Axel, despite the unease gnawing at him, managed to keep his expression composed. "May I see my son?" he asked, his voice steady as he masked his suspicion. Empress Lamaine's face lit up with feigned joy, and she nodded eagerly.
"Of course, my dear," she replied, motioning for him to follow her. She led Axel down the opulent corridors of the palace, her every step calculated, her demeanor the perfect picture of maternal pride.
As they reached Heather's room, Empress Lamaine pushed the heavy doors open, revealing the luxurious chamber within. The room was bathed in soft, golden light, the lavish furnishings emphasizing the wealth and status that surrounded the child. In the center, lying in an intricately carved crib, was a baby boy, fast asleep.
Heather was seated nearby, her face pale but composed. She looked up as Axel entered, her expression unreadable. Empress Lamaine stepped aside, allowing Axel to approach the crib.
Axel moved cautiously, each step feeling heavier as he neared the child. The baby's tiny form was swaddled in fine silk, his dark hair contrasting sharply with the pale linens. Axel's breath caught as he leaned over, taking in the sight of the child. The boy's face was serene in sleep, his small chest rising and falling gently with each breath.
For a moment, Axel felt a flicker of something—was it recognition? Or perhaps an echo of something lost, something he couldn't fully grasp? He reached out, his hand trembling slightly, and gently touched the baby's cheek. The warmth of the child's skin against his palm stirred something deep within him, though he struggled to place it.
"Your son," Empress Lamaine said softly from behind him, her voice almost a whisper. "A fine heir to carry on the legacy of Ezra."
Axel didn't respond immediately, his thoughts tangled in a web of confusion and suspicion. The child in front of him was a living, breathing reminder of the story the Empress had spun—a story that didn't fit with the fragments of memories he had. But for now, he had no choice but to play along.
"He's… beautiful," Axel finally said, his voice carefully measured. "He looks strong."
Heather's eyes flickered with something—was it guilt? Fear? But she remained silent, simply watching Axel with a guarded expression.
Empress Lamaine stepped closer, placing a hand on Axel's shoulder. "He will grow to be a great leader, just like you," she said, her tone sweet yet laced with the same underlying control she always wielded.
Axel forced a smile, his hand still resting on the baby's cheek. "Yes," he murmured, "I hope so."
But as he looked down at the child, a deep, unshakable doubt gnawed at his mind. The pieces didn't add up, and the more he thought about it, the more certain he became that something was terribly wrong. But until he could find the truth, Axel knew he had to keep up the charade, for the child's sake—and for his own.
As Axel's hand lingered on the baby's cheek, the child stirred, his tiny eyelids fluttering open. For a moment, Axel held his breath, unsure of what he would see. When the baby's eyes fully opened, Axel was met with a striking, vivid red—eyes that burned like embers against the soft innocence of the infant's face.
Axel found himself momentarily captivated by the sight. There was something mesmerizing, almost otherworldly, about those crimson eyes. It was as if the child held a mysterious power, one that both intrigued and unsettled Axel.
"What's his name?" Axel asked quietly, unable to tear his gaze away from the child.
Empress Lamaine, standing just behind him, was quick to respond, her voice dripping with a twisted pride. "His name is Rael," she said, the name rolling off her tongue with a sense of finality. "It means 'born of royalty,' a fitting name for the true heir of Ezra."
Axel repeated the name softly, almost to himself. "Rael." The name felt foreign on his lips, yet there was a strange sense of familiarity as if it belonged to the boy from the beginning.
Rael's tiny fingers curled as he looked up at Axel, his red eyes bright and curious. There was a strength in those eyes, a defiance that made Axel's heart tighten with a mix of emotions he couldn't quite name. This child, with his intense gaze, was already leaving an indelible mark on Axel's heart, even as questions and doubts continued to swirl in his mind.
Heather remained silent, her expression carefully controlled, as if waiting for Axel's reaction. Empress Lamaine, on the other hand, watched the interaction closely, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. She could see the effect the baby's eyes had on Axel, and it pleased her to no end.
"You see, Axel," Lamaine said softly, her voice soothing yet insidious, "Rael is special. He carries the blood of Ezra—your blood. He is destined for greatness, just like you."
Axel nodded, his eyes still locked on Rael. "Yes," he agreed, though his mind was far from settled. There was something hauntingly familiar about the child, but the answers he sought were still out of reach.
As Rael gazed up at him, Axel felt a powerful connection, yet it was laced with unease. He knew he had to protect this child, but from what—or whom—he still wasn't sure. For now, all he could do was play the role the Empress had laid out for him, and bide his time until he uncovered the truth.
"Raphael Carlisle of Ezra," Axel murmured as he gently placed the baby back in his crib. The name felt heavy on his tongue, a blend of pride and something darker, something he couldn't quite place. As he looked down at the child, Rael's red eyes blinked up at him, full of innocence yet holding a strange intensity that unsettled Axel.
Without another word, Axel straightened, his gaze lingering on the baby for just a moment longer before he turned on his heel. He left the room with a determined stride, his expression unreadable. The door closed softly behind him, the sound barely disturbing the quiet of the nursery.
Heather sat nearby, her eyes glued to Axel's back as he exited, but he didn't so much as glance in her direction. There was no acknowledgment of her presence, no exchange of words or even a fleeting look. It was as if she were invisible to him, a shadow in the corner of a room he had no interest in.
As Axel walked down the corridor, his thoughts were a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The weight of everything he had just learned pressed heavily on him, but he kept moving forward, distancing himself from the room, from the baby, from the lies that had been spun so intricately around him.
He didn't pause, didn't hesitate. His mind was already elsewhere, calculating his next move. The palace, with its secrets and deceptions, felt like a labyrinth he was determined to navigate—alone.