Chapter 414: For Coming Into Our Lives

King Wilhelm;

He misses Cassia?

What about his real mother? His parents. His family and siblings. He truly doesn’t miss anything from Earth? How can that be??

A tender smile splits his lips as he looks at me, and I just blink back.

"You look surprised."

"I am," I admit without a pause, and the words earn a quiet laugh from him.

"Don’t be. She’s the only real Mother I ever had. I don’t...miss anything from Earth." He replies as his gaze drifts back up to the stars.

Toward memories I suspect are not pleasant.

"The people there have always made it clear where I stand. When...life stays a certain way...you learn to just...accept it. Understand that there’s nothing you can do about some things but just take them for what they are."

The words are delivered matter-of-factly, and the plainness...yet heaviness of them sit heavy against my chest.

There’s no...anger, or bitterness in his voice. Just the quietness of someone who took something ugly, processed it, and just...made peace with it.

That’s...sad. Even for me.

"My family...My friend, the people who were supposed to care..." He begins again with a shrug, but this time, silence follows.

From both of us. Then he smiles a bitter smile and continues.

"I thought I’d miss them." He confesses as his smile turns sadder, and I watch the stars reflect in his eyes. Eyes that have grown moist and distant.

"But I don’t," He sighs, and I just listen. I say nothing.

Because there are wounds too old for comfort. Wounds too deep for...simple words.

So I allow him to continue.

"The person I miss most is Queen Cassia." He adds, and this time, the smile returns. But it’s brighter. Warmer. Soft in the way a child’s would be for his mother.

And then I understand. My dear Cassia has been more of a mother to him than his birth mother. She’s left her mark on him.

She’s always had that gift.

"She gives the best hugs." Elián defends his words, and I raise a brow at him.

"That is your first reason for missing my wife?" I demand, amused, and he gives me a look.

"Mmm-hmm. She may be your wife, but she’s my mom." He replies, and this time, I can not help but laugh.

"Oh? Doesn’t that make me your dad, young man?" I probe, and his face scrunches in the most animated way I have ever seen anyone’s.

"N-no. You make a scary dad. I’ve had enough of those." He replies jokingly, and despite the seriousness I can hear beneath it, I decide to laugh.

He continues speaking regardless. About Cassia’s laugh. About her scent, the way she fusses over him... About how safe she makes him feel, and how she loves him without demanding anything in return.

As I listen, I understand that Cassia is not merely family to him.

She’s not just an ally or a Queen. She’s become a home. For him.

Eventually his voice grows quiet again and seriousness seeps into it like blood on white fabric.

"I miss her."

The confession is simple. Honest in the way that makes honesty painful.

I study him for a moment, then place a hand against his shoulder.

It’s...a rare gesture. One I do not offer lightly.

Consoling people or...comforting them isn’t something I’m good at. But right now...I feel the need to try.

"You will see her soon," I whisper, and his eyes immediately dart to mine.

Hope flickers there. Bright, fragile, and precious.

"And I assure you..." I begin, as a small smile touches my lips.

"...I know she is counting the days until she meets her grandchild," I whisper, and the tension leaves his shoulders immediately.

But enough to show he’s not too sad anymore.

For the first time all evening... Elián bursts out laughing, and the sound fills the observatory with warmth.

Warmth that in that moment consumes thoughts about The Black Sect, Balinar, and worries about the future.

Everything else vanishes, leaving only an old king and the boy who somehow managed to become family.

"I hope I see her soon." He whispers quietly, but I can tell that he misses her more than he’s willing to admit.

I look back up at the stars as they continue their endless dance overhead.

Eventually, I look back at Elián and notice him studying a celestial map spread beside us.

His expression has changed again. The softness from moments ago is gone, and something else has settled in its place.

Hesitation...and determination.

The same determination I’ve been noticing more frequently these past few days.

"There is something on your mind." I point out squarely, and he looks at me.

"I was that obvious?"

"You always seem to be," I reply, and his shoulders slump slightly.

I watch him battle with the decision to open up to me or not, and just when I think he won’t, he surprises me.

"Will you teach me?" I blink at him, shamefully lost.

"Teach you what?"

"How to use my powers." He replies instantly, and I freeze.

He asked the question like he’s practised the request dozens of times before now.

I blink at him, and he holds my gaze.

The crimson-eyed omega remains calm beneath my scrutiny.

Most people fidget...Most people look away, but Elián simply waits.

"I am serious." He says instead, and I huff an amused breath.

"I know," I reply, and I can tell that the answer surprises him.

But that’s the truth. I have been expecting this request for a very long time.

I could already hear it long before he spoke it. The request was loud in the hesitant way he always looked at me when it was silent around us.

That determination and anger I’ve seen make his eyes their new home.

