DARIUS DRAYLENPOV
The soft crackle of the fire filled the room as Darius leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the glowing embers. Evelina stood near the window, her arms crossed lightly over her chest as she watched the moonlit gardens below. The weight of their earlier conversation lingered between them, unspoken but palpable.
"We should keep it hidden," Evelina said finally, her voice breaking the silence. She turned to face Darius, her expression composed but her eyes sharp. "The world doesn't need to know about his ranks. Not yet. No one outside this family can find out until he's in the academy."
Darius exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening as he considered her words. "Agreed," he said, his tone firm. "It's too dangerous otherwise. Outside the academy, there's nothing to shield him from those who would exploit his potential—or destroy him before he becomes a threat."
Evelina nodded, stepping closer to the hearth. "But once he's accepted, the academy will protect him," she continued. "Their rules, their walls… they'll ensure he has the time and space he needs to grow into his strength."
"Time and space won't be enough," Darius said, his voice low but resolute. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Kael will need to learn faster than anyone else. If he doesn't, all the protection in the world won't save him. His life is what's at stake, Evelina. One mistake, one moment of weakness, and it could all be over for him."
Evelina's gaze softened slightly, though her tone remained steady. "He will," she said.
"You saw it in training, Darius. He's stronger than we gave him credit for. Because we created distance between us, he's been striving for more strength—pushing himself harder than we could have ever forced him to."
"Is he?" Darius asked, his voice sharp with doubt. He straightened, his piercing eyes locking onto hers. "We've kept our distance, Evelina. We've let him struggle, let him feel the weight of failure so that he would push himself harder. But that doesn't guarantee he'll succeed."
"No," Evelina admitted, her voice softening. She moved to sit on the edge of the bed, smoothing the folds of her gown as she spoke. "But it's the best chance he has. Without that pressure, he might not have fought as hard as he has."
Darius was silent for a long moment, his thoughts a turbulent mix of pride and
apprehension. He had always believed that strength was forged in adversity, that only those who endured the fire could emerge unbroken. It was a belief rooted in his own upbringing—a childhood marked by discipline and relentless expectations. His father had been an unforgiving man, one who saw affection as weakness and failure as an opportunity for growth. There had been no warmth, no solace in moments of doubt, only the unyielding push to be stronger, better, unbreakable.
He had emerged from that fire tempered and formidable, but at a cost he rarely allowed himself to acknowledge. And now, with Kael, he found himself repeating the same pattern. But Kael was more than a soldier in training—he was their son. And in the quiet of the night, that truth weighed heavier than he was willing to admit.
"He can never know the full extent of our plans," Darius said finally, his voice low but firm. "Not until it's time for him to face the world outside these walls. If he learns too soon why we've kept our distance, it could undo everything."
Evelina sighed, the sound barely audible, and leaned back slightly. She looked at Darius for a long moment before speaking again. "Even if he wasn't our son by blood, Darius," she said quietly, her tone firm but tender, "he is still our son. In every way that matters."
Darius's gaze softened briefly as her words settled over him. "I know that, Evelina," he said, his voice low but resolute.
they both knew the path they had chosen would not be without its cost.
KAEL DRAYLEN POV
Kael's eyes fluttered open as the pale morning light filtered through the sheer curtains of his room. The familiar sounds of the household waking up—the soft clatter of dishes in the kitchen, the distant hum of the staff—greeted him. He attempted to stretch, but the sharp ache in his muscles quickly reminded him of the grueling training session the day before. His shoulders protested with every movement, and his legs felt as though they had been weighed down with lead.
A soft, melodic voice resonated in his mind, though the words were far from gentle.
"You look like crap," Naraiea remarked dryly. "Rough night?"
Kael groaned, rolling his eyes as he sat up. "Good morning to you too," he muttered. "It wasn't the night—it was yesterday's training."
"I see," she said, her tone carrying faint amusement. "And here I thought you'd wake up ready to take on the world. Guess not."
Kael smirked despite himself as he swung his legs over the side of the bed. "I'm just sore," he said. "Not dead. I'll be fine."
"If you say so," Naraiea replied, her voice softening just slightly. "Let's hope today doesn't finish the job."
He shook his head with a faint smile, moving toward the basin by the window. Splashing cool water on his face, he felt the chill jolt him awake. He quickly dried off and headed out, leaving his room behind.
The corridors were quiet as he made his way through the mansion, appreciating the stillness of the early morning. As he approached the training room, a faint hum of energy resonated in the air—the steady pulse of the magical technology that powered the space. Kael pushed open the heavy door and stepped inside.
The training hall buzzed faintly with life, a marvel of magical technology designed for combat and precision. Smooth metallic walls shimmered faintly with embedded runic circuits; their glow synchronized with the energy coursing through the room. Training modules lined one side of the space, their surfaces glowing faintly with dormant power. The adaptive floor beneath his feet shifted slightly, designed to absorb impacts and enhance agility during the most intense sparring sessions.
Kael's eyes immediately found his father near the center of the room. Darius stood waiting, clad in his tailored sparring uniform, his posture rigid and commanding. What caught Kael off guard, however, was the figure standing beside Darius.
It was Elara