"Where are we going, Milady?" Hiratun asked behind my back as we made way towards the magical training room. Cerolus had it changed a bit, so there were fewer gems inside. When I asked him about it, he briskly answered about safety and me not needing any gems for now.

"To the training room, of course," I answered nonchalantly, already anticipating reforming my usual routine. Doing nothing but reading formal documents was excruciatingly dull. With Cerolus back, I could assume he will take over that duty again, which made me free to do whatever I wanted.

And what I wanted right now was to cast a few basic spells.

"But shouldn't you be resting from training magic. The physician said..." Hiratun was doubtful, and it was showing, contrary to his regularly reserved behaviour.

"I don't care what the physician said," I responded quickly. Truthfully, I did care about what he said, but I paid it very little mind. 'I'm sure nothing wrong will happen if I train just a little, right?'

"But..." Hiratun tried to dissuade me again.

"No 'buts', Hiratun. Now, are you going to help me or not?" I asked, and we were standing in front of the room, I poised to get in, while Hiratun just stood and stared.

He sighed. "Of course, Milady."

We entered the room, the charred target welcoming us with its drawn smirk. I made some adjustments to it over time, adding a small cushion with a face drawn on it. I used some of the beautifying products to do so, which was regrettable, but it made the target appear a bit more human. Or hittable, as I have found it easier to focus fire on it.

"Now, what's the next thing I'm supposed to be learning..." I mumbled into my chin as I tried to remember at which point I have stopped and had to look it up in a note Cerolus had scribbled up beforehand. Fire Burst was only a basic technique, which I had only recently managed to get a grip of. I could hit the target. Most of the time.

Cerolus had shown me that magic with immolating your own body, but it seemed way beyond my capabilities, something he attested as well. Thus, I was stuck with something barely above the Burst in complexity. I had found what I was looking for and took the nearby tome out. "All right, I guess it's the Flame Orb now."

The tome contained detailed descriptions of how a spell would be performed. 'In theory. And it is entirely in written Dral.'

"A Basic Flame Orb is one of the basic Primordial Orb spells, used mainly as a way of training one's ability to control their inner magical channels and exude energy through the palm," I started reading the paragraph before me, while Hiratun stood on the side. "To start, channel energy into your palms and focus on a single point in front of you..."

I glanced at Hiratun, "Can you do this?"

"I can perform it, Milady," he answered, still standing still, "and I can launch it at a target."

I have briskly read over the description and went to practical uses of the spell. It mentioned mostly being used for training, but could double for target practice when one could have the Orb stay in place.

"All right," I mumbled, then glanced towards the target, and then back to Hiratun again. "Show me."

"But Milady..." he had already started another protest, which I silenced quickly.

"Just do it, Hiratun. You said you are going to help, no?"

Hiratun sighed again, then went towards the centre of the room. I watched him as he took off his gauntlets, then started taking the chest plate off. I didn't think much of it, thinking he'd need it off to practice.

Then started taking off the shirt he had on him. "What are you doing?" I asked, and shied away.

"But you said you wanted me to show it to you. The best way to do so is to follow the energy along my body as it moves," Hiratun stated bluntly then pulled the shirt off, revealing a bare sculpted chest. I didn't actually know how appropriate this was. The only man I had seen naked was Cerolus, so he was the only comparison I could do. But it didn't occur to me to compare them. I didn't feel the need to do so anyway.

I focused on my training, completely forgetting about anything else at the moment. "Well then, show me, I guess."

Hiratun stood still, arms held out in front with palms exposed. I watched him intently, trying to sense any difference in his composure. I could feel no such thing, though, but kept my senses sharp should anything happen. In an instant, a small ball appeared in front of him, just above his spread palms. It floated lazily, spreading warmth around. Hiratun kept silent with his eyes closed while I gazed at the ball. But in a moment he opened his eyes, then turned and flung at the target. The ball darted across the room and hit the mark, but lacked any power behind it to cause anything but smoke.

Hiratun turned to me with a slight smile. "Done, Milady. Would you like me to guide you through it?"

I had learnt almost nothing from that, except maybe for what I should strive to do. But I had no actual means or knowledge in achieving it. I stood next to him, stretching my arms in front of me and taking a stance similar to his. "Alright, talk to me."

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I was finally done with the whole dick biting thing. Nerephil has been put in a bed, and I've called for Asclepias, thus I had nothing else to do regarding the incident.

It was still early in the morning, so I had ample time to decide on what I should be doing today. I had briefly thought of seeing what Sophia was up to, but in the end decided against it. When we went to bed, she was still hesitant about something, as if she needed something to do. I figured it would be better to let her do things on her own accord for now.

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I still wasn't certain about what would come out of her interacting with Korthonas. They haven't even been properly introduced face to face, but I couldn't exactly hold either of them responsible for that. Sophia is so much different from us, and I still have little clue on what is going through her mind at times.

My idle thoughts caused me to pace across my office mindlessly, and I have stopped once I'd caught myself in a moment of clarity. 'For now, I'll just stay hopeful and take things as they go regarding the two of them.'

I left my messy office table to sort through it another day, leaving the room. I'd found a goal for today. 'I'm going to spend the day peacefully, with my son and wife.'

I went to Korthonas' room. The humble room above my own would be just a temporary solution until I see where all of this leads us to. Eventually, Korthonas would have a room made for him next to Sophia's. There was plenty of space in this castle, but I thought having him near would be the best.

