[Dominion New Neighborhood]

Primo sat quietly in the dining room, staring at the food served to him. He had gone to sleep the night before, thinking Ashley and Lucian would be home when he woke up. Unfortunately, he woke up disappointed.

Lifting his eyes to Nolan, who had joined him for lunch, Primo reached for his drawing pad.

[Is she hurt?]

Nolan paused mid-bite, staring at the words the young master had written. He tried to smile but failed miserably. He had already heard that Dominion managed to rescue Ashley. However, he had also heard that she had been shot and needed to recuperate.

"Of course not..."

[Is it because of me?]

"What?"

[This wouldn’t have happened if I had told her not to move in here with me because of my school.]

Nolan read Primo’s words as the boy wrote them. Even before the young boy finished, his heart clenched, and a lump formed in his throat.

[If I had said I could go to school alone... this wouldn’t have happened, right?]

Primo pursed his lips and lifted his gaze, meeting the old man’s eyes. Then he signed,

[Nolan, did I become too greedy?]

"Young master..." Nolan’s eyes stung as he stared at the boy with mixed emotions. "Please don’t say that. It’s definitely not your fault."

[But... it is.]

Primo pursed his lips, knowing Dominion all too well. Nolan had always been the one by his side, and when Nolan said nothing, Primo had learned that it usually meant there was only bad news to tell.

If Ashley had not been in this country, she would have been at the plantation, doing whatever she always did. She wouldn’t have been abducted. But because he had believed in the illusion that nothing bad would happen, he had put her in danger.

"Young master." Nolan cleared his throat, waiting for the boy to meet his eyes. He forced a reassuring smile. "It’s not your fault. If the madam hears you say that, she will be very disheartened. I heard she was fine."

Nolan should stop with that lie, but what else could he say in a situation like this?

"They were just tying up some business matters, but they’ll be back," he nodded. "I heard it from the Master himself."

No, Lucian had only called last night to ask about Primo. He hadn’t said anything like that.

"I’m sure once it’s done, they’ll be back!" he added, but Primo was no longer as hopeful.

The young master had learned at a very young age that things could turn bad quickly in Dominion. He knew Nolan was lying to him.

But before he could write more, he heard a faint noise outside the house. Even Nolan furrowed his brows. Both of them turned toward the front door, and before Nolan could say another word, Primo quickly jumped from his seat.

The young boy rushed through the living room and toward the front door.

As soon as he yanked it open, he saw Lucian’s car pulling up on the street. Lucian stepped out, but Primo couldn’t care less about him. His eyes darted to the passenger side, waiting until a familiar head appeared over the low fence.

"I got it..." Ashley trailed off before turning toward the front door, catching the moment Primo’s eyes lit up.

Her lips stretched from ear to ear as her face brightened. She raised her uninjured hand and waved.

"Primo~!" came her sweet voice. "I’m home~!"

Primo nearly choked at the sight of her bright smile and the way she waved as though he were standing miles away. Without thinking, he rushed out the front door, down the short pathway to the gate, and onto the street.

Once he reached her, he jumped and hugged her around the waist.

"Hehe." She giggled, ruffling his hair before shooting Lucian a smug look.

It was a clear see-I-told-you-so, and Lucian sighed in defeat.

Ashley crouched down to Primo’s level, smiling from ear to ear. As soon as the boy met her gaze, she gasped.

"Primo, were you crying?" she asked, and the boy quickly shook his head. She narrowed her eyes teasingly. "Why? Did you think I died or something? Goodness, Primo! Do you really think so little of me?"

Primo panicked instantly, every dark thought he’d had before she arrived dissolving at once. He shook his head more vigorously before signing,

[It’s not like that!]

"Really?" She puckered her lips, her eyes still narrowed. "Are you sure?"

He nodded profusely.

"Fine!" She smirked and ruffled his hair before chuckling and pinching his cheek. "Primo, you worrywart. I told you not to worry about me so much. I am actually very impressive — ask your dad!"

Primo blinked and looked up at Lucian. Lucian, being dragged into this, nodded.

"Very impressive," Lucian said before adding, "Next time, it’s better if we wait at home."

She laughed and turned to Primo. "See? Even your dad was so impressed that he wants to marry me again."

Lucian never said that, but he reconsidered.

Should I?

"Even those bums over there asked if they could worship me," she whispered dramatically into Primo’s ear before drawing back and nodding with great conviction.

The poor bums just across the street furrowed their brows when they saw Primo peeking in their direction.

Ashley giggled, tilting her head. "I heard you were a good boy. Nolan said so."

"..."

"Sorry," she hummed. "Our family date got ruined because of me, didn’t it?"

Primo shook his head.

[It’s not your fault.]

He pursed his lips before adding,

[There’s always a next time.]

"Right?" she hummed, nodding at him with affection clear in her eyes. "There’s always a next time."

"Let’s get inside first." Lucian stepped forward, opening the gate for them.

As Primo took Ashley’s hand and walked toward the gate, he also reached out for Lucian’s. He looked up at him, blinking. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

The boy didn’t say it, but Lucian already understood the unspoken gratitude.

Lucian smiled subtly and nodded, taking Primo’s hand before turning toward the front door.

There stood Nolan, waiting to welcome them home. He smiled just as brightly and stepped to the side.

"Welcome home, Master," he greeted before turning to Ashley. "Welcome home, Madam."

Ashley chuckled and nodded. "Glad to be home, Nolan."