Chapter 5

The dagger stayed pressed against the stranger's throat.

The blade couldn't even scratch his skin, and she wouldn't use her magic with the child so close.

He didn't try to push it away.

He didn't raise his hands either.

He just kept his gaze fixed on the small crib.

Vivienne spoke without changing her tone.

"You've got one chance to explain why you broke into my house."

"I already did."

"No. You only said you're here for your son."

The man said nothing.

"That's not enough."

Before he could respond, a small sound broke the tension.

Ren slowly opened his eyes.

He blinked several times, still drowsy, until he found Vivienne. The moment he saw her, he stretched both arms toward her.

Vivienne didn't lower the dagger.

With her free hand, she lifted the little one into her arms.

"Easy."

Ren rested his head against her chest.

Then the stranger took an instinctive step forward.

Just one.

The tip of the dagger pressed against his throat again.

"I told you not to come closer."

He obeyed at once.

He looked at the child with a mix of relief and worry.

"Ren... so that's his name."

The baby lifted his head.

Their eyes met for barely a few seconds.

The man smiled at him with a calm that clashed with everything that had happened.

"Come with me."

Ren didn't respond.

His small hands began clutching Vivienne's dress with all their strength.

A moment later he burst into tears.

It wasn't a soft cry.

He buried himself completely against her, trembling, gripping the fabric so tightly he seemed to refuse to let go.

Vivienne began stroking his back.

"It's okay."

The child kept crying.

"I'm here."

The stranger closed his eyes for a few seconds.

When he opened them again, frustration showed on his face.

"I expected as much."

Vivienne watched him without lowering the weapon.

"Start talking."

The man let out a long sigh.

"Dragons are different from humans."

She stayed silent.

"When a dragon is born, the first person he sees upon breaking through the shell becomes his anchor."

Vivienne frowned slightly.

"Anchor?"

"During his first years, every instinct revolves around that person. He seeks their presence, their voice, their protection. Separating him from her only causes fear."

Ren was still hidden in Vivienne's arms.

The man continued.

"Until he's able to fully control his magic and understand that bond on his own, he'll keep clinging to you."

Vivienne looked down at the little one.

She understood perfectly what she was seeing.

It wasn't a simple whim.

Ren truly felt safe only with her.

She looked back at the intruder.

"That doesn't prove you're his father."

He didn't answer right away.

Vivienne held his gaze.

"Listen carefully. I found that egg by chance, and from that day I did everything I could to find his family. I asked merchants, sent letters, searched for news of missing children, and waited for some answer for months."

She absently stroked Ren's silver hair.

"My intention was always to return him once I found his parents."

Her voice grew firmer.

"So if you expect me to hand this child over just because you showed up claiming he's your son, you're wasting your time."

The man nodded slowly.

"That's reasonable."

"I want proof."

Silence filled the room again.

Finally he spoke.

"This entire war started because of him."

Vivienne felt her eyes narrow.

"What did you just say?"

"We searched for him across the entire continent."

His voice remained calm.

"I believed I'd find him in the human capital. It was the most logical place to hide him. His mother—" He cut himself off.

Vivienne said nothing. She waited until he continued.

"But a few days ago, I sensed his magic."

He brought a hand to his chest.

"Very faint at first... then closer and closer."

Vivienne stayed motionless.

The way he spoke was strange.

As if he could sense Ren's presence from an impossible distance.

It didn't sound like an exaggeration.

He spoke with complete naturalness.

Then he lifted both hands to the black hood covering his head.

He let it fall slowly to the floor.

Vivienne watched closely.

Two dark horns jutted out from between his hair.

Their shape was practically identical to Ren's small horns.

For several seconds, no one spoke.

Vivienne looked down at the child asleep in her arms.

Then she looked back at the man.

The features.

The horns.

The eyes.

Now she found resemblances that had gone unnoticed before.

She let out a small sigh.

"...So you really are his father."

The man inclined his head slightly.

"Yes."

Vivienne didn't lower the dagger.

"That only answers part of my questions."

He smiled for the first time since entering the room.

It was a serene smile, almost amused.

"You're an interesting woman."

She arched an eyebrow.

"Why's that?"

"Because you just held a dagger to the throat of the ruler of the Dragon Empire."

Vivienne remained completely serious.

He let out a short laugh.

"And you still aren't trembling."

She answered with absolute composure.

"If you'd come through the door and knocked first, I probably wouldn't have a dagger in my hand."

The man smiled again.

"Perhaps."

He placed a hand over his chest in a formal gesture of introduction.

"My name is Gariel."

He paused briefly.

"Emperor of the Dragons."

He waited for a reaction.

None came.

Vivienne simply adjusted Ren, who was still clinging to her.

Gariel ended up shaking his head as an expression of amusement crossed his face.

"I suppose you can't afford to kill me."

Vivienne held his gaze.

"You sure about that?"

"Yes. And I can't kill you either."

His smile widened just slightly.

"Because you're my son's anchor... and I would never harm the person he considers his home."

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