Azael moved steadily through the quiet streets, his pace calm but purposeful as he drew closer to the Ignivar estate. The night had settled fully now, and the city that once bustled with life was unusually silent.
The aftermath of the chaos still lingered in the air. Smoke drifted faintly in the distance, and the scent of burned wood and stone had not yet faded.
Lanterns hung along the streets, casting dim golden light over the empty roads. The moon above shone softly, its pale glow stretching across rooftops and broken pathways alike.
His body still ached beneath his clothes, though far less than before. The wounds that had once threatened to end his life were now reduced to dull reminders hidden beneath bandages. His expression, however, remained composed.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Each footstep echoed faintly in the silence.
The a sudden shift in air. His instincts flared. Sothing moved faster towards him.
Before he could react, a figure appeared directly in front of him.
Azael stopped instantly.
His eyes lifted. And he saw her.
She stood there, blocking his path.
She was tall elegant and beautiful as always.
Duchess Aeliana Ignivar.
Her golden-blonde hair was tied neatly into a bun, not a single strand out of place. Two soft bangs rested along the sides of her face, framing her sharp yet breathtakingly beautiful features. Her skin was flawless, her presence commanding without effort.
Her red eyes, cold and piercing, locked onto him imdiately.
She wore a beige shirt tucked neatly into black trousers, layered beneath light armor that accentuated both her strength and nobility. Even without her full knight attire, she radiated authority.
She stood slightly taller than him.
Azael paused for a mont.
Then a small smile appeared on his lips.
"Mother..." he said casually, almost lightly. "What are you doing here?"
She didn’t answer. Instead she stepped forward. One step. Then another. Her eyes never left him.
Azael felt it. That silent pressure. She stopped right in front of him. Very close to him.
Without saying a word, she reached out slightly, her gaze scanning him carefully. Her eyes moved across his face, then down toward his hands, observing every detail.
Azael remained still.
His expression unchanged, though his heart beat slightly faster.
Her gaze lingered. The wounds on his face, mostly healed. Only faint traces remained. His hands were clean.
No visible injuries. The deeper wounds hidden beneath his shirt were out of her sight.
For a few seconds, she simply observed him.
Then she exhaled softly. A quiet sigh. She was Relieved. Though her expression barely changed, it was there.
It was subtle but real.
"Where were you all this ti?" she asked.
Her voice was calm. But strict.
Azael smiled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck slightly.
"Ah... I was just strolling around the city," he said. "I got bored at ho, so I went out."
He paused briefly, then continued,
"While I was roaming, suddenly an explosion happened in the eastern district. It was... unexpected."
His tone remained natural.
Carefully asured.
"I got scared, so I hid in an alleyway," he added. "I waited there until things cald down. After that, I thought of heading back... but I was hungry, so I stopped to eat sothing."
He scratched his cheek lightly.
"That’s why it took longer. Sorry for worrying you."
Silence followed.Aeliana stared at him. Her red eyes sharp.
She was trying to search. As if trying to see through every word he had just spoken.
Azael t her gaze.
Her gaze was calm.
While Azael also looked at her unshaken. He wouldn’t show her his true emotions. That eh was srized by her beautiful appearance.
After a few seconds. She sighed again.
"You did well by hiding," she said. "When an incident like this occurs, it is our responsibility to handle it. You don’t need to involve yourself."
Her tone softened slightly.
Just a little.
"But you said you were in the eastern district..." she continued, her eyes narrowing faintly. "Did you see anyone suspicious?"
Azael blinked once.
"Suspicious?"
She nodded slightly.
"A man. He was wearing a black suit and a mask."
For a brief mont, Azael’s heart skipped. But outwardly he simply shook his head.
"No... I didn’t see anyone like that."
His voice was steady. Without hesitation.
She observed him again for a mont.
Then nodded.
"I see."
She turned slightly. "Let’s go ho."
Her voice carried its usual authority and coldness.
"Everything here is already under control. Your elder sister will handle the remaining matters."
