Together

April 4th, 1353 – Cassius is almost five years old now

Over nearly five years of caring for Cassius, Lana has earned a considerable amount of money. She has used it to support her family - a more spacious home, a more stable life, and most importantly, her younger brother can now attend school without worrying about expenses

Everything has been going well, except for one regret: she can only visit her family once a month

'But It's not that bad' she thinks to herself, her gaze quietly settling on Cassius, who is holding her hand tightly as they walk together

The boy has grown a lot. Cassius is now taller, his height reaching past her waist. His once-round face has become slimmer but still retains the soft, youthful features of a child. His black hair has grown long enough to cover his eyes—he could have it trimmed shorter for neatness, but he prefers to keep it as it is. His large, bright eyes, high nose bridge, and thin lips create a face that is both adorable and refined, like a noble in the making

After nearly five years together, the bond between Lana and Cassius has become incredibly close. She is certain that aside from Duchess Celeste, she is the closest person to Cassius. He doesn't just see her as a caretaker - he considers her his second mother. And Lana cannot deny that she has come to see him as her own son

She is holding his hand as they walk down the hallway, leaving the castle

This morning, the duchess had informed her that she had some matters to attend to, so she asked Lana to take Cassius for a walk in the nearby town

Before long, the two of them leave the castle and approach a luxurious carriage

On the carriage door, an intricately carved emblem of an eye with silver wings gleams under the sunlight

Lana helps Cassius climb in first before gracefully stepping inside and taking a seat beside him

Since today is just a casual outing, Cassius is dressed simply: a white button-up shirt and black trousers. He leans against the carriage window, his eyes intently observing the scenery outside as the wheels begin to roll

The Eclipse territory is located in a highly secluded area. Traveling from the castle to the nearest town takes over an hour by carriage. The castle itself is situated in a breathtaking landscape - on one side, a dense forest; on the other, towering coastal cliffs where white-capped waves endlessly crash against the shore

From the castle, Cassius can see the vast blue ocean stretching to the horizon, but he has never once set foot there. The reason is simple: it is too dangerous. The coastal cliffs are steep with no accessible path down, and the fierce waves below could sweep away anyone who falls

"Nana, I want to go to the sea"

A childish voice breaks Lana out of her thoughts. She looks down at the boy beside her and sees that he is still glued to the window, his gaze fixed on the horizon where the sea faintly appears

Lana chuckles softly, reaching out to gently smooth his soft black hair

"We've talked about this many times, Cassa. That place is too dangerous. If you really want to go, you'll have to convince the duchess first"

Cassius pouts slightly but does not argue

The name "Cassa" is a nickname Cassius had insisted Lana give him. At first, she had felt hesitant about calling her master by such a name, but since Cassius persistently persuaded her, she eventually relented. However, she only uses it when they are alone

Cassius once mentioned that he had also asked Celeste to call him Cassa, but she had refused immediately

"Your name is Cassius. I prefer to call you that"

After an hour of travel, the carriage finally approaches the city gates

Towering stone walls come into view, along with rows of guards patrolling diligently

As soon as they recognize the silver eye emblem on the carriage, the soldiers immediately tense up. Without hesitation, they rush to open the gates, allowing the carriage to pass through without any inspection

The carriage rolls on a bit further before coming to a stop in a quiet area near the town center

Despite his noble appearance, Cassius can walk around freely without drawing too much attention. His face remains unfamiliar to the common folk. Unlike the nobility, ordinary people are focused on their daily lives, paying little attention to politics or the faces of the upper class. As a result, Cassius can explore comfortably without anyone realizing that he belongs to the Eclipse family

Cassius and Lana step out of the carriage and instantly blend into the lively energy of the town. The cobblestone streets stretch under the bright sunlight, crowded with people moving about, creating a vivid and colorful scene

Lana holds Cassius's hand firmly as they weave through the busy streets. The stalls lining the road give off all kinds of enticing aromas - the crisp scent of freshly baked bread, the spicy fragrance of exotic seasonings, and the sweet floral notes from bouquets displayed along the sidewalks

Cassius looks around with wide, curious eyes. Since he rarely gets the chance to go out, everything here feels new and exciting to him. He tugs on Lana's sleeve, his voice filled with enthusiasm

"Nana, Nana! That stall is selling pastries! Buy one for me!"

