As we made our way back, Kai adjusted his flower crown, his small fingers carefully shifting the delicate petals into place. I walked ahead while Lyall strolled beside Kate, and my father walked with Kai, their pace leisurely.
I glanced back just in ti to see my father reach out and gently adjust Kai’s crown for him. The boy looked up, blinking in surprise before offering a small, hesitant smile. My father returned it with a nod, and sothing about the mont made my chest feel warm.
The rest of the day passed peacefully, filled with the usual routines. As evening approached, I made my way to my office to pass on an order to Roan regarding our night outing.
"You’re not going to take it easy, even for a day?" he asked, giving a pointed look.
I smiled. "I am taking it easy."
Roan sighed but didn’t argue.
"Be ready at midnight," I added.
"Yes, Master," he replied with a bow before leaving.
After finishing my tasks, I headed toward my father’s room. I could sense Kai’s energy there as well, confirming my guess that he was with him. Since it was dinner ti, I wanted to fetch them myself.
I was just about to step inside when my father’s voice reached through the slightly ajar door.
"If you want, you could co stay at Aurelius Mansion," he offered, his tone warm. "Reina is usually busy, and my son, Rune, is also away from ho, so we could play together and have fun."
Kai hesitated. "I can...?"
"Yes," my father assured him. "I might be occupied with work for a while, but we can still have fun. We could even go on picnics on weekends."
A brief silence followed before Kai spoke again, his voice quieter this ti.
"Can... Can Master co along?"
My father chuckled softly. "I’ll ask her to join us if she has ti."
Another pause. Then, after a mont, Kai whispered, "But... is it really all right? I-I’m..."
"What’s wrong?" my father asked gently.
Kai swallowed audibly before confessing, "I... I was the reason why... Master got hurt."
I frowned slightly but didn’t step inside just yet.
My father exhaled, his voice steady as he reassured him. "She’s fine now, and I trust her. She’s very strong, and she has many powerful people who stand by her. Even if she takes on dangerous tasks, I know she’ll always return to us."
I smiled at his unwavering confidence in .
Kai was silent for a long mont before he finally said, "I-I’ll ask Master then."
I made up my mind right then and there.
If these two spent more ti together, they could ease each other’s loneliness. I might not always be around, but if they had others to rely on, maybe—just maybe—that lingering emptiness in their hearts would begin to heal.
I knocked on the door, and their conversation halted. A mont later, my father opened it, his familiar presence grounding. I smiled up at him.
"Re—Lord Ocean," he greeted with a smile of his own. I tilted my head slightly to see Kai stepping up behind him, his curious eyes peeking over my father’s shoulder.
"It’s dinner ti," I said simply.
We ate together, and I watched as my father and Kai interacted. Though Kai was still hesitant, he seed to be warming up, and my father—who had always been careful about the people he let in—was beginning to accept him. It was subtle, but I could see the change, the small monts of quiet understanding passing between them.
It was almost endearing to watch.
At first, I had simply intended to bring Kai ho and let ti decide if he fit in. But now, seeing it unfold in front of , witnessing the warmth growing between them, filled with sothing undeniably comforting.
As darkness crept in, I turned to my father.
"Stay over tonight," I said. "You can head back ho in the morning after breakfast."
He gave an amused smile. "If you insist."
After dinner, I walked them both to their rooms, dropping my father off first before continuing with Kai.
"Do you like him?" I asked as we walked.
Kai looked up at , blinking.
"My father, I an."
Kai hesitated before giving a small nod. "He’s... nice."
I smiled. "He’s more than nice."
Kai nodded again, as if mulling over my words.
"I heard he offered you a place at Aurelius Mansion," I continued. "Would you like to go?"
He twiddled his thumbs, clearly unsure. I softened my voice.
"It’s fine if you need ti to think. And it’s fine if you don’t want to."
Kai looked at before asking, "Are you busy a lot?"
"At tis, I am," I admitted. "But for the next couple of months—maybe even years—I won’t have to leave this place."
Kai tilted his head, not fully understanding.
We reached his room, and I guided him to sit on the bed before settling into the armchair across from him.
"What I an is," I explained, "I usually travel when I’m needed elsewhere. Just two years ago, I spent months in Frosthail and Mordino. After that, I went to Denril for another few months."
Kai listened quietly as I calculated the ti in my head.
"I had a lot to take care of back then," I continued. "But now, I’ve dealt with most of the pressing matters. I won’t be traveling as much for the next few years—at least not unless sothing urgent cos up. So you’ll have ti to spend with , aside from the work I have to do here."
Kai stared at , his expression unreadable.
"Does that make sense?" I asked.
He nodded slowly.
