The House of Helena
There was a knock on the grand door of House Helena.
Aclaric opened it with a calm expression. "Lord Charles."
Charles stepped inside without hesitation, his eyes sharp. "Where is William?"
Aclaric replied respectfully, "He is having breakfast."
Just then, Helena appeared at the top of the stairs, her elegant figure descending like a shadow. Her voice was cold."What are you doing here, Charles?"
"I've come to take William with me."
Helena narrowed her eyes, her voice rising with defiance. "I won't let you. He'll be in danger again."
She walked toward him, grasping his hands firmly. "Leave him here. Just for six years… after that, I'll return him to you."
Charles looked at her in disbelief. "Mother, what are you planning? Six years is a long time."
Her voice didn't waver. "Just trust me. Let him stay. I'll protect him. After six years… he will be ready."
Charles stared at her, uncertain—but then nodded. "Fine. But let me see him."
Helena nodded to Aclaric. "Take him to William."
The Hidden Room
Aclaric led Charles to a hallway, seemingly empty. But he paused in front of a stone wall and pressed a hidden panel. The wall shifted, revealing a concealed room.
Inside, young William was sitting quietly, eating breakfast. The moment he saw Charles, he stood up abruptly."Father!"
He rushed to him, tears brimming in his eyes as he threw his arms around Charles. "Mother is dead…!"
Charles knelt down and hugged him tightly, shocked and heartbroken. "Don't worry… I'm here now."
Helena entered silently, her expression unreadable. She watched the scene without a word, then finally spoke, her voice steely."I'll find the ones who killed Edeline."
She turned to Aclaric. "Take William to the garden."
Aclaric gently held William's hand and led him away.
Charles stood slowly, his eyes still following William. "So… this is the hidden room you spoke of."
Helena nodded. "Yes. Only you, I, Aclaric, and a few trusted knights know it exists. He'll be safe. I'm simply keeping a promise I made long ago."
Charles sighed and turned toward the door. "Then I'll leave him in your hands… for now."
He stepped out of the house in silence.
Helena watched until he disappeared beyond the gates, then turned back and closed the hidden door.
In the Library
Walter sat at the study table, hands resting over his books. Their lessons were done.
Master Lennox placed a strange-looking book in front of him. Its cover was soft like velvet, and the texture unfamiliar—aged, as if it had been passed down for generations.
"This," Lennox said with a small smile, "is the book I use to teach love."
Walter blinked. "Love? What does it say?"
Lennox opened the first page, pointing to the simple line written there:
"Love is when you care about someone so much, you want them to smile every day. Like when you gave your last candy to your friend? That was love."
Walter looked confused. "Is it… really that simple?"
"Yes," Lennox said gently. "Love doesn't always mean something grand or dramatic. It's in the little things. In the way you listen, protect, or even just… stay."
Walter stared at the words."To care about someone…" he murmured, then looked out the window. "Hmm."
He remembered Jonathan's pale face, his trembling hands, his soft voice saying he didn't want to eat.
Walter's hands curled into small fists."I'll protect him," he whispered.
Four Years Later
The sound of swords clashing echoed through the Helena estate's training courtyard.
William, now twelve years old, was no longer the fragile boy who once cried into Charles' chest. He stood tall and proud, clad in a polished knight's training suit, gripping his sword tightly as he sparred with Aclaric under the mid-morning sun.
Across from him, Aclaric—the seasoned knight—twisted his blade in a powerful arc. William raised his own sword to block, but the force knocked it from his hands. The steel clattered to the ground, and Aclaric pressed his blade gently to William's neck in victory.
Then, with a smile, he withdrew it.
"You've gotten much better," Aclaric said, his tone not just of praise, but pride.
William caught his breath, chest rising and falling. "But I still need more training," he replied with determination in his eyes.
A young knight approached, holding fresh towels. William and Aclaric took them, wiping the sweat from their brows.
From the balcony above, Helena watched silently, arms crossed as the wind stirred her dark gown. Her gaze followed William with quiet satisfaction.
He's grown so much, she thought. Strong. Calm. Focused.
Her eyes shifted to Aclaric.
And he's still unmarried… he's only twenty-six. If only he would give me a grandson…
She pushed the thought aside and called down, "That's enough for today. Both of you should rest now."
The two bowed slightly and headed inside.
In the Dining Hall
Inside the grand hall, a long table had been set for lunch. The scent of roasted meat and fresh bread filled the air. A young knight lady, Eira, with short chestnut hair tied neatly behind her helm, was finishing the final touches on the meal.
"Lunch is ready," she said warmly.
William and Aclaric took their seats. Knights from the household joined in, filling the seats, their laughter and relaxed chatter giving the hall a comforting energy.
As they began eating, William glanced at Eira with a curious look."I thought knights were supposed to be tough and serious all the time."
Eira chuckled, pouring water into his glass. "It's not like that. Knights live and fight like a family. We eat together, train together, and protect each other."
She took a seat among them, her expression soft.
William looked around. There were no rigid lines, no shouting. Just knights—men and women of all ages—talking, sharing bread, joking like siblings.
He smiled faintly.
So this is what a real family feels like...