Sebastian gulped slightly before stepping inside the test center at the Royal Institute. He entered a large lecture hall that was practically empty—it was just him and four other examinees taking the exam.

A trio of old, seasoned doctors from the royal courts, all high-ranking nobles, served as exam proctors.

Then the exam began. There would be three phases: a written exam that would take five hours, a practical exam where candidates would demonstrate their knowledge, abilities, and magical prowess, and an interview where they would sit down with the proctors to engage in a debate and exchange of intelligence, determining whether they were worthy of being colleagues.

In reality, as long as one passed the written exam, they could obtain a license. However, how well they performed on the written portion, the practical exam, and the interview would determine their true standing in the medical field—whether they were worthy of serving in the inner courts, working in hospitals, running their own clinics, or being relegated to the forsaken realm as lower-ranked apothecaries.

If one performed poorly, the best they could achieve in the noble realm might be serving as a nurse or assistant—unless they retook the exam. Of course, if someone had connections or noble status, they could become anything, even if they were incompetent.

Sebastian still technically had status—he was still Acier's husband—but he was also competent. What he achieved here today, he wanted, he needed, to be his and his alone.

He didn't want to become Dr. Silva. He wanted to become Dr. Sebastian.

So he took his time—the entire time. He didn't rush to hand in the written exam, answering each question carefully and reviewing his answers over and over again until time ran out.

The practical exam was easier for him. Sebastian's weakness was theoretical knowledge, but in real life, he knew what he was doing. He had run a fake clinic for nearly three years—he more than knew how to put theory into practice.

As for the interview, he was patient, cordial, and polite. Shedding his introverted shell, he made a good impression on the proctors and engaged in a real, authentic, and meaningful conversation with them.

Near midnight, Sebastian left the institute with a soft, pleased smile, clutching an ancient parchment—his doctor's certificate, his license.

—

That night, as Acier was just about to put Nozel to sleep, a knock rapped at her door.

Clutching her baby in her arms, she turned to the bedroom door with a raised brow and intoned curtly, "Yes, Hilda?"

A moment later, Hilda opened the door and curtsied politely. "Princess, Yon—Sir Sebastian completed his doctor's exam today. His results have come in."

Acier froze for a beat, guilt working its way into her mind. Shit, that was today!

Suppressing her inner turmoil, she whispered softly, "How did he do?"

Hilda maintained her curtsy. "He passed."

Acier fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Of course he did. I'm asking how he did."

Hilda paused, keeping her respectful tone while hiding a smile. "With flying colors. According to the reports, he received the highest score since Sir Owen."

Acier looked down at her and whispered again, "And that score was earned solely through his own hard work and effort? It had nothing to do with him being my husband and Nozel's father, right?"

Hilda kept her head lowered. "According to our connections and spies, that should indeed be the case, Princess."

Acier slowly smiled before nodding. "Thank you, Hilda. You may leave now."

As the head maid disappeared, Acier pressed a soft kiss to Nozel's forehead and whispered, "I guess we're going out tomorrow."

Nozel smiled softly and giggled at his mother.

—

Sebastian opened his door in confusion, freezing stiff as he came face-to-face with Acier, holding Nozel in her arms.

Blinking, Sebastian didn't suppress his bafflement. "Did something happen?"

Now it was Acier's turn to look at him in confusion as she raised a brow. "Didn't you say we're supposed to celebrate all our milestones together? I would think becoming a doctor would count."

Sebastian stilled before his heart warmed, and he smiled softly.

"Yes, that's right."

Acier beamed, her heart racing as he stepped aside and she walked in.

Slipping off her shoes, she walked into the living room while Sebastian placed her sandals on the shoe rack and followed after her.

She plopped down on his sofa. He sat down right next to her, barely an inch between them, as he held out his arms.

With a smile, Acier handed Nozel to his father.

Sebastian placed Nozel in his lap and made a goofy face. "Hello, buddy! Did you miss me?"

Nozel grinned and held out his pudgy hands. "Aga."

Sebastian smiled and lifted him up, placing a kiss on his forehead while Nozel attacked his father's nose, biting and sucking on it as he pleased.

Sebastian laughed as Nozel giggled, while Acier, with a loving smile, reached out to run her hand through Nozel's hair.

She then abruptly froze, and so did Sebastian, causing Nozel to blink in confusion.

Before Acier could think straight, she had run her hand through Sebastian's hair.

