Soulbound: Dual Cultivation Chapter 3: Silence Speaks Louder

Chapter 3: Silence Speaks Louder

The warmth of Elder Gideon’s embrace lingered long after he finally pulled away. The man’s hands were still on Lucas’ shoulders, as if afraid that letting go would make him disappear again. His sharp eyes, filled with desperation and relief, studied Lucas’ face closely.

Then, he spoke.

"Xavier..." His voice was hoarse, thick with emotions. "Can you hear , son?"

Lucas felt a sharp pang at that na. Xavier. That was who he was supposed to be. That was who this man—his father—believed had woken up.

But Lucas wasn’t Xavier.

And he had no idea who Xavier had been.

Still, he said nothing.

His lips remained slightly parted, but no words ca out. He didn’t even try. He simply stared.

The silence stretched.

Elder Gideon’s brows furrowed slightly. His hands tensed on Lucas’ shoulders.

"...Xavier?" The na was gentler this ti, almost pleading. "Do you understand ?"

Lucas remained still.

His blank gaze flickered slightly as if searching for an answer in the dim candlelight of the room. His mind scread at him to say sothing, but he knew that would only put him at risk.

He had no mories of Xavier’s past. Nothing.

If he spoke now, he could easily say the wrong thing.

The safest option was silence.

Elder Gideon’s concern deepened. He reached up and carefully brushed Lucas’ hair back from his forehead, as if trying to check for a fever. His touch was warm—careful, almost reverent.

"...Can you speak?" His voice had softened into sothing even more cautious. "Do you... rember ?"

Lucas’ fingers twitched.

He saw the hope flickering in the man’s eyes, fragile and desperate.

But still, he said nothing.

Elder Gideon inhaled sharply, as if trying to steady himself. He let go of Lucas’ shoulders and turned toward the door.

"Servants!" His voice rang through the room, filled with urgency. "Co at once!"

Lucas barely had ti to process before the heavy wooden doors swung open, and several figures rushed in.

The first was a middle-aged man dressed in deep blue robes—a head steward, from the way he carried himself. Behind him followed two younger servants, both looking startled.

The steward bowed imdiately. "Elder Alden, you called?"

Elder Gideon didn’t even glance at him. His eyes were still locked onto Lucas as if he expected him to vanish.

"Summon Lady Mariana at once," he ordered. His voice was tight with restrained emotion. "Tell her... tell her Xavier has awakened."

The steward’s eyes widened slightly. His surprise was clear, but he quickly regained his composure and bowed again. "At once, my lord." He turned sharply and rushed out of the room.

The two remaining servants lingered, their gazes darting between Elder Gideon and Lucas. Their expressions were a mix of confusion and astonishnt.

One of them, a young woman, hesitated before taking a careful step forward. "M-My lord, should we fetch a physician?"

Elder Gideon finally tore his gaze away from Lucas long enough to answer. "No," he said, though his tone was uncertain. "No... he’s awake. He’s breathing. That is enough for now."

The young woman nodded quickly, but her eyes lingered on Lucas, curiosity and concern evident in her face.

Lucas could feel them all watching him.

Waiting.

But he still didn’t speak.

He didn’t even react.

He knew he looked vacant, detached. And that was exactly what he wanted.

If he showed no recognition, if he acted as if he didn’t understand... then they wouldn’t question him.

They would assu sothing was wrong.

And that was better than them realizing the truth.

The silence in the room was thick, but Elder Gideon didn’t push him further.

Instead, he let out a slow breath and ran a hand through his graying hair. His face was still lined with disbelief and relief, but now, there was sothing else beneath it—sothing uneasy.

The door suddenly slamd open.

"Where is he?!"

The sharp, feminine voice rang through the air before a woman rushed into the room.

Lucas barely had ti to register the blur of movent before she was beside the bed, her hands clutching at his face.

"Xavier—my son—" Her voice trembled. Her hands, though soft and elegant, shook as they cradled his face.

Lucas stared at her.

She was beautiful. Even in distress, her noble features were striking—long dark hair, piercing hazel eyes, and a regal grace in the way she moved. She slled faintly of lavender, and her fine silk robes swayed with each movent.

This was Lady Mariana Alden.

His mother.

Or rather, Xavier’s mother.

And just like Elder Gideon, she looked utterly broken.

"You’re awake," she whispered, her voice caught between a sob and a laugh. Her fingers brushed over his cheeks, as if trying to morize the feel of his skin. "You’ve co back to us..."

Lucas remained silent.

Her joy wavered slightly. Her eyes darted toward Elder Gideon, confusion flashing in them. "Why is he not speaking?"

Elder Gideon hesitated. "I... I don’t know." His voice was strained. "He hasn’t said a word since waking."

Lady Mariana turned back to Lucas, her brows knitting together. "Xavier, can you hear ?"

Lucas stared at her, unblinking.

She swallowed hard. Her hands slowly fell from his face, instead gripping his frail hands.

"Do you know who I am?"

Lucas didn’t answer.

Lady Mariana’s breathing grew uneven. The joy that had filled her features only monts ago cracked. "Xavier..." She turned to Elder Gideon, desperation in her voice. "Why is he like this?"

Elder Gideon ran a hand down his face. "I don’t know. He looks at , but... it’s like he doesn’t see ."

Lady Mariana shook her head. "No. No, this isn’t right. He knows us. He has to." She turned back to Lucas, her grip on his hands tightening.

"Xavier, please," she whispered. "Say sothing."

Lucas wanted to.

He wanted to tell her sothing—anything.

But he couldn’t.

He wouldn’t.

Because if he did...

They would know.

They would see right through him.

So he did the only thing he could.

He lowered his gaze.

And let his silence speak for itself.

Lady Mariana sucked in a sharp breath, her hands slowly loosening around his.

The room fell deathly quiet.

Elder Gideon exhaled deeply. "He’s been through too much," he murmured. "Perhaps his mind... his mories..." He trailed off, unwilling to say the words.

Lady Mariana clenched her fists. "No." Her voice wavered. "No, he will rember. He has to."

Elder Gideon placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "Give him ti."

She didn’t respond. Her eyes remained locked onto Lucas, her chest rising and falling in uneven breaths.

Lucas kept his gaze low.

His body felt heavy. His mind was spinning.

He had made his choi

ce.

Until he understood who Xavier had been, until he could safely navigate this world...

He would play the part.

The silent, broken son.

The one who rembered nothing.