POV: Kyros
As my daughter was being cleaned up, I made my way to the dining hall to wait — and to give Diablo time to finish the business meeting. My steps echoed through the gilded corridors, measured and precise, the way a noble should walk.
When I reached the hall, a maid hurried forward to pour me a glass of expensive wine. I took my seat and let my gaze wander across the polished marble floors, the painted ceilings — all this luxury, and yet my thoughts were miles away.
What was supposed to be a simple deal — the acquisition of a resource-rich dungeon for Luminosity — had become anything but simple.
A daughter, huh.
I let out a quiet breath and sipped the wine. Well… I'll take it one day at a time. It couldn't possibly be harder than reaching Great Mage rank at seventy. A faint smirk tugged at my lips before I forced it away, returning to my usual mask of cool indifference.
But the thought lingered. How did she end up there? What happened to her mother? Who… killed her? Because that's the only way she'd ever leave her child behind.
A flicker of rage slipped through my composure — my aura leaked before I could contain it. The air in the hall thickened instantly. The maids dropped to their knees, trembling, the very walls groaning under the pressure.
I reined it back in with a sharp exhale. Silence fell again, save for the faint clink of my glass as I set it down. I took another sip, letting the burn of the wine anchor me, and began to quietly plan the downfall of whoever was responsible.
Over an hour later
I stood waiting in the vast foyer that had greeted me upon arrival. Diablo was now beside me, his black eyes distant — conflicted.
Before he could spiral into whatever wild thoughts his mind was entertaining, I spoke. "She's my daughter, Diablo. It seems… she had an unexpected pregnancy when she left Luminosity. I felt the blood resonance earlier — that's why I disappeared."
Something clicked in his gaze. Then, of course, came that smirk.
"Your Excellency, you with a daughter? Now that's something I never saw coming. Hah! The cold, untouchable Lightborn himself — with a cute little girl in his arms. I don't think the world's ready for this."
My eye twitched. I turned my head slightly and fixed him with a sidelong glare sharp enough to flay lesser demons.
Diablo coughed lightly, though his grin didn't fade. "Apologies, Your Excellency. But… what do you plan to do now?"
I sighed. "What else? I'll try to be a father. And while I'm doing that, I'll find out who's behind what happened. You, better than anyone, know what must have occurred for her to end up alone."
For a moment, something softened in Diablo's expression — a flicker of sorrow quickly buried beneath his usual smugness. "Yes… I know. Sigh. Such a good woman, too nice for this rotten world." His tone darkened. "Just say the word, and I'll mobilize the Shadows."
I was about to give the order when a commotion stirred at the far end of the hall.
Then I saw them — Alphonso leading my personal guard, and behind them, her.
The girl stepped into view, her golden hair freshly brushed and shining like spun sunlight. Her red eyes — those same eyes — gleamed with life again. Her pale skin was smooth and unblemished, and the silk dress of pale platinum made her seem almost celestial.
Even undernourished, she radiated presence. Every head turned.
And then, to everyone's shock — including my own — she ran toward me, nearly tripping over her dress.
"Father! You left me!" she cried, voice bright and accusing, as she skidded to a halt at my feet. She looked up, pouting adorably.
For a moment, I froze. An unfamiliar warmth spread through my chest. What am I thinking?
I crouched down and lifted her into my arms, stiffly, aware of Diablo's amused smirk beside me. Tch. Bastard.
"Sorry," I said, keeping my tone even. "But I couldn't bring you back to Luminosity looking like you did. You stank."
I waved a hand dismissively.
She laughed — a soft, genuine sound. The first laugh I'd ever heard from her. "I didn't think you could be funny, Father."
…
The room fell silent.
Every noble, servant, and guard stared in disbelief. The mighty Lightborn — the cold, untouchable Great Mage of Luminosity — stood there holding a little girl, smiling.
For many, it was like witnessing a myth unravel.
The king and his wife exchanged wary glances. He has a daughter? How? Their minds already raced ahead: The Empire must know of this. They composed themselves quickly, donning their noble masks once more.
I turned toward them, my expression returning to its usual unreadable calm.
"We'll be leaving," I said simply. "Ensure you cooperate with Diablo and whoever he entrusts to oversee the agreement."
Before the king could respond, I shifted my daughter in my arms, gestured for my retinue to follow, and stepped through the grand doors.
Behind us, whispers rippled through the hall.
A new Lightborn had appeared — a daughter of the Great Mage himself.
Would she inherit his light… or his darkness?