“Aaron has already become Berend’s heir. Whatever that woman may have intended, that child will never escape the name—for as long as he lives. Just as you could not.”

He closed his mouth. She was right. Thinking of his own case made it obvious. A child raised elsewhere, one day recalling the past, would inevitably be consumed by vengeance.

‘And when that day came… I would be his target.’

The man who had executed his father—that was none other than Zephion. From Aaron’s perspective, he was the enemy. A foe he had no memory of, yet one he was destined to avenge. Someday, he would have to bring him down.

“And Reina Berend—or rather, Reina Helfried—can no longer firmly deny her ties to the Berend house. The moment she became that child’s mother, her connection to Berend could never be severed. By giving birth to Aaron, Reina Helfried effectively sealed off any escape for herself.”

The princess frowned.

“I thought I understood that woman’s intentions… it seems I was mistaken.”

“Were you… acquainted with her?”

At his words, she gave a slight shrug.

“We were aware of each other’s existence.”

What did that mean? He tried to discern the hidden implication, but it wasn’t easy. In fact, what was stranger still was that this woman should show any interest in Reina at all.

They had only spent a year together, and he knew that the princess was solely focused on the throne. To her, everything else was secondary. This was probably just words to further her pursuit of the throne.

Knowing this much about Reina was curious in itself.

“If Reina Helfried raises the child, she could one day exact Berend’s revenge.”

Zephion clenched his fist tightly.

“And if that happens, it would put me in a difficult position.”

“That will not happen.”

“Yes… I dislike uncertainties.”

Her meaning was clear: remove every possible threat. Which could only mean one thing.

“There’s no need for you to worry.”

He answered in a voice as rigid as stone, then stepped forward.

***

Reina soothed Aaron gently as she gazed out the window.

Once again, she had been imprisoned. This time, it wasn’t the damp, cold underground cell but one above ground—but being unable to leave was the same. Iron bars were set in the window, and the door was firmly locked.

‘Maybe I should be grateful… that at least I’m with Aaron.’

She had worried they might take the child from her again, but those who had locked her away said nothing about Aaron. She gazed quietly at the child sleeping peacefully, his face serene, wondering if he knew anything of what had happened to her.

She couldn’t guess what they intended to do with her and Aron.

‘If Zephion doesn’t kill me, he’ll be in trouble.’

He had already spared her life before countless witnesses. That fact alone was bound to cast a shadow on him. It could even become an obstacle in restoring the Marquisate of Baltgar. So why had he done it?

No matter how much she thought on it, no answer came. Would he kill her later instead?

Unconsciously, Reina touched her neck. The cut from the sword had been deep, yet he had even tended to the wound. Her fingers brushed over the bandage, wrapped tightly around it.

Lowering her head, she saw the white garment spotted with droplets of blood, now dried into a dark, rusty red.

“Aaron, what do you think they’ll do with you?”

Reina asked in a calm voice. The soft, steady rhythm of his breathing made her smile faintly.

‘Even if Zephion wavers… the princess surely has no intention of letting me live.’

Considering everything that woman had done, Reina was certain she would see her killed, even if it meant using someone else’s hand.

And if so… what about my child? Would they kill him too, to erase any future threat?

She wanted to beg—say that since Aaron was Zephion’s child, at least the boy should be spared.

“…Ha.”

Letting out a long sigh, Reina squeezed her eyes shut.

She tried to recall the moment Kaelid died, but the memory wasn’t clear. She had devoted her entire life to that single instant—yet once it was over, nothing remained.

No joy, no sorrow, not even emptiness. She felt none of it.

Was it because her mind was consumed by thoughts of Aaron? Or was it because everything had ended so suddenly, compared to the long years she had spent with him? After all, the blow to her throat had been over in an instant.

Nevertheless, she did not regret her revenge. If she had not seen Kaelid Berend executed, she would have carried that knot of bitterness in her heart forever. Even if she herself did not feel at peace, perhaps her departed parents would rejoice.

‘I wonder what happened to his body.’

‘It must have been discarded somewhere. Even Eldan should be exhumed and cast aside.’

Reina gave a bitter smile. But trapped in this room without a way to leave, there was no one she could even ask to do such a thing.

“Mm…”

Perhaps having slept enough, Aaron stirred and opened his eyes. Those violet irises, now so much clearer, gazed quietly at her. She gently brushed her hand across the baby’s radiant cheek as he smiled brightly.

‘Will they set another execution date…?’

Since Zephion hadn’t been able to cut her throat, would they change it to hanging instead? She’d heard that being hanged was terribly painful. She told herself to stop such dark thoughts, yet she couldn’t escape them. Because she knew death was chasing right at her heels.

“Aaron… Baltgar.”

Reina carefully gave the child Zephion’s surname. As if he understood her calling his name, Aaron laughed aloud and gripped her finger tightly.

The surname Baltgar suited him well. Perhaps because he was Zephion’s child. She tapped his little, slightly prominent nose tip.

“If only there had been a portrait of Zephion as a child.”

Regret stirred within her. If such a portrait existed, she could at least insist the child resembled him. But there was none to be found. When the marquis couple had their son, the nation had already begun to fall into turmoil. Then, by the time he turned three and lost both his parents, guardians had come and gone in chaos. No one had thought to have Zephion’s portrait drawn.

And after she came into the Berend house, Reina herself had done nothing.

‘I didn’t want to leave anything behind.’

She had believed that, in the end, it would all burn and vanish anyway. With a faint, bitter smile, she played with the baby’s tiny fingers. Aaron squirmed, giggling with delight.

“Yes, yes.”

She answered softly, sweeping back his hair. Long ago, Zephion had once smiled like this too. A dry laugh slipped out. The man she had met again wore the coldest, most frightening expression—so much so that no trace of that childlike smile could be found.

“Will the day ever come… when that child smiles again?”

“Waah.”

“I truly hope it does.”

Reina smiled faintly. She sincerely wished that one day, he would find that smile again. Perhaps when everything was over—when revenge was complete, when all was restored—surely then, even his heart would be freed.

It would be better if she died sooner.
The existence of Reina Berend only served to throw Zephion into turmoil.

‘It won’t take long anyway.’

There was no way this would drag on for weeks. At most, within ten days, everything would be decided. Next time, Zephion would not hesitate—he would swing his sword. He had to. If he truly wished to restore the name of Baltgar.

“Aaron, I still don’t know what decision they’ll make for you.”

Would they spare him? Kill him? If it were up to the princess, she would order his death. As for Zephion… she honestly couldn’t tell. At the brink of death, she had confessed that the child was his. And though he had coldly declared it a lie, she had seen the faintest tremor in those golden eyes.

If he believed her—even a little—then she wished he would raise the boy as Aaron Baltgar.

Reina clasped Aron’s tiny hands firmly. Perhaps blood could not be denied—though still a baby, his grip was surprisingly strong. A faint smile touched her lips.

How much time had passed? Suddenly, she heard footsteps drawing near.

Were they here to carry out the execution now? The smile slowly faded from her face. She had steeled herself, but it wasn’t something one could greet with joy.