Zayden spotted a glittering piece under the bed. He bent over, taking out the piece of anklet. The silver chains were attached to light green pearls, similar to Eiran’s eyes. He smiled, looking at it for a long moment.
When Eiran hatched, a maid had found it among the shards of eggshells while cleaning his room. She immediately handed it over to Hannah, thinking someone had lost it. Hannah asked Zayden first, and it clicked instantly.
This belonged to Eiran. Or to the dragon he had killed.
He didn’t know how it had ended up inside the unhatched egg; however, nothing seemed clearer than that only Eiran should wear it. He kept it, waiting for the right moment. And what could be better than giving it to him as he announced him as his son before the nobles?
He had gone to investigate the horse from Hianshu during Liam’s absence. However, no matter how many times he studied the creature, he found nothing unusual. He simply couldn’t understand why Liam insisted that he could find something.
Taking a deep breath, he pulled out the green box he had bought to put the gift inside. On his way back, he came across a street merchant selling valuable pieces of jewelry. Yet, what caught his eye was the box.
He placed the anklet inside.
"Eiran will , I am sure."
Sitting on a chair decorated with gems and ornaments Eiran barely recognized anyone. His gaze searched for two people: his Dad and his Papa. Both were nowhere to be seen. He had lost Ren in the crowd. When he turned, it was as if Ren had vanished. His hand clutched at his chest, worry rising.
Where could he have gone?
"Young Master, I have heard a lot about you," a woman approached, her fangs glinting as she smiled.
She was clearly one of the vampires he had read about.
He blinked rapidly, his back pressing against the chair as he tried to keep his composure. His sweaty fingers brushed against his palms.
Would she drink his blood too?
"My, my. Seems you scared the Young Master," another lady sneered from behind her violet fan, her pointed ears glittering with countless jewels.
Eiran frowned. No one had mocked him before. They were trying to scare him—he knew it. But his body wouldn’t move as he instructed it to. It simply wouldn’t listen.
"It seems someone is bullying my son," a familiar voice echoed.
The music stopped, and so did the nobles’ conversations. The crowd slowly parted, making way for Zayden. His dark blue tie matched Eiran’s shirt, and his black suit was embroidered with precise curves, custom-made by a famous designer in the Empire.
"How dare we!" one man chuckled, though his gaze lingered nervously on the General. He smiled, faking a cough to regain his composure.
Zayden didn’t reply, nor spare him a glance, stepping closer to Eiran.
The boy’s eyes shone for a moment, only to cloud with fury the next. His head dropped slightly, ashamed that he couldn’t even handle these nobles on his own.
"It has been a while, my little troublemaker," Zayden chuckled, gently patting his head.
All his worries vanished the moment Eiran felt the large palm ruffling his hair, comforting and warm.
Zayden grinned at him, waiting for him to speak.
"D-Dad," he finally whispered, pressing his hand against Zayden’s.
"You’ll ruin my pretty hairstyle," he muttered, his expression slowly turning bright. "It took Elisa hours to make one I approved."
Zayden laughed, pulling his head away. He hadn’t known this was all it took to make his son happy—not until he remembered Ren’s small gestures that always brought the brightest smiles to Eiran’s face. His mother had told him to be patient with children, and he was certain he was. Yet sometimes, it seemed Eiran was more afraid than happy around him.
Still a long way to become a good father without making anyone pregnant, and watching my child grow in them...
He coughed lightly, his throat dry at the thought. He never wanted to impregnate any omegas he had come across. Sex with them was limited to the period of his rut. After that, he wouldn’t return to the person, in case it caused trouble.
He reached for the nearest glass of wine and raised it.
"Everyone, this is my son. As you know, I organized this banquet for him." He paused, scanning the hall. Every gaze lingered on his, waiting for him to continue. "Enjoy!"
He knew his speech was the lamest any noble had ever heard, but it didn’t matter. He only needed to make Eiran’s existence known to the public. That was enough. Placing the glass back on the tray, he turned to his son.
"Did you eat anything yet?"
Eiran tilted his head.
The child shook his head.
Zayden waved a servant over and ordered food to be brought.
"You’re spoiling him, Your—My Lord," a man chuckled, sipping his wine. He almost called him ’Your Royal Highness’.
"He’s my son. Of course, he ought to be spoiled."
The answer was immediate, leaving no room for argument. Zayden gave no reason other than the fact that the boy was his, carrying his last name.
"Dad, where is Papa?" Eiran asked, his face filled with worry.
"Why are you making that face? He must be somewhere."
"No, no. Bring Papa. Please?" The boy blinked, trying to make the cutest face he could. It always worked with Ren. And surely, it would work with Zayden too.
The guests exchanged glances, curiosity flashing in their eyes. All were eager to meet the person this child called Papa.
"The General’s partner?"
"Don’t you think he is acting a little..."
"If it’s Papa... a man?"
"There could be no other explanation," a lady chuckled.
Whispers spread through the hall, leaving Zayden standing helplessly before Eiran. He wanted to give this child everything—but how could he keep letting him call someone who never asked to be his Papa?
Most of all, he had noticed Ren’s distant demeanor. Later, as the years passed, the truth would come to light. And when it did, the boy would be heartbroken. Unless... he already knew this truth as well.
"He will stop calling me when I leave this mansion," Ren’s words from months ago echoed in his mind, almost haunting.
His body ran cold. Follow current novels on NoveI★Fire.net
"I will be right back," he smiled, leaning over. "Hannah!" He turned, searching for the maid.
As soon as she heard her name, Hannah rushed towards Zayden, confused.
"Yes, My Lord? When did you arrive—"
"Take care of Eiran until I come back."
The elderly lady blinked, perplexed.
"M-My Lord!—" she called, but Zayden had already left.