Isaac addressed the ruler, speaking of the misfortune of the mother who seemed to have endured so much just to have a child who would love her. Yet, fate had given her someone devoid of emotions, driven only by his passion and ambition.
The ruler responded in a calm yet firm tone:
"Emotions are an essential part of being human. Without them, one cannot be considered truly human. People are nothing more than walking vessels of emotions, and when stripped of them, they lose their humanity. In the age of chaos, monsters that possessed emotions were called human clones."
Isaac cast a fleeting glance at Cray, who was crying as she held him tightly to her chest. For a moment, he felt something strange stir within him—something he couldn't quite understand. Then, unconsciously, his small hand reached out and touched her cheek, as if telling her to let go of her sorrow.
Cray froze for a moment before quickly wiping away her tears. With a warm smile, she whispered:
"You love your mother, don't you, Noxfyr?"
She hugged him tightly, as if shielding him from the entire world, before whispering into his ear:
"Never leave me… I will protect you, and I will kill anyone who dares to harm you. Just live… That is all I wish for. I will dedicate my life to you, just stay by my side."
In the days that followed, not a single family member came to visit Cray or her child. Only the servants remained, a silent but undeniable message—the family had disowned her and her son completely. Though she had once been the cherished youngest daughter, none of her siblings could forgive her.
Two months passed, during which no one approached Cray or her child except for her personal attendants. But in the shadows, many eyes were watching.
Cray did not care, but she knew the moment of reckoning was approaching.
One day, she received an official summons—The Head of the Family wanted to see her.
Cray entered the chamber with burning fury in her eyes, holding her child in her arms, her posture tense as if she were ready to fight at any moment.
Rainer gazed at the child for a brief moment before speaking in a sharp, unwavering tone:
"In a few days, you and your child will move to the Northern Palace. He will remain there until he turns sixteen. Everything necessary for his proper development will be provided. There is no room for refusal—the family will not allow one of its heirs' talents to be wasted."
Cray's eyes narrowed with rage, her expression twisting into one of bitter denial and resentment. Then, in a low but clearly audible voice, she spoke with a quiet, yet undeniable threat:
"It seems you've misunderstood something… My child belongs to me alone. I will not hesitate to fight for him, even if my enemies are my own family. And you, of all people, should know—I am not weak… even with my power suppressed."
Rainer sighed and spoke in a hushed voice:
"You still believe I killed his father… don't you?"
Cray did not answer, but her furious gaze remained locked onto him.
Rainer stood up, turning his back to her before speaking in a calm yet foreboding tone:
"The palace is filled with eyes… be careful."
Cray said nothing. She simply turned and left in silence.
The guardian dragon, Camon, spoke to Rainer:
"That child… is intriguing."
Rainer smiled slightly and said:
"Isn't he?"
Then, the old servant, Camon, murmured in a sorrowful tone:
"Master… why did you not tell her the truth? Why do you let her hate you?"
Rainer, his gaze fixed on the door where Cray had disappeared, replied:
"She needs something to hold onto… even if it is hatred. If that is what it takes to protect that child, then so be it."
He paused for a moment before continuing in a soft voice:
"I don't care what she thinks of me… as long as she is alive."
At dawn the next day, Cray prepared to leave, accompanied by her personal maid, Lara. Holding Noxfyr securely in her arms, she boarded the carriage. The convoy moved forward under heavy guard, led by a squad of knights under Rainer's orders.
Throughout the journey, Isaac remained deep in thought, silently observing Cray. She possessed so many facets of strength, and he couldn't help but admire her.
After two days of continuous travel, the convoy stopped in the middle of a dense forest to rest and set up camp. The soldiers pitched tents while Cray sat by the fire, speaking with one of the few knights who still remained loyal to her, Carmez.
"Young Lady, please… do not let their words affect you."
Cray smiled softly, but before she could respond, a powerful and overwhelming presence filled the air.
A suffocating aura swept through the camp, freezing the soldiers in place. Cray instantly recognized who it was.
"It's him…" she whispered as she stood up, immediately giving the order to let him through.
A tall man entered the tent, radiating an intense energy. His long red hair cascaded down his back, and his crimson eyes held an enigmatic glow, ancient symbols swirling within them. His body was lean yet powerful, his features strikingly beautiful. A sun-shaped tattoo adorned his face, marking him unmistakably.
Cray stepped toward him, her expression softening for the first time in a long while.
"It's good to see you, my old friend… Solarin."
A smirk played on Solarin's lips as he looked at her and said:
"How have you been, young one?"
A rare, genuine smile spread across Cray's face. She lifted her child slightly, her voice brimming with excitement:
"I'm doing well, Solarin… Look, I have finally achieved the dream I once told you about."
Solarin approached and gently took the child into his arms. However, the moment he touched him, a strange sensation coursed through him—something he had not felt in centuries.
Noble bloodlines carried powerful energy, but this child… his aura was unlike anything Solarin had ever encountered. It was pure, overwhelming, beyond any measure of power he had felt before.
He stroked the boy's head gently before smiling and saying:
"You have brought something truly extraordinary into this world, Cray."
Isaac suddenly reached up and grabbed a handful of Solarin's hair, laughing like any ordinary child. Yet, deep within his mind, he thought:
"I respect the strong… and you are ridiculously strong. You deserve my respect. But… how would it feel to surpass you?"
The Blue Sovereign's voice echoed like smoldering embers:
"Yes, Isaac… no, Noxfyr. Show me how you will do it."
Solarin chuckled, pressing a soft kiss to the child's forehead before turning to Cray.
"I like him… and it seems he likes me too. Tell me, what is his name?"
Cray's eyes gleamed with excitement as she proudly answered:
"Noxfyr."
Solarin laughed, shaking his head.
"A fitting name indeed. I have a feeling that, in the future… he will even surpass the old legends."