His heart jolted at the contact as she quickly retracted her hand, forcing a strained smile.

"Sorry, I just saw some lint. I got ahead of myself. It won't happen again."

Sebastian, holding Nozel against his chest, looked at her hands and whispered, "I don't see any lint."

Acier trembled as she shook. "I—I meant I thought I saw some lint. I wasn't seeing straight. Looks like I'm still sleepy."

Sebastian looked at her and brought his hand forward. Acier's breath hitched as she gulped and shook her head, trying to back away.

"S-Sebastian, n-no, we shouldn't—"

She froze as Sebastian nonchalantly ran his hand through her hair before retracting it and holding something up.

Acier paused and blinked, taking in a tiny crumpled part of what must have been some sort of orange leaf.

Sebastian looked at her coolly, though with a hint of tease on his lips. "Now we're even."

Acier bit her lip and nodded, her smile turning more genuine now.

Sebastian smiled back before asking softly, "So what are we doing? The same as last Sunday—"

Acier shook her head, causing him to stop, as she smiled with a light tease of her own and stood up. "This meetup is of special circumstance, so naturally, it should be special."

"Let's go to the capital."

Sebastian looked up at her and parted his lips in curiosity and interest. "And do what?"

Acier smiled radiantly. "Anything! Nozel has never been out of the Silva estate. Let's show him a bit of the world! We can take him to different shops, have a nice lunch and dinner, maybe see if there are any special events happening around. It'll be a date—family date!"

Her smile slipped as she hurriedly corrected herself.

Sebastian looked up at her calmly. "Family date, huh?"

Acier trembled lightly and nodded.

Sebastian lowered his head to Nozel, who was grabbing his chin, before looking back up and whispering, "Can we go to Castle Town instead?"

Acier froze, while Sebastian hurriedly added, "Unless you don't want to take Nozel there. That's perfectly understandable—"

"No." Acier cut him off and gave him a shaky smile. "I like Kikka more than the capital anyway."

Sebastian paused and returned her smile with a softer one as he looked back down at Nozel and grinned.

"Well, buddy, ready to go with Mommy and Daddy on our first family outing?"

Nozel beamed. He looked happy and excited, and that was all that mattered.

—

Sebastian sat cross-legged, his grimoire floating in front of him, as Acier sat beside him, Nozel in their lap.

They flew over the horizon, above the clouds, gently gliding toward Kikka on the back of Sebastian's spell—his water eagle.

The way Nozel giggled and laughed, looking around in amazement and awe, his wide baby eyes taking in everything, his small pudgy arms trying to touch the clouds only to get wet, made the two parents smile.

Bittersweet smiles, because they were reminded of the day right after they became friends—Sebastian's birthday—when Acier took him for a ride back home on her broom.

Sebastian remembered that scene: Acier standing up, reaching for the sun, her hair let loose to fall. That was the moment he first realized his love for her.

For Acier, it was only a year or so afterward that she realized Sebastian's mumbling about beauty wasn't for the scenery but for her. He had been enchanted by her, even all the way back then.

The nostalgia got to them. If not for Nozel's presence keeping most of their attention, it would have been suffocating, enough to make them weep.

But at the same time, Nozel's existence stirred those feelings even more—an oxymoron—because he was proof that, in fact, something beautiful had come out of that failed love.

—

Sebastian and Acier landed silently in an undisclosed location, wearing obscuring brown cloaks over their bodies to hide their identities—or at least their hair.

Nozel, in Acier's arms, also had a tiny little cape on him, and a small toque sat on his head.

Sebastian and Acier walked through Kikka, only to pause. They hadn't agreed on where to go, yet both had naturally walked in the same direction, finding themselves at the marketplace.

They shared a strained smile as they gritted their teeth and walked forward.

As they did, Acier whispered softly, "If you see anything you like, just point it out. I'll get it for you."

Sebastian looked at her calmly. "I have money. I'm very well off—"

"I know you are." Acier smiled more softly before whispering again, "But this is about celebrating your achievements. Let me do this for you. And in the future, you can just do it for me too, when I accomplish anything."

Sebastian paused before nodding slightly. "Alright."

Acier smiled brighter, causing Sebastian's heart to race as they took a trip down memory lane, stopping in front of an "old acquaintance."

The painter—the adulterous painter—who had inadvertently played a large role in their relationship, looked up from his streetside rug stall with a grin, only to falter when he saw who it was.

