Lucios felt like a prisoner in his own room. He couldn't sleep, as his father's words echoed in his mind. Count Tiberios had decided that Lucios needed discipline and training, so he would send him to the Kamaiura house, where Baron Oliver would continue his training. Lucios didn't want to go; he liked living in Kaapurina. He felt his father didn't understand him or care about his feelings.

Lucios was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice when his mother entered his room. She called his name, but he didn't respond. She approached the bed and placed a breakfast tray on the table. She noticed her son's red and swollen eyes and asked what had happened. Lucios then told her about the punishment his father had imposed on him and how he would have to leave his home and his mother to live with Baron Oliver.

Isabella was shocked to hear her son's words. She thought of her first son, Liam, who had also left her to study at the academy for young nobles in the kingdom's capital. She missed him greatly, and now she would have to part from her second son as well. She began to tremble and said it wasn't fair, that she would talk to Tiberios and convince him to change his mind. She stood up and headed for the door, determined to confront her husband.

Lucios tried to stop his mother, but she didn't listen. She left the room, clearly upset, and ran down the corridor. Lucios followed her but was stopped by a soldier guarding the end of the hallway. The soldier said, "Young Master Lucios, I've been ordered to keep you inside the room, please return." Lucios remembered that his father had confined him to the room until he recovered from the injuries he suffered in the fight against the wolf. He tried to argue with the soldier, but he wouldn't budge. Lucios felt powerless and frustrated. He returned to the room, unsure of what to do. He looked out the window and saw the sun shining in the sky. He thought, "It's already morning." He sighed and lay down on the bed, hoping his mother would change the fate his father had planned for him.

Lucios stared out the window, trying to imagine what awaited him beyond the castle walls. He felt a lump in his throat, a mixture of fear, anger, and sadness. And then he heard footsteps in the corridor and turned, expecting to see his mother. But she wasn't alone; she brought with her Sir Michael, his father's right-hand man.

His mother ran to him and hugged him, stroking his hair. She had a pale face, and tears streamed down her cheeks. She said, with a choked voice, "My son, I tried everything, but your father didn't change his mind. He didn't want to listen to me or explain why he made this decision. He just said it was your duty and that you had no choice."

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She sobbed and continued, "He doesn't care about you or anyone else. He just wants more power, more land, more wealth..."

She was about to say more but was interrupted by a deep voice. It was Sir Michael, who was leaning against the door, with a serious expression.

He said, respectfully, "Forgive me, my lady, but I don't think it's fair to speak like that about the count. He may not be the most affectionate and understanding father in the world, but he is a good leader. He has his plans and his reasons, which we may not understand now, but will someday make sense."

He walked over to Lucios and knelt before him, looking at him firmly. He said, in a friendly voice, "Lucios, I know this is hard for you, but I want you to know that I am by your side. You have always been like a son to me since I came to this castle. You are a smart and brave young man, with a great destiny ahead of you. Your father knows that, and that's why he wants you to go to Baron Oliver's castle, to learn from him."

He took a dagger from his waist and handed it to Lucios. It was a simple weapon but well cared for, with a shiny blade and a leather grip.

He said, solemnly, "This is the dagger I received from my master when I became a squire. I was twelve years old, two years older than you, when he gave me this dagger. It has been my companion in many battles and has helped me survive in difficult situations. It is a symbol of loyalty, and I want you to take it with you, to Baron Oliver's castle, and wherever else fate takes you. And remember, use it wisely."

Lucios took the dagger from Sir Michael's hand and thanked him. He remembered how Sir Michael had always been kind and attentive to him, unlike his father.

He still remembered when his brother Liam left for the capital of the kingdom; he felt lonely and abandoned, but Sir Michael comforted him, telling him stories about the capital, about the king, about the adventures he had experienced. He said that the capital was a fascinating place, full of opportunities and challenges, and that Liam was happy there, and he shouldn't be sad.

Then Lucios noticed the knight's gaze becoming more serious.

"The count has tasked me with training you in the coming weeks until you travel north. Since you have just reached the metamorphosis stage, it is important that you build a good foundation to avoid problems in the future. The alchemists are already preparing the elixirs you will use in the coming days. You see, I only reached the metamorphosis stage when I was 18 years old. You are very lucky," said Sir Michael.

He got up from the chair and walked to the door. "Well, I'll leave now. After all, from tomorrow on, we'll have plenty of time to talk about your future," he said. Then he turned his head and said, "Oh, I almost forgot. I lifted your confinement order. You are free to leave the castle if you want. But I believe you won't do anything foolish, will you?"

As he watched Sir Michael leave through the door, Lucios resumed talking with his mother, who, upon seeing Sir Michael leave, began to cry, saying that this was an injustice.