Lana chuckles at his eagerness. She gently pinches Cassius's cheek before leading him toward the small roadside stall

"Alright, but just one. Eat too much, and you'll get a stomachache"

Cassius nods eagerly. When he receives the warm apple pastry, he happily takes a big bite, his eyes lighting up. But just a second later, he winces, his little mouth puffing out as he blows out air

"It's too hot!"

Lana quickly places a hand over his mouth, scolding him lightly

"I told you to eat slowly!"

She gently blows on the half-bitten pastry before handing it back to him. Cassius pouts but obediently follows her advice

They continue strolling through town, with Cassius sticking close to Lana, his small hand still clasping hers. Occasionally, he tugs her to stop whenever he spots something interesting - a wooden puppet, a peculiar mask, or even just a cat napping under a shop's awning

Everywhere they go, Cassius observes curiously, asking endless questions. Lana patiently answers each one, like a mother indulging her child's endless curiosity

By noon, they stop at a small roadside eatery. Lana orders a meat sandwich and a glass of fruit juice for Cassius. The boy eagerly takes a big bite, his eyes sparkling with delight as the flavors spread across his tongue

—

Under the radiant sunset, the sky gradually shifts into a warm shade of orange, casting a soft golden hue over the streets. Cassius is now visibly tired after a long day of exploring. He walks slowly, his eyes slightly droopy, his small body swaying ever so slightly

Lana watches him, then gently bends down and suggests

"Do you want me to carry you, Cassa?"

Cassius doesn't need to think twice - his eyes immediately light up with excitement

"Yes!"

He quickly climbs onto her back, wrapping his arms around her neck and burying his face into her warm shoulder. Lana supports his small legs and begins walking slowly, blending into the peaceful atmosphere of the evening

The steady rhythm of Cassius's breathing and the warmth of his body bring Lana an unexpected sense of tranquility. She hears his soft voice near her ear

"I had a great time today, Nana."

Lana smiles, responding gently

"So did I, Cassa"

The boy shifts slightly, then murmurs in an increasingly drowsy voice

"We should come here more often… Maybe next time, with mom too…"

Lana chuckles softly but does not reply. When she feels the slow, even rhythm of his breathing behind her, she knows Cassius has already fallen asleep

She continues walking carefully, making sure not to wake him. Upon reaching the carriage, Lana gently lifts Cassius into her arms, placing him on her lap and letting him rest against her. She wraps her arms around him securely, ensuring that he sleeps as peacefully as possible

Looking down at his sleeping face, she notices the gentle flutter of his long lashes with each breath. His features still hold a childlike roundness, yet the traces of nobility are unmistakable

'Someday, he will definitely attract many girls' she thinks with a faint smile. It isn't hard to imagine a grown-up Cassius - elegant, regal, and undeniably handsome - becoming a loving husband and father

Shaking her head slightly, she pushes the thought away and tightens her embrace around him

A gentle breeze sweeps past as the carriage moves slowly toward the castle. The peaceful silence and the exhaustion from the long day gradually lull Lana into slumber as well

—

But that sleep does not last long

Suddenly, a violent jolt shakes the carriage, making it sway unsteadily. Lana's eyes snap open, her breath slightly ragged

Still dazed, she lifts her head, trying to make sense of what is happening

Her arms instinctively tighten around Cassius as she turns toward the window. And the moment she sees what's outside - dark figures rushing toward them, weapons in hand, the knights escorting them drawing their swords to fight back - Lana immediately understands

They are under attack