MORT MANSION
Sera walked slowly as she followed the maid guiding her toward the Lord's Quarters inside Mort Mansion. Her head was slightly bowed, still unaccustomed to the sudden changes surrounding her.
Behind her, Shrin followed quietly. From this day onward, she had officially been assigned as Sera's personal attendant, standing beside her not only as a maid, but still as the closest friend she had within the mansion walls.
Sera could not hide the faint surprise lingering in her eyes as she observed everything around her. Her once quiet residence was now heavily guarded outside the gates. Madam Han had assigned several maids to attend to her house, and the grand carriage that had brought her to the mansion earlier felt far too luxurious for someone who once spent years trying to escape this very place.
The deeper they walked into the mansion, the more Sera realized how different everything had become.
They finally arrived at the quarters.
Sera's eyes widened slightly at the sight before her. Exquisite dresses were displayed across the room, layered fabrics flowing elegantly over polished stands. Jewelry sparkled beneath the lantern lights, while delicate shoes were neatly arranged beneath the racks.
At the far corner of the room sat Madam Han, waiting patiently. Beside her stood a poised woman dressed in refined garments.
Madam Han stood up with a warm smile.
"This is Lady Fern, the Perceptress," Madam Han introduced gently. "She will be guiding you on how to be the Lady of Mort."
Sera blinked once.
Then twice.
"She'll do what?" she asked politely, though genuine confusion lingered in her voice.
Madam Han smiled and walked toward her.
"You are now the Lady of this City… no, the whole Mort State," she explained patiently. "You need to learn your responsibilities and how to properly present yourself before your people. Lady Fern is here to help you learn those things."
Sera stared at her for a moment as realization slowly settled inside her chest.
The rules she had once fled from…
had finally caught up to her.
Her mind immediately searched for an escape route.
"Uhmm…" She cleared her throat lightly. "I was thinking maybe it would be a little inappropriate to learn all those things…when I am not officially the Lady of Mort?"
Madam Han's brows furrowed slightly in confusion.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean…" Sera spoke carefully, "I was presumed dead when the title was given. There was no ceremony…so technically, that would make it invalid. I am not officially the Lord of Mort's wife."
The room immediately fell silent.
Even Shrin's eyes widened beside her.
Madam Han herself was left speechless.
Sera was not wrong.
Despite having a child together, she and Azron had never gone through the formal rites of marriage. They had never stood before the Mort ancestors. No vows were exchanged. No ceremonial blessings were given. Sera had received the title in name, but not through the proper traditions expected within Mort State.
Madam Han sighed softly in defeat.
"Let us postpone this for now," she finally said. "I will speak with the council and arrange the proper rites to make your title official."
Sera's shoulders visibly relaxed.
"But for now," Madam Han continued firmly, "please choose a proper dress. You still need to present yourself accordingly."
"Perfect," Sera answered quickly before Madam Han could change her mind.
Madam Han shook her head helplessly while Lady Fern looked mildly stunned by how casually Sera had evaded the entire situation.
Both women eventually stepped out of the room.
The moment the door closed, Shrin immediately rushed toward the dresses.
"Do you want something extravagant or…something simple?" she asked while sorting through the fabrics.
"Do I really need to wear one of those?" Sera muttered while staring suspiciously at the gowns.
"Simple then," Shrin decided on her own.
She selected a light blue dress adorned with delicate embroidery and paired it with pearl jewelry that looked elegant without being overwhelming.
The maids respectfully stepped outside while Sera changed clothes.
Moments later, she stood before the mirror.
The dress fit her perfectly.
The soft fabric embraced her waist and flowed gracefully down her figure. The neckline revealed the elegant line of her neck without appearing excessive, while the pearls added softness to her already striking appearance.
Shrin carefully fixed her hair before placing the jewelry on her.
"You look so beautiful," Shrin whispered while staring at her reflection.
Sera inhaled deeply, feeling the slight tightness around her chest from the fitted dress.
"I don't recognize myself."
Shrin softened.
"Change is not always bad, Sera," she said gently. "I know being Lord Azron's wife pressured you before. All the expectations…all the rules."
She rested her hands on Sera's shoulders.
"But maybe you're thinking about it the wrong way. You are his Lordship's wife. The rules will not bend you…you'll be the one to bend them."
Sera looked at her reflection again.
This time…she smiled faintly.
Their attention shifted when the door suddenly opened.
"Mom!"
Arelus ran inside happily.
Sera's eyes widened slightly at the sight of him. He was dressed in luxurious garments befitting the young heir of Mort. The dark fabric and silver details made him resemble a smaller version of Azron far too much.
"Grandmother made me wear this," Arelus explained immediately.
"Do you like it?" Sera asked.
"Yeah," he answered honestly. "It's a little heavy…but it's fine."
Then his eyes shifted toward her.
