Leone smiled warmly at Elowyn's wide-eyed surprise as he explained the significance of the Sky Slayer and the upcoming party.
"There's someone that powerful? I never imagined the outside world could have such people," Elowyn murmured in awe.
Leone chuckled gently.
"In time, you'll come to know more about this world. But don't let it burden you. It's not something you need to worry about just yet."
Suddenly, his expression grew serious. "After the party, I plan to formally introduce you to the 1st Lord and explain your situation."
"Huh?" Elowyn's face paled. "B-But—"
Ashan immediately turned to his father, his face grave.
"Father, is it really necessary to tell him about Elowyn?"
Leone nodded firmly.
"Yes. This is something he needs to know. Don't worry, Elowyn. The 1st Lord is a kind and trustworthy man. He might even be able to help you."
Elowyn hesitated but then offered a small smile.
"If you say so, then... I'll come." But fear lingered in her eyes.
Leone stood up and moved to sit beside her. He gently patted her head, his touch comforting.
"You're truly scared, aren't you? If you don't want to go, I won't force you. You can stay here."
Elowyn quickly shook her head.
"No, it's okay. I'll come. I... I want to see new things."
Leone smiled proudly. "That's a brave girl. Facing your fears head-on is the first step to overcoming them."
Elowyn nodded, her smile growing a little steadier.
"By the way," Leone asked, changing the subject, "how was your horse ride? You didn't get hurt, did you? That stubborn horse is unpredictable."
"It was fine," Elowyn assured him. "I actually enjoyed it."
"Hmm, is that so? What I find fascinating is how that high-headed horse allowed you to ride it. He's never let anyone other than Ashan near him."
Both Ashan and Elowyn exchanged awkward smiles, avoiding Leone's gaze.
Leone didn't press further and instead shifted the conversation. "I have some happy news to share."
"What is it, Father?" Ashan asked, intrigued.
"You remember I once told you about your grandfather when you were younger?"
"Yes," Ashan nodded. "You said he was your father."
Leone's expression softened. "After your grandmother passed away, he had a hard time coping. Two years before you were born, he said his goodbyes and left for Shenzurai. Since then, we haven't heard from him, and I didn't try to find him. But yesterday, I received a letter. He said he'll be arriving tomorrow."
"That's wonderful news!" Ashan exclaimed. "Does Mother know?"
"Yes," Leone said, smiling. "She's thrilled. She always treated him like her own father."
"Does Grandfather know about me?"
Leone shook his head. "No, he doesn't. So tomorrow will be special. Are you excited?"
Ashan grinned. "I am. Is Grandfather powerful?"
Leone nodded. "He's a high sword master, like me. He was also an excellent leader. I've always followed in his footsteps."
"How old is he now?"
"This year, he'll turn 79."
Elowyn hesitated before speaking up.
"Um... Uncle, will my presence cause trouble when he comes here?"
"Of course not," Leone reassured her. "He's very kind. You don't need to worry."
Leone glanced at the clock and turned to Ashan. "It's afternoon. Both of you should go and have lunch."
…
That night, Ashan lay on his bed, his eyes closed, basking in the calm of the night. The faint moonlight streamed into the room, making his skin glow faintly.
"Grandfather," he murmured to himself. "Tomorrow will be special. I can sense something significant will happen. If he's coming from Shenzurai, he must've achieved something remarkable."
With a quiet sigh, Ashan turned his head to the side, only to find Elowyn sleeping next to him. She was in a deep sleep, facing his direction.
"Why is she sleeping here?" he wondered, frowning slightly. "Is she really that scared to sleep alone? Or... is there another reason? It feels like she's trying to stay close to me. Could it be her animal instincts?"
Ashan frowned, the thought troubling him. "If that's the case, it might cause problems in the future."
He looked at her serene, glowing face. A pang of sadness stirred in his chest.
"I feel bad for her," he thought. "Even though she's safe here, she's far from her kind. At her age, she should be with others, learning and growing. What I fear most is..."
He stopped himself, staring at her face. Then, he smiled faintly.
"I'm worrying too much. I'll give everything to make things right. For now, I'll leave the rest to time."
His gaze shifted to his guitar resting against the wall.
"It's true that I wanted to introduce new things to this world. The guitar was just the first step—something harmless. But I'll need to be more cautious with my future inventions."
Suddenly, Elowyn shifted in her sleep, wrapping her arms tightly around him. Her soft breaths brushed against his face.
"What the... what is she doing? Is she trying to crush me?"
Ashan instinctively activated his eye power, examining her aura.
"Oh... she's dreaming. It doesn't look like a good one, either." He sighed, debating his next move. "What should I do? Let's just move her."
Yet, he didn't budge. Instead, he kept watching her, the memories of his past lives flashing in his mind. He recalled the warmth of holding his children while they slept.
Without realizing it, he slowly hugged Elowyn back, a bittersweet smile on his face.
"She's not my child," he thought, "but the feeling is the same. Hugging her once won't hurt, right? Just this once."
The night passed quietly, the weight of decisions and unknown futures hanging in the air.
Little did Ashan know, this simple act of comfort would ripple through his future, shaking the solitude he had once embraced.
To Be Continued...