Lady Maris regularly sent funds to Emmanuelle for the boy's living expenses, careful to maintain her distance.
She refrained from visiting in person, knowing that frequent trips to Emmanuelle's house would attract unwanted attention. The risk of being caught leaving the royal palace was too great.
Meanwhile, as the boy grew, Emmanuelle began to see him as more than just a vessel for the demon. Gradually, she forgot the dark origins of his existence and treated him as if he were a crown prince.
She spun tales about his mother, omitting any mention of her identity for fear that the child might accidentally reveal it. More importantly, she made sure he understood that his mother loved him deeply.
Unlike other children his age, the boy was quiet and shy, struggling to connect with his peers despite Emmanuelle's best efforts to encourage him. She often worried about his solitude, but her heart ached for him whenever she recalled the dark spirit that lingered within.
