Kael, the little heir, was sleeping soundly in the cradle crafted specifically for him. The cradle itself was a work of art—polished wood carved with the emblem of House Ravenor, lined with soft enchanted blankets meant to keep infants warm. But what stood out most was not the cradle or the magic within it—it was the peaceful expression on the baby's face. A slight rise and fall of his chest, tiny fingers curled in slumber, lips relaxed. Nothing about him hinted at the life he once lived or the knowledge resting quietly behind closed eyes.
Duchess Selara entered the nursery first, moving with the quiet grace of a mother who didn't want to wake her child. Her long golden hair flowed freely around her, catching the light like threads of dawn. She approached the cradle and leaned slightly over it, her face softening at the sight of her son.
"Still sleeping so peacefully," she murmured, brushing her fingertips gently across Kael's cheek. "My precious boy…"
There was no fear in her touch. Only warmth—the kind that filled a mother's heart so completely that the rest of the world faded away.
A moment later, the door opened again. This time it was Duke Darian Ravenor, tall and broad-shouldered. But the moment his eyes landed on Kael, the strength in his posture softened. He stepped to Selara's side and placed a hand lightly on her waist before looking down at his son.
"Already growing," Darian said under his breath, as if speaking too loudly might break the peaceful spell of the morning. "He looks stronger than he did yesterday."
Selara smiled. "He does. He eats well, sleeps well… he's calm. Much calmer than I expected."
"That's good." Darian couldn't hide the pride in his voice. "Our boy will grow into a fine man. I can feel it."
There was no worry in Darian's tone. He didn't see anything unusual in his son. Didn't suspect hidden intelligence, reincarnation, or secrets. All he saw was his child a blessing he had wished for all these years.
Selara rested her head lightly against Darian's shoulder. "I still can't believe he's finally here."
"You waited long enough," he said softly. "We both did."
They stayed there for a few quiet moments, simply watching their son breathe.
Down in the cradle, Kael slowly stirred. His tiny hands wiggled, then he opened his eyes—deep purple, a trademark of the Ravenor bloodline, like his father. He blinked sleepily, gazing up at the blurry shapes leaning over him. Even though he canʼt remember life he had lived before this one, something about seeing his mother and father so close made a strange warmth bloom in his chest.
Selara immediately brightened. "Oh! He's awake." She scooped him into her arms with ease, her smile widening as she cradled him against her chest. "Good morning, my little star."
Kael blinked, making a soft baby noise that sounded somewhere between a hiccup and a squeak. Selara laughed softly, kissing the top of his head.
Darian approached, brushing Kael's head with a large hand with care. "Good morning, son."
Kael's eyes shifted toward him, unfocused but trying in newborn way to understand the world around him. It didn't feel fake. His parents weren't wary of him, weren't cautious, weren't studying him.
They simply loved him.
Kaelʼs POV
My mother, other of this body Selara Revanor, grew up in the royal family of the Valtherion Empire. She was once a princess and is the niece of the current Emperor. She later married into the ducal Revanor household.
My father, Darian Revanor, is the present head of House Revanor and the only remaining member of its bloodline and after I born Family has two male members now. He serves as the protector of the empire's western borders, defending the land from the yearly invasions of demons and demon beasts.
Both are strong and capable, but hearing that Kael had summoned a demon must have felt like a dagger to their hearts. Loving him so deeply while realizing that their family, defenders of the empire against demons, now had one among their own… and after his death and with no other heir, the duchy had declined. Kael sighed deeply while his new parents continued their conversation
General POV
Selara sat in the padded chair by the youwindow, rocking gently. The sunlight fell across her face, illuminating her soft smile as she held Kael close. "I wonder what he'll be like when he grows up," she mused aloud.
Darian leaned against the windowsill. "Strong," he said. "But not just physically. He'll have a good heart."
Selara glanced up at him with a small, teasing smile. "You're already imagining him as a knight, aren't you?"
"A knight?" Darian raised a brow. "He's the heir to the duchy. He's going to be much more than that."
"Ah, right," Selara laughed softly. "The mighty Duke Kael Ravenor. Warden of the West"
Kael let out another small sigh that made both parents laugh again.
Selara leaned down to kiss his face. "It's all right, little one. You don't need to grow up so fast."
Darian reached over and stroked Selara's hair. "He'll grow at his own pace. And we'll be here."
The simple sincerity of his words filled the room with a comfortable warmth.
A knock sounded at the door before it opened slightly. The head maid peeked inside. "My lord, my lady, breakfast is ready. Shall I prepare the nursery for young Masters morning feeding?"
Selara nodded. "Yes, We'll come shortly."
The maid bowed and stepped out. Selara looked at her husband. "We should eat before it gets cold."
Darian nodded, but his eyes lingered on his son for a momen.
Selara noticed and chuckled. "You can hold him before we go."
Darian seemed almost surprised. "May I?"
"Of course."
With the care, she lifted Kael and transferred him into Darian's arms. The duke, who commanded soldiers and negotiated with nobles without blinking, held the baby as if he were made of glass. But his expression was pure, unmistakable awe.
"He's… small," Darian whispered.
Selara laughed softly. "All babies are."
"Yes, but… he's ours," Darian said.
Kael looked up at him, blinking.
Darian swallowed. "I'll make sure he has the world. Everything I never had. Everything he deserves."
Selara touched his arm. "We both will."
For the first time in his new life, Kael felt something warm flooding his chest. A sense of family.
Darian lowered his head and pressed a kiss to his son's forehead. "Come, little Kael," "Let's get breakfast."
With Selara at his side, they left the nursery together.