Kael sat in the corner of his small home, the dim light of the oil lamp casting soft shadows against the walls. His eyes were fixed on Flora, who was now perched on the windowsill, gazing out at the night sky. The moonlight illuminated her delicate features, and the soft rustling of her petal-like wings filled the otherwise silent room.
He still couldn't quite wrap his mind around what had happened. A flower had turned into a little girl who now called him "Papa." It was so out of place in his world of shadows, where everything was calculated, cold, and precise. But as Flora hummed softly, her tiny voice mingling with the sound of the wind, Kael realized something. For the first time in a long while, his world wasn't just about missions or survival—it was about something pure. Something innocent. And he found, to his surprise, that he was beginning to enjoy it.
"Papa!" Flora's voice broke through his thoughts, and Kael turned his head to see her hopping off the windowsill and running toward him with excitement. "Can we go outside tomorrow? I want to see all the flowers! I bet there are lots of pretty ones!"
Kael raised an eyebrow, his usual stoic expression never faltering. "Outside? It's dangerous outside."
Flora paused mid-step, looking up at him with wide, curious eyes. "Dangerous?" she repeated, her voice full of innocence. "But Papa, flowers are outside! Don't you want to see the flowers with me?"
Kael stared at her for a long moment. He had never been one to enjoy the outdoors much. His life had always been about staying hidden, keeping to the shadows. The world beyond the walls of his home was filled with danger, and he'd spent years avoiding it. But as he looked into Flora's hopeful face, something stirred inside him.
"Flowers are outside," he muttered, more to himself than to her. He looked away, his mind racing. This wasn't just about him anymore. Flora was different. She wasn't scared of the world. She saw beauty in it.
"Okay," he said, surprising even himself. "Tomorrow, we'll go outside. But you need to stay close to me, understand?"
Flora clapped her hands in delight, her wings fluttering behind her. "I'll stay close, Papa! I promise! We'll find the most beautiful flowers!"
The next morning, Kael found himself standing outside his door, dressed in his usual black outfit, though he felt oddly out of place. Flora, on the other hand, looked like she had just stepped out of a dream. She was wearing a soft, pale green dress that fluttered in the breeze, her hair adorned with tiny, colorful blossoms. She looked like something out of a fairytale.
"Ready, Papa?" Flora asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Kael glanced at her, his usual seriousness softening at the sight of her. "Ready," he replied, though his voice was laced with uncertainty.
The two of them set off through the quiet streets, Kael keeping a close eye on their surroundings. He had always been alert, always aware of potential threats, but today—today, his focus was split. Flora's joyful chatter filled the air, her excitement palpable as she pointed out every little thing that caught her eye. A bird perched on a fence. A butterfly fluttering by. A garden blooming with flowers of every color. To Kael, it was all background noise, but to Flora, it was a world full of wonder.
At first, Kael kept his distance, watching Flora with the same careful attention he gave to his missions. But as the hours passed, something began to change. He found himself enjoying the walk. Her laughter was infectious, and the way she would spin around, her wings fluttering as if she were dancing with the wind, made Kael's lips curl into the smallest of smiles.
Eventually, they came across a field of wildflowers, their colors so vibrant that they seemed to glow in the sunlight. Flora's eyes widened in awe as she raced ahead, her tiny feet barely touching the ground as she ran through the tall grass. Kael couldn't help but follow, a part of him drawn to the simplicity of the scene, the peacefulness of it.
"This is the best place ever!" Flora exclaimed, her arms spread wide as she twirled in the field. "Look at all the flowers, Papa! There are so many! Do you like them?"
Kael stood at the edge of the field, watching her with a soft expression. "They're beautiful," he said, his voice quiet.
Flora stopped twirling and turned to him, her face beaming. "I knew you would like them! We should come here every day, Papa. We'll pick flowers and make crowns, and we'll dance in the wind!"
Kael's heart swelled unexpectedly. This was not the life he had known. It was not the life of an assassin. It was simple, carefree, and filled with light. For a moment, just a brief moment, he allowed himself to forget everything—his past, his mission, his reputation—and he just enjoyed the moment.
"You're right," Kael said quietly, stepping forward into the field. "We'll come here again."
Flora grinned, her eyes sparkling. "I'm so glad, Papa!" she said, running to him and grabbing his hand. "You're the best Papa ever!"
As they stood in the middle of the wildflower field, hand in hand, Kael felt a warmth in his chest that he hadn't felt in years. He wasn't just an assassin anymore. He was something else too—a protector, a guide, a father.
And as Flora began to pick flowers to make a crown for him, Kael couldn't help but smile. This, he realized, was the most peaceful mission of all.
End of Chapter 2