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Chapter 21 - [21] New Family

Inside the grand halls of the Ashville Duchy, Marianne Ashville sat in rigid silence. The golden embroidery on her gown glowed under the candlelight, but there was no warmth in her expression—only a growing sense of disbelief.

"…He survived?"

The words left her lips before she could contain them.

Callian should have died.

The Frontline was no place for a single man, much less an unacknowledged commoner. The missions there were brutal. Even knights perished by the dozens every year.

Marianne's carefully painted nails tapped against the polished surface of the table.

And yet…

A light laugh rang through the air.

"Why do you look so stunned, dear sister?" Odette, the second mistress, leaned back in her chair with a smirk, swirling the wine in her glass. "Isn't it a good thing? Your son-in-law is fine."

Evelyne, the first mistress, chuckled as well, her gaze cold but amused. "Indeed. Marianne, you should be celebrating. He must be truly exceptional to return in one piece."

Their words were mocking, of course.

Marianne, Julianna's mother and the third wife of Grand Duke Damien, had sent Callian to die—and they all knew it.

Odette and Evelyne had no love for each other, but if there was one thing they enjoyed, it was watching someone else fail.

Marianne clenched her jaw. No. It didn't matter if he survived.

"He wouldn't have gotten anything valuable," she said, regaining her composure. "The elder's mission always rewards with bronze or gold badges. There's no way a commoner like him earned anything substantial."

Evelyne smirked. "Then we should greet him properly. For formality's sake."

Marianne nodded stiffly. "Of course."

The grand doors to the manor swung open, letting in a burst of cold winter air.

The knights entered first, moving to their designated positions. Then—

A tall, dark-haired man walked in, his steps unhurried, his posture composed.

Callian had arrived.

He carried himself with a quiet, noble dignity that did not match his supposed status. His black coat barely showed signs of wear, and his golden eyes flickered like molten sunlight in the dim hall.

But the most striking thing—

Was the child in his arms.

Violet, bundled in a thick coat, rested against his shoulder, her silver hair shimmering under the chandelier's glow. She looked perfectly at home in his arms.

Her father had returned.

And he had brought her home.

The three mistresses stiffened.

A child should not look so at ease in a father's embrace. Not in this house.

Marianne was the first to recover. She took a breath, schooling her expression into something pleasant. Callian was just a commoner. She needed to remind him of his place.

She stepped forward, lips curved into a cold smile. "You've returned safely. How fortunate."

Callian stopped a few steps away, his gaze unreadable.

"Indeed," he said simply.

There was no gratitude in his voice.

Marianne's fingers twitched, but she quickly masked it. "It must have been difficult. The elder is not known for being generous."

Callian hummed, shifting Violet slightly in his arms. "Not particularly. The task was straightforward."

Odette raised an eyebrow, leaning in slightly. "Oh? Then what reward did you receive?"

Callian reached into his coat.

For a brief second, Marianne's lips curled in triumph.

He would pull out a bronze badge—the lowest tier. Proof that he was nothing but a lucky survivor.

Callian's fingers closed around the badge.

And then—

He placed a silver badge on the table.

The room froze.

Evelyne's smirk vanished. Odette sat up straighter. Marianne forgot to breathe.

Silver.

Not bronze. Not even gold.

Silver.

A badge rarer than anything given before.

Marianne's nails dug into her palm. "Where did you get that?"

Callian tilted his head, his expression polite—almost bored. "From the elder, of course."

"Lies," Odette said, voice sharp. "There's no way—"

But before she could finish, another voice cut in.

"Silver, huh?"

A slow, amused chuckle echoed through the hall as a man stepped forward.

He was dressed in fine robes, his hair a deep brown with streaks of gray, his sharp eyes gleaming with interest.

Marquis Thaddeus Blackthorn, the Head of the Legislative Branch.

He picked up the badge, inspecting it with a smirk.

"Whoever gave this to you must like you a lot," he mused.

Callian shrugged. "It seems so."

Odette clenched her fists. "You can't be serious! There's no way—"

"Ah, but there is," Thaddeus interrupted, smiling lazily. He turned, holding up the badge for all to see. "This is an official recognition from Franz Ashville."

The mistresses froze.

"Franz…?" Marianne repeated, barely able to keep her voice steady.

Thaddeus smirked. "Franz Ashville, Head of the Executive Branch. He's always been a stubborn one, hasn't he?"

Odette's face twisted. "He actually acknowledged him…?"

Marianne felt her stomach turn.

Franz Ashville, the man responsible for overseeing contributions and rewards, had given Callian the highest recognition possible.

Callian had not only survived.

He had excelled.

Thaddeus gave Callian a once-over and smiled, almost amused. "Well, looks like you're free to go."

Marianne snapped out of her shock. "Wait! We—"

Thaddeus raised an eyebrow. "What? Are you trying to stop Franz's decision?"

Marianne froze.

Even she knew better than to challenge Franz's authority.

