Lucius shrugged and kicked at a pebble on the ground. "Because heroes always end up getting hurt or in trouble," he replied sullenly. The old lady crouched down next to him, her eyes full of understanding.
"But being a hero isn't about never getting hurt or making mistakes," she said softly.
"It's about having the courage to do what's right, even when it's hard. And that, my dear Lucius, is something truly special." Lucius looked up at her, his eyes wide with curiosity.
Not all heroes end up getting hurt or in trouble; some manage to make a difference without facing those risks. Being a hero is about making a positive impact, regardless of the challenges that may come with it.
Lucius pouted and looked down. "But what if I'm not brave enough to face those challenges? What if I'm just not cut out to be a hero?" He asked, his voice filled with doubt.
The woman smiled gently and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Bravery isn't the absence of fear, Lucius. It's about facing your fears head-on, even when you're scared. And believe me, you have more courage within you than you realize. You have the potential to do great things, my dear boy."
Lucius felt a spark of hope ignite within him as he listened to her words, and he realized that maybe, just maybe, he had what it takes to be a hero after all.
Soon the sun began to set and the night began to fall, casting long shadows across the empty street. Lucius took a deep breath, feeling a newfound sense of confidence.
With the woman's words echoing in his mind, he straightened his back and took a step forward, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
However, as soon as Lucius stepped into the house, the remnants of his earlier bravery dissipated like mist in the morning sun. A glass bottle went flying, shattering beside his head, and he turned to see his father, in a drunken state, glaring at him with bloodshot eyes.
"WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN THIS WHOLE HUH? DID YOU DO WHAT I ASKED YOU THIS MORNING?!" His father's voice thundered through the room, and Lucius felt his heart sink as he braced for the impending confrontation. Despite the turmoil churning within him, he knew he had to stand his ground.
Lucius felt his heart sink as he braced himself for the inevitable confrontation. Summoning what courage he had left, he replied, "I'm sorry, Father. I was looking for a job but went out for a walk to clear my head."
His father's eyes narrowed, his expression darkening with each passing moment. "You know how important it is for you to follow my instructions without question," his father growled, his voice laden with displeasure.
Lucius swallowed hard, his resolve wavering under the weight of his father's disapproval. "I'll make sure it doesn't happen again," he whispered, his voice barely audible in the charged atmosphere.
The tension in the room was palpable as Lucius's father descended the stairs with heavy steps, his imposing figure casting a shadow over Lucius. Fear gripped Lucius's heart as he stood in the doorway, his eyes locked with his father's.
"You went to go listen to those old lady stories again, didn't you?" his father's accusation pierced the air, causing Lucius to shoot his head up in surprise. Uncertainty raced through him as he met his father's gaze, his mind racing with thoughts of how to navigate this perilous situation.
YOU ARE READING
The Hidden Heir
Fantasy"In an enchanting realm of magic, kingdoms thrived under a wise and mighty king until his untimely demise at the hands of rebels, a secret closely guarded by a few." Lucius, the king's son, endured a life of shadows and neglect, unaware of his royal...
