Chapter 12

Silence hