Invanne finished laying the fresh carpet down, her movements quiet and precise. She smoothed out the edges with careful hands, making sure not a single fold remained.
Once done, she picked up Azrean's empty bottle. Her gaze shifted briefly. Sumi's bottle still sat beside her, untouched, full.
Invanne said nothing. She simply straightened, balancing the tray in one hand, and turned toward the door. Halfway there, she stopped.
Her eyes drifted toward the tall window. The last light of day was fading, bleeding into a deep indigo sky.
"Looks like it's over." Her voice came out soft. Barely there.
Across the room, Azrea and Memei sat close together on a low couch. Their heads leaned in toward each other, voices hushed as they whispered back and forth. Their hands were clasped tightly, shoulders pressed together—relief slowly settling in, though the fear hadn't fully left their faces.
On the bed, Azrean shifted slightly and looked at Sumi. Her face looked pale. Her eyes unfocused. Her fingers still clenched tightly into the silk sheets.
"Hey," he said gently. "Are you okay?"
Sumi turned her head slowly toward him. She gave a small nod but it felt empty.
"I don't know why I suddenly started feeling fear…"
Azrean watched her quietly. The way her shoulders stayed tense. The faint trembling in her hands. He recognized it.
'Must be trauma…' he thought. 'Coming back all at once.'
Then—he felt it. A gaze. Heavy and unmoving. He looked up. Invanne was still standing there. She hadn't moved. Her gray eyes were fixed on him.
Azrean's body went stiff.
'What's with her… why does it feel like she's trying to see through me…'
The silence stretched. Then Invanne tilted her chin slightly, as if she had just heard something distant. She gave a small, almost invisible nod.
When she spoke again, her voice carried clearly through the room.
"Master Dean and Master Kumi said they are coming to visit."
Sumi froze completely. The color drained from her face in an instant. Her eyes widened, shrinking tight with sudden fear.
Without saying a word, she began scooting backward across the bed, inch by inch, until her back pressed firmly against the headboard.
Azrean blinked, confused. "What?"
Sumi swallowed hard. Her voice trembled.
"I'll… I'll be with my dad." She paused for a breath. "Best of luck to you."
Azrean stared at her. The fear in her eyes wasn't distant anymore. It was real. His stomach tightened. He swallowed slowly.
A moment later, the door opened again. Dean and Kumi stepped inside. Both had changed.
Dean wore a dark, fitted coat that hugged his massive frame, making his broad shoulders look even more imposing. Everything about him felt composed again—clean, controlled, as if nothing had happened.
Kumi, on the other hand, looked far more relaxed. His sleeves were rolled up, his posture loose, that familiar easy grin already sitting on his face.
Memei let out a small, breathless gasp. Then she moved. She rushed forward and jumped straight at Kumi.
He caught her effortlessly mid-air, his arms wrapping around her as her body pressed into his chest. A wide smile spread across his face as she buried her face against him.
"My big hero's back," she murmured softly into his shirt, her voice filled with relief. "I was so worried… but you're here."
Kumi let out a low chuckle, one hand moving slowly along her back, drawing small circles.
"I'm here, love. As always."
Azrea didn't rush forward. She stayed where she was. Lowering her head gracefully, she bowed slightly, her hands clasped neatly in front of her.
"Welcome back, my dear."
Dean's expression shifted. Just a little. The edge in his face softened as he reached out and rested his large hand gently on her head. His palm stayed there for a brief moment, quiet and steady, before he stepped past her. His attention had already moved. Straight toward the bed.
Sumi's eyes locked onto him the second he approached. Her small body stiffened.
"Papa!" she called out, her voice tight, a hint of panic slipping through. "Just come here and take me already!"
Kumi glanced over his shoulder. Then—he was gone. And he was already there, right in front of the bed, crouched low in front of Sumi.
A bright, warm smile spread across his face.
"Hey, my little flower~"
Kumi lifted Sumi in one smooth motion, pulling her close against him. Her face lit up instantly, breaking into a bright, relieved smile. He started planting kisses all over her face—cheeks, forehead, nose—loud, exaggerated smacks that echoed in the room.
Sumi couldn't hold it in. She burst into giggles, squirming in his arms but not pulling away.
Dean stopped in front of Azrean. He didn't move for a moment. Arms crossed over his chest, he simply stood there, looking down.
The air felt heavier. Tighter. Like it was pressing in from every side. Azrean kept his eyes lowered. His tiny hands trembled in his lap.
'What's with this… pressure…?'
Dean moved slowly. He sat down on the edge of the bed, the mattress dipping under his weight. Then he leaned forward slightly, his voice deep—but softer than before.
"My son."
Azrean's eyes widened. He lifted his head, slowly. Dean was looking at him. Not the same cold gaze from earlier. There was something else there now. Something… gentle.
"Look, dear," Azrea said from behind, her voice carrying quiet happiness. "He isn't crying while looking at you now."
A faint smile touched Dean's lips. Just barely. He reached out, his large hand coming down carefully onto Azrean's head, patting it gently.
"I'm glad you're fine."
'Huh…' Azrean's thoughts slipped away for a moment. He just stared, caught off guard, his heart still racing—but not from fear anymore.
Invanne stepped forward quietly from where she had been standing.
"Master Dean," she said calmly. "A few weeks ago, I mentioned I could feel magical energy from Lady Sumi." She paused slightly.
"Now… I am sensing it from Lord Azrean as well."
Azrea's breath caught. Dean turned his head sharply toward Invanne. Then both of them looked at the children. Azrea's face brightened immediately, her eyes shining.
"I knew it!" she said, clasping her hands together. "I knew my son would be a child prodigy."
Memei laughed softly, still leaning against Kumi's side, her hand holding onto his arm.
"They might be the youngest children to ever awaken magical energy."
Kumi gave Sumi a small bounce in his arms, grinning wide.
"Looks like my daughter's gonna have some tough competition, haha."
Dean stood up again, rising to his full height.
"Then we'll celebrate." His voice carried through the room, steady and firm.
"Our children will one day take the throne. And for that… we will train them." His gaze remained fixed.
"They will reach the top."
The room settled into quiet agreement. Nods followed. Pride and determination. It filled the space without needing to be spoken.
Azrean and Sumi looked at each other.
'Looks like… this life might not be that bad,' Azrean thought.
Sumi held his gaze. 'Maybe this time… I can change…'
Their thoughts paused. Then, at the same moment—
'Maybe… with…' They both realized it together.
"Her."
"Him."
And just like that—time began to move. Days blurred into months. Months into years. Until, before they even noticed—
They turned five.