The child gasped.
A thin cry followed.
Alive.
Theo stood close, eyes locked on the child, as if daring the moment to disappear.
"Quick," the healer said, snapping back to action. "Let me see him."
Reluctantly, Charles loosened his hold just enough. The healer gently checked the baby — tiny chest, pulse, breathing.
Her hands froze.
"…This is—"
She checked again.
Then looked up, stunned.
"It's a miracle."
The word spread through the room like fire.
"A miracle?" one maid whispered.
"He wasn't breathing—"
"He came back—"
The quiet chamber erupted into chaos.
Servants rushed forward. Guards straightened. Someone ran to call the royal physician. Another hurried to inform the palace.
Charles tightened his hold protectively as too many people moved at once. "Careful— don't crowd him—"
Theo stepped forward.
And the chaos stopped.
Not completely.
But enough.
His presence cut through the noise like a blade.
"Back," Theo ordered quietly.
Everyone froze.
"No one touches him unless permitted."
The guards immediately formed a perimeter. Servants stepped away. Even the healer bowed her head.
Charles looked at Theo, surprised, still holding Oliver close.
Theo's gaze softened — just slightly — when it landed on the child.
"He fought to live," Theo said. "He will not be overwhelmed on his first breath."
Outside, footsteps echoed louder. News was spreading fast.
"The heir lives—"
"It's a miracle—"
"The emperor's child—"
The palace stirred into motion.
Charles exhaled slowly, pressing his cheek against Oliver's head. The baby shifted, letting out a soft, sleepy sound.
"He's warm now…" Charles whispered.
Theo remained beside them, silent and watchful.
Already calculating.
Already protecting.
Because chaos had begun.
And now that Oliver lived—
Everyone would want something from him.
Sleep almost claimed him.
Then discomfort spread through his tiny body.
Empty.
Cold.
His mouth opened, and he cried.
Soft at first.
Then louder.
Charles panicked immediately. "W-what's wrong? Why is he crying?"
He adjusted Oliver gently, but the crying only grew more desperate. His hands trembled as he looked toward Theo helplessly.
"I don't know what to do…"
A maid stepped forward cautiously. "Your Highness… I think the heir is hungry."
Charles blinked. "Hungry…?"
She nodded. "Newborns cry like this. You should feed him."
Charles hesitated, clearly nervous. "…I've never done this before."
"It may hurt at first," the maid added softly, "but it's normal."
Charles swallowed and nodded, adjusting Oliver carefully. As soon as Oliver was brought close, instinct took over.
He latched.
Warm milk filled his mouth.
His crying stopped.
But Oliver's thoughts froze.
…Wait.
He sucked instinctively, but his mind jolted awake.
I'm… drinking milk?
Confusion surged.
The voice above him — soft, trembling — was unmistakably masculine.
Charles let out a small, pained breath. "…It hurts…"
The maid reassured gently, "It's normal, Your Highness."
Theo's deeper voice followed quietly, "If it's too painful—"
"No," Charles said quickly, even as tears slipped down. "He's eating… it's alright."
Oliver's thoughts spun.
He… he's feeding me?
Shock rippled through him.
He listened more carefully.
"Theo… he stopped crying," Charles whispered weakly.
"Yes," Theo replied. "He's calmer now."
Oliver's mind stalled.
Theo…?
"And you, Charles," Theo added softly, "don't push yourself."
Charles…?
The names echoed loudly in his mind.
Theo.
Charles.
A memory surfaced.
A novel.
Not just any novel—
An ABO novel his sister had insisted he read.
"Just try it," she had said. "It's good, I promise."
He had read it half-curious.
An empire.
Two male parents.
Theo — the cold emperor.
Charles — the gentle consort.
And—
A child who died at birth.
Oliver's tiny body stiffened slightly.
No way…
Fragments rushed back.
The child never breathed.
Theo became ruthless.
War followed.
Then Theo died.
And Charles… broken by losing both… became the final villain.
His thoughts trembled.
That child…
…was me.
But he was alive.
He was breathing.
He was feeding.
Which meant—
The story… is already changing.
Warmth surrounded him as sleep pulled him under.
One last thought drifted through his mind—
My sister…
You made me read something dangerous…
The child gasped.
A thin cry followed.
Alive.
Charles clutched him tightly, shoulders shaking as relief crashed over him. "He's breathing… he's breathing…"
Theo stood close, eyes locked on the child, as if daring the moment to disappear.
"Quick," the healer said, snapping back to action. "Let me see him."
Reluctantly, Charles loosened his hold just enough. The healer gently checked the baby — tiny chest, pulse, breathing.
Her hands froze.
"…This is—"
She checked again.
Then looked up, stunned.
"It's a miracle."
The word spread through the room like fire.
"A miracle?" one maid whispered.
"He wasn't breathing—"
"He came back—"
The quiet chamber erupted into chaos.
Servants rushed forward. Guards straightened. Someone ran to call the royal physician. Another hurried to inform the palace.
Charles tightened his hold protectively as too many people moved at once. "Careful— don't crowd him—"
Theo stepped forward.
And the chaos stopped.
Not completely.
But enough.
His presence cut through the noise like a blade.
"Back," Theo ordered quietly.
Everyone froze.
"No one touches him unless permitted."
The guards immediately formed a perimeter. Servants stepped away. Even the healer bowed her head.
Charles looked at Theo, surprised, still holding Oliver close.
Theo's gaze softened — just slightly — when it landed on the child.
"He fought to live," Theo said. "He will not be overwhelmed on his first breath."
Outside, footsteps echoed louder. News was spreading fast.
"The heir lives—"
"It's a miracle—"
"The emperor's child—"
The palace stirred into motion.
Charles exhaled slowly, pressing his cheek against Oliver's head. The baby shifted, letting out a soft, sleepy sound.
"He's warm now…" Charles whispered.
Theo remained beside them, silent and watchful.
Already calculating.
Already protecting.
Because chaos had begun.
And now that Oliver lived—
Everyone would want something from him.