??? POV
I reached down and gently stroked my newborn son's delicate face. His skin was soft, warm, and full of life. His golden hair shone in the light like spun sunlight given form.
"Oh, how precious you are..."
Awe slipped from me in a whisper.
A tender smile formed on my lips as his tiny fingers curled around my index finger, holding it with innocent trust. He looked at me with his azure marbles as if I were his whole world.
Familiar footsteps approached me, with his presence settling beside me. My husband laid down at my side, his vibrant red hair falling across his brow as he gazed at our child with warmth and wonder.
"I can't believe we created something so..." he began, his voice thick with emotion.
"Wonderful," I finished for him, leaning close to press a gentle kiss to his lips.
When we parted, an unshakable sadness crept into my heart. My voice trembled despite my effort to steady it.
"But he deserves better..."
He did not answer at once. Instead, he reached out and ran his fingers through our son's soft golden hair, his expression filled with both love and regret.
"I know," he admitted at last, his voice heavy. His hand lingered there as if he were trying to memorise the feeling. "He deserves a life free of this..."
"Prison?" I asked, my smile turning bitter.
He shook his head and turned to me. "How can this place be a prison when I am here with you?" He cupped my face and brushed away a stray tear. "But this is not a place to raise a child."
I knew he was right, yet the truth only broke my heart further. Tears welled in my eyes and spilt down my cheeks before I could stop them, my normally calm facade shattering in an instant.
"I know," I whispered, barely able to hear my own voice
A soft knock drew our attention to the door. A man with lilac-coloured hair stepped inside. His long wooden staff curled upwards at its head, and a robe of silk covered his form. He entered without hurry, as if time itself were waiting on him. The usual smirk he wore was gone, replaced by a solemnity he reserved only for grave matters.
He bowed his head slightly. "My king, the preparations are complete." He stepped closer, his gaze falling upon my son. With an approving nod, he gently brushed his fingers through the child's golden strands. "I have chosen a good family for the young prince. He will even have an older brother." He wagged his finger lightly, attempting to ease the heavy air.
I forced a small smile. "Thank you, Merlin."
Merlin bowed deeply. "Of course, my king. He is your heir and thus deserves the best." His expression grew serious once more. "But I must urge you. The window of opportunity is closing. I shall wait outside."
He left us alone again after giving a final bow.
My husband turned to me, his voice scarcely above a whisper. "Artoria..."
I nodded, my breath catching as I struggled to hold back another wave of tears. "I know, Shirou..."
He said nothing more and pulled me close, wrapping his arms around both our child and me in a tight embrace. I clung to him and buried my face in his shoulder, wishing with all my heart that time would stop, if only for a moment.
But alas, it did not.
And we had no choice if we wanted to give our son a life, a proper one.
At last, Shirou pulled away.
"It's time," he said.
No. I did not want this. I did not want to let go. Every part of me rebelled against what we were about to do, yet I forced myself to remember why.
Because this was what was best for him.
Through choked sobs, I looked intently at my boy's face, trying to carve every detail into my memory. I lowered my head and whispered into his ear as if I were casting a blessing that would follow him wherever he went.
"May you grow up to be big and strong, my little dragon."
With trembling hands and a shattered heart, the father claimed his son. A golden light left him and flowed gently into our son's body.
He faintly smiled at me.
Shirou rose to his feet with quiet determination, cradling our child in his arms. I watched as he walked toward the door in slow, deliberate steps. Even knowing our son would be safe, each step felt like a blade piercing my heart. I could not bear to watch, yet I could not look away either. My body trembled as sobs overtook me.
'Please... live a good life, my son.'
---
Reynolds Leywin POV
"Grgh..."
I let out a slight groan as my wife's hand tightened around my own.
Her face was pale, sweat slick across her brow, but her eyes were fierce and determined. The Old Doctor's calm voice filled the room, but all I could hear was the pounding of my own heart and the sound of bones cracking from how tightly Alice's grip was around my hand.
"We're almost there," Alice groaned, as her grip squeezed even tighter, and with it, more sounds of cracking, almost as if preparing me to say goodbye to my hand.
A loud, fierce cry echoed across the room, cutting through my nerves like a hot knife through butter. My breath caught. A tiny boy, wrapped in soft cloth, was laid before me.
"Congratulations, Mr and Mrs Leywin, it's a boy", smiled the old doctor who delivered both my older and younger sons.
He handed me my boy before his eyes flickered back to my wife.
My hand gently moved to the babe's cheek, cradling it softly.
'I win this time, Alice.'
"One to One, dear wife." I proclaimed while brushing a damp strand of auburn from her face.
She laughed slightly.
"It's not a game, Rey," she chuckled as her lidded eyes drifted to me.
"It didn't stop you from boasting when Art was born," I shot back in our usual playful banter.
She snickered.
The boy's eyes opened slightly, revealing two glistening azure pearls.
She nudged me slightly, "Careful not to hurt him."
"It's not my first time being a father." I leaned over and planted a kiss on her forehead before I spoke up, "So, Honey, what should we name this little one?"
I handed our son to my wife. She cradled him and brought the little one down onto her glistening chest.
"I think his name will be..."
---
Hello everyone, Rius here,
It's been quite a while, huh?
Maybe not, this might be the first work of mine you've read, don't worry, you haven't missed out. Or you're from the future after I win the lottery and become a millionaire.
But either way, thank you for your support.
I want to begin by apologising for the abrupt cancellation of the Original Fated Heirs. I believed that I was ready to start my own work, but I have thrown in the towel for now after nearly 7 potential drafts.
With the help of Lancelot Dragonroad, I have rewritten the original chapters and have planned the next 20 chapters. For the next month, I will publish the old chapters daily and from then on, expect 2 new chapters a week, each between 2 and 3k words.
This is a prologue, so it's obviously going to be shorter than a normal chapter.
So, business as usual for any returners.
That's all I've got to say for now.
Thank you to Lancelot Dragonroad for helping with editing and revision.
See you tomorrow for Chapter 1.
Any feedback or questions are welcome.
Rius Out.