Biting his lip, he glanced at Nozel, who stared down at him curiously, before cracking a joke. "So the rumors were true. You two really did get busy."

Sebastian and Acier smiled at him darkly, causing him to stiffen before the former parted his lips.

"I thought you were going to become an informant or a spy."

The former House Boismortier noble forced a strained smile and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Well, I did. I got hired by House Poizot, but… I kinda slept with my superior's wife—"

He stopped at Sebastian and Acier's dark smiles, which had returned in full force.

Gulping, he waited. Acier, no longer able to hold back her curiosity, parted her lips. "How are you still alive?!"

The adulterous painter rubbed his head almost smugly. "Heh, my survival instincts and means are off the charts."

Sebastian and Acier shared a tired sigh before shaking their heads. Sebastian glanced at Acier, and she smiled.

Pulling out a gold coin from her side pouch, Acier held it up. The painter sat up like a dog, holding out his hands.

She expertly dropped it into his palm.

He grinned, tucking it away in his sleeve before anyone could see, then looked up at them as if they were his masters. "My Lord, My Lady, what information do you need today?"

Acier blinked blankly at him. "We're here for a painting, not information."

The painter froze before awkwardly laughing. "Hah hah, o-of c-course you are. It's just that, when it comes to the two of you—" He cut himself off as he caught sight of Sebastian and Acier's unamused frowns.

A moment later, Sebastian bit his lip and held up two fingers. "We want two identical family portraits that can fit in our satchels."

The painter paused, seeming to take in the small gap between Sebastian and Acier. I guess the other thing was also true. Wisely, he kept that thought to himself as his grimoire flew out.

Two small, identical canvases floated in front of him, followed by his brushes, which dipped themselves into paint buckets. He took a long look at Sebastian and Acier, who posed like a couple—and it didn't seem forced. The picture began painting itself.

Nozel giggled and reached out excitedly. A minute later, two identical picture frames fell into Sebastian's and Acier's hands.

They both paused. Instead of the obscuring cloaks, their appearances were plain as day, dressed in House Silva's traditional uniforms. More than that, their smiles looked authentic—not exaggerated in any direction.

Nozel seemed to really like the paintings. So did they.

Sebastian looked down at the painter and gave a curt nod. "Thank you."

The former Boismortier noble waved good-naturedly. "No, thank you. Come again… I kinda need the money—"

He didn't get to finish as Sebastian and Acier, side by side, walked off.

As they went, they slowly bridged the gap between them, their shoulders brushing together—neither showing the slightest discomfort.

Acier looked at her husband and smiled softly. "Where to next?"

Just as Sebastian was about to respond, Nozel's tummy audibly grumbled, his cute little face scrunching up in displeasure.

Sebastian slowly took Nozel from his mother and chuckled. "Well, I guess we'll have brunch."

Acier stifled a laugh as she turned to take in their surroundings—only to freeze. She had just noticed where they were.

Right in front of their old clinic stall, which was now just Sebastian's.

Her eyes stung slightly as she spotted the old sign. S & A Clinic was still hanging above the entrance.

Sebastian followed her gaze, his throat tightening as he whispered, "It's a good sign. I don't want to change the name before I move out."

Acier trembled, nodding weakly, before turning to look up at the two-story building beside it—a café. A place where, arguably, they had their first real outing together.

She pointed at it. "Want to go there?"

Sebastian was starting to regret advocating for this trip to Kikka. It was stirring up too many sweet memories—memories that suddenly felt bitter. But he nodded calmly nonetheless. "Sure."

So they entered.

This time, Acier didn't do anything as grand as renting out an entire floor. Brunch hours weren't too busy, so they secured a nice seat on the upper floor, out on the balcony overlooking the street.

Nozel sat snugly in Sebastian's lap, drinking from a bottle.

Across the table, Acier watched as Sebastian smiled down lovingly at their son, holding the bottle to the nearly four-month-old's mouth. Her eyes stung again.

She wished moments like this could happen more often. She wished that, even when Nozel grew up and started understanding things—started realizing that his parents weren't alright—he could still smile like that when they spent time together.

"Acier…"

Sebastian's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. She quickly wiped her eyes and forced a smile.

"Y-yes?"

Sebastian grimaced. "If you want, we can leave and go somewhere else."

