Morning light crept through the tall windows of the noble mansion, pale and uncertain, as though even the sun hesitated to intrude upon what had transpired the night before.
Lord Chalvin, husband to lady Sabrina,stood at the foot of the chamber, hands clasped behind his back, his expression carved from stone. He had not slept. Neither had the servants who lined the walls in silent unease, nor the guards who still whispered among themselves about the basket that had appeared from nothing.
On the bed sat Lady Sabrina, Empress of Manachy, her posture upright despite the exhaustion that lingered in her eyes. Cradled to her side was her newborn daughter, sleeping peacefully.
And beside the cradle—wrapped in fine cloth that had already been prepared for him—lay the other child.
The boy from the gate.
Lord Chalvin's gaze hardened every time it fell upon him. Not out of disgust but uncertainty.
"This is madness," he said at last, breaking the heavy silence. "You cannot simply bring an unknown child into the imperial household of Manachy."
Sabrina did not look up. Her fingers brushed gently over her daughter's tiny hand.
"He was left at our gate," Chalvin continued, his voice low but sharp. "On the same night our child was born. With no known lineage. No witnesses. No explanation, just so ridiculous letter with words that make no sense."
His eyes finally locked onto the infant.
"This child could be anything."
The boy stared back at him.
Calm.
Unflinching.
Too aware.
Chalvin felt a chill crawl up his spine and looked away.
"What the ... Who the hell is this child?" He thought to himself.
Sabrina exhaled slowly. "There was a letter."
"I know," Chalvin snapped. "I read it."
"No," she said softly. "You glanced at it."
That gave him pause.
Sabrina reached for the folded parchment resting on the bedside table and held it out.
"Read it again. Properly." with a glare, she instructed him.
Reluctantly, Chalvin took it.
The words did not change—but this time, he felt them.
Born under fire and blood.
Raised where chains do not reach.
When the world begins to burn,
he will know who he is.
Chalvin's hand trembled.
He did not understand why.
"This is the writing of someone who knows too much, but has refused to share," he said quietly. "Someone powerful, but has chosen to protect his lineage."
"Yes," Sabrina replied.
"Or maybe someone dangerous."
"Also yes."
Chalvin looked back at the boy. "Then why are you so calm about this?"
Sabrina finally lifted her eyes.
"Because I have seen this before."
Chalvin frowned. "Seen what?"
She shifted slightly, turning so the morning light fell upon the infant's face. His eyes—dark, steady, observant—followed the movement without panic.
"True fire," she said.
Chalvin stiffened.
"That is a myth," he said. "A story told about—"
"Migardians," Sabrina finished.
The word settled heavily between them.
"Only a few are blessed with it," she continued. "Fire that does not burn its bearer. Fire that answers not to rage, but to will. Perhaps Ragna is unique, perhaps not, but deep with him, I sense a different kind of fire besides his special trait"
She looked down at Ragna.
"When I look at him, I am reminded of someone I once knew." she then chuckles
Chalvin's voice softened despite himself. "Who?"
"A friend," she said. "Calm. Gentle. Calculating. That was her nature. She did not raise her voice, yet the world seemed to bend around her decisions."
Her fingers brushed the boy's brow.
"This child has the same stillness."
Chalvin clenched his jaw. "Stillness does not make him safe."
"No," Sabrina agreed. "But it makes him important."
He turned away, pacing. "If the High Council learns of this—if they suspect we have taken in a Migardian child—Manachy will be questioned. Watched, and possibly threatened."
"And if we abandon him?" Sabrina asked quietly. "What then?"
Chalvin stopped.
Outside, the city stirred. Vendors called out. Bells rang. Life went on, ignorant of how close it stood to the edge of something vast.
"I cannot accept this," Chalvin said at last. "As your husband, and as Lord of this house, I must oppose it."
Sabrina's expression changed.
Not to anger.
To authority.
She straightened, pain forgotten, presence filling the room so completely that even the servants lowered their heads instinctively. They knew what was coming.
"Lord Chalvin," she said, her voice calm and absolute. "You speak as my husband."
She met his eyes.
"Now listen to me as your Empress."
The air seemed to tighten.
"This child will remain," she said. "He will be raised within these walls. He will be protected, educated, and fed as my own."
Chalvin opened his mouth—
"This is not a discussion," she continued. "Manachy is not ruled by fear. It is ruled by responsibility."
Silence.
Then, slowly, Chalvin lowered his head.
"…As you command," he said.
Sabrina turned to the waiting servants.
"Head maid," she said. "Butler."
They stepped forward at once.
"From this moment on," Sabrina declared, "this child is under imperial protection. You will treat him no differently than you treat my daughter."
She paused.
"Fail in this, and you fail me."
They bowed deeply. "We understand, Your Grace."
The boy shifted slightly in his cloth.
For the first time since his arrival, he made a sound—not a cry, not a whimper.
A soft breath.
Sabrina looked down at him and allowed herself a faint smile.
"Welcome to Manachy, Ragna," she whispered.
"Ahaaahhaa" the child immediately started to whine
"Head maid" she called out
"Your grace" she bows
"Prepare something, Ragna must be hungry" Lady Sabrina instructed.
" Right away your grace" she exits the room, with Ragna gentle wrapped within her arms.
Walks up to her, then sits at the right end corner of the bed" I have a couple of news that I need to convey, both bad and good" Chalvin said will pure calm
Pets her daughter's head" let's hear it"
Exhales " As you aware, Hizosshu went to war with Migard, they didn't give a definite reason except the fact that they were highly discontented with Migard dominating the trade routes, at both kasvas and across the Broken continent. Few days, Hizosshu announced their victory. I don't know if I should call it good news or bad, cause there was only one survivor...
"One survivor ? " Sabrina was immediately alarmed "... But they outnumbered Migard's forces by fifty thousand to a thousand, how strange ... They even lost disgracefully" she then chuckles" regardless, a fool like king Kaza definitely wouldn't mind, a win is a win" she says, without looking at Chalvin." What is your take on this survivor ?"
Continues" personally, I think it's an omen, something bad is about or will definitely happen "
" Impending doom , huh?" Turns to Chalvin, he gaze met his" this survivor, what is his name?, where's his hometown? ... Is he a noble?" She asked
"Well, according to the report, he's also a survivor of the tragic kuri Annihilation by Maghern. His name is Laiman kuri, and I believe he's the last kuri standing on the continent of kasvas after the brutal Annihilation of his kin"
"Regardless, this man, survived two tragedies, is it fate or ... No, this is definitely not luck, something is definitely stirring " slowly exhales" keep eyes around this Laiman, I want to see how he reacts from this moment onward, we'll need to be prepared for whatsoever is to come." she ordered
Stands up" it will be done ... Please excuse me then" Chalvin walks out, closing the door behind him
"Laiman kuri, just one man, surviving two tragedies, losing his entire clan, and now losing everyone he holds as comrade, that's definitely enough to make someone go insane"
Looks outside the window while still on the bed. The birds continues their chips which felt like perfect rhythm in her ear.
She inhales deep" such perfect peace, it's a shame, many perished a couple of days ago"