Chapter 4

The months passed with a tranquility Vivienne never would have imagined.

The war still dominated every conversation in the kingdom. Messengers crossed the roads carrying discouraging news; border cities had fallen, the human army was retreating, and the name of the Dragon Empire alone was enough to make the atmosphere turn heavy.

Yet this little village seemed to exist in another world.

Ren was growing up healthy.

He was a surprisingly calm child. He rarely cried, slept well, and smiled with an ease that ended up disarming anyone. His small horns had barely grown, his tail still swayed every time he was happy, and the fine reddish streaks in his hair grew more visible under the sunlight.

The whole village knew him.

"Good morning, little Ren."

The boy raised a hand and answered with a babble that drew more than one laugh.

Vivienne watched those scenes from a certain distance.

"Don't spoil him."

Owen smiled as he held the little one.

"I only said hello. I wanted to check if he was still just as friendly."

Everyone ended up laughing.

Vivienne sighed with apparent resignation.

"You're all getting too used to him."

Mara replied while adjusting the blanket over the boy's legs.

"The same accusation could be made against you."

Vivienne looked away.

"I... I just want him to be okay. That's all."

That answer no longer convinced anyone.

Because every night, when the house fell completely silent, she repeated the exact same routine.

She checked that the windows were shut.

She inspected the magical wards protecting the villa.

She walked through every room.

And before going to sleep, she entered Ren's room.

She watched him for a few seconds inside his little bed.

She always ended up smiling without realizing it.

"You sleep too much... If you were my son, I'd say you take after me."

She lifted him carefully.

She carried him back to her room.

And they ended up sleeping in the same bed.

The next morning, before Mara appeared, she discreetly placed him back in his crib.

When the housekeeper discovered the habit, she simply remarked:

"My lady."

Vivienne gave a small start.

"How long have you been standing there?"

"Just a moment."

"It's not what it looks like."

Mara looked at the child, fast asleep in Vivienne's arms.

"Of course."

"I was just... checking that..."

Vivienne fell silent.

Mara smiled patiently.

"You don't have to keep pretending."

Vivienne shook her head immediately.

"I'm not pretending."

"Then admit you love him."

"He's still a temporary guest. I can't keep him forever."

Mara let out a quiet laugh.

Vivienne decided to end the conversation.

"I need breakfast."

That same night, the wind blew hard.

The villa sat in complete darkness.

Vivienne was deep asleep when her eyes snapped open.

She hadn't heard a sound.

There were no shouts.

No footsteps.

She simply felt something.

Her gaze traveled slowly across the ceiling.

The magical wards were still active.

Or so it seemed.

Then she understood what was different.

There was a presence inside the room.

She stayed motionless. Her breathing remained steady.

She didn't wake Ren.

Very slowly, she slid one hand beneath the pillow.

Her fingers found the handle of a dagger summoned by her magic.

She gripped it without making the slightest noise.

A figure emerged from the darkness.

Tall. Broad-shouldered. Dressed entirely in black. Moving straight toward the crib.

Vivienne tracked every one of his movements.

The stranger reached the child.

He gazed at him for several seconds.

Then he began walking toward the bed.

When he was close enough, Vivienne sat up with a speed the man hadn't anticipated.

The dagger appeared in her hand and the cold blade pressed against the intruder's throat.

It all happened in an instant.

The man went still.

Vivienne stared him down.

"One more move and you'll stain my carpet."

The room fell silent again.

Inches from the blade, the stranger let out a long sigh.

His voice was deep and surprisingly calm.

"You've got good reflexes."

"I've got short patience."

He slowly lowered his gaze to the dagger.

"You could put that away."

Vivienne arched an eyebrow.

"I could."

Neither of them moved.

In the faint moonlight she could make out the intruder more clearly.

He was a young man, clearly trained for combat. His presence commanded respect even while standing still; he bore several visible scars across his neck and hands, reddish hair fell over part of his forehead, and his golden eyes remained fixed on her without a trace of fear.

Vivienne spoke first.

"Who are you?"

The man said nothing.

"You've got three seconds."

He let out a barely audible laugh.

"I still think you should lower that dagger."

The pressure on his neck increased slightly. But to her surprise, the blade chipped. The man's skin was impossibly hard.

"You've got two." She tried to sound calm.

The stranger stopped smiling.

He shifted his gaze toward the small crib where Ren continued sleeping, oblivious to everything.

Then he looked back at Vivienne.

"I didn't come to hurt you."