I opened the small doors without knocking and peeked inside. He was still sleeping. I couldn't remember how much kids actually slept throughout the day, but was fairly certain it was less than what time Korthonas spent in the bed. Perhaps he was just exhausted by the journey and all that happened yesterday.

An idea sprung into my mind, and I crept towards the bed, trying to make my steps as gentle and silent as possible. I slowly lowered myself on the bedsheets next to him, trying not to disturb his sleep for as long as possible. I propped myself up on my left arm and just watched him sleep, one soft breath after another. Soon enough I had caught myself scratching one of his arms gently, my fingertips and nails slowly going across his soft skin. I remembered doing this a long time ago, simply enjoying the moments I had with my family back then. I sighed. 'How time passes.'

After some time, Korthonas shifted, then opened his eyes, looking around. I lowered my head to his ear and whispered, "Good morning, Korthonas."

He turned his head towards me, then chuckled innocently. I brushed his silken hair and pecked him on the forehead.

I leapt up, invigorated. "Come on. Let's get you dressed up."

Korthonas rubbed his eyes, then slowly leant up. I extended a hand, and he took it gingerly, still groggy from sleep. Eventually, he managed to wake up fully.

I almost pulled him out of the room, and into the makeshift closet I've requested be made for him where his belongings would be stored. The cases were overturned and clothes neatly packed on piles. I'd already had it sorted out, and one of the girls would be taking care of him, like Tiana does for Sophia. I still didn't know who that would be, or if it would be a single person, so for now, I'd have Lilianna take care of it.

She was already waiting nearby when we walked in, and was already on her way towards me.

"Lilianna," I only had to say her name, and she would already start talking about everything that needed to be done.

"Master Cerolus," she curtsied, then turned towards my son, "Young Master Korthonas. It will be a pleasure to serve you, Young Master."

Korthonas glanced at her, then turned to me, "Daddy, what is she saying?"

I put my hand on his shoulder, then crouched down to be at eye-level and smiled. "This lady is going to take care of you. I'll be here until you learn the language properly."

I went back up, and Korthonas straddled my leg. I didn't bother to do anything about it, but turned to speak to Lilianna instead.

"Get him some decent clothes," I said briskly, to which she would always nod. "What about tailoring for him?"

"I've already called for the tailor to come today. He is already requested for Milady's dresses, but I am certain it shouldn't take long," Lilianna started explaining while moving around the room, browsing through the stuff Medusa had sent.

"Great. Put some clothes on him, then we will get some breakfast. Has Sophia woken up yet?" I inquired, as it was already rather late in the morning. She had been taking things slower, with having a child and all. She had already started to look the part, but it only made her more beautiful.

"She had already had breakfast, Master," Lilianna said quickly, then returned to finding Korthonas' clothes for the day.

"Eh... that's fine I guess," I wondered what she was going to do, but had decided to pay in little mind. She'd probably just go and read, or do something to occupy her time. I'd join her after the breakfast, anyway. "Let's just leave her be for now. One step at a time."

Lilianna stood up, pieces of cloth in tow, "There!"

She presented her findings to Korthonas, a simple blue shirt and more ornate shorts. With all Nazjar having tails, I'd have assumed the shirts would be more ornate than the clothing they never made use of, but they'd manage to impress. 'Must've been Medusa's work,' I smirked.

Korthonas looked at the clothes, then back at me.

"Well, do you like them?" I asked. There was little choice here, and clothes more proper for a Demon, and more importantly, red, would have to wait a while. I personally didn't like the blue colours. 'Except maybe in the eyes. No, I definitely like blue eyes.'

He nodded, then got away from me for the brief time it took Lilianna to dress him properly. The blue was awfully contrasting with his red skin, but it wouls seem the other option was jade green, which wouldn't have fared any better. I questioned Medusa's colour choices at this point, but could do nothing about that.

"Alright, let's get you some food," I started leaving the room, and could feel a firm grip on my tail as I went.

I mulled over some plans, and decided I'd need to send a letter or two today. Some plans would have to be set in motion.

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"I can't do it," I sighed and relaxed my hands. I had been trying to make a ball of energy, but was met with no success at all.

I could provide a burst of flame, but couldn't make it linger nor shape it into the ball that I want. Hiratun spent his time watching and trying to explain what I should be doing, but it made little sense in my mind.

Fire was always something I considered quick and fleeting, and the mere concept of holding it tight and shut eluded me.

I gave up for the day, turning to Hiratun. "Let's just leave it here for now."

"As you wish, Milady," he said, then went about strapping on his armour again.

I cleaned the sweat that had gathered on my face and wiped my hands, then tried to put the room in order I had found it in. 'If I am to do this behind someone's back, I might as well do it properly,' I figured.

We left the room, then slowly made our way to the Gardens. The only physical exertion I was allowed was breathing and walking, it would seem, so I'd have to take everything easy.

I turned on my heels back towards the helmeted Hiratun, and looked up to him, trying to look into the eyes under the helmet. "Not a word about this to Cerolus. Please," I added, somehow hoping that made it seem less of a threat.

"Of course, Milady," he answered briefly, as he would always do, and we resumed walking again. I might have even noticed a slight smile on his face as he was saying it that time.