From Outcast to Overlord: The Unyielding Heir Novel

Chapter 320 You're Leander ? ร Finished Lydia turned to look , and at the doorway of the chapel stood a tall , graceful young man , his features striking and noble . Though he was dressed simply , Lydia could sense an extraordinary presence about him , something beyond ordinary . It was Leander . He kept his gaze steady , controlling his emotions as best he could , and inclined his head slightly at the doorway . " I'm late today , " he said quietly . " May I light another candle ? I hope it's not too late ." Lydia returned to herself and offered a gentle smile . She nodded .

" To anyone with faith , it's never too late to pray , " she said warmly . She personally handed Leander three candles , and he stepped forward to take them . Just as she was about to light them for him , something made her pause . The candles slipped from her hands to the floor . Leander noticed immediately and bent to pick them up - but then he heard Lydia's trembling voice . " Leander ? " His eyes widened , a surge of emotion crashing through him . He was stunned .

He had worked so hard to restrain his feelings , leaving no trace of emotion- but how could Lydia have recognized him just like that ? " Leander ... It's really you ! Leander ! " With a cry that broke Lydia's voice , she turned and embraced him . Her tears flowed freely , soaking his shirt . Leander stood frozen, and even with his disciplined heart , he couldn't stop the sting in his nose . Moments passed , but his emotions swelled beyond control . His voice , trembling in a way he had never experienced , finally broke through . " Mom ! " That single word made Lydia's entire body shudder .

" Leander ... It's really you ! My Leander ... you're not gone ... My Leander isn't gone ! " 1/4 16:12 Thu , Oct 16 hapter A You're Leander Finmhed She could hardly believe her eyes . She could hardly trust what she felt . Ever since Leander's martial power had been stripped by Gareth nine years ago , a part of her heart had died . Even though she refused to accept that her eldest son was gone , she had to admit that the odds of him surviving were nearly nonexistent .

A ten - year - old child , stripped of his martial power , gravely wounded , abandoned in the mountains - anyone in that situation would almost certainly have perished . And yet here he was , alive , standing before her . Leander ... I must be dreaming , right ? " She clutched his arms , feeling the warmth of his hands . Finally , she knew - this was no dream . This was real . She pulled him down to sit beside her , and it took her several long moments to steady her tears . Her eyes , wide and trembling , were fixed on him . " Leander .... it really is you ... I'm not dreaming , am I ?

" Leander sat cross - legged beside her and nodded , heavily but firmly . " Mom ... it's me . I'm back . " He hadn't planned to reveal himself today . His intent had only been to accompany Lydia under the pretense of lighting candles , to spend a little time with her and then leave . But he hadn't expected that Lydia would recognize him immediately . " Leander ... you're really back ! I've waited for you nine years ... and now you've come back to me ! " Ever since Gareth had driven Leander out nine years ago , she had stormed away from the Ashcroft family in fury .

She had come alone to Durham Abbey , praying and lighting candles every day . One bow , one prayer , for nine long years . She had never forgotten the promise she made to him : if he ever got lost , he should come to Durham Abbey , and she would be waiting there . And now ... her most beloved son , Leander , had truly returned . Lydia held Leander's hands , wanting nothing more than to just look at him , wishing time could stop . For nine long years , his small , tender face had haunted her dreams .

Every time she reached out to hold him , she woke up to emptiness , each longing dashed again and again . 211 16:12 Thu , Oct 16 Chapter 320 You're Leander ? ༦ 44 ) ' Finished She was terrified that this , too , might be an illusion , vanishing in an instant . " Mom ... please don't cry , " Leander said , wiping away her tears . He had once been frustrated , secretly angry that she hadn't tried to find him all these years , but all that resentment dissolved in the face of Lydia's nine years of devoted , solitary prayer . Lydia had always been the same mother , endlessly loving , unwavering .

" Leander ... where have you been all these years ? " she asked , her voice trembling . " After cast out of the Ashcroft family and left in the mountains , I sent people to search for you . Your grandfather stopped them each time . I could only search in secret , but I never found a trace of you . I thought ... I thought I'd lost you you forever . " She held his arms tightly . Leander looked at her , warmth flooding his chest . He told her briefly about the years he had survived , skipping over the dangerous trials and battles he had endured to gain strength .

He told her simply that he had lived - and eventually made his way to Mornwick . As Lydia listened , tears streamed down her face . Leander had lost his martial power , his skills , and the protection of the Ashcroft family . From a privileged young heir , he had become a homeless orphan , exposed to hardship and hunger . Surely , he had suffered greatly over the years . At last reunited , they sat together , talking quietly , just as she had once told him bedtime stories . They reminisced about his childhood , sharing small , happy memories .

Hours slipped away unnoticed , deep into the night , the sky above glittering with countless stars . Yet the bond between mother and son remained unbroken , timeless , and unshakable . Lydia looked at Leander , and in his features , she could still glimpse the boy he had once been . She was filled with a deep , bittersweet emotion . " Leander ... you were just this tall when you were little . Nine years have passed , and now ... I only reach your shoulders ! " When he had been cast out of the Ashcroft family , he had been just a ten - year - old child- small , fragile , vulnerable .

Now , he had grown into a strong , upright man . " Of course ," Leander said with a playful smile , just like old times . " You used to protect me ... now it's my turn to protect you ." Despite all the life - and - death struggles he had endured these past years , he had thought he had grown indifferent to family ties . But seeing Lydia now , he realized these feelings had always been buried deep in his heart , never fading . 3/4 16:12 Thu , Oct 16 Chapter 320 You're Leander ? F : Blood ties ran deep , unbreakable and irreplaceable . " By the way , Mom .... " Leander asked suddenly .

" How did you recognize me ? " 44 Finished Lydia smiled softly . " When you were born , you were weak and sickly . I went to Aurion Peak and gathered rare herbs to heal you . I continued this for three years , until you were four , when I finally stopped the treatment . But because you had been on the medicine so long , your body naturally carried a faint , unique herbal scent . " It's subtle, invisible to anyone else - but you're my son . How could I not recognize it ? " Leander's eyes widened as he realized . His heart swelled with gratitude .

Even after nine years , Lydia remembered every detail of him . With a mother like her , he felt his life was complete . " Leander , " Lydia said , her gaze softening , her voice dropping slightly . " Do ... you hate grandfather ? Your father ? " The words hung in the chapel like a frozen silence . your Leander didn't answer immediately . He paused , his expression hardening , his eyes growing cold . " Mom ... I want to know why they did it . " You have to tell me ... why all of that happened to me . " Send Gifts 60 B ΛΙΛ