The Mother's Vigil
The night had settled peacefully over the frozen plains, the soft hush of snow blanketing the world outside. Inside the carriage, all was quiet. The rooms were warmed by subtle enchantments, and the only sound was the rhythmic breathing of those fast asleep.
Alea stirred.
Despite her still-recovering body, her mana sense was sharp. She'd awoken with a strange feeling in her chest—something missing.
Lyra.
She looked over to the bed where her daughter had fallen asleep beside her earlier. Empty. The blanket was crumpled, faint warmth still lingering.
Brows furrowing, Alea slipped on her cloak and stepped into the hallway of the spacious carriage.
Soft footsteps carried her past the rooms—until she reached one with golden lamplight faintly leaking through a curtained window.
Curious, she peeked inside.
Her brows lifted.
There, on the large bed, lay Noah Von Augustus—asleep, yet buried beneath a tangle of limbs and long hair.
Lyra lay on his left, head nuzzled into his shoulder.
Scarlett was tucked under his right arm, one leg flung over his torso.
Layla… was sprawled on top of him like a lazy cat, her cheek squished against his chest, drooling slightly.
Alea blinked.
A strange blend of emotions surged through her—amusement, annoyance, and something suspiciously like relief.
She raised a hand, eyes glowing faintly with bluish mana.
"Noah Von Augustus," her voice echoed directly into his mind, "We need to talk."
Inside the room, Noah's eyes snapped open like he'd heard the Devil whisper his name.
A bead of sweat rolled down his temple.
He glanced to both sides.
Girls. Everywhere.
Shit.
With the grace of a trained assassin, he gently untangled himself from Scarlett's grip, slowly peeled Layla off his chest (earning a sleepy grumble), and placed a pillow in his spot beside Lyra.
Then, barefoot and cautious, he slipped out of the room.
Outside, following the lingering mana trails, he reached a quiet, open-air seating area attached to the side of the carriage. A few enchanted torches glowed softly, keeping the cold at bay. The snow around them shimmered beneath the moonlight, casting long, silent shadows.
Alea sat there, regal as ever, in a velvet cloak with silver fur lining. Her eyes met his the moment he arrived.
He bowed slightly. "Lady Alea."
"Sit."
He obeyed immediately, posture straight, every sense alert like a knight before a queen.
She regarded him calmly for a moment, then raised a brow.
"So," she began, folding her arms, "care to explain the sleeping arrangement?"
Noah cleared his throat. "They just… fell asleep like that. I didn't intend—"
"I'm not scolding you," she cut in gently. "But I do want to understand something. Do you believe in boundaries?"
"Yes. Absolutely," Noah said firmly.
"And do you set them?"
He paused, then offered a sheepish smile. "I try. I'm not always successful."
She snorted softly, shaking her head. "You don't strike me as the lecherous type… but still. Be careful. Lyra may seem strong, but emotionally, she's always carried deep scars."
Noah's gaze softened.
"I know. I see it in her eyes."
Alea looked at him for a long moment.
Something about his tone…
Her eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of old memory stirring within her.
That man's face. That damned man.
"Edward," she muttered bitterly.
Noah blinked. "Pardon?"
Her body tensed, an icy pressure flickering off her skin—a spike of killing intent.
Noah sat upright, alert. "Are you alright?"
Alea exhaled slowly, her fingers curling around her cloak.
"I'm fine. Just remembering… Lyra's father. Edward."
Her voice trembled—not from weakness, but from rage.
"He had more than one wife. I was just a commoner. He said he loved me. Promised me protection, family… But all he wanted was Lyra's potential. When I found out he planned to use her in an experiment, I took her and ran."
Noah's expression darkened.
"I had to hide her. Raise her with no magic. I couldn't risk it. And yet, now… I wake up to find her wrapped around a boy who holds the affection of not just her, but two other girls."
She looked directly into his eyes.
"Can you understand why I find it hard to trust you?"
Noah met her gaze unflinchingly. "Yes. I do."
"I'm not asking you to marry her. Not yet. I just want to know she won't cry again because of a man."
"She won't," he said, voice steady.
"And what makes you so certain?"
"Because if I ever made her cry like that, I'd never forgive myself."
Silence.
Then, he added, "If it would help you feel at ease… I'm willing to make a mana oath."
Alea blinked. "…What?"
Noah placed his palm over his chest. "A vow sealed by mana. If I break it, my mana circuits will be permanently damaged, or worse—shattered."
(A mana oath is a sacred vow made with one's life force and magical core. Breaking it leads to severe consequences, including magical death or loss of power.)
The wind seemed to pause.
Alea stared at him like he'd just grown a second head.
"…You're insane."
He gave a nervous chuckle. "Probably."
A long pause.
Then… a slow, genuine smile spread across her face.
"I won't ask for an oath. Not yet. But… thank you. That tells me more than any promise ever could."
She stood.
"I'll be watching you. Closely. Don't expect approval just yet."
"Yes, Lady Alea."
"But…"
She turned back to him with a sly smirk.
"I suppose… you're not entirely hopeless."
And with that, she disappeared into the corridor.
Noah stood frozen for a moment.
"…Did I get approved or not?"
No answer.
Sighing, he returned to the room—only to be pounced on the moment he got under the blanket.
Layla immediately bit his neck.
"Bad Boy. Leaving me cold and alone."
"Ow—Layla?!"
Scarlett grumbled sleepily, pulling him tighter.
Lyra clung to his side like a blanket, eyes still shut, but her hand slid into his.
Noah let out a tired breath… and smiled.
Whatever the future held, he was ready.
To Be Continued…