Everyone in the room froze, eyes wide, breaths caught in their throats.

Luca had only asked a little girl a handful of gentle questions, listened carefully to her innocent recollections—and in mere moments declared that he already knew exactly what ailed Esme.

It was baffling. Impossible.

Leona and Nyx exchanged glances, both visibly shaken.

They had seen Julius spend weeks—an entire month—studying Esme's condition, applying every healing spell, charm, and medicine he could devise, yet the man hadn't even been able to identify the root of her illness.

And now, Luca, with nothing but a child's recollection, claimed to have solved it in mere minutes.

Lulu, however, looked absolutely ecstatic.

"See! I told you, didn't I?" She burst out proudly. "I told you Luca's the best doctor in the whole world!"

She turned toward Julius, folding her arms with a smug grin.

"And for the record, he's my recommendation, so you should've believed me from the start!"

Luna smiled faintly, her eyes wide with cautious hope.

"Does that mean...we can cure Esme? And the others too?"

She asked softly, stepping forward.

"You really know what's wrong, Luca?"

Luca nodded slowly.

"Yes. Luckily, it's not something truly grave or terminal. In fact…" He gave a faint, amused smile. "…it's something quite silly when you think about it"

"But it makes sense. Especially after seeing all the food and drinks I had last night."

That last line threw everyone off.

"The food and drinks?" Leona repeated, blinking in confusion. "What...does that have to do with this illness?"

Nyx frowned slightly. "Are you implying one of the dishes was poisoned?"

But before either could ask more, Julius scoffed loudly, waving a hand in irritation.

"Nonsense." He snapped. "Absolute nonsense!"

He glared at Luca with pure disdain.

"You didn't even check her properly! No readings, no pulse count, no temperature, nothing!"

"You simply asked a child a few meaningless questions, and now you're claiming to have the answer?"

"Don't insult my intelligence."

Luca turned back slowly looking completely unamused.

"Sometimes you don't need massive tests or complicated rituals to diagnose an illness, Julius."

"Sometimes it's so obvious that anyone with basic medical knowledge and a proper history can figure it out immediately."

He shrugged.

"That's literally a doctor's duty: observe, ask the right questions, identify the ailment, and provide the solution. So, just because you couldn't do it doesn't mean no one else can."

Julius's face flushed, teeth grinding so hard the sound was audible.

But Luca ignored the reaction and sighed softly, turning his gaze to Esme's frail form.

"Of course, even though I'm ninety-nine percent certain, I still have to confirm it properly on my end. So I'll take a blood sample to verify."

"A blood test?"

Leona immediately stepped forward, concern etched across her features.

"You mean...cutting her open and letting rotten blood out?"

She shook her head quickly.

"I don't recommend that. She's already so weak and frail. Any further loss of blood or tissue could be dangerous—possibly fatal."

Luca smiled gently, raising a hand to calm her.

"It's not like that at all. A modern blood test only requires a few milliliters, barely a spoonful."

"We draw it with a tiny needle, then run it through specialized machines or chemical tests designed specifically to detect diseases, nutrient levels, toxins, deficiencies...all sorts of things."

He spread his hands.

"With the results from that small sample, I'll know for certain whether my suspicion is correct."

Wonder bloomed across the women's faces.

"There are machines that can do that?" Luna's eyes sparkled. "Just for finding illnesses?"

"Human world stuff is so cool!" Lulu bounced on her toes.

But Isaac, who had been silent till now and had gained courage now that he knew Luca couldn't do anything to him, suddenly let out a mocking laugh.

"Machines? You're depending on machines?" He sneered. "Healing is a living art! Done by hands, by heart, not by cold metal or toys. You're just wasting your time and hers."

But Luca didn't even glance at him like he was just a insect buzzing and walked calmly to Esme's bedside and sat on the edge.

The moment he settled close, Esme, who had been silently listening the entire time finally got a clear, prolonged look at his face.

Even in her weakened state, she could see it: the human before her was strikingly handsome.

Strong features softened by a warm, charming smile and gentle eyes that seemed to carry genuine kindness.

Something about his presence made her feel...safe. Protected.

But then reality crashed back.

She remembered how she must look now—gaunt, swollen in places, hair brittle and falling, skin dull and dry. Ugly. Pitiful.

Just as her husband had so often reminded her.

Shame flooded her. She wanted to turn her face away, hide from those kind eyes, but she lacked even the strength for that. All she could do was lower her gaze, sadness pooling in her dulled eyes.

Luca noticed immediately. He understood the swirl of emotions—shame, embarrassment, diminished self-worth and decided, without hesitation, to shatter it.

He leaned in closer so she could hear him clearly, voice low and warm.

"Hello there, Esme. I'm Luca—the doctor in charge of healing you from now on."

He paused, then continued sincerely.

