One day, Eryndor arrived at the palace at 1 PM.
"Welcome, King," the guards greeted him as he passed the entry gate of the palace.
Eryndor entered, greeted by the warmth of the palace and the attentive maids who had prepared a hot bath and decorated the dining table just for him.
Before he indulged in either, he turned to a maid. "Is Aeris asleep?"
The maid, her face flushed, avoided his gaze and nervously said, "Uh... I think she is, Your Majesty."
Eryndor muttered under his breath, "This doesn't look good. She's going to kill me." Sweat dotted his brow as he hastened toward his bedroom.
Isolde watched from a distance, the cool bitterness in her eyes reflecting a storm brewing inside her. There was no softness left in her, only frustration—directed at Aeris. She had always known the princess's intentions were selfish, and yet the feeling that came to mind when she thought of Aeris was far more complicated.
When Eryndor reached his room, the door stood ajar. He paused, peeking inside, but saw no one. His heart pounded as he stepped cautiously in, scanning the room.
Then, the door slammed shut behind him with a violent thud.
"Great. Just perfect," Eryndor groaned, collapsing against the door, a bead of sweat running down his temple. When he turned, his breath hitched.
Aeris stood before him, her expression unreadable. Her eyes were wide, but they were cold—no warmth, no softness. There was only quiet fury behind her gaze.
"Welcome back… I think," she said, her voice a strange mix of mockery and something else. She pulled him into a tight hug, her grip firm and unyielding.
"Wait, wait, let me explain! It wasn't like that! When we were about to leave Noctheris, someone stopped us. I just stayed a little longer to see how they and the humans are living together—"
Aeris inhaled deeply, burying her nose against his neck, taking in his scent. "Sniff... sniff... A woman's scent...…" she murmured, her voice thick with accusation. "Your sweat mixed with something else…" Her voice trailed off, growing dangerously quiet.
"Wait! Don't smell me! I'm filthy!" Eryndor protested, his face flushed with embarrassment as he struggled in her embrace.
"Don't worry," she said, her tone taking on a playful edge, "I'll lick you clean. Your body, my rules, remember? By the way, our daughter mentioned she wants to be a big sister soon."
Eryndor froze. "Wait! No, no, I didn't do anything with her!" he scrambled to explain, but the words barely left his mouth before he was pushed onto the bed by her forceful, determined hands.
Aeris paused as she began to undress, her eyes narrowing. "If you don't believe me, why don't we see with our bodies?" Her voice was teasing, yet there was an intensity there—a need that was both frightening and intoxicating.
"Wait! I'm dirty. Don't you feel dirty?" Eryndor stammered, his hands raised in half-hearted defense.
"Don't worry. It's not about dirt. It's about you. All of you," she replied with a smirk, her eyes glinting with mischief.
Eryndor closed his eyes in resignation. "You're so damn cunning. You made that whole story up yourself."
Aeris smiled triumphantly. "I knew you'd figure it out." She lowered herself down on him, silencing any further protests with a kiss that was both tender and consuming.
Five months later:
"Mommy, is it going to be a brother or a little sister?" Aerina asked as she hugged her mother's round belly, her small hands pressing against the growing life within.
Aeris smiled down at her daughter, her hands brushing through her hair. "That's a surprise, sweetheart."
"I can't wait!" Aerina chirped, her excitement practically bursting out of her.
Aeris gave her a warm smile. "I can't wait either, and I know your father feels the same way."
Just then, Eryndor entered, breathing heavily as though he'd been rushing. He walked over to Aeris and placed his ear gently against her belly.
"Daddy, I want to listen too!" Aerina tugged at his tunic, looking up at him with wide eyes.
"Of course, my princess. Here, come closer." Eryndor said, lifting Aerina into his arms and guiding her ear to her mother's belly.
Aeris beamed as Eryndor spun with Aerina in his arms. "Daddy's girl," he said with a soft laugh, twirling her around before setting her back down.
"Wait! You'll both fall!" Aeris shouted, her voice full of playful concern.
Their laughter echoed through the room, and for a brief moment, the world outside the palace seemed to vanish. From the window of the adjacent room, Isolde stood watching them, her gaze sharp and intense. Her hand unconsciously scratched at her arm, the pressure growing until her skin began to bleed.
A month later:
"Look, Daddy! I have a little brother!" Aerina exclaimed, her joy shining as she proudly showed off her newborn sibling.
Eryndor hugged her tightly. "Congratulations, my girl," he said, his voice thick with emotion.
Aeris lay in bed, her face peaceful as the maids bustled around her, taking care of the newborn. Aerina was happily playing with her little brother while their grandmother cradled him lovingly.
In a quiet moment, Eryndor sat beside Aeris, a contented sigh escaping him. "Aeris, thank you for being the mother of my children. I'm the happiest man in the world."
