Sara walked quickly through the hallways. Upon reaching a room, she found Cain and Marta. Cain was sitting in the playpen, while Marta, comfortably seated in a corner, was reading a book.
"Oh, Sara! What a surprise to see you," Marta said with the warmth of a mother speaking to her daughter. "How have you been?
Cain silently looked up at Marta, watching her closely.
Sara paused for a moment, then offered a smile, sweet but empty.
"I'm fine," she replied, as she bent down to lift Cain into her arms.
"I'll take Cain; the count is calling for him," she said, carrying him out with a tear in her eye.
"!? Why is she crying?" Marta wondered, noticing Sara's behavior.
"Why is she crying?" Cain wondered as well.
"So, the count has called for me, huh?"
"Listen, Cain, today the count will surely recognize you as his son," Sara said with a glimmer of hope, thinking that this moment could be a step toward making Cain's life less miserable.
Cain looked at his mother as a baby, but his thoughts were different.
"To be recognized by him, ha, as if I were in a different world..." Cain thought, rejecting the idea
Sara found herself in front of an imposing door, a polished wooden door guarded by two soldiers, emanating a cold aura.
*Knock, knock.* Sara knocked on the door
"Come in," responded the Count.
Sara entered with determination, but with slight fear. She could feel the gaze of the Count, the Commander of the soldiers, and the Countess, all focused on the baby.
"I present my most sincere respects," Sara said, bowing deeply as a sign of respect.
"We'll get straight to the point. What happened at the banquet with the guests?" the Count asked.
"It was an accident, my lord," Sara replied in a low voice.
"Tell me what happened," the Count demanded.
"I tripped," she answered.
"Is that an excuse?"
"No, my lord."
The Count looked at Sara with disdain, but he couldn't take his eyes off the child she was holding.
"Is that the child called Cain?"
"Yes, my lord, this child is Cain, our... my son, sir." Sara wanted to affirm that he was her son, but she couldn't help feeling the Countess's gaze on her.
"Tell me, is that child mine?" Patrick asked in a firm voice.
"..." Sara remained silent, unsure of how to respond. She had the determination to tell the truth, but not the courage to defy the Countess.
"Do I have to ask you twice?"
"No, my lord."
"Then answer."
"Yes, my lord, you are the father of this child."
Cain could feel the intense murderous intent emanating from the Countess. He looked at Sara with a consoling gaze.
"I understand," said the Count. "Without a doubt, I made that mistake called Cain."
"!!!!!" Sara was shocked by the Count's response. What was a torment for her, denying her own child, was a feast they could not refuse.
"Then, considering what happened at the banquet and the birth of 'Cain,' from today, you will no longer work in this house."
"!!! Please, my lord, reconsider," Sara pleaded desperately upon hearing the harsh decision. "If you do this, I won't have any means to feed my child, nor will I have a place to sleep."
"...I understand," the Count replied. "Since he is also my son, I will give you some support—a small house and a pension. But he will not bear my surname, nor will I recognize him as my legitimate son and heir."
Sara felt powerless as she listened to the Count's offer. She knew that if she accepted, Cain would be safe, but he would have no pride. On the other hand, if she refused, Cain would be in constant danger as an illegitimate child, yet still the firstborn.
"I accep—"
"Why don't you reconsider, my lord?" asked the Countess.
"For what reason?"
"I think that child would make an excellent training companion for Leo, don't you agree?" she responded.
"....."
Sara knew the Countess's intentions; just by seeing her expression, she could easily guess what she was planning.
"My lord, I believe it would be more prudent for me to accept your offer," Sara replied with a determined voice.
"!!!" The Countess was taken aback.
"!!!" The Count was surprised.
"...I think that would be best, my lord," added the commander.
"Why do you say that?" asked the Count.
"Having a training partner certainly has its advantages, but once one surpasses the other, it will create a gap that won't help with improvement."
"..... Well, if you say so, then it's fine. After all, you are my trusted subordinate. Sara will be provided with a small cottage to the west of my territory and will receive 40 gold coins per month. I believe that should be sufficient, don't you think?"
"Thank you, my lord," Sara responded.
Sara left the office happily, knowing she had made the best decision possible.
"Tell me, John, did you sense anything unusual about that child named Cain?" Patrick asked.
"Certainly, my lord. Despite the discussion, he didn't attract attention at all."
"Ummm...."
Sara arrived at the cottage that had been given to her. It wasn't very large, but it was better than her previous place; it was slightly more luxurious.
Sara felt a bit sad about leaving Marta, but she was relieved that Cain would be safer now.
"Well, Cain, we'll be starting a new life."
Cain looked at Sara, reaching out his arms for a hug.
"Thank goodness I didn't attract Patrick's attention. Because of that, I can now accumulate mana and create the necessary stars," Cain thought with a determined look.
End of Chapter 5
Dear readers, the last four episodes focused on Sara
's story, further developing it.
Thank you for your understanding.