Callian met her gaze, his golden eyes calm, unwavering.

She had sent him to die.

He had returned stronger.

Marianne's lips curled in frustration, but she could say nothing.

Callian, sensing the silence, simply nodded.

"Then," he said, "I'll take my leave."

With that, he turned—

And walked away, his daughter safe in his arms.

*****

After the long journey back to the duchy, the building was finally within sight. He was tired.

Not from the battles, the cold, or even the ridiculous politics of nobility—but from dealing with an energetic six-year-old.

And if he was tired, then Sebastian must be exhausted.

The moment they stepped onto the estate grounds, the demonic kitty-turned-butler let out an audible sigh. His crimson eyes dulled with exhaustion, his once-pristine uniform now slightly wrinkled from the journey. He had barely slept.

All because of one tiny, silver-haired troublemaker.

Violet.

Sebastian didn't dislike Violet. In fact, if anyone so much as looked at her the wrong way, he would tear their throats out.

But watching over a human child for extended periods? Draining.

Sebastian's feet had barely touched the floor when he felt a small weight disappear from his arms.

"Ah—"

Violet jumped down, her little boots making a soft thud on the polished stone. Before Sebastian could scold her for being reckless, she turned, eyes sparkling, and grabbed Estira's hand.

"Miss Estira! Come see!"

Estira blinked in surprise. "Oh?"

"I'll give you a tour!" Violet said proudly, tugging on Estira's sleeve.

The dragoness chuckled, her violet eyes warm as she allowed herself to be pulled along.

Sebastian barely had the energy to roll his eyes.

Just what he needed—another person for Violet to attach herself to.

Still, it was… better than her clinging to him.

"At least someone has energy left," Sebastian muttered under his breath, rubbing his temples.

Callian, who had been watching this unfold, let out a quiet chuckle. "Tired, Sebastian?"

Sebastian shot him a deadpan look. "You tell me, Master."

Callian smirked but said nothing. He was amused, but he understood.

"Well," Callian said, stretching his arms. "We're home."

And standing right at the entrance, as always, was—

Rael.

The spirit king of wind. The head maid of the estate.

And the person who somehow always knew when Callian was arriving.

Rael stood near the doorway, arms crossed, her long blue hair shimmering under the afternoon light. Her pale blue eyes landed on Estira, and for a moment, she simply blinked.

Then, she tilted her head.

"Callian."

"Rael."

"You brought home a dragon."

"…Yes."

Rael blinked again, this time a little slower.

Then she nodded.

"Alright," she said, as if bringing home a dragon was perfectly normal.

Sebastian, who had been barely holding onto his sanity this entire journey, snapped his head towards her in disbelief.

"That's it?!"

Rael shrugged. "What else do you want me to say?"

"You—!" Sebastian dragged a hand down his face. "Never mind."

Callian chuckled. "Rael, this is Estira."

Rael studied Estira for a moment. Then, as if already accepting her presence, she gave a polite nod.

"A pleasure," she said simply.

Estira, unfazed, returned the gesture. "Likewise."

Callian felt a small pang of amusement watching them interact. Two calm, collected beings sizing each other up.

Rael then turned to him again, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly. "Do I even want to ask what happened this time?"

"Probably not," Callian admitted.

Rael sighed. "Figures."

Meanwhile—

Violet was still happily dragging Estira around.

"This is the kitchen! Papa cooks a lot here!"

Estira smiled as she looked around. "Does he?"

"Yes!" Violet beamed. "Papa is the best cook! Right, Sebby?"

Sebastian, still exhausted, waved a lazy hand. "Sure."

Violet grinned and pulled Estira to another part of the manor. "And this is the big hall! Papa says people talk a lot here, but I don't like it. It's boring."

Estira laughed softly, her eyes gleaming with quiet amusement. "You don't like talking?"

Violet shook her head. "I like listening to Papa's stories more!"

Callian, overhearing this, let out a soft chuckle. "Oh? Do I tell good stories, Violet?"

Violet immediately turned and ran back to him, throwing her arms around his leg. "Yes! Papa tells the best stories!"

Callian smiled, patting her soft silver hair. "I'm glad you think so."

Rael watched the scene, her expression unreadable.

Callian, despite everything, always made time for Violet.

Even now, with his hands full dealing with a dragon, a demonic butler, and an annoyed head maid, he still had that gentle warmth when speaking to his daughter.

She sighed, shaking her head. "Alright, Callian. You're back, you're alive, and you brought home another stray. Do you have anything else to add?"

Callian hummed. "I think that's enough for one day."

Rael raised an eyebrow. "You think?"

He smirked. "I know."

Rael rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile forming.

"Fine," she said. "Just don't cause another disaster tomorrow."

Callian placed a hand over his heart, feigning offense. "Me? Cause a disaster? Never."

Sebastian let out an undignified snort.

And Violet, as always, beamed up at her father.

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