I knew Asa’s death was going to push him towards something, and it’s looking like I finally know what.

"When Asa died... I couldn’t do anything." He croaks, and I stay silent as I watch him.

"I was right there. I watched everyone protect me." He adds as his jaw tightens.

"I watched people get hurt because of me, and I couldn’t do anything." He breathes, and I lean back slightly.

Studying him.

Finally understanding what grief has done this time.

It hasn’t broken him, but it changed him.

The chirpy, chaotic omega who arrived in Beast Heaven still exists... But he is no longer untouched by the world around him. This world, as beautiful as it is, has that effect on people, and it pains me to see that it has gotten to him too.

"I am tired of it." His voice breaks into my thoughts, and this time he meets my gaze directly.

"I’m tired of people dying for me." He adds.

There is no anger or self-pity in his voice. Only exhaustion.

"I don’t want that anymore." He sighs as his gaze drops to his stomach.

His hand remains over his child protectively, and the sight, an dundesratnding if what he’s asking, burdens my heart.

"This time...I want to protect them." He says, and I remain silent.

This is not about power. It is not about becoming stronger, or being special.

It’s fear. Fear of standing helplessly while someone else bleeds... Fear of losing another person he loves.

Fear that I understand all too well.

"I want to protect the baby. I want to protect Koda, Zephan, Queen Cassia... The whole family— I want to protect all of them." He rambles on, and the conviction in his voice surprises me.

Perhaps because it reminds me of someone. Someone much older... Someone who once sat where he now sits.

Me.

"You believe that responsibility belongs entirely to you?" I finally break my silence, and he looks up at me.

"No. I just think... it should belong to me too." He replies, and silence settles between us.

Then he turns to face me fully.

"Can I ask something else?"

I already dislike where this is going.

"You may," I reply, nonetheless, and he visibly sighs.

I watch him hesitate—which is a rare sight. But eventually, he speaks.

"Do your sons frighten you?"

The question catches me off guard, and sets confusion ringing at full blast in my head.

"What?" I can’t help but demand, and he quickly shakes his head to tell me I may have misunderstood his question.

"I don’t mean physically. I mean..."

His words falter. As though he is trying to arrange them carefully.

"I watch them with their mothers..." He begins, and I stay completely still. Waiting to see where this is going.

"They smile differently. They...talk more. They seem..." He hesitates a bit, but quickly rushes out—

"They seem more comfortable."

I stay frozen, and I watch panic slip into his expression.

"I mean, I know they love you." He rushes to add while his voice remains respectful. Careful.

"I also know they respect you—but sometimes it feels like they know their king better than their father."

The words slam into me like a sledgehammer, and I feel my heart skip a couple of beats.

Perhaps because I know there is truth hidden within them, but the words feel like a boulder lodged in my throat.

Finally, I exhale.

"The last time, I was convinced I did my very best at being a Father. But I failed." I confess bitterly and shamefully.

My gaze drops to the floor as my mind an dherat drift.

"Some regrets do not fade," I add, and more silence follows.

From the corner of my eyes, I see Elian scoot closer, and to my surprise, he places a hand on my back.

"You shouldn’t lose your children twice." He whispers, and everything inside me pauses.

The words sting like salt on an open wound, and my eyes snap to him in disbelief of the wise... soaking word.

The words are merciless in their honesty.

I remember Amber, Sophia. The faces I failed.

Then I remember my sons.

They are here. They are within reach and still being failed by the same Father.

"I do not know if years of distance can be repaired overnight," I confess with my voice sounding older than usual. Heavier.

"But there is little value in regretting mistakes if one refuses to correct them." Elian pushes beside me, and I finally look at the young boy.

His innocent eyes light up with little encouragement as he smiles at me, and for some strange reason, that feels far more rewarding than it should.

Eventually I stand. Because we have conversed over more than enough for one night.

Elián immediately stands as well. Waiting for my conclusion.

"You wish to learn," I speak, and his posture straightens immediately.

"I do." He confirms, and I study him for several moments.

Then nod once.

"Training begins tomorrow."

The relief that consumes his face is immediate. Alongside hope, determination, and purpose.

"You will find that I am a considerably harsher teacher than my sons," I warn him, and that earns me the faintest smile.

Nice. He will need that smile for what comes next.

"Do not make me regret agreeing," I add, and he puffs his chest.

"I won’t."

I know he won’t. I believe him.

Because whether Elián realises it or not... The boy who arrived in Beast Heaven and the young man standing before me now are no longer the same person.

This one seems older. Wiser. A little less...impulsive.

I reach out and ruffle his hair softly.

"Thank you for coming into our lives. Despite all our troubles now, I cannot remember the last time this family... felt like a family."