After Alethion and Meralin finished talking about the events that took place during his absence, he left the bath wearing a light robe, still troubled by the mysterious scar on his chest.
He knew there was one person who might have the answer... Elenia, his elderly caretaker, who had been with him since childhood and knew every detail of his life, even more than he knew about himself.
He headed to the living room where Elenia was quietly sitting in her usual chair, busy folding some clothes. When she saw him, she smiled warmly and said, "You've taken good care of yourself this time, no new wounds to show."
He stopped in front of her, looked at her for a moment, then said in a calm voice with a hint of seriousness: "Elenia, there's something I need to ask you."
She raised an eyebrow slightly, then nodded for him to continue.
Alethion took a deep breath before pulling part of his robe aside, pointing to the scar in the center of his chest, then asked: "This... when did I get it?"
Elenia frowned slightly, then approached him, examining the scar as if seeing it for the first time. She extended her aged hand and gently touched it with her fingertips before raising her gaze to Alethion, confusion visible on her face.
"But... this is impossible..." she whispered to herself.
Alethion narrowed his eyes and asked her with concern, "What do you mean?"
She looked at him seriously and said, "I've taken care of all your wounds since you were a child, and I know the cause of every scar on your body... but this one? I've never seen it before."
Alethion felt a slight chill running through his body, even though the room was warm.
"Impossible..." he murmured, running his fingers over the scar again. "It's been there for years, how didn't you notice it?"
Elenia shook her head, her eyes filled with worry. "I don't know... but I'm sure it wasn't there when you were a child, nor even after your first battles."
Her words sparked a new wave of doubt in Alethion's mind. If even Elenia didn't know about this scar, where did it come from? And why couldn't he remember it?
He paused for a moment, then said quietly, "Elenia... do you think there's something that's been hidden from me?"
She looked at him with eyes full of more than just concern, but genuine fear, and then spoke softly, "I don't know, my son... but perhaps it's time for you to search for the answers yourself."
Alethion made his way to his luxurious bedroom, a reflection of his status as the kingdom's greatest hero. The room was spacious with a high ceiling, a crystal chandelier hanging down, reflecting the light of torches mounted on the walls, decorated with golden engravings.
The large bed in the center of the room was made from dark ebony wood, topped with royal blue silk covers embroidered with symbols of the sun and light—emblems of his glory and victories. On either side of the bed were small tables holding softly lit candles, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere.
Alethion sat on the edge of the bed, staring into space for a few moments, before turning to Meralin, who was sitting beside him and had noticed something of concern in his eyes.
He sighed a little, then said in a calm voice, "I spoke to Elenia... but she confirmed that she doesn't know anything about this wound."
Meralin seemed surprised for a moment, but then she furrowed her brow with concern, "But... Elenia knows everything about you, how could she not notice such an obvious wound?"
Alethion shook his head and continued with a hesitant tone, "That's what worries me... if she doesn't know, then where did I get it? And why can't I remember it? I feel like part of my memory is missing, as if there's a gap I can't fill."
Meralin placed her hand on his, trying to calm him, and then said softly, "My dear, you've been through countless battles and suffered many injuries. It's natural not to remember every single one... maybe it was just an old injury you forgot amidst the chaos of war."
Alethion looked at her for a moment, then exhaled slowly. He knew Meralin was trying to comfort him, but he couldn't shake the deep sense of anxiety growing inside him.
Still, he didn't want to stir up more worries, so he smiled faintly before lying back on the bed, wrapping his arms around his wife.
"Maybe... maybe you're right," he whispered softly, feeling the warmth of Meralin's body in his arms, slowly drifting off to sleep... but even in his slumber, that mysterious feeling remained, whispering to him that there were secrets buried in his past, waiting to be uncovered.
The next morning, Alethion woke to the sound of Elenia opening the heavy curtains of the room, allowing the golden sunlight to seep in, filling the room with a warm glow. The cold winds played with the silk curtains while the morning light cast long shadows on the decorated walls.
"My young lord, it's time to wake up," Elenia said in her calm yet firm voice, exactly as he had heard it since his childhood. "Your wife and children are waiting for you at the breakfast table."
