---
Elias then sat cross-legged on his bed, relaxing yet attentive with the book spread open in front of him.
He then started....The first page blared in bold letters: Chapter One.
"Does the chapter come as it happens… or after? What are you even doing, book? You trying to be clever?"
He muttered, tilting his head as though the words themselves were playing tricks on him.
He flicked through the lines anyway, eyes darting back and forth, absorbing the tale despite himself.
"Hmm… Sam, the orphan. Sylvia, the baron's daughter. Childhood friends—of course it's that trope. Predictable. Still… kinda nostalgic, isn't it? I had something like that once." His voice caught for a second, a memory tugging too close. He shook it off quickly with a soft, tired laugh.
"Not human, in my case. Not exactly the same. And… yeah. I miss her."
He yawned, stretching his arms wide, then leaned back against the bedframe. "So basically, Sam and Sylvia are wandering through the market. First shock of the cruel world, blood in the dirt, beggars, whatever. Right, author, I see what you're doing here. Nice twist. Make them leave, make them struggle, then drag in some mentor figure… and oh, of course—new heroine at the next stop." Elias snorted, flipping a page. "Lucky brat. Hero badge pinned right to his forehead."
He glanced at the ceiling, thumb idly tapping the paper. "Still… hero or not, he's a walking red flag. That's what matters. He can't come near my kids. Especially Leya." His jaw tightened, the humor draining out for a moment. "She's still soft inside. Laughs too easily. Trusts too easily. She deserves… someone who won't break her."
His expression softened, though the protectiveness didn't fade.
There was much to uncover. But there was no rush.
Afternoon at the Market
The sun was soft that afternoon when Elias, Elen, Leya, and Lucien decided to head to the market. The purpose was simple enough—buying clothes for Alan, Leya, Lucien, and yes, even Elias himself. But before they left, Hema's voice chased them down the corridor like an unstoppable storm.
"You better not forget, Elias!" she scolded, hands on her hips. "Not only clothes for the children—yours too. Do you understand? You're also a child. Don't think of yourself as an adult too soon!"
Elias, who had endured countless battlefields in his past, now found himself helpless against his wife's blabbering. He lifted his hand in a lazy salute, smiling faintly. "I know, I know. Don't be so worried. I'll buy some for myself too."
"Ha! As if I don't know you," Hema muttered, adjusting the children's collars before they left. "You'll buy everything for them, and nothing for yourself. This time I'll make sure—" she turned to the kids, pointing dramatically at Elias—"that this forgetful man doesn't escape. You hear me? Make sure he buys good clothes, not the stiff ones he always picks."
Lucien laughed, unable to resist teasing. "You mean clothes suited for an actual occasion, not the ones he despises the moment he wears them?"
"Exactly," Hema said, nodding with all the seriousness of a general issuing orders.
Alan and Leya puffed their chests proudly.
"Don't worry," Alan declared. "We'll pick all the good designs for him."
"Everything will look good on him anyway," Leya added with a smile.
Hema melted at their earnestness, patting their heads. Then, she turned back to Elias, who stood there looking far too innocent. "And don't overeat. Don't upset your stomach again."
The butler, who had been listening with a grin, chuckled. "Darling, it won't matter what you say. I'll prepare the medicine in advance."
Elias groaned, red dusting his cheeks. "Oh, come on, I'm not a child."
The kids laughed at his sulking face, because when Elias got shy, it wasn't forced politeness—it was real. And they loved him most when he was real.
---
At the Market
The streets were alive with colors, fabrics fluttering like banners, vendors calling out, and children running between stalls. Everyone noticed Elias and the children, but no one crowded them. Instead, the people nodded politely, letting them pass in peace.
"They're really disciplined," Lucien murmured.
Elias glanced at him, lips curving faintly. "Respect, not discipline."
Lucien blinked, then smiled. "Exactly."
Leya twirled, her laughter ringing like bells. "But I'm more excited about the outing! Last time it was so much fun."
Alan teased, "You mean you spent the whole time thinking about Elias."
"Oh, like you didn't!" Lucien shot back, embarrassed.
Caught, he turned red. "Fine… maybe I did."
Elias ruffled his hair. "Didn't know you missed me that much. Guess we'll have to make this trip twice as fun."
---
Fruits and Old Friends
They stopped at a fruit stall run by an old lady. Elias bought apples for the kids to try, but when he offered coins, the woman waved her hand.
"Take it, child. How could I charge my own?"
Elias smiled wryly, sliding a few coins under the pile of apples when she wasn't looking.
"Don't be sneaky," she scolded, catching him in the act.
He chuckled, scratching his head. "You always catch me."
As the kids sampled fruit with sticky fingers, the woman leaned closer. "A lot has changed since you left."
"How so?" Elias asked.
"Well, nothing too major. But that boy—the one who fought those bullies—I haven't seen him lately." She flicked her gaze toward Elen, Leya, and Lucien.
Elias's eyes sharpened for a moment. "…I see."
Then her tone softened. "You've grown thinner. Eat more, or I'll be forced to chase you down with food myself."
He laughed. "I'll try, Mama."
"And those children?" she asked, eyes glinting knowingly.
"I want to adopt them," Elias said plainly.
Her brows rose. "Then work harder. Dote on them more."
"Like I don't already," Elias muttered, which only made her laugh harder.
Then she leaned closer, lowering her voice. "And Ren… you've heard anything?"
Elias froze. "…No."
Her eyes flicked to his. She noticed the sadness in them, though he tried to mask it. "There might be someone who knows."
"Who?" Elias's voice was sharp, urgent.
"Shhh. Don't shout. The spy… the Devil."
"Uran?" Elias whispered.
She only smiled, refusing to answer, and shooed him off. "Go, go. You're too forgetful to be hanging around me. Have fun with your children."
---
The market was a feast. They bought flower crowns from a florist, with Leya placing one on Elias's head and declaring him "the prettiest of them all."
---
At Visteroa Beria Cloth Shop