"Good," I said, standing up. "Let us know what you decide."
I turned to leave, but before I could step away, I felt a small tug on my sleeve. I glanced down to find Kai looking up at , uncertainty flickering in his gaze.
"Is there sothing you want to say?" I asked.
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"Can you... stay here for the night?" He hesitated, then added, "I... I have nightmares."
I exhaled softly and reached out, ruffling his hair. He was safe now, far from the place that had hurt him, but trauma had a way of lingering. The mind clung to its fears, forcing mories to resurface even when they were no longer a threat.
"All right," I said.
Kai gave a small, relieved smile.
"But," I added, watching his smile falter slightly, "I have an errand to run. Do you think you could wait until I return?"
He hesitated before nodding.
"I’ll be back soon."
With that, I left his room and headed straight for my office, where Roan was still at work. He barely glanced up before sensing my urgency.
"What’s wrong?" he asked.
"We have to leave."
Roan frowned. "What? Where?"
"Didn’t I tell you we were heading out tonight?"
"That was at midnight," he said and then looked at the clock, "There’s still four hours for midnight."
"Change of plans," I said. "I have a kid waiting for , so we need to finish quickly."
Roan sighed, rubbing his temples. "Please tell we’re not flying."
I smirked. "No, we’re teleporting."
He rolled his eyes but stepped closer, reaching for my hand. As soon as he did, I activated the teleportation device.
We landed in the alleyway near Oasis Town, the air instantly shifting from the stillness of my estate to the lively hum of the marketplace. The town was still buzzing with energy—the shops were open, people were moving about, and the night life had just begun.
Roan glanced around. "Still a lot of people here."
"Of course," I said, stepping forward.
As we walked, a few people recognized , bowing in greeting. I acknowledged them with a nod but didn’t slow my pace. There was work to be done, and the sooner we finished, the sooner I could return.
As we walked, a few people recognized , bowing in greeting. I acknowledged them with a nod but didn’t slow my pace. There was work to be done, and the sooner we finished, the sooner I could return.
We had almost reached the bookstore when a sudden shout rang through the street.
"Thief! Catch her!"
I turned toward the commotion and spotted a figure darting through the crowd, a baker chasing after her. She was dressed in a worn-out dress, her tattered cloak barely concealing her ragged state. Her hood was drawn low over her face, but I could see the frantic way she moved, searching for an escape.
I exhaled, already knowing how this was going to end.
The townspeople were quick to react, forming a rough barrier around her. She spun, eyes flicking wildly, and I followed her gaze to a weak point in the blockade—a few young children standing uncertainly in her way.
She rushed toward them.
I moved before she could break through.
The mont she shoved past the children, she crashed straight into my arms.
I caught her effortlessly, one hand locking around her wrist as she struggled. The gathered crowd gasped.
"M-Master?"
"Master caught the thief!"
She thrashed against my grip. "Let go of !"
"Hold your horses, will you?" I said, exasperated, before glancing at the baker, Marlow.
"What’d she steal?"
"Just so bread," he replied, rubbing the back of his head.
I raised a brow, and he sighed. "I would’ve given it to her for free if she’d asked. Or let her work for it. But she just stole it and ran."
I nodded in understanding before turning back to the woman.
"I’ll take care of her," I said firmly. "Go back to your work."
"But, Master—"
"I said, I’ll handle it."
The murmurs died down as the townspeople exchanged hesitant glances before dispersing.
The woman, however, refused to go quietly. She thrashed again, trying to wrench herself free, but I barely budged. With an annoyed sigh, I dragged her away from the street and into a quieter alley.
"Don’t struggle too much, Miss, or you’ll end up with a broken arm," I warned.
"Let go, or I’ll scream that you’re raping !" she snapped.
Roan, who had been watching the entire ordeal with a raised brow, let out a snort.
I laughed outright. "Oh, please."
She kept fighting, but I didn’t loosen my grip. By the ti we reached a more secluded corner, she had stilled, though her entire body radiated hostility. Her hood was still drawn, but I could practically feel the intensity of her glare from beneath it.
"I don’t know who you are or how you ended up in my town," I said, my tone calm but unwavering. "But you can stay here—only if you follow the rules."
She stiffened. "I’m not going to beg."
"I’m not asking you to," I replied. "Earn it."
She went still for a mont before scoffing. "I’m not sleeping with anyone for a place to stay."
I rolled my eyes. "Oh, for heaven’s sake. I ant work for it—whatever you’re capable of doing. Don’t steal the fruits of soone else’s hard work."
I watched her closely as she processed my words. Her shoulders remained rigid, but there was the faintest flicker of hesitation.
This woman had clearly been through sothing.
The question was—what?
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