Previously~
Location – XXXXX County
A boy sat beneath the towering oak, bathed in the cold glow of moonlight. His silver hair shifted in the night breeze, strands catching the soft luminescence as his piercing purple eyes—deeper than the abyss—stared up at the stars.
The wind howled. He did not flinch.
A small smirk tugged at his lips. A knowing smile—one far too unfitting for a mere five-year-old.
His whisper, soft yet heavy, vanished into the wind.
"Gods. Devils. Just wait, you weaklings. I'm coming."
A Few Days Later
Location: Felgris Palace, Tigranclaw DuchyDate: 24th, Month of Zephyris, XXX
Edward and Amelia sat beside each other, tension hanging in the air like a drawn bowstring. Beads of sweat formed on their foreheads as silence stretched between them.
Then, Amelia exhaled sharply. "Edward, how many times have I told you we should visit them?"
Edward ran a hand through his dark hair, already anticipating the argument. "Amy, I know. But you also know how busy I've been—skirmishes in the northern forests, the emperor summoning me for every minor issue—"
"That's not an excuse!" Amelia cut in, arms crossed. "It's been four months since we last saw Father and Mother. Do you have any idea how furious they'll be?" She leaned forward, her voice dropping into a mock whisper. "They will eat you alive, and I won't help."
Edward flinched. "Come on, Amy. You have to help me. I can't get scolded in front of my own newborn son!" He gestured toward the crib, desperation creeping into his tone.
"No, Ed. You reap what you sow." With an exaggerated toss of her head, she made her stance clear.
Edward sighed, then stood up and took a step toward her. His gaze turned mischievous.
"Wh-what are you doing?" Amelia stammered, suddenly feeling cornered.
"Well," he mused, his fingers drifting to his collar, undoing just enough buttons to tease. "What else can I do? My adorable wife refuses to help me." His voice dipped, confidence dripping from every motion.
Amelia's face turned a deep shade of crimson. "E-Ed, you—you, what are you doing?!"
Meanwhile, in the crib, their newborn watched the scene unfold with a blank expression.
'Ah… Can't they see there's a child present?'
His tiny brows twitched as he took in his father's antics.
'Do they think they're in high school or something?'
Then, as if on instinct, his small mouth wobbled. A soft whimper escaped.
Within moments, that whimper became an all-out wail.
"WAAAAH! WAAAAH!"
The atmosphere snapped like a taut string. Edward immediately buttoned his shirt, and Amelia rushed to the crib, scooping up the baby with practiced care.
"What's wrong, my baby?" she cooed, gently swaying.
Edward frowned. "Is he hungry?"
The baby, snug in Amelia's arms, quieted slightly. He peeked up at his parents through sleepy green eyes, his thoughts barely coherent—
'Hah. That's what you get.'
Amelia rocked the baby in her arms until he fell asleep. She gently laid him in the crib, making sure not to disturb his peaceful rest.
With a relieved sigh, she collapsed onto the bed, tilting her head toward Edward. Feeling her gaze, Edward ran a hand behind his neck, his eyes flickering downward as if burdened with guilt.
"Edward, don't you have something to tell me?" she asked, batting her lashes playfully, tilting her head in curiosity.
Edward let out a small chuckle, rubbing his neck. "Ah… yeah, I almost forgot something." His lips curled into a cheerful smile.
"A letter from Alexander arrived and—" He paused, glancing at Amelia hesitantly.
"What?" she prompted, her brows arching in curiosity.
Edward smiled. "He became a dad to a baby boy yesterday."
Amelia gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as pure joy lit up her emerald eyes.
"Sophie had a son?!" she exclaimed.
Edward chuckled. "And that too, just yesterday! Our boys are practically twins now."
Location – Rugard Palace, Leonhart DuchyDate – 24th, Month of Zephyris, XXX
"Amelia had a son?!" Duchess Leonhart exclaimed, nearly falling off her chair.
"Yes, and he was born on the same day as ours," the duke replied softly, the corners of his lips tugging into a warm smile.
He hugged the duchess from behind.
"Hmm… Alexander, what happened?"
Alexander exhaled.
"My wife Sophie… our baby is asleep."
"Yes?"
"Don't you think that after a cousin, he needs a sibling?" Alexander whispered mischievously.
"Alex, you—you, don't joke like that."
Sophie broke his hug and strode toward the door.
Grab…
"Not so fast, honey."
Alexander pulled her close, her bright green eyes watching him nervously. He looked down at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes. He exhaled softly, followed by a smirk.
"Haha, were you expecting something, honey?" he snickered.
Sophie bit her lip, her pale ears turning red. She grabbed a pillow nearby. "You—are you really a duke?" she cried, hitting him with the pillow repeatedly. "You—you're just a little troublemaker!"
The duke laughed as he protected himself from the flurry of pillows, the wool spilling from the torn seams and covering the floor.
"Haha—" the duke pulled her into a hug.
"Ahh, Sophie… what would I do without you?" he murmured, holding her tightly.
"Please save me from Father-in-law this time," he muttered.
Sophie turned toward him, hugging him tighter.
"No!" she whispered playfully.
Location – ??? County
An old man sat beside his grandson, the rustling leaves, the beautiful sunset, and the scent of oak and soil surrounding them. He placed a hand on the lad's shoulder.
"Aren't you happy now? You have two brothers."
The boy chuckled, turning his head toward his grandfather.
"Can't say until I meet them."
A smile crept onto his face.
Slap…
The old man smacked his back.
"Don't smile like that—it's terrifying." The man adjusted the boy's tunic. "How do you want them to be?"
The boy looked at him curtly.
"I hope they're as crazy as all of us."
He replied.
"Haha!" Both laughed as the sun sank beneath the sky.
Later, this simple conversation between a grandfather and grandson would become the foundation of a force that would shake the so-called heavens and hell—unbiasedly.