Aeris smiled, her eyes twinkling with affection. "Don't say anything. Just get ready for tonight. I don't think you'll be getting much sleep."
She pulled him closer, kissing him deeply. Their lips met in a kiss that was both playful and desperate, a mixture of love and a need for reassurance.
Some days later, Aeris and Aerina were playing in the garden when their ball rolled behind a tree.
"Wait here, Mommy. I'll go get it," Aerina said, running toward the trees.
Aeris nodded, but the moment her daughter disappeared behind the trees, a flicker of unease crept into her expression.
Aerina checked behind four trees. When she reached the fifth, her hand was suddenly grabbed.
"You idiot! Didn't I tell you not to come here?" Isolde's voice was sharp, her grip tightening on Aerina's collar. Her eyes were wild, filled with an intensity that had been buried beneath layers of bitterness.
Aerina's eyes widened with fear, her voice trembling. "I-I'm sorry....…" She pulled away quickly and ran back to her mother, leaving the ball forgotten behind the tree.
"Mom, why is Miss Isolde so mean to me? Doesn't she like me?" Aerina clung to her mother, her face buried in Aeris's clothes.
Aeris knelt, brushing her hair out of her face. "I think she loves you more than you know. Sometimes, people act mean because they're afraid to show how much they care."
Aeris gave a soft, understanding look toward Isolde, who stood behind the tree, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Isolde turned away, but not before her eyes lingered on Aeris for a moment too long."Bitch, she's watching me as if I'm supposed to take all her suffering."
Six months later, before the battle with Valens:
"Dad, promise me you'll come back safely," Aerina begged, holding tightly to Eryndor's legs, her voice shaking with fear.
"I'll be back safe and sound. Then we'll all play together—me, you, Mom, and your brother," Eryndor promised, bending down to kiss her forehead.
"Please… don't die. I'm begging you," Aeris whispered softly, holding their son close to her chest.
"I'll be back. That's a promise," Eryndor said, his voice thick with emotion as he left for the battlefield.
Back on the battlefield, Eryndor collapsed, blood dripping from his mouth as he struggled to stand. His body screamed in pain, his strength nearly gone.
Valens closed the distance, striking with ruthless precision—left hook, right hook, a roundhouse kick to the face.
"What's happening? My body….... it won't respond," Eryndor thought, falling to the ground again, blood staining the earth beneath him.
At home, Aerina played joyfully with her baby brother, laughing. "Hey, Mom! Look! My brother's smiling! I can't wait for Dad to come back!" she cheered, completely unaware of the battle raging on.
Aeris stood at the window, her hands clenched into fists as she stared out, waiting for the return of the man she loved.
In the battlefield, the air was thick with tension as Valens approached Eryndor, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure.
"Ohhh, you can still move," Valens sneered, kicking Eryndor's spine with brutal force, the sickening crack echoing through the field.
Eryndor's scream rang out, a raw sound of agony that seemed to shake the very earth beneath him.
"That bastard, why is he torturing him?" Nitin muttered through gritted teeth, his fists clenched in rage.
"Oh, look. The boss is having fun," Stormbraker chuckled, his voice full of cruel amusement.
As the pain surged through his body, Eryndor's thoughts flickered to his family—his daughter, his son, and his beloved wife. Their faces danced before his eyes, giving him the strength to fight back the darkness creeping in.
"No, I can't die. I promised them... I'll play with my children," Eryndor thought desperately, summoning the last of his strength. With a final surge of will, he grabbed Valens' leg, glaring up at him with a fierce, burning gaze.
"You're a determined man. What keeps you going, I wonder?" Valens mused, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "Is it this pendant?"
Before Eryndor could respond, Valens kicked him square in the face, sending him sprawling. He then ripped the pendant from his neck, holding it up mockingly.
"Don't you dare touch it, you bastard!" Eryndor growled, his broken spine searing with agony as he still struggled to cling to Valens' legs.
Valens chuckled darkly. "Oh, your hands are still strong, aren't they?" He seized Eryndor's hands, twisting them mercilessly, and began to break each finger, one by one.
"Ahhhhhhh!" Eryndor's scream was raw and desperate, but his eyes remained fixed on Valens with undying resolve, refusing to let his torment break him.
"Haaaaa... haaaaa," Valens chuckled, his sadistic laughter filling the air. "That served him right."
The onlookers laughed along, all except for Ethan and his friends, who stood in grim silence. They knew something others were too blind to see.
Valens' smirk grew wider as he leaned in closer. "What do we have here? Your wife... she's gorgeous. Damn, I can't wait to make her mine. She'll be mine." His voice dripped with venomous lust.
"Don't you dare, you bastard!" Eryndor screamed through clenched teeth, still struggling against the pain. With a surge of defiance, he sank his teeth into Valens' leg, but the armor didn't even budge.
Valens smirked, unfazed by the pitiful attempt. "Keep fighting, Eryndor. You're making this so much more fun."