Acier froze before resolutely shaking her head. "N-no, I l-like it here. Sorry, I just got something in my eye—"

She stopped as Sebastian reached across the table, placing his hand on hers.

She wanted to pull away, but the intensity of his gaze wouldn't let her.

Sebastian parted his lips.

"There are few things in this world that make me feel more unpleasant than fake smiles. Especially yours."

Acier's breath hitched as Sebastian continued.

"Stop pretending in front of me. Stop with these lame excuses, stop with these lies. When you're sad, act sad. When you're mad, act mad. Co-parenting won't work if we treat each other like strangers. You told me that. We're still husband and wife at the end of the day, and we need to be able to talk to each other. Naturally."

Acier's heart raced, thumping in her chest, before she placed another hand on top of Sebastian's, startling him.

She gave him a shaky smile. "Y-you're right. You deserve better. Nozel deserves better. I promised, when we were together, to give a hundred percent of myself—but here I am, stopping at fifty. I like it here, Sebastian, I really do. W-with you and Nozel. I just wish this could be us, every day, in the future, even after Nozel grows up."

Sebastian's heart pounded just as fast as he whispered back, "Sometimes, things are only special and meaningful when they're rare and can't be guaranteed."

Acier felt her heart slip, aching, before Sebastian squeezed her hand tighter.

"I can't make you any promises about the future," he continued, "so let's just try to make the best of every day, every moment, every second we have together. All three of us. Here and now. In the now. Alright?"

Acier teared up—not from sadness, but something bittersweet. Something joyous. Something relieved.

She nodded. "Alright."

Sebastian smiled, then cocked his head toward the empty seat beside him. "Then stop acting like a stranger and sit next to your husband, not across from him." His voice took on a playful, teasing lilt.

Acier hesitated, a faint red creeping up her neck before she swiftly suppressed it. Without a word, she pulled her chair around the table and sat beside him, their legs brushing against each other.

Then, she reached out with both hands—one running through Nozel's soft hair, the other through Sebastian's, leaving him stiff.

Sebastian gritted his teeth and whispered, "It's hard for me to move on. It's hard for me to let go when you do things like that."

Acier looked up at him and nodded. "I know. Do you want me to stop?"

Sebastian bit his lip, sighed, and slowly shook his head.

He didn't.

He missed that jolt of warmth.

Acier nodded once more and resumed running her fingers through the hair of both her boys—her husband and son.

When the food arrived, Acier stiffened as Sebastian casually forked a piece of pie and fed it to her.

She didn't resist.

Sebastian took turns feeding her and himself, using the same fork, the lingering taste of both of them mixing together. The scent of it, the intimacy of it, made their eyes sting.

The stinging only deepened when Acier leaned her head against his shoulder as she ate.

It deepened even more when their gazes drifted to each other's left hands, fixating on the identical golden bangles around their ring fingers.

This could be them.This should be them.Yet, for stupid reasons, it wasn't.

Nozel, naturally, wanted a piece. He did not get one.

He looked like he was about to throw a fit, but thankfully, he was a pretty mature baby for his age. With a disgruntled pout, he simply resumed drinking from his bottle.

Sebastian and Acier found it hilarious.

Their son's little antics cleared the pit in their stomachs.

—

The rest of the day passed quickly for the family of three. Acier pulled Sebastian along to look at potential properties for his clinic.

Sebastian agreed—on the condition that they were only browsing. But, of course, they weren't.

By lunchtime, he had found a pretty ideal location.

It was near the entrance to the noble realm, meaning he could easily rush back home if anything happened. Staying late at the clinic wouldn't be such a big deal anymore.

The place itself was an old home recently put up for sale, as a commoner family was moving to Hecairo for some reason. It could be easily refurbished into a doctor's clinic.

Sebastian wanted to put down a deposit—he wasn't carrying enough funds for obvious reasons—but he never got the chance.

Acier whipped out her checkbook and bought it on the spot, then handed the property deed to him with a smug smile.

Sebastian took it blankly, sighed, and muttered that at least she should let him pay for lunch.

Thankfully, she agreed.

They dined at one of the nicest restaurants in the common realm. Sebastian refused to let Acier have any alcohol, which made her pout, but she obeyed—Nozel was present.

She didn't want to do anything reckless in front of her baby boy, even if Nozel might forget about it by tomorrow.

