Chapter 34: Shadows of the Past

### Chapter 34: Shadows of the Past

The royal palace stood silent under the veil of night, its grandeur softened by the silvery glow of moonlight. The day had been long, filled with conversations that sought to distract from the weight of King Keiran's absence. The looming threat of war kept everyone on edge, yet Zarina, Calithea, Draven, Lyria, and Aiden had spent the evening together, sharing stories to lift their spirits.

But now, the hour grew late, and the halls of the palace were quiet. Lyria held Aiden's hand gently as they walked toward their room.

"You've had a long day, Aiden. It's time to rest," Lyria said softly, her voice warm yet firm.

Aiden glanced at her, his expression composed, almost unnervingly mature for his age. "I know, Mother. But I'm not really tired," he replied, his tone steady.

Lyria's lips curved into a faint smile. "Even so, you need sleep. Rest is important, even for someone as strong as you."

Aiden didn't argue, though his mind was far from at peace.

---

In the privacy of their chambers, Lyria helped Aiden settle into bed, her protective instincts guiding her every action. She lay beside him, the familiar warmth of her presence soothing the tension she had noticed in him throughout the evening.

"Goodnight, Aiden," she murmured, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead.

"Goodnight, Mother," Aiden replied, his voice calm yet carrying a weight that Lyria couldn't ignore.

As Lyria drifted into sleep, Aiden lay awake, staring at the ceiling. The silence of the room was deafening, and his thoughts began to wander, unbidden, into the shadows of his past life.

---

The dream came swiftly, enveloping him in darkness before bursting into vivid imagery.

In his previous life, he was not simply the heir to an empire—he was its shining star. Born with unparalleled talent, Aiden had mastered the art of war and diplomacy by the time he was twelve. Kingdoms trembled at his name, and his command over the imperial armies was absolute. His father, the Emperor, often called him the "Heart of the Empire."

But the heart became a threat.

Aiden saw flashes of his father's cold, calculating gaze. "You've grown too powerful," the man had said, his voice devoid of emotion. "A threat to my rule cannot be allowed to live."

The betrayal was swift and merciless. Loyal soldiers turned against him. Shadows that once bowed in reverence now hunted him with swords drawn. He saw the moment of his execution—the gleaming blade, the searing pain as it pierced his chest. Yet, even in death, Aiden had not yielded. His final thought had been a promise, a vow to return and make his father pay for his treachery.

But the dream didn't stop there.

Aiden saw fragments of his life before his fall—ancient ruins, a golden throne atop a mountain of treasures, and armies stretching beyond the horizon. His power had been unmatched, his control over arcane forces unparalleled. With a single gesture, he had leveled cities and rewritten the fates of nations. Yet, despite his might, he had failed to see the knife hidden in the shadows.

---

Aiden woke abruptly, his small body trembling, his breath coming in shallow gasps. The remnants of the dream clung to him like a suffocating shroud, the echoes of his past life too vivid to ignore.

"Mother!" he cried out, his voice breaking.

Lyria's eyes snapped open, her instincts honed from years of training. She turned to him immediately, her heart tightening at the sight of his pale face and wide, haunted eyes.

"Aiden, what's wrong?" she asked urgently, pulling him into her arms.

For a moment, Aiden couldn't speak, his mind caught between the dream and reality. "I... I had a bad dream," he finally managed, his voice shaking.

Lyria's arms tightened around him, her hand stroking his back in soothing circles. "It's alright, my love. It was just a dream. You're safe now."

But as she looked into his eyes, she saw something that sent a chill down her spine. It wasn't fear—at least not the kind a child would feel. It was a pain so profound, so ancient, that it seemed impossible for someone his age to carry.

"What did you see?" she asked gently, her voice calm but probing.

Aiden hesitated, his small hands gripping the blanket. "It felt real," he whispered. "Like I was somewhere else... someone else."

Lyria's brow furrowed, her suspicions deepening. Aiden had always been different, far more composed and intelligent than any child his age. She had often wondered if there was more to him than he let on.

"You're here now," she said softly, cupping his face. "With me. Whatever it was, it can't hurt you."

Aiden leaned into her touch, his heart aching with a longing he couldn't put into words. "Thank you, Mother."

"Always," she whispered, kissing his forehead. "Now try to sleep. I'm right here."

Though comforted by her presence, Aiden found it hard to close his eyes again. The memories of his past life lingered, their weight pressing down on him. His father's betrayal, his fall from power, and the promise of revenge burned within him. Yet, he couldn't share this with Lyria—not yet.

---

The morning light filtered into the room, chasing away the shadows of the night. Aiden woke to find Lyria already awake, her gentle presence a constant source of reassurance.

"Good morning," she greeted him with a soft smile.

"Good morning, Mother," he replied, his voice steady but thoughtful.

After breakfast, they joined Zarina, Calithea, and Draven in the grand dining hall for lunch. Despite the absence of King Keiran, the atmosphere was warm, thanks to Zarina's composed grace and Calithea's lively demeanor.

As they ate, Calithea turned to Aiden with a bright smile. "Aiden, would you like to visit the capital with us? There's so much to see—the markets, the gardens, the royal libraries. I could show you around."

Draven chimed in, grinning. "And we can spar! I've been training hard and want to see what you've got."

Aiden glanced at Lyria, his expression thoughtful. "May I go, Mother?"

Lyria rested a hand on his shoulder, her smile warm yet firm. "You should go, Aiden. I have some matters to attend to here, but I'll join you later. Calithea and Draven will look after you."

He hesitated briefly before nodding. "Alright. I'll go."

"You'll enjoy it," Lyria said, her tone reassuring. "And remember, you're stronger than you think."

As the plans were finalized, Aiden couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. The shadows of his past life still lingered, but he resolved to move forward. For now, he would focus on the present—and the people who had become his new family.