Azael nodded. "Alright."
And just like that the two began walking together.
Side by side. Through the quiet streets of Elaris.
The night stretched calmly around them. The moonlight reflected off the stone roads, while the lanterns flickered gently in the cool breeze. The city, once filled with noise and life, now felt almost deserted.
Shops were closed. Doors shut tightly. No one dared to wander outside after what had happened. They remained at ho. Since so people did die in that incident.
Only the faint sound of their footsteps broke the silence.
Azael glanced sideways at her.
Then spoke, "No carriage?"
Aeliana didn’t look at him.
"I was already near the site of the attack," she replied. "After that, I began searching for you."
Her tone was simple and direct. It didn’t feel like she was talking to her son..well stepson. But that didn’t an she was cold towards him.
Trying to find him ans she was worried about him.
"I left the remaining work to Arista."
Azael raised a brow slightly. "You personally ca to look for ?"
She didn’t answer imdiately.
A few seconds passed. "Yes."
A single word. But it carried weight. He could tell she was worried about him but the single word of her.
Then she asked."Why? I shouldn’t have co?"
Azael looked forward again, a faint smile forming on his lips.
"No,I didnt an it that way. But i am gkad knowing you tried to find . Seems like I caused quite a bit of trouble for you."
Aeliana glanced at him briefly. "You did. But it’s alright."
Her reply was imdiate.
Azael chuckled softly. "Sorry about that. I won’t do it again."
Silence returned. But this ti, It felt different. It was not heavy nor it was tense. Just... quiet. After a while, Azael spoke again,
"How bad was it?"
Aeliana’s gaze shifted forward.
"The attack was coordinated," she said. "Multiple locations. Not random. Perfectly planned."
Her voice turned colder.
"Explosions and then civilian casualties. Property destruction. They sure did lot in small ti."
Azael’s expression remained neutral, though he listened carefully.
"The perpetrators were mbers of the Obsidian Hand," she added.
Azael’s eyes flickered slightly.
"So it was them..."
"Yes. It seems Arista have already told you about them"
"Yes she did." He replied.
Her grip tightened slightly at her side. "They chose to remain instead of fleeing. And now... they’ve chosen death."
There was no emotion in her voice. Only certainty. Azael exhaled slowly. "They were trying to get back for destroying their base.."
"They’re foolish tobthink they could cause trouble to our terroritory. " she corrected.
A brief silence followed. Then she spoke again, "They attacked my territory."
Her red eyes darkened slightly. "That alone is enough."
Azael didn’t reply. He understood.
Very well. The two continued walking.
Step by step.
Through the empty streets.
The estate slowly ca into view in the distance. Large gates, guarded and illuminated, standing firm against the night.
For a mont Azael glanced at her again.
Then spoke lightly,
"You know... you look quite scary when you’re like this."
She didn’t react.
"...But also kind of cool and beautuful. I like that," he added with a small grin.
Aeliana finally looked at him. Her crimson eyes on him.
A brief glance.
"...Focus on recovering first," she said. "You can talk nonsense later."
Azael laughed quietly.
"Alright."
"Still thanks for complint i guess." She replied with sa expression.
And just like that. They walked the remaining distance together.
Through silence. Through moonlight.
Returning ho together.
For so reason Azael felt closer to her. Once again he got to know that she does care about him.
---
Once he was back at ho. He instantly goes towards bedroom.
Just on the way he found Isabel.
His eyes lit up as he moved towards her.
When her eyes fell on him her eyes widened. "Young Master! Where were you all this ti? I was worried–"
"I will tell you that later. For now I want you to bring so food to my room. I am really hungry. Can you do that please."
He stopped her in middle of talk. He was really hungry after all that fight.
She blinked for few tis and then nodded. "Okay! I will bring it imdiately. Wait for ."
She left.
Azael sighed and goes to his chamber.
"Let’s take a nice bath and then have dinner."
Then he smiled. "Also so sweet talk with Isabel when she will bring food."
Azael went to his chamber and enter the bathroom.
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