Their booth was private and enclosed, leaving them undisturbed after their food was served. Nozel nursed from Acier's breast, causing Sebastian to freak out—but at least no one was around to witness it.

And just like before, Sebastian fed Acier while she tended to Nozel.

This time, though, he lightly ran his fingers through her hair.

Acier turned to him, eyes flickering with something complex.

No—it wasn't complex. Not for them.

They both knew what it was.

Desire.

For each other.

Neither had the courage to act on it.

That desire lingered throughout the day as they did all sorts of things together, watching street performers, catching a play, and sharing moments that pulled them closer with every passing second.

By dinnertime, Acier was nearly sitting in Sebastian's lap.

Sebastian gritted his teeth.

He couldn't find the strength to pull her fully onto him.

Nor the will to push her away.

And then they flew home, the sun setting—much like that fateful day all those years ago.

Acier stood at the back of his water eagle, Nozel sleeping soundly in her arms, her long hair flowing behind her as she reached for the sun.

Sebastian sat cross-legged, watching her.

Mesmerized all over again.

He parted his lips.

And this time, instead of a soft mumble, he spoke aloud, clear as day.

"Beautiful."

Acier stiffened. She turned to face him, and he met her gaze, nodding.

"Both of you are so beautiful."

Acier flushed, biting her lip as she mumbled, "I-I knew it. Things like this… they aren't safe. W-we really shouldn't be spending these kinds of days together."

Sebastian nodded calmly. "You're right."

Acier's heart cracked—until he added, with a soft smile—

"But we're going to keep doing it anyway. Because being reckless, irresponsible, and contradictory… that's us. It has been. It is. And it always will be.

We wouldn't be us if we weren't."

Tears pricked at Acier's eyes.

She nodded, smiling shakily.

"Y-you're right.

We'll keep doing this… even if it screws us over all over again."

Sebastian slowly stood up and walked toward her.

Acier's heart told her to back away.

But her body was honest.

Sebastian stopped in front of her, wrapping his arms lightly around her back, one hand cradling her head. He pulled her into his embrace, pressing her against his chest.

The dam broke.

Tears spilled from Acier's eyes as she sobbed into him—silently, so as not to wake Nozel.

Sebastian's steady arms kept her from shaking as the eagle glided over the horizon.

Acier whispered, voice trembling, "I-I'm sorry. F-for everything. F-for how I treated you. I-I'm sorry that I keep telling you to give me space… and then come and steal yours. I'm sorry, Sebby!"

Sebastian's eyes stung.

He couldn't remember the last time she called him that.

His throat hitched, and he swallowed hard, staying silent.

He didn't say apology accepted—because it wasn't. He was still gravely hurt.

Nor did he say I'm sorry too—because he had already voiced his apologies countless times.

And she had never accepted them.

She kept crying into his chest, her sobs growing heavier.

"I-I'm trying," she choked out. "I-I'm really trying to move on, but I can't. I can only think of you. Every time I hear your voice over the transponder… every time I see Nozel's face… I'm reminded of you. And I want you next to me."

Sebastian's lips parted.

"Me too."

Acier stilled.

Slowly, she looked up at him with an ugly, broken smile.

"D-did you know?" she hiccupped. "I tried to resume my old dream of becoming Wizard King, hoping—hoping it would be enough for us to be together again!"

Sebastian froze, his chest tightening.

Acier let out another ugly sob.

"I-it didn't take long to figure out that there hasn't been a single Silva or Vermillion Wizard King since the first one! Not because we weren't strong enough—some of our patriarchs were—but because we weren't allowed to be!"

Sebastian said nothing. His heart clenched painfully as Acier continued.

"The whole thing about the True King—it was all a lie! The Wizard King's seat has become a way to keep the throne's power, the royal family's power, all royal families in check! It defeats the purpose if both Kings are royalty!"

"Unless there's absolutely no other candidates in a generation, the Wizard King can only be a noble! Even a fallen noble—but not a royal!"

"Even with the seat empty, we don't need a Wizard King right now. And I'm not strong enough anyway. I'm not even a captain yet! It'll take years before I'm even considered a candidate!"

"B-but by then, who knows if I'll even be the only candidate—or the most qualified one?"

"I-I'm sorry, Sebby… I'm not confident I'm strong enough to get us both back together—"

"Acier."

Sebastian cut her off.

Her cries ceased instantly.

She looked up—only to freeze.

Sebastian's eyes were filled with tears.

