Aidan now sat comfortably on his mother's lap—upright, without any support or wobble.
Sophia had been overjoyed when she first noticed it. She'd even called Lily away from her training just to witness him looking at her with those big, adorable eyes.
If his father had been home, Aidan was sure she would've dragged him over too.
Two months passed.
By the time Aidan turned five months old, he had started crawling—always aiming for the door, trying to escape the room. Tired of constantly pulling him back, Sophia finally gave in and decided to take him outside. He clearly wanted to explore.
But leaving Aidan in anyone else's care—even briefly—made her nervous. Liam had warned her to stay cautious. No one dared to make a move openly against the Wilson family, but what might happen in the dark… was never predictable.
The castle's exterior was a different world altogether. Smooth white, marble-like stone gleamed under the morning sun, giving it a majestic aura. He hadn't seen it from afar yet, but Aidan could already imagine how magnificent it must look.
Intricate designs etched into the walls told of craftsmanship and luxury, while unique chandeliers hung in every room, each tailored to match its space.
A gentle warmth from the morning sun blanketed the land. Tiny droplets still clung to the grass and flowers from dawn's kiss. Sophia removed her sandals, stepping barefoot onto the grass while using her mana to regulate Aidan's temperature.
Taking his first steps in this second life—albeit with her help—Aidan felt the cool grass beneath his tiny feet. It was soothing… and peaceful. A rare moment of calm.
As they walked through the estate gardens, Aidan noticed the servants. Some were watering plants, others trimming hedges. Nearly all of them were strikingly attractive. Too attractive.
It made sense for some people to be good-looking—but everyone? That was ridiculous.
Sophia turned her head toward the far end of the castle and muttered, "Lily's still training... I guess I can ask her for some guidance in the meantime." She glanced down at Aidan. "What about you, sweetheart? Want to see Aunt Lily train?"
Aidan looked up and tugged at her sleeve with a smile, as if saying yes.
Sophia paused. He had never been near the combat training grounds before. Was it really a good idea? But those chubby cheeks and pleading eyes…
She sighed. How could she say no?
Still, a nagging feeling crept into her thoughts.
Does he actually understand me?
She shook her head. "No matter how much mana blesses us, there's no way a five-month-old can understand words." She laughed softly at herself.
With that, she turned away from the gardens and walked toward the training grounds—an area reserved for guards and beings below Rank 3.
Upon arrival, Aidan saw rows of guards in identical black uniforms. Each wore a full-sleeved shirt tucked into standard-issue pants. A silver sword emblem was stitched onto the right chest—a symbol of loyalty to House Wilson.
There were more people than Aidan expected—at least a hundred.
Training stopped the moment Sophia appeared.
A man stepped forward, clearly the captain. His uniform had subtle yet distinct differences. He had a slightly darker complexion than most people Aidan had seen, with a short boxed beard. A jagged scar ran from his jawline to his neck, where the beard no longer grew. It added a dangerous sort of charm.
Aidan guessed he was in his mid-thirties.
"Aunt Sophia," the man said, sounding slightly surprised. "May I ask what brings you to the training grounds today?"
"Oh, it's nothing serious, Matthew." Sophia's tone was casual, even cheeky. "Just thought I'd join Lily for a bit of training."
"I see. Should I clear the area for you?" he asked, following a respectful step behind her.
"No need, Matthew. You may continue your duties," Sophia replied, waving him off as she shifted Aidan in her arms.
"As you wish," Matthew said. He turned away, but added, "If you require anything, I'm nearby."
As they passed through the training area, Aidan's ears caught a conversation between three guards mid-practice.
"Mana is external, aura is internal," one of them said.
It was something Aidan didn't fully understand… yet. Aidan was able to understand some words but it still wasn't enough to understand it like a native.
Sophia led him into a sword-training room filled with magical constructs. Before stepping inside, she deactivated the magical systems and called out to Lily, reminding her Aidan was with her.
Even a small release of aura could harm a child his age if touched directly. That was one reason Aidan rarely left his room—this world held opportunities, but at the same time dangers were equal if not greater.
Lily had sensed her sister's presence long before the door opened. She sheathed her sword and appeared before them in an instant, frowning.
"You're being reckless, bringing the young master here!" Lily snapped, pointing at Aidan.
"Stop worrying, Lily." Sophia smiled. "I may not be as strong as you, but I'm still Rank Two. I can protect my own child."
"Hmph!" Lily scoffed. "That's exactly what bothers me. You trust people too easily."
Sophia chuckled—though her smile carried a trace of sadness. She stroked Aidan's cheek. "Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to him. I want to believe in people's hearts… the way my mother did. She taught me to see goodness, even in a world where it's rare."
"A naive dream," Lily muttered, crossing her arms. "Anyway, why are you here?"
"I had a realization about the path... and I wanted to ask for guidance."
Lily exhaled and closed her eyes briefly—likely sending a message via mana. Moments later, a maid entered, bowing gracefully before them.
Sophia handed Aidan over. "Take care of him. Sit over there—don't leave our sight. Hold him securely and don't let him out of your arms."
The maid nodded and carried Aidan to a bench at the room's edge, cradling him gently.
No one noticed but an eerie smile slowly curled on her lips.