Alethion stretched slightly on the bed, fighting off the remnants of sleep, then sat up, running his hand through his dark hair. He glanced at his caretaker with a look of gratitude, but he soon heard her clap her hands twice, and immediately the door opened. Three of the half-human maids entered with quiet steps.
They carried freshly prepared clothes and laid them carefully on the bed: a long-sleeved black shirt embroidered with silver threads, dark leather pants, and sturdy boots fit for a man accustomed to battle.
After placing the clothes, they bowed respectfully and left the room as quietly as they entered, while Elenia added before she left, "Don't keep them waiting too long, my lord."
She closed the door behind her, leaving Alethion alone in the room, looking at his clothes for a moment before rising, ready to begin a new day, while the thoughts of his mysterious wound still lingered in his mind.
Alethion left his room after a few moments, heading toward the dining room through a long, bright corridor adorned with luxury and elegance. The walls were pure white, decorated with intricate golden engravings that told tales of ancient heroic deeds. Large windows lined the hallway, allowing sunlight to flow freely, making the place bright and full of life.
Through the windows, the sprawling green gardens surrounding the palace were clearly visible, with blossoming trees and flowers swaying gently in the refreshing morning breeze, while some knights could be seen practicing in the back courtyards.
Inside the corridor, male and female servants, most of whom were half-humans, worked diligently in various places. Some carried trays of food and drinks to their destinations, while others cleaned the marble floors or rearranged antiques and curtains. Everything was happening with perfect discipline, as if the palace itself were alive in perfect harmony.
The sound of Alethion's footsteps on the white marble floor filled the hallway with a soft echo as he continued toward the dining room, where his family awaited him.
He arrived at the dining room, where the luxurious breakfast table stretched across the center of the hall, covered with a white tablecloth embroidered with golden threads. The dishes were carefully arranged, with the scents of fresh bread, honey, fruits, and fine foods filling the air, while scented candles added a warm touch to the atmosphere.
With quiet steps, Alethion approached and greeted each member of his family personally, causing smiles of happiness to appear on their faces.
"Good morning, Meralin," he said warmly, looking at his wife, who greeted him back with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling as if she had fallen in love with him all over again.
He then looked at his young daughter, Elora, who was sitting on her chair, gently swaying as she watched him excitedly.
"Good morning, little one," he said, patting her head, making her laugh joyfully and reply, "Good morning, Daddy! I missed you!"
Finally, his gaze turned to his son, Kaelor, who was sitting upright in his seat, trying to hide his excitement but not quite succeeding.
"Kaelor, how are you this morning?"
"I'm fine, Father," Kaelor answered with a proud smile, trying to appear mature in front of his father.
Alethion finally sat at the head of the table, close to his wife, who looked at him with admiration and fascination, as if she were seeing the man she had fallen in love with for the first time. The scene was warm, with the legendary hero surrounded by his most cherished ones in the world—his family.
During breakfast, Alethion turned to his son Kaelor and asked in a calm voice, though with clear interest:
"So, how's your studies going? Have you been diligent while I was away?"
Kaelor lifted his head enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling with pride, then confidently replied:
"I've completed everything, Father. I finished everything my teacher asked, and I've finished the entire curriculum."
His eyebrows raised slightly as he added with even greater enthusiasm:
"I'm ready to learn magic and sword fighting now!"
Alethion paused for a moment, then smiled with pride, as he saw the spark of ambition in his son's eyes, a spark similar to the one he had in his youth. But he didn't let that make him lenient, so he changed his expression to seriousness and said in a calm but firm tone:
"That's not an easy thing, Kaelor."
Kaelor's eyes gleamed, as though he had expected this response, but Alethion continued before he could reply:
"But you've shown determination, and that's something to be praised. I'll find you excellent teachers, among the best in the kingdom, so you can truly become strong."
Kaelor's face lit up with enthusiasm, and he nodded vigorously, saying:
"I promise I won't disappoint you, Father!"
Alethion looked at him reassuringly, then returned to his meal, while Meralin watched their interaction with a small smile, grateful to see the strong bond between father and son growing before her eyes.