Before she could say anything, Sebastian spoke first.

"W-when did you ever get the impression that I would get back together with you?"

Acier stiffened as tears fell from Sebastian's eyes.

"E-even if that were true… where do you get off thinking you can break us apart, put us back together at your whims, at your convenience—without even asking me? Without even considering my feelings?"

Acier's eyes dulled as Sebastian continued.

"I-I gave you everything. A-all that I was. All that I am. And you threw it away." His breath hitched, his voice raw. "I-I know I messed up—badly. But after everything I did for you—hell, I saved your life twice—you still couldn't forgive me. You couldn't even give me a second chance."

Acier trembled, mirroring his own shivering posture.

Sebastian's breathing grew uneven.

"Y-you turned what should have been the happiest time of our lives into the most miserable. I gave you chance after chance until that very last day—and you turned me away. And after all that, you think I'll just take you back because now you say it's okay?"

His voice cracked into something bitter.

"W-what kind of pathetic creature do you take me for?!"

His chest heaved as his gaze bore into her.

"Am I really that low in your eyes? In your heart? In your mind?"

Acier felt sick. Her grip on Nozel tightened as she shook her head, desperate.

"T-that's not w-what I meant at all! H-how could I ever think of you like that?!"

Sebastian didn't pull away. Instead, he held her tighter and whispered, voice trembling, "Then why do your actions… your words… make it seem like that?"

Acier felt no warmth in his embrace.

Only cold.

Only distance.

Her eyes dulled.

Nozel stirred, his small cries breaking the tense silence.

Sebastian took him from Acier's arms, holding him close.

Nozel, staring wide-eyed at his father, wiped his pudgy hands across his watery eyes—only for Sebastian to cry harder.

Acier watched it all with an empty gaze and a shattered heart.

She had screwed up. Again.

Moments later, the eagle landed.

Acier froze.

It didn't land in front of her home—but his.

Wordlessly, she turned to Sebastian.

Before she could react, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her forward—into the house.

Her heart pounded in confusion as she stumbled inside.

He didn't stop until they reached his room.

"S-Sebastian?" Acier's voice wavered, uneasy after the long silence.

Sebastian turned to her, his eyes cold.

She flinched.

Then he reached for her.

Acier squeezed her eyes shut—bracing for impact.

But none came.

Instead—warmth.

Hesitantly, she opened her eyes.

Sebastian's hand rested gently on her head.

His gaze remained cold, but his touch was warm.

Nozel, still in his arms, looked up at his mother curiously.

Then, Sebastian spoke.

"Both of us suck at communication."

Acier's breath hitched.

"We're on the same wavelength. We feel the same things. But that doesn't mean we can just assume—doesn't mean we can act without the other person's input. Without actually saying what we want."

His words settled deep in her chest.

Then, his next words stunned her.

"Tonight, Nozel is going to sleep here with me."

Her pupils dilated.

"And so will you."

She opened her mouth to protest, but his sharp glare stopped her cold.

"You just ruined my special day." His voice was low, rough. "So you're going to make it up to me. You're going to do this. You're going to give our baby boy a lullaby as he sleeps on my chest, and you're not going to leave once he falls asleep."

"When I wake up. When he wakes up. You're going to be there. By our side."

"Alright?"

Acier swallowed hard.

Then, slowly—she nodded.

Piece by piece, the shattered remains of her heart began to fit back together.

She had messed up—badly.

But Sebastian…

Sebastian had given her a chance to redeem herself.

And only now did she realize—she had never given him the same chance when he had messed up.

Despite all he had done for her.

The thought made her want to cry.

So she did.

She didn't hide it.

She sobbed against Sebastian's chest as he stood there emotionlessly, Nozel patting her head with tiny hands.

She apologized.

Again.

And again.

And again.

And every time—Sebastian met her with silence.

He didn't forgive her.

She didn't expect him to.

Because I'm sorry isn't a question. It isn't something you say expecting an answer.

It's a statement. A declaration.

And so she apologized anyway.

When her tears finally ran dry, they lay down together.

Nozel rested on Sebastian's belly.

Acier's head rested on Sebastian's chest.

One of her hands lay gently on Nozel's back.

Sebastian's arm rested on hers.

And Acier…

She sang.

A lullaby.

For all three of them.

That night, for the first time since Sebastian left Castle Silva—

They slept together.

And for the first time—

They slept together as a family.

—

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