A Mother's Worries

 Vivian sat by the window, her delicate fingers tracing absent-minded patterns on the glass. Her once warm and reassuring smile had vanished, replaced by a distant, troubled expression. It had been this way since receiving news of the captured spy and Vincent's impending departure. Zach noticed it immediately.

His mother, who would always hum a tune or softly giggle at Mia's antics, now spoke in whispers to herself. Her words barely audible, her thoughts scattered. She barely acknowledged Zach's presence, her mind clearly occupied with something far heavier than she let on.

Zach, still a child in this world but a seasoned politician in his past life, could sense the shift in her demeanor. This was not the mother he had come to know. Something was wrong.

"Sebastian, is something wrong with Mother?" Zach asked as he sat on the plush couch, eyes narrowed in concern.

Sebastian, who was overseeing the tea preparations, hesitated. He knew the truth but also understood the weight of such knowledge. How could he explain to a four-year-old that someone had tried to kill him? That his mother was shaken because Vincent was leaving at such a dangerous time?

"The lady is just... worried about your father's trip, young master," Sebastian finally said, keeping his tone light. "She always overthinks things when Lord Vincent is away."

Zach wasn't convinced. "But she looks different. She even talks to herself. She never does that."

Sebastian forced a small smile. "Mothers worry, young master. That is what they do."

Zach frowned. He could tell when someone was avoiding a question. In his past life, politicians lied all the time. But this was Sebastian. His butler. His family. That meant whatever was wrong… was something he shouldn't know.

And that only made him more curious.

But for now, he let it go.

As he turned back toward his mother, he noticed the way her hands trembled slightly as she held her teacup. The way her usually perfect posture sagged just the slightest bit.

Something had changed.

And Zach was going to find out what.

The next day

The atmosphere in the Ravennest estate had changed. Guards patrolled the halls more frequently, and the once lively household had grown tense. Zach noticed it immediately the increased security, the whispers among the servants, and most importantly, his mother's change in demeanor.

Vivian no longer smiled as often. She was deep in thought, muttering to herself when she believed no one was watching. The usual warmth in her eyes had been replaced with concern.

Zach already knew there was danger lurking in the household. The memories of his past self of an assassination attempt that had ended his previous life were still vivid in his mind. But he needed to confirm if the threat was truly gone or if it was merely hiding beneath the surface.

Over the past few days, he had been carefully observing the people around him. The servants, the knights, even Sebastian. He asked questions, trying to gauge their reactions, but none of them revealed anything useful. Either they genuinely didn't know, or they were under strict orders to keep quiet. It was frustrating, but it also meant that whatever had happened was being handled at the highest level.

One evening, while walking past the living room, he caught a hushed conversation between Sebastian and his mother. He carefully hid behind the door, listening intently.

"I have personally investigated every member of the household, my lady," Sebastian said. "There are no more spies among our staff. You and the children are safe."

Vivian sighed heavily. "And the security?"

"Tighter than ever. Every entrance and exit is monitored. No one suspicious will get near the young master or Lady Mia again."

Zach clenched his fists. So his suspicions were right. The estate had been compromised before. Someone had infiltrated his home, but now, according to Sebastian, the immediate threat had been neutralized.

Vivian's voice softened, but the weight of her worry was evident. "Sebastian, I... I cannot lose them."

"You won't, my lady." Sebastian's voice carried absolute conviction. "Lord Vincent has taken measures outside, and I have done the same within the estate. Nothing will happen to them under my watch."

A long silence followed, and Zach quietly stepped away. His heart pounded, but a sense of relief washed over him. He wasn't naive enough to believe the danger was completely gone, but at the very least, his family was taking things seriously.

With the confirmation that security had been tightened, Zach decided it was time to shift his focus. He still had work to do his game wasn't going to design itself, and he had a new goal in mind. With danger no longer an immediate threat, he could finally concentrate on bringing his new creation to life.