The evening was calm as the household settled into the rare peace that followed Baron Aldric’s return. For Lady Elara and Arlan, his presence brought a comfort they had missed during his long absences. Aldric had always been a commanding presence, someone whose strength filled every corner of their home, and with him around, Elara felt a sense of security she hadn’t known in his absence.

At one year old, Arlan was sharp, perceptive beyond his age, and as soon as he’d seen his father return, he’d made a surprising request: his own bedroom. Both Aldric and Elara had exchanged glances, taken aback by the formality of it. But his earnest look had left them little choice, and Elara, though reluctant, had eventually agreed.

The nursery was now his, and, with a sense of pride, he’d watched his parents arrange his small bed and toys as though he were an adult. Lady Elara kissed his forehead goodnight, her fingers lingering on his cheek, but she couldn’t hide the sadness in her eyes as she closed the door to his room.

Later that night, in the quiet of their own bedroom, Aldric pulled off his tunic, the exhaustion of his recent journey visible in the weariness of his movements. Lady Elara was ready to embrace him when she noticed it—a fresh scar, angry and red, running across his back. Her hand flew to her mouth, and her eyes widened with worry as she reached out to touch the wound.

“Aldric…” she whispered, her voice laced with both concern and fear. “What happened?”

He turned to face her, pausing as he saw the tears welling up in her eyes, threatening to spill. Her worry was like a weight pressing against his heart, and he longed to ease it, to tell her everything would be fine. But he knew better than to offer empty promises. With a heavy sigh, he lowered his gaze.

“It was necessary,” he said quietly, “for the blood ritual.”

Elara’s hand trembled as she traced the edges of the scar. “This… for Arlan?” Her voice was a mixture of pain and disbelief. “Aldric, he’s only a child. Is all this really necessary? No matter his talent or his strength, he is our son. We will cherish him for who he is, not for what he can become.”

Aldric took her hand, his touch gentle but firm. “I know, my dear,” he murmured, his voice steady. “I love him as he is, and I want nothing more than to keep him safe here with us. But…” He paused, searching for the right words, words that could make her understand the gravity of what lay ahead. “The tensions with Creed are worse than ever. There may be a war soon, and if there is, I cannot protect him forever by keeping him here.”

Her tears spilled over, and she shook her head, grasping his hands. “Aldric, he’s our only son. Our only child. How can you talk about taking him to war?” Her voice cracked with desperation, her eyes pleading with him.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

“I know,” he said, his own voice thick with emotion. “But he is a Roquefort. Our family’s legacy runs deep, and our loyalty to Diamond demands that we prepare him for what’s to come. If he’s not strong enough, Elara, he will be vulnerable. And in times like these, being weak is not an option for someone in his position.”

Elara stared at him, the weight of his words sinking in. She knew Aldric’s pride and sense of duty ran deep, but to prepare Arlan, their only son, for a life filled with bloodshed and conflict was almost more than she could bear.

Aldric’s hand brushed against her cheek, his fingers wiping away a tear. “Elara, I don’t want this any more than you do. But if he’s not ready, if he doesn’t learn to harness his power, to understand strength… he will be eliminated. The world outside our manor walls is not forgiving. Our enemies would see him as nothing more than a weakness, a threat to be extinguished.”

She closed her eyes, leaning into his touch, her heart aching. She had hoped Arlan’s life would be simpler, that he would grow in safety and be allowed to explore the world on his own terms. But the world was unforgiving, and Aldric’s logic, as painful as it was, held an undeniable truth.

“Is this really what he must face, Aldric?” she whispered, her voice barely more than a plea. “Is there truly no other path for him?”

Aldric’s jaw tightened, his eyes dark and resolute. “I have asked myself the same question countless times. I have wished for another way, Elara, but this is the reality we must face. Our kingdom needs strong defenders, and Arlan, as our son, must be among them. By preparing him now, we give him a chance to survive, to thrive in a world where only the strong endure.”

He pulled her into an embrace, holding her tightly. “I will do everything in my power to ensure he grows into the man he needs to be, and I swear to you, Elara, I will protect him with everything I have. But to do that, I need your support.”

Elara sank into his arms, her mind swimming with conflicting emotions. She was a noble’s daughter herself, raised with the understanding of duty and honor, but as a mother, she wanted nothing more than to shield her son from the harsh realities of noble life.

Finally, she looked up at Aldric, her eyes red-rimmed but filled with a steely resolve of her own. “If this is truly the only way… then I will trust you. But promise me, Aldric, that he will never be a tool for the kingdom. Promise me that he will always be our son first, that he will know love before he knows the weight of duty.”

Aldric’s face softened, and he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I swear it, Elara. I will never let him lose sight of who he is. He is our son before he is a soldier or a noble. I will make sure he grows with strength, but also with a heart that knows love.”

She nodded, though the ache in her chest remained. She knew that from now on, their lives would be shaped by the delicate balance of nurturing their son’s growth while preparing him for a life that neither of them could fully protect him from.

Over the next few days, Elara and Aldric spoke little of their midnight conversation. But a quiet understanding had taken root between them, a shared determination to raise Arlan with both love and strength.

Aldric resumed his secret preparations, making arrangements for the rare ingredients needed for the medicated baths. Each month, he would conduct the ritual to strengthen Arlan’s mana channels, even if it meant braving the wildlands and hunting the monsters required for the ritual. The recent scar on his back was but a mark of the commitment he had to his son’s future—a commitment he would carry proudly, no matter the cost.

And Elara, though her heart remained heavy, poured her love into each moment with Arlan. She cherished every word he spoke, every smile he gave her, knowing that these tender moments would one day be the foundation of the strength and courage he would need.

Together, they would guide him, and in the quiet spaces of their home, they would prepare him for a future none of them could yet foresee.

End of Chapter.