The following days passed surprisingly peacefully.
Seraphina had spent enough years surviving assassination missions to know that peace often meant a storm was approaching. And considering her current situation, that feeling only grew stronger.
Every morning, she joined Aiden for breakfast. Every afternoon, she occasionally watched his lessons or accompanied him through the estate gardens. And every evening, Kael returned from meetings and military briefings.
To an outsider, it might have looked like a normal family. But Seraphina knew better. The foundation beneath everything remained fragile. One wrong move could destroy it all. Especially when the future she remembered still existed.
The future where she died.
The future where Aiden hated her.
The future where Kael personally signed her execution order.
No matter how much things changed, those memories refused to disappear. They lingered like shadows. Unfortunately, fate didn't wait long before introducing a new problem.
It began during breakfast. Aiden sat across from her, happily eating a slice of strawberry cake. The child had developed an obsession with strawberries. The servants had quickly noticed. As a result, strawberry-themed desserts appeared almost daily.
The little boy looked happier than ever. Seraphina found herself smiling at the sight.
Then the butler entered. His expression was unusually serious. "Your Excellency."
Kael glanced up. "What is it?"
The elderly man's face tightened. "A transmission has arrived from the Imperial Capital."
The atmosphere immediately changed. Kael's expression remained calm. Yet the room seemed colder.
The butler continued. "The High Council has requested your presence."
Aiden's smile disappeared. Seraphina noticed immediately. The child lowered his fork. The reaction was subtle. Yet impossible to miss.
Because everyone in the room understood what it meant.
The capital's summons rarely brought good news.
Kael's gaze shifted toward the butler. "When?"
"Immediately."
Silence followed.
The Alpha leaned back slightly.
Eventually, he nodded. "Prepare the flagship."
"As you command."
The butler departed. The moment he left, the atmosphere became awkward. Aiden stared at his plate. Kael remained silent. Seraphina suddenly understood. Kael's promise and a day to spend together.
Kael had promised to spend time with Aiden after returning.
Now the capital was interfering, again. The child wasn't upset because his father was leaving. He was upset because he already knew what would happen. The promise would be delayed. Just like before, and just like every other time.
Children remembered those things far more than adults realized.
Kael spoke, "Aiden."
The boy looked up.
"I'll return as soon as possible."
Aiden forced a smile. "Okay."
The answer sounded cheerful. But Seraphina recognized it immediately. It wasn't disappointment, but it sounded like resignation. The child had already learned not to expect too much. The realization made her chest tighten.
After breakfast, Aiden departed for his studies. Kael remained behind, and for several moments, neither adult spoke.
Then the Alpha sighed. "He pretends well."
Seraphina blinked.
Apparently Kael had noticed too.
"He's your son."
Kael's gaze drifted toward the window. "Exactly."
The answer surprised her.
A faint smile touched his lips. "He's inherited some unfortunate traits."
The statement carried an unusual amount of self-awareness. Seraphina almost laughed.
Kael stood.
"The council wouldn't summon me without reason." His expression became serious once more. "There may be developments along the frontier."
The frontier, the distant border regions of the empire. According to her memories, those territories were unstable. Numerous hostile races existed beyond imperial space.
Pirates, mercenaries, rogue kingdoms, and ancient threats. Most conflicts originated there. Which meant this summons was probably important.
Kael studied her briefly. Then said something unexpected.
"Take care of Aiden while I'm gone."
Seraphina froze. The request sounded simple. Yet the implications were enormous. He trusted her enough that he was willing to leave Aiden in her care. The realization left her strangely speechless. Eventually she nodded.
"I will."
Kael looked satisfied.
The conversation ended there.
Several hours later, the estate gathered near the launch platform. The flagship was impossible to ignore. The massive vessel hovered above the estate like a steel mountain.
Countless energy cannons lined its hull. Fighter squadrons circled overhead. Thousands of personnel moved across the launch decks. The scale was overwhelming. Even now, Seraphina struggled to believe such things existed, Aiden stood beside her.
Kael emerged from the boarding platform. Military officers followed behind him. The atmosphere became solemn. The Alpha approached his son first. A rare softness appeared in his expression.
"Continue your studies."
Aiden nodded.
"I will."
"And listen to your instructors."
"I will."
The exchange felt strangely formal. Like both sides were accustomed to these departures. Kael ruffled the boy's hair one final time. Then his gaze shifted toward Seraphina.
For several moments, neither spoke. Then he inclined his head slightly. A gesture so small most people would've missed it. Acknowledgment, respect, and perhaps even gratitude. Then he turned away.
The boarding ramp began rising. Moments later, the flagship ascended. The massive vessel pierced the clouds. Followed by its escort fleet. The sky trembled, energy engines ignited. Then they were gone.
Silence remained.
Aiden continued staring upward. Even after the fleet disappeared. The child looked so small standing there alone. The sight tugged at something inside her, compassion. Eventually, she crouched beside him.
"He'll come back."
Aiden didn't respond immediately. His eyes remained fixed on the sky. Then he whispered...
"I know. But every time Father leaves..." His voice grew quieter. "I'm afraid something will happen."
The confession surprised her. Aiden rarely spoke about his feelings. Perhaps because nobody usually asked.
The boy lowered his head.
"People say he's invincible." His small hands clenched. "But invincible people can die too."
The words carried far more maturity than a child should possess, and Seraphina understood.
The empire saw a hero, a legendary commander, and a powerful Alpha. Aiden saw something else, his father. And losing fathers was terrifying, no matter how powerful they were.
Then Seraphina gently placed a hand on his head. The gesture felt awkward, and unfamiliar. Yet strangely natural.
"Your father is stubborn."
Aiden blinked. "What?"
"Very stubborn."
The boy stared at her, confused and her words.
Seraphina continued, "The kind of stubborn person who refuses to lose."
Together, they began walking back toward the estate. Neither noticed the pair of eyes watching from a nearby balcony, Lady Celestine Ardent.
The original Seraphina's older cousin. A noblewoman who had arrived at the estate earlier that morning. Her expression darkened as she observed them, particularly Seraphina.
The cousin she knew would never comfort Aiden, never smile at him, or place a hand on his head. The behavior was completely different. A slow smile appeared on Celestine's face.
Perhaps the rumors were true, something had happened to Seraphina. And if that was the case... the situation might prove useful to me.
Far above the planet, Kael's flagship entered hyperspace. The stars stretched into countless streams of light. Within the command bridge, military officers discussed reports and battle projections. Yet Kael's attention remained elsewhere.
His gaze lingered on a photograph displayed upon his desk. The image showed himself and Aiden. A family portrait taken years ago. Beside it sat another photograph. One that had remained untouched for months. A picture of Seraphina.
Kael studied it silently. Then recalled the recent sparring match. The kindness toward Aiden, her changes, inconsistencies, and mysteries.
His eyes narrowed slightly. "Who are you?"
The question disappeared into the silence of space.
"I will find out, no matter what."