Mine Beloved (Lunari Series book 1)

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Sarang stepped back, clutching the gemstone in his hand and returned to Lucian’s side.

“I helped them.” Sarang said.

Lucian’s lips curved into a small smile. “I never doubted.”

Sarang hugged him tightly.

Moments later, the mayor approached, his demeanor formal but kind. “Thank you for celebrating with us, Grand Duke. It is our honour to host you.” He extended his hand, which Lucian shook him with a serious counter.

“Your village has excellent hospitality.” Lucian stated. The mayor’s gaze shifted to Sarang, softening into a warm smile.

“You’ve done a great service for our village; I don’t know how to repay you.” The mayor said.

“You don’t have to. I enjoyed my time here, and…” Sarang held out the gemstone. “This belongs to the people of New Borough.”

The mayor shook his head. “It is yours. It is a gift from the fairy queen herself. Nineteen years ago, the flower delayed blooming too.”

“Really?” Sarang asked.

“Yes. I had forgotten until today. My wife sang to the flower when morning came and witnessed the flower bloom. We had no children but nine months later, two betas were blessed with a lunari omega—our son, Luck.”

The mayor glanced at the lunari seated between the florist and his second partner, laughing and drinking.

With a warm smile, the mayor blessed Sarang. “May you find the love and happiness you desire, if you haven’t already.”

As fireworks lit up the night sky, villagers danced and sang and celebrated. A few youths dragged Sarang off his chair to dance with them. Lucian watched Sarang, whose clumsy yet joyful dancing drew laughter from the crowd.

.The child’s smile was as beautiful as it was refreshing. Lucian watched him, savouring the warmth in the air but as the fleeting glee melted away, shadows crept into his thoughts.

Sarang, so naïve and innocent, remained blissfully unaware of the internal battles Lucian faced. The turmoil clawing at him, the disheartened impatience simmering beneath his composed exterior, threatened to surface. Yet, with just one glance at Sarang’s radiant smile, those worries softened, losing their sharp edges. 

In that moment, Sarang’s smile made everything else seem… irrelevant.

Later, a huge man, flushed from drinking, placed a glass of wine before Sarang.

“As the hero of the festival, you must drink!” The man declared and belched.

He filled Sarang and another man’s cup with wine then swigged from the bottle.

Sarang hesitated, glancing at Lucian.

“Are you sure?” Lucian asked, raising a brow. “Your first experience was… memorable.”

Sarang’s expression turned sour as he remembered his coming-of-age ceremony. That was the night he learned, to his shame, just how bad his alcohol tolerance was. Heavens be praised, his friends had been too drunk to notice the naked boy outside, freezing in the winter cold. Sadly, Lucian had seen him. Lucian had saved him from further embarrassment, quietly sneaking him out through the back to protect what little dignity he had left.

Nathan had been away at college when it happened, but Sarang had sworn to himself that this secret would go to the grave. He also promised Lucian he would never drink again in his absence—and vowed to himself to never drink again.

“I’d like that,” Sarang said softly, setting the wine cup back on the table. 

Lucian asked for another bottle of juice, and a young woman hurried to get it for him. 

As Sarang waited, he watched the families around him. Some were heading home, carrying children who had fallen asleep or holding the hands of little ones who might wander off. Nearby, a male omega laughed loudly at his son’s excited story. The happy scene left Sarang feeling heavy and a little sad. 

Without thinking, Sarang chugged the the wine in his cup and wiped his mouth. 

“Pour me another cup,” he said to the woman beside him. 

She poured, filling his cup again.

“Did you not want juice?” Lucian asked as Sarang whose cheeks grew rosier with each sip.

“It’s a celebration.” Sarang replied lightly.

Sarang peered his eyes. He felt his body move but his feet were swinging in the air. Opening his eyes, brown hair tickled his face. Lucian backed him and trekked the quiet village.

“Master?” Sarang murmured and raised his head. “I passed out?”

“No. You slept after saying you were sleepy.”

Sarang hugged his neck. “Did I do anything embarrassing?”

“No. You stopped speaking English after the second cup and slept on the third.”

“Oh.” Sarang replied and rested his head on his back. “Master, what was your mother like?”

Lucian paused, his gaze softening as he resumed walking. “Why do you ask?”

“I wonder what it feels like to have a mother. I’m content without one because I’ve always had you, Nathan, and Mr. Sebastian but seeing families here… I wonder of mine. Sometimes, when I dream, I hear his voice.”

“How do you know?”

“I don’t know but it feels that way. His voice is soft and kind and so full of love. And he had a strong heartbeat. If Sarang means love, it must mean that my mother loved me and I begin to wonder why we couldn’t be together. I wish to meet him, even if it is once; so, I have a face to the voice in my dreams.”

Lucian was quiet and Sarang chuckled softly.

“I must be ri–”

“There is nothing wrong with desiring that.” Lucian replied gently. “When Grace died, Nathaniel was too young to understand. He would wake up every morning and wait for her in her room or the garden thinking she’d left before he woke. It took a few months before he realised… she was never coming back, he wailed. Everyone needs a mother; many have, and the lucky few have good ones. You are not ridiculous. Everyone deserves that kind of love, Sarang. The safest place to be is a mother’s arms.”

Tears welled in Sarang’s eyes. He tightened his grip on Lucian, who carried him without a word.

Once they returned to the inn, Lucian tucked Sarang to bed. Lucian headed for his bed when Sarang mumbled for his attention.

“I want to give you something.” Sarang whispered and Lucian sat close to him.

From his pocket, Sarang placed the gemstone from the flower in Lucian’s hand.

“It’s a gift. Thank you for everything, Master… I love you,” He whispered before drifting off.

Lucian slipped out of the room, his flesh burning at Sarang’s innocent confession.

Three days later, they returned home, late in the evening. Sebastian waited at the front porch with his back straight.

“Welcome home, Master Lucian and Sa–”

“Mr. Sebastian! I missed you.”

Sarang hugged him, catching the elderly man off guard. The smile on the child’s face seized any reprimanding he prepared to vent.

“I’m glad you enjoyed New Borough. Master Lucian, welcome home.” Sebastian greeted.

“Glad to be home.” Lucian said.

“I’ll have a hot bath prepared and snacks ready before dinner. You’ve both had a long day.” Sebastian said.

“Thank you.” Lucian said and entered the house.

“I’ll help.” Sarang added.

“Save that enthusiasm for dinner, child.” Sebastian instructed. He walked into the house and Sarang trailed behind him.