Time passed slowly for infants, but for Atticus, it moved with a strange clarity. He watched his new world unfold from the borrowed body of a child, understanding far too much, far too early.
Luna grew quickly beside him.
She was bright, curious and most of all out-going. She was not afraid to approach new things and even make new friends.
She was like a light that refused to go out…
Just like his husband had once been.
Atticus, meanwhile, blended into the background as much as possible.
From the moment he realized he was merely tolerated for Luna's sake, he made a choice-one that would shape every breath he took in this second life.
So he softened himself and dulled his edges. He did have magic, but it was tainted with a demon's essence. He made sure to pack it as densely behind a lock as he could to appear as a dull human.
It worked.
The adults began to overlook him, their tense worry about his existence fading into something closer to weary dismissal.
Being considered insignificant was humiliating, but safe. Besides, nothing these people said was more hurtful than things he had already heard in his previous life.
Luna, however, didn't understand why he acted like this.
She hovered around him constantly, clinging to his sleeve, pulling him away from anything or anyone she deemed suspicious. Her protectiveness made the other children resent him.
They never said it when adults were around. But when teachers turned their backs, or nannies stepped inside to fetch something, the whispers began.
"He's always stuck to her."
"He takes all her attention."
"She's special-he's not."
"He's so slow. Why does she bother with him?"
The resentment grew with every month.
Small hands shoved him during lessons. Children snatched his toys to break them. Sometimes they pushed him into mud just to watch him struggle to get up while Luna was distracted elsewhere.
He endured all of it. Because reacting meant attention. And attention could mean danger.
One afternoon, the bullying became more persistent than usual. A group of older children cornered him behind a hedgerow in the garden, blocking his escape routes with smug expressions.
"Let's see if he cries this time."
One said, nudging his shoulder hard enough to make him stumble.
"Let's teach this kid his place before Luna comes. She's scary to go against."
Another whispered.
Atticus bit his lip and kept his gaze down.
They were just children. Their cruelty was shallow-nothing compared to the betrayals he had lived through in his past life.
Still, every time he felt Luna's importance overshadow his own existence, every time someone called him unnecessary, the same seed of dread sprouted deep inside.
"Why don't you say something? Are you stupid? Can't you even talk properly?"
One child taunted, pushing him again.
Atticus simply waited for it to end.
The bushes rustled sharply.
"What are you doing?"
Luna quickly arrived at the scene. She marched toward them with all the authority of a general, even though she was barely three years old.
Without hesitation, she shoved the nearest bully aside-hard. Far harder than a child her size should have been able to manage.
The boy stumbled, tripping over his own feet as Luna positioned herself firmly in front of Atticus.
"If any of you touch him again. I'll bite you."
She snarled,
The kids scattered instantly, not wanting to get in trouble with her.
Atticus let out a slow breath. Luna turned, her anger still simmering as she grabbed his hand.
"Why didn't you stop them? Why do you just stand there? Why don't you tell them to go away?"
She demanded.
He hesitated.
"I don't want them to be angry."
"Who cares if they get angry? If they yell, I'll yell louder."
Luna huffed.
"That won't help."
Atticus murmured.
"Yes it will."
"It won't… because I'm not like you."
She blinked, frowning as she slowly processed his words. The realization hit her with a startling bluntness.
"Oh…Right. I'm special."
She whispered. Even she knew that she received special treatment from people around her.
"If people get mad at you, you can blame me. Then no one can punish you."
Luna said quickly.
Her sincerity was painfully real. She genuinely believed she could shield him from the world's consequences.
Atticus smiled faintly and shook his head.
"Thank you. But it won't work forever."
Luna didn't argue. She didn't like the truth-but she understood it enough to stay quiet for a moment.
Then she slowly reached out and patted his head, her tiny fingers soft and warm.
"You shouldn't be scared of everything. I don't like it when you look like that."
She said finally.
"I'll try my best."
He replied.
"You better."
She straightened firmly.
"I have to go now. Someone important is coming to meet me."
Atticus already knew who.
He had heard knights discussing it earlier that morning-the Hero would arrive today. The world's chosen warrior, fated to be Luna's perfect counterpart.
Their meeting marked the beginning of the story he thought he had escaped forever.
And it marked the part where he needed to stay far, far away.
"You should go back to our room. I'll come back later."
Luna added.
He nodded and watched her run toward the ceremonial hall where the adults gathered in anticipation.
Atticus turned down the opposite path, hoping to avoid both children and attention.
But fate did not care for his caution.
As he rounded a corner, he collided with something unyielding.
A leg.
Atticus bounced back and instinctively looked up.
His breath caught.
Sera stood there.
He looked exactly the same-tall, pale, fierce in a way that didn't belong to children. He still looked to be thirteen years old, with the same tired but blank look on his face. But for the first time, he looked at Atticus with an emotion other than fear and disinterest.
Atticus felt his stomach twist. This wasn't supposed to happen. They weren't supposed to meet. Not like this.
Sera stepped closer, studying him with unnerving intensity. His gaze followed every breath Atticus took.
Then, unexpectedly, his cold expression shifted, softening into something curious. His hand reached out, fingers circling Atticus's small arm with surprising gentleness.
"You…Who are you? Your feel…familiar…?"
Sera said, his voice soft but mature for his age.
Panic prickled beneath Atticus's skin. He couldn't let this boy recognize him, even instinctively. He couldn't risk being tied to his past.
Before he could speak, a familiar voice interrupted:
"Don't bother with him, Sir. That's the chosen one's dumb beta sister!"
One of the bullies jogged over, panting.
"She's slow. Mama says she can't learn anything right. Don't waste your time."
He added proudly, as if the insult were some badge of honor.
Atticus kept his eyes down as he got a perfect excuse to take a step back. He bowed clumsily, exactly as a slow child might.
"S-sorry. I… need to go."
He murmured, deliberately fumbling the words before he made a run for it. Only when he slipped behind the hedges and out of sight did he let himself breathe again.
Running into Sera had not been part of any plan.
Luna was meeting the Hero right now, so the story would start soon. His ex-husband and his ex-child would no longer need him once they had a new family. They just…needed for Luna to grow up first.
Once she was an adult, Atticus would be able to leave her and live a free life…