"You look beautiful."
Sera's expression softened instantly.
"Thanks, honey."
She held his hand gently before the three of them stepped outside together.
As they strolled through the gardens, Sera glanced at him curiously.
"So…what are we doing today?"
Arelus looked up at her.
"Actually…Grandmother is making me study. She hired a tutor for me."
Sera immediately stopped walking.
Arelus stopped as well and looked back at her.
"Are you okay with it?" she asked carefully, making sure he did not feel pressured by everything changing around him.
"It's okay," Arelus reassured her with a small smile. "I like studying."
Relief slowly settled inside Sera's chest.
Still…she understood what this truly meant.
Being Azron's son did not simply mean luxury or privilege. It meant responsibility. Expectations. Endless preparation.
Arelus was the heir of Mort State.
Someday, he would inherit an empire.
She could no longer hide him from the destiny waiting for him.
All she could do now…was stand beside him through it.
After some time, Arelus left with his tutor while Sera headed toward the Government Office to check on Azron and gather information regarding the situation outside Mort State.
She stepped carefully inside the office, one hand lightly lifting the edge of her dress to avoid tripping.
The moment she entered—
silence.
Azron and the three generals immediately stopped speaking.
Their eyes settled on her.
And froze.
Sera slowly released the hem of her dress and allowed it to fall naturally against the floor before looking back at them calmly.
"Continue," she said casually while walking toward the large table.
The generals exchanged glances before clearing their throats awkwardly.
Sera lowered her gaze toward the large map spread across the table while quietly listening to the discussion.
"We still have no news regarding Lord Lurion," General Wang reported seriously. "Vaiels Territory has remained silent after the battle."
"Falcon messengers are gathering information across the continent," General Jidu added. "We are monitoring every movement."
"Hawk, Eagle, and Raptor special units are already positioned throughout Mort State," General Dan continued.
Azron nodded once.
"Where's Rin?"
The three generals exchanged another glance.
"We…made him return home for now," Dan answered carefully. "He still has many things to settle in his household."
Azron nodded.
"Fine. Let him reunite with them first. Handle the Raptor Forces temporarily."
"Yes, Lord Azron."
The generals stepped out shortly afterward, leaving the two of them alone inside the office.
Azron slowly walked toward Sera.
She was still staring at the map.
Her fingers picked up a Mort flag and carefully placed it on a distant land across the continent.
Azron's eyes softened.
"Is that Orchid Village?"
Sera nodded quietly.
"Do you think the Vaiels will create another war after this?" she asked softly.
Azron turned his gaze toward her.
"I don't know yet," he admitted honestly. "But don't worry. I won't let them touch you or Arelus again."
Then his eyes slowly drifted over her appearance.
From the pearls resting against her neck…
to the elegant dress hugging her figure.
His gaze darkened slightly.
"Did my mother force you to wear this?" he asked quietly. "You know you are free to wear whatever you like."
Sera glanced down at herself briefly.
"Well," she answered lightly, "she said as the Lord of Mort's wife, I need to look presentable."
Azron stepped closer.
"But you don't like clothes like these," he murmured. "They restrict you."
"That was before," Sera answered softly while her hands slowly reached his shoulders. "Back when I always had to watch my back…not knowing your true intentions."
Her words immediately pulled him closer.
Azron towered over her, his forehead almost touching hers while her hands slid behind his neck.
"I think you need to watch your back even more now," he whispered against her skin.
"Why?" she asked softly while one hand reached behind her to steady herself against the table.
Azron leaned closer until his lips nearly brushed hers.
"Because…I might jump on you."
A soft laugh escaped Sera.
Then she tilted her head slightly and looked directly into his eyes.
"You know…I never agreed to be your wife."
Azron immediately paused.
His brows furrowed seriously as he leaned back slightly to face her.
"We made no vows, Azron," she continued teasingly.
The sudden seriousness on his face amused her far too much.
Azron stared at her quietly for a moment.
Then his voice softened.
"Marry me," he whispered. "Please…marry me this time."
The teasing expression on Sera's face slowly disappeared.
Her eyes softened completely.
Then she nodded.
Azron's entire expression changed instantly.
Relief. Happiness.
Everything reflected openly across his face.
He lowered his head and kissed the side of her neck softly.
This time, Sera did not pull away.
Instead, her fingers buried deeper into his hair.
His kisses slowly deepened, lingering against her skin while his hand tightened carefully around her waist. Heat immediately spread through her chest as she felt his breath against her neck.
Azron gently lifted her onto the table so their heights matched.
Sera let out a soft breath when he stepped between her legs.
His forehead rested briefly against hers before his lips traveled lower once again.
"Not here, Azron," she whispered weakly despite her arms already wrapping around his shoulders.
"No one's around," he murmured against her skin.
