Chapter 15
"It's okay," he said softly.
The moment Elyra saw him, her body tensed.
Her breath hitched.
Memories she wished she could bury resurfaced without warning.
She lowered her gaze immediately.
She couldn't bring herself to look at him.
"Everything is—"
When Damnern saw Elyra he noticed at once.
"—fine now."
He always did.
For a fraction of a second, something in his smile faltered.
Elyra's reaction stung more than any wound he had ever received.
He didn't understand it.
He had spent years protecting her, caring for her, doing everything he could to keep her safe.
Yet there was still hesitation in her eyes whenever she looked at him.
A distance he could never seem to cross.
Damnern lowered his gaze.
The battlefield had never frightened him.
Death had never frightened him.
But this did.
The thought that, despite all his efforts, his own daughter still couldn't feel completely at ease around him.
For a moment, he simply stood there in silence.
Looking at the child he loved more than his own life.
Hoping that one day she would be able to meet his eyes without fear.
Not as a warrior.
Not as a monster from her memories.
But simply as her father.
Thirty minutes later, the carriage finally resumed its journey.
The wounded guards had their injuries bandaged, and after a brief rest, the group was ready to move once more.
One of the mounted guards guided his horse toward Damnern and lowered his head respectfully.
"My apologies for the delay, Lord Damnern. One of our men suffered a deep wound, and it took some time to treat him."
Damnern gave a small nod.
"Understood."
His cold gaze swept across the carriage before he spoke again.
"Continue the journey. We will rest once we reach Valdwess City."
Relief flashed across the guard's face.
"Understood my Lord"
He immediately turned toward the others and raised his voice.
"Everyone, prepare yourselves!"
The guard's shout echoed through the dark road.
"We're moving out!"
Soon, the sound of hooves filled the night once more...
Lanterns swayed gently as the carriage disappeared into the darkness.
Behind them remained only blood-soaked earth and the bodies of fallen raiders.
Ahead lay Valdwess City.
During the journey, Damnern sat on the seat opposite his family.
He kept his distance.
His body was still stained with dried blood despite his efforts to clean himself, and with his shirt torn to pieces, the cold night air seeped into his skin. Yet he paid little attention to the discomfort.
His gaze remained fixed on his family.
"Are you okay, Eldern?" he asked softly.
Eldern, though still visibly shaken from the attack, puffed out his chest and forced a brave smile.
"Eldern is okay, Papa."
The boy's voice trembled slightly despite his attempt to sound strong.
Damnern smiled faintly.
Meanwhile, Elyra sat silently in Elina's embrace.
Her attention was completely elsewhere.
Again and again, she searched for the familiar presence of her Clone Manifestation ability.
Nothing.
No matter how hard she tried, she could not feel it.
The emptiness frightened her.
Eldern eventually drifted off to sleep, exhausted from everything that had happened.
Elina remained awake.
Though she appeared calm, the fear she had endured during the attack still lingered inside her heart.
Damnern noticed immediately.
Without saying anything, he moved beside her and gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"It's over now," he whispered.
The moment she heard those words, her composure shattered.
Tears spilled from her eyes.
"I was so scared..."
Her voice cracked.
"So scared..."
She grabbed his arm tightly.
As though letting go would make everything happen again.
Damnern held her closer.
"I know."
That was all he said.
But it was enough.
Watching her mother break down made guilt twist inside Elyra's chest.
She had been so focused on her own fear.
So focused on her lost ability.
That she hadn't noticed how terrified her mother had been.
Eventually, exhaustion claimed Elina as well.
Still resting against Damnern's shoulder, she slowly fell asleep.
Silence filled the carriage.
Only the creaking wheels and distant hoofbeats remained.
Damnern looked toward Elyra.
She was still awake.
Still tense.
Still alert.
As if danger might appear at any second.
Slowly, he moved closer.
"As long as Papa is here," he said softly, "no one will touch Elyra."
His hand gently brushed through her hair.
"So don't worry, alright?"
Elyra lowered her eyes.
She didn't know how to respond.
"Try relying on Papa sometimes."
Silence.
Then Damnern spoke again.
"Papa is sorry."
That made Elyra look up.
Confusion filled her face.
"Why awe you saying sowwy?"
For a brief moment, pain flashed across Damnern's eyes.
Without answering immediately, he pulled her gently into his arms.
"Because Papa loves Elyra."
His voice was barely above a whisper.
"And Papa wants Elyra to feel safe."
His embrace tightened slightly.
"As long as Papa is here... no one will ever hurt you."
Elyra could hear his heartbeat.
Strong.
Steady.
Warm.
Somehow...
It made her feel safe.
The fear that had been suffocating her all night slowly loosened its grip.
Her eyelids grew heavier.
And heavier.
Until finally...
She fell asleep.
After what felt like a very long sleep, Elyra slowly opened her eyes.
For a few seconds, she simply stared at the unfamiliar ceiling above her.
The room was quiet.
Soft moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across the room.
...Where am I?
Still half asleep, Elyra slowly pushed herself upright and looked around.
A wooden wardrobe stood against one wall, while a small table sat beside a window overlooking the streets outside.
Only then did she notice the figure sleeping beside her.
Eldern.
The boy was sprawled across the bed without a care in the world, hugging a pillow tightly while letting out soft snores.
Seeing him sleeping so peacefully eased some of the tension in her chest.
Just as she was about to get up—
Click.
The bedroom door suddenly opened.
Elyra immediately flinched.
Her body tensed instinctively.
For a brief moment, her heart skipped a beat.
Then she saw who had entered.
"Mama..."
Elina stepped into the room carrying a tray of food.
The moment she noticed Elyra sitting upright, a gentle smile appeared on her face.
"Did Mama startle you?" she asked softly.
Elyra nodded slightly before glancing around the room again.
"Where awe we, Mama?"
"We're staying at an inn in Valdwess City," Elina replied as she placed the tray on the table.
She walked over to the bed and gently brushed Elyra's hair.
"We arrived safely earlier," Elina said.
Elyra blinked.
"When?"
Elina thought for a moment.
"Hmm... about an hour ago, I think."
An hour?
Elina chuckled softly.
"You slept the entire time."
Elyra lowered her head slightly.
She vaguely remembered falling asleep in her father's arms inside the carriage.
Everything after that was a blur.
Then another thought crossed her mind.
Her eyes immediately searched the room.
"Where is Pa…pa?" she asked quietly.
Elina sighed helplessly.
"I'm not sure."
"He said he still had something to take care of."
Meanwhile...
Elsewhere in Valdwess City.
A certain bar was overflowing with noise.
Laughter.
Music.
Drunken shouting.
The smell of alcohol filled the air.
At one corner sat a handsome orange-haired man dressed in expensive clothing.
Several rings decorated his fingers.
A half-empty bottle rested on the table before him.
"Waiter!"
He raised his hand lazily.
"Another bottle."
The waiter hurried over.
"Of course, sir."
The man pushed his glass forward.
"Fill it."
The amber liquid poured smoothly into the crystal cup.
He lifted the drink.
Ready to take another sip.
Then—
His body froze.
The glass stopped halfway to his lips.
His eyes widened.
The entrance had just opened.
A tall figure stepped inside.
Silver hair.
Cold blue eyes.
A presence so overwhelming that the noisy atmosphere seemed to quiet for a split second.
The orange-haired man's mind went blank.
"D-Damnern?!"
Shock exploded across his face.
Of all people.
He never expected to see him here.
End of Chapter 15