"But before we get into all the medical details...I want to ask you something."

"It might sound strange right now, but please hear me out."

A gentle smile touched his lips.

"Once all of this is over—once you're fully healthy, strong, and feeling like yourself again—would you allow me to take you out on a date?"

Every single person in the room froze.

Luna's jaw dropped. "D-Did he just…?"

Lulu covered her mouth, whispering in disbelief.

"He wants to take her out on a date! He's asking her right now! Maybe he really is a sex demon after all!"

Leona's eyes widened in shock, while Nyx let out a quiet, amused laugh, smirking to herself.

"Oh my." She murmured. "So our Hero is a bit of a womanizer after all."

Lisa, on the other hand, looked completely lost.

"What's a date?" She asked innocently, tugging Nyx's sleeve. "What does that mean?"

Nyx smirked, lowering her head to whisper teasingly.

"It means, little one, there's a chance you might get a new father soon."

Lisa's eyes went wide as she blinked in confusion.

"A new...father?"

Meanwhile, the most shocked person in the room was, of course, Esme herself.

She stared at Luca with wide eyes, utterly dumbfounded.

Her mind couldn't even process what she'd just heard.

A date? With her? Right now?

If she'd been healthy, she might have laughed—or blushed, or at least responded—but in her current state, it just made no sense.

Why would this handsome, confident man ask something like that now?

She looked hideous. Broken. Worthless and she thought it had to be a cruel joke.

Yet when she dared lift her gaze to his, she found only sincerity. Warmth. Genuine interest.

No mockery, no pity—just honest admiration.

Realising this, heat rushed through her frail body, a shy, fluttering warmth she hadn't felt in years. Her cheeks, despite everything, colored faintly.

But before anyone could process further, a furious roar cut through the room.

"What the hell do you think you're saying to my wife?!"

Rufus surged forward, face twisted in rage, veins bulging at his temples.

"You're standing here acting like her husband isn't right in front of you! How dare you say something so shameless while I'm standing here?"

"Have you no decency at all?!"

Luca didn't even blink at Rufus's outburst.

He simply turned his head toward him and in a voice so casual it was terrifying, he said,

"You know what, Rufus? I'm really going to enjoy it when I slowly pull out your tongue before I kill you."

The words hit like a thunderclap.

Rufus froze, his rage evaporating instantly, replaced by cold, crawling fear.

A chill ran down his spine as he suddenly remembered—this wasn't just some arrogant human.

This was Luca.

He realized, too late, who exactly he was shouting at.

"And as for you wife—"

Luca continued before stopping himself and saying with a smirk,

"Well...She's not really your wife anymore, is she?"

"W-What?"

"You heard me." Luca said, turning his full gaze on him, his eyes gleaming faintly. "You left her alone. You condemned her again and again. You abandoned her to die."

He leaned forward slightly.

"That's not something a husband would do. So by definition, she's single now—available. Open to better men."

He turned fully to Esme again, voice turning gentle.

"And there's no way in hell I'm missing out on a woman like her."

Esme's weak eyes trembled, a faint flush rising on her long ears despite her condition.

Luca's gaze lingered on her face, sincere and admiring as he went on to say,

"Right now, she may not be looking her absolute best—I get that. But even like this, it's obvious she's a stunning beauty. Anyone with eyes can see her perfect face, the elegance in her features. I'd be a fool to let an opportunity like this pass."

Then he glanced toward Lisa, who was watching everything with wide, hopeful eyes.

"Not to mention." He added gently. "Your little butterfly here keeps telling me how amazing her mother is. How strong she used to be, how kind, how much she loves her. I've heard nothing but praise from that sweet girl."

He smiled at Lisa, then back at Esme.

"So even without speaking to her directly until now, I already know that she's a wonderful woman. All the more reason to take her out properly she's you're healthy again."

The women in the room were utterly baffled.

"He's...He's shamelessly flirting." Luna's jaw hung open. "Right in front of the husband."

Nyx on the other chuckled and muttered. "And the funniest part is it's actually working…"

And that was the truth.

The way Luca spoke, so kindly, so confidently about her worth when her own husband had spent months tearing it down—it reached somewhere deep inside her.

A spark of interest, long buried, flickered to life.

She didn't mind this at all.

In fact, the warmth spreading through her chest felt...good.

Luca then leaned a little closer, voice gentle.

"So, Esme...what do you say? Once you're up and about again, want to go on a date with me? Show me around the village, the gardens, the pretty spots only you know."

Esme's heart fluttered. She knew, deep down, that part of this was to lift her spirits—to make her feel desired and beautiful again.

But the sincerity in his eyes made it feel real and she wanted to nod. Wanted to say yes.

But her body betrayed her; she couldn't even move her head.

Panic flickered in her eyes—what if he thought she was refusing?

