Paul's POV
Today marks the fourth day since Kai left for the capital. The house feels quieter without him, and the weight of his absence lingers in the air. As I lie under the blanket, staring at the ceiling, my thoughts drift back to a moment not long ago—his determined eyes, the slight tremor in his hands as he gripped his bag, and the quiet resolve in his voice as he said goodbye.
I can't help but smile at the memory of a night not too long ago. After a long day of work, I returned home, weary but content. As I stepped through the door, a small figure came barreling toward me, a whirlwind of energy and excitement.
"Dad! Dad! Look what I found!" Kai exclaimed, his six-year-old face alight with joy. His dark brown hair was messy, tousled from running around outside, and his wide, innocent eyes—an unusual shade of hazel that often gleamed with curiosity—shone brightly. His cheeks were flushed from excitement, and his tiny hands, dirt still clinging to his fingers, were cupped together as if cradling something precious.
"What is it, buddy? Another weird insect?" I teased, bending down to his level.
Kai nodded vigorously, opening his hands to reveal a small, bright green bug with delicate, translucent wings that glimmered in the light. Its body was speckled with tiny black dots, like a living jewel.
"See? It's a jeweled beetle! Isn't it cool?" Kai's eyes sparkled with wonder, his innocent enthusiasm infectious.
I chuckled, feigning disbelief. "You mean to tell me you brought a bug into the house again? What if it flies away and gets lost?"
Kai pouted for a moment, his lower lip jutting out—a habit he had when he was deep in thought or pleading for something—before breaking into a grin. "But, Dad, this one's special! It might be magical! Can we keep it?"
His innocent plea tugged at my heartstrings. "Alright, alright. Just for tonight, though. But if it starts making a ruckus, it's going back outside!"
Kai squealed in delight, hugging the beetle gently against his chest. His small frame trembled with excitement as he looked up at me. "I promise I'll take care of it! You won't even know it's here!"
As I watched him scamper off, his small, sturdy legs moving quickly across the floor to find a makeshift home for his new friend, warmth enveloped me. Moments like these remind me of the simple joys of fatherhood—filled with laughter, love, and the unshakeable bond we share.
Suddenly, I'm pulled back to the present by Lily's gentle voice. "Hey, darling, wake up! It's morning!"
A sudden tug, and the warmth of my blanket is gone. I blink and squint at the bright sunlight streaming through the window, its rays illuminating dust particles dancing in the air.
"Come on, Paul! You'll be late if you keep sleeping like that," Lily says, standing beside the bed with her hands on her hips, her lips curling into a soft smile that eases the heaviness in my heart.
I stretch and groan slightly, my body still heavy with sleep. "Is that so? Well, today... I'm not really in the mood to stand guard at the village," I reply lazily, closing my eyes for just a moment longer.
Lily raises an eyebrow, smirking. "Well, mood or not, you have to go. It's your job, and the villagers feel safe when you're out there keeping watch."
Her words bring a small smile to my face. "You do have a point," I admit, swinging my legs off the bed and sitting up, feeling the chill of the floor beneath my feet.
Lily gives me a playful look, tilting her head. "What? Did I hear that right? I thought you'd say something like, 'Instead of relying on me, they should learn to guard the village themselves and fight the monsters.' Something like that," she says, mimicking my deeper voice in a teasing tone that makes me chuckle.
"Well... that's true, but..." I pause, glancing out the window where sunlight pours over the fields, turning dew on the grass into tiny jewels. "...I can't just sit back when my son is out there, doing his best to become someone capable of protecting this country. It would feel wrong."
Lily's expression softens as she sits beside me on the edge of the bed. "Are you missing him already?" she asks, her voice gentle yet knowing.
I shake my head slowly, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "No... I'm proud, really proud of him. He's walking the right path, chasing that dream of his with everything he has. That's all I could ever ask for."
Lily nods, her eyes shining with warmth. "You're right. He's a good kid, and he'll make us proud."
Standing up, I stretch again and walk toward the door, the morning light casting long shadows across the room. Before stepping out, I glance back at Lily, feeling a surge of motivation. "So, as his father, I can't just stay lazy, can I?"
Lily smiles brightly. "Of course not. You've got a village to protect," she teases, though her eyes are filled with pride.
Just then, an idea strikes me, and I turn back to her, grinning. "Hey, I've got an idea. How about we throw a party for the entire village when Kai clears the entrance exam? You know, to celebrate."
Lily's eyes light up with excitement, and she jumps from her seat. "Absolutely! That's a great idea! We could invite everyone, cook up a feast, and even have a bonfire. It'll be like a festival!"
Her enthusiasm makes me chuckle. "Heh, you're already planning it out, huh?"
"Of course! Our son's going to make it, and when he does, we'll show the whole village how proud we are," Lily says, her excitement contagious.
As I stand there, watching her talk animatedly about the party plans, a sense of peace settles over me. Kai has chosen his path, and though it's long and filled with challenges, I know he'll find his way. And when he does, we'll be here, cheering him on—every step of the way.
I head out, ready to face the day, my heart lighter than before. The village needs me, and so does my son—whether he realizes it or not.