he leaned in for a passionate kiss.

Olivia's cheeks colored with a soft blush, caught off guard by the intensity of the kiss, especially in front of their guests.

But after the boldness of their wedding night spent under the stars, she found herself less inclined to pull away, even in the presence of others.

Xulan, witnessing the intimate display, felt a pang of discomfort. His gaze dropped to the floor, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. 

The sight of Bai Ling and Olivia together was a painful reminder of what he had lost, and his father's decision to send him here felt like a cruel twist of fate.

But even more, the thought of having to get tutored by the man who took away the girl he loved left him with bitter feelings.

Celia, meanwhile, observed the scene with a growing sense of unease. The way Bai Ling kissed Olivia, so openly and passionately before them, seemed almost like a devious and shameless move. 

Her eyes narrowed slightly, sensing an undercurrent of something sinister in Lucas's actions, including the way he smiles whenever he looks at her. 

She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this man than met the eye.

After the kiss, Lucas gently released Olivia, his demeanor shifting back to one of professional focus. "I'll be occupied for the next couple of hours," he informed her. "You should use this time for your own training."

Olivia, a bit surprised, glanced at Celia and then back at Lucas. "I was thinking of keeping Aunty Celia company while Xulan is in his class," she suggested, her tone hopeful.

Lucas chuckled lightly, a spark of something unreadable in his eyes. "No need for that, my love. I actually require Celia's presence here. It's beneficial for a student when their mother observes. It tends to improve performance. Don't you agree, Celia?" He turned to Celia, his smile polite yet somehow imposing.

Celia, caught in his gaze, felt a knot of unease tighten in her stomach. She understood his intention of keeping her there, but the reason behind it remained unclear. 

Despite her discomfort, she knew she had little choice in the matter. "Yes, that would be... appreciated," she managed to say, forcing a smile.

Xulan had a puzzled look, not expecting Bai Ling to insist his mother to stay. However, he was relieved since he would indeed feel better if she was near him. Her presence always brought him comfort.

Olivia nodded, understandingly. "In that case, I'll go on with my training. I still aim to reach my mother's level, perhaps even surpass it. I want to make you proud to have me as your wife." Her words carried a mix of determination and affection.

Lucas's smile broadened, genuinely pleased. "I have no doubt about that," he replied, as Olivia made her way to the door. 

She paused briefly to offer a smile to Xulan, who returned it weakly, his eyes betraying a mix of emotions before he averted his gaze.

Would he now have to endure this pain every day until it's finally over?

As Olivia's footsteps faded away, the room fell into a tense silence. Lucas turned his attention to Xulan, a hint of seriousness in his tone. "Today, I'll teach you how to maximize the focus of your qi. This is crucial in mastering the art of the sword."

Xulan, despite the swirling mix of emotions inside him, recognized the value in Bai Ling's words. He understood that learning from someone as reputedly powerful as the empress's right-hand man could be a rare opportunity to gain strength. Pushing aside his personal feelings, he nodded in acknowledgment.

"Thank you, Master" Xulan said respectfully, bowing deeply before positioning himself on the mat at the center of the room, as instructed.

Lucas then turned to Celia, noticing her still standing. His voice was polite but carried an undercurrent of command. "Celia, you don't need to stand there. Please, take a seat. Let's not tire those legs of yours." He gestured casually to a spot beside him.

Celia felt a spike of apprehension at the thought of sitting so close to Bai Ling, especially with her son just a two feet away.

However, with no real option to decline, she managed a smile and gracefully took the seat next to him, all the while casting worried glances toward her son.

"Now, Xulan," Lucas began, his voice shifting back to a mentoring tone, "close your eyes and focus on your qi. The challenge here is to maintain that focus for at least ten minutes without interruption."

Xulan exhaled deeply, steadying his breathing as he closed his eyes. His face set into a mask of concentration, he began the exercise, trying to channel and maintain his qi as Lucas had instructed.

Just as Xulan entered a meditative state, Lucas' arm suddenly snaked around Celia, pulling her closer to him.

Lucas' sudden movement caught Celia off guard, causing her heart to skip a beat while her body tensed up. 

Her mind raced, torn between fear and confusion. She cast a quick glance at Xulan, who seemed oblivious to what was happening, completely immersed in his meditation.

In a low whisper, Lucas said "I think it's time we got to know each other better, don't you agree, Celia?"