Scene 1: Preparing to Leave
The estate buzzed with quiet urgency as servants loaded carriages under the cover of night. Leon sat in his room, watching as Cecily carefully folded a few of his belongings into a trunk.
"Do you think this will be enough?" Leon asked softly, his hands resting protectively over his stomach.
Cecily glanced at him, her expression warm but firm. "It's not about what we take, Leon. It's about getting you and the baby to safety."
Leon nodded, though his heart felt heavy. "I hate leaving."
"I know," Cecily said, kneeling beside him. "But you have to trust us. Edwin and Bjorn will handle things here. Nathan and I will make sure you're safe."
Leon's lips pressed into a thin line. "I'm tired of needing to be protected."
"That doesn't make you weak," Cecily said gently. "It makes you human. And it makes us love you even more."
Leon smiled faintly, his chest aching with gratitude. "Thank you, Cecily. For everything."
Cecily reached out, squeezing his hand. "Always."
---
Scene 2: The Departure
The carriages were lined up near the edge of the estate, hidden beneath a canopy of trees. Nathan stood near the lead carriage, speaking quietly with Edwin and Bjorn.
"Once we cross the border, the Holy Kingdom's influence will protect us," Nathan said. "But the journey there will be the most dangerous part."
Bjorn frowned, his gaze hard. "We'll make sure they don't follow."
Edwin nodded. "The decoys should buy us enough time. But if anything goes wrong—"
"It won't," Nathan interrupted firmly, his voice calm but commanding. "We've planned for this. We'll get them there safely."
Bjorn placed a hand on Nathan's shoulder, his expression softening. "Be careful."
Nathan turned to him, a small smile tugging at his lips. "You worry too much."
"Because I have good reason to," Bjorn murmured, pulling Nathan into a brief but fierce embrace. "Come back to me."
"I will," Nathan promised, his voice steady. "And I'll bring Leon and the baby back too."
---
Scene 3: A Midnight Journey
The carriages rolled slowly through the forest, the creak of wheels and the distant hoot of an owl the only sounds in the quiet night. Inside the carriage, Leon sat beside Nathan, with Cecily across from them. The tension in the air was palpable, each of them acutely aware of the danger they faced.
"You're quiet," Nathan said, his voice gentle.
Leon glanced at him, offering a faint smile. "I'm just... trying to keep calm."
Nathan nodded, his expression understanding. "That's good. You're stronger than you think, Leon."
"I don't feel strong," Leon admitted, his voice trembling. "I feel like I'm running away."
"You're protecting your child," Nathan said firmly. "That's not running. That's courage."
Leon looked down, his hands tightening around his cloak. "I just wish... I wish Atlas was here."
Nathan's gaze softened, but he didn't reply. Instead, he reached out, placing a comforting hand over Leon's. "You're not alone, Leon. Remember that."
Leon nodded, his throat tight. "Thank you."
---
Scene 4: A Narrow Escape
As they approached the border, the tension in the carriages grew thicker. Nathan leaned out the window, his sharp eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of danger. Cecily held Leon's hand tightly, her grip a silent reassurance.
Suddenly, the carriage jolted to a stop. The driver's voice called back, low and urgent. "There's movement ahead."
Nathan was out of the carriage in an instant, his posture tense. Bjorn's decoys were supposed to keep the Fleur agents occupied, but if they were already at the border...
"What do you see?" Cecily asked, peering out the window.
Nathan frowned, his voice low. "A patrol. Small, but it could mean more are nearby."
"What do we do?" Leon asked, his heart pounding.
Nathan turned back to them, his expression calm but determined. "Stay in the carriage. If anything happens, follow Cecily's lead."
Cecily nodded, her hand tightening around Leon's. "We'll be fine."
Nathan moved swiftly to the front of the line, speaking quietly with the guards accompanying them. The patrol was close, but not close enough to see them yet. They would have to wait, silently, until the threat passed.
---
Scene 5: Safe, for Now
It felt like an eternity before the carriages began moving again. Leon exhaled a shaky breath, his heart still racing. Cecily gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, her own tension visible in the tight line of her jaw.
"We're almost there," Nathan said softly as he reentered the carriage. His calm presence was a balm to their frayed nerves.
"Are they still following?" Leon asked.
"No," Nathan replied. "But we need to keep moving."
Leon nodded, his gaze dropping to his lap. "Thank you, Nathan. For everything."
Nathan smiled gently. "You don't have to thank me, Leon. You're family."
---
Scene 6: Arrival in the Holy Kingdom
The first rays of dawn broke over the horizon as the carriages rolled into a secluded estate nestled in the heart of the Holy Kingdom. The air was crisp and still, the tension of the journey finally beginning to ease.
Leon stepped out of the carriage, his legs trembling slightly. Cecily was at his side in an instant, steadying him. "Careful," she said softly.
"I'm fine," Leon murmured, though his voice was weary.
Nathan approached, his expression warm. "This is where we'll stay for now. It's safe, and it's well-guarded."
Leon looked around, his heart aching with a mixture of relief and longing. "Safe," he repeated softly. "For now."