But before the fear could take hold, Lisa wriggled free from Nyx's arms and darted forward.

"She agrees!" Lisa declared loudly, bouncing on her toes. "Mother definitely agrees! She can't talk much right now, but I can tell by her face—she wants to go on the date with you, Big Brother Luca!"

She then became a little hesitant as she fidgeted with her fingers and shyly asked the question on her mind.

"A-And if you don't mind, can I also come as well?"

"I mean, you can tell no since I don't want to be a disturbance. But it's just that I thought it would be fun and want to join as well if it's possible."

And to this, Luca replied without hesitation.

"Of course, Lisa! That was the plan from the beginning! A beautiful woman on one hand and a adorable little girl on my shoulder."

"That would literally be the best date ever!"

And hearing this, Lisa genuinely looked excitement.

For over a month now she had looked sallow and gloomy because of her mother's condition and it was only now that she looked like the cheerful girl that everyone knew.

And seeing her daughter finally smile, Esme's eyes crinkled at the corners—the closest she could manage to a smile.

Relief and gratitude shone in them.

The other women couldn't help but smile too. Even Leona's stern expression softened for a brief, warm moment before she masked it again.

But Luca didn't leave the moment at that and decided to make it much more better by gently telling Esme,

"I promise in my eyes you look pretty as ever, Esme, but I know you don't see it that way. But don't worry, I'll change even that."

"Just give me just a second."

And then under everyone's gaze, Luca reached into his satchel and when he pulled back, he held a small, elegant cosmetics box.

He opened it, revealing an array of colorful palettes, brushes, and tiny tools the elves had never seen before.

While the room watched in stunned silence, Luca dipped a soft brush into a warm-toned powder and began gently applying it to Esme's cheeks.

Light, skillful strokes brought subtle color to her pallid skin.

Next came a thin liner to define her eyes, making them appear brighter, more vibrant.

Finally, a glossy red tint to her lips.

It took less than two minutes.

He then closed the box, slipped it back into his satchel, then produced a small hand mirror.

He held it in front of Esme's face.

"So, what do you think, Esme? Don't you look as beautiful as always?"

Esme stared at her reflection, a little scared at first—before she was genuinely shocked.

The woman looking back at her was...alive.

Her skin looked warm again, glowing faintly.

Her lips, once cracked and colorless, now looked soft and red.

Her cheeks had life, her eyes seemed brighter.

For the first time in a long time—she felt beautiful.

Lisa gasped beside her. "Mother! You look so beautiful! So gorgeous!" She squealed, clapping her hands.

And the sight of her daughter's joy, combined with the kindness of this man who owed her nothing yet was doing everything to restore her dignity, overwhelmed Esme.

Tears began falling down.

And seeing her mother crying, Lisa panicked.

"Oh no! Is Mother hurting?! Is she in pain?!"

But Nyx quickly went over and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, smiling softly.

"No, little one. Your mother's not in pain. She's just...happy. Happier than she's been in a while and it's all thanks to your big brother over there."

Luca smiled faintly, pulling a small handkerchief from his pocket. He leaned down and gently dabbed Esme's tears.

"Good thing this makeup's waterproof." He said softly, earning a laugh from her between sniffles.

Then his expression turned serious again.

"Alright. Now that you're feeling a bit better...let's get to business."

From his satchel, he pulled out a sleek metal syringe—something the others had never seen before and a small glass vial.

He then held Esme's hand gently.

"This might sting a little." He murmured. "But it'll be quick."

With a quick motion, he slid the needle beneath the skin at her elbow's crook. Esme barely flinched as he drew a small amount of blood into the vial.

Then he placed a small cotton swab over the spot and bandaged it neatly.

He tapped the syringe lightly, inspecting it. "This should be enough." He said, satisfied.

Then, turning to the others, he added calmly, "Give me a few minutes. I'll be back with the results."

Before anyone could speak, Luca raised his hand.

A swirling, glowing portal ripped open in the air beside him—brilliant blues and silvers, humming with power.

Lisa and Esme gasped, eyes huge. Even Rufus, Isaac, and Julius stared in open shock.

This was the first time most of them had seen the Hero's legendary spatial magic.

Luca then stepped through without hesitation and the portal snapped shut behind him, leaving only faint sparks in the air.

Silence lingered for a moment.

Julius recovered first, forcing a sneer onto his face despite the envy burning in his eyes.

Such effortless magic, while he himself had no mana left at all.

It was unfair. Infuriating.

He glanced at Leona, Luna, and the others.

"Don't keep your hopes too high."

He said in a petty manner.

"He'll fail you all in the end. Mark my words."

Luna rolled her eyes, turning her back on him entirely.

"Not more than you already failed us, Father."

And with that, they all turned away from him, placing their full faith, their full hope on the Hero—who was back in his original world right now.

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