Azron suddenly carried her toward the back shelves hidden deeper within the office—the same place where Sera once hid from him years ago whenever his presence overwhelmed her.
He placed her carefully atop a narrow table between the shelves.
The dim shadows concealed them completely.
"Remember this area?" he asked with a low, dangerous softness while pinning her gently against the wall.
Sera glanced around briefly despite already melting beneath his kisses.
"This is where I used to hide from your deadly stares," she whispered with a small laugh. "You didn't even notice me disappearing."
Azron lifted his gaze toward her.
"Didn't notice?" he murmured. "You never left my sight, my dear. I was always looking at you."
The sincerity in his voice completely weakened her.
Their lips crashed together again—deeper this time, more desperate.
Years of restrained longing finally unraveled between them.
Azron's hand slid beneath her skirt while Sera's fingers reached his belt, both of them moving with urgency despite the tenderness between them.
Every kiss carried years of waiting.
Every touch carried relief.
Azron buried his face against her neck while Sera clung tightly to him, breathless from the intensity of his affection.
Their movements became careful yet hungry, the hidden space between the shelves filling with quiet gasps, muffled laughter, and staggered breathing.
The same place where they once exchanged guarded silences…
was now filled with warmth, teasing smiles, and the love they had denied for far too long.
...
Rin's eyes wandered around the Ravelor Mansion while Runar stood quietly beside him.
The estate was vast, built from dark stone and polished wood that carried the weight of an old noble family. The banners of Raptor Forces hung proudly across the walls, swaying gently with the wind. The courtyard smelled faintly of pine and steel, a scent strangely familiar to him despite the emptiness in his memories.
Servants lined themselves near the entrance the moment they saw him.
"Welcome home, General Rin." Long, the head servant, approached him and bowed deeply.
Rin carefully looked at him, then at the other servants standing behind him.
Some of them were already crying.
Some tried to hide it by lowering their heads.
Others openly wiped tears from their faces while staring at him as though they were looking at someone who had returned from the dead.
Rin blinked awkwardly.
"I uh…" He paused, rubbing the back of his neck. "…you must've known by now that I couldn't remember anything."
His gaze shifted toward the mansion, the courtyard, the servants.
"So…this…" He pointed around him. "…everything is new to me."
The moment the words left his mouth, several servants broke down crying even harder.
Runar's eyes widened slightly at the sudden chaos while Rin immediately squinted and rubbed his ears from the overwhelming noise.
"Come on," Rin muttered helplessly. "I'm not dead. Stop crying."
"We are just overjoyed that you've finally come home, General," Long answered while wiping tears from his wrinkled face. His voice trembled heavily. "For years, this mansion waited for your return."
Rin looked at them quietly.
He still remembered nothing.
Yet for some reason, the sight of people grieving for him stirred something strange inside his chest.
Then suddenly—
the sound of a cane tapping against the stone floor echoed across the courtyard.
Rin turned his head.
An old woman slowly approached them while leaning heavily on her cane. Her white hair was tied neatly behind her head and despite her old age, there was sharpness in her eyes that immediately drew Rin's attention.
"Rin…" Her voice shook emotionally. "You're home."
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she slowly walked toward him.
She reached for his hands immediately.
Rin lowered his gaze and stared at the old woman holding him tightly.
"That is Nanny Ros," Long explained softly after noticing Rin's confusion. "She has taken care of you since you were a baby."
Rin's expression softened slightly.
Then he gently held her hands back after learning who she was.
For a brief moment, Nanny Ros simply stared at him.
Then suddenly—
her tears stopped.
The warmth in her face disappeared.
Her eyes darkened dangerously.
Rin blinked in confusion.
Before he could react—
SMACK.
The cane landed against his backside.
Rin's eyes widened.
"You scoundrel!" Nanny Ros shouted while hitting him again. "Where have you been all these years?!"
SMACK.
"I almost died mourning you!"
SMACK.
"I cried and prayed for you every single day!"
SMACK.
"Why didn't you come home sooner?!"
Rin immediately stumbled away in shock while trying to dodge the cane.
"Hey! Wait—!"
But Nanny Ros kept chasing him around the courtyard with surprising speed for her age.
Runar burst out laughing alongside the servants who were now laughing through their tears as they watched the terrifying General of Raptor Forces fleeing helplessly from an old woman.
"Stop hitting me!"
"You deserve it!"
Another loud smack echoed across the courtyard.
Rin finally laughed.
A real laugh.
Bright and helpless.
He ran across the inner courtyard while Nanny Ros swung her cane behind him, threatening to hit him again if he stopped moving.
Though Rin still could not remember her…
Though he still could not remember this mansion…
the moment strangely felt familiar to him.
Warm.
Loud.
And as laughter echoed across the Ravelor estate for the first time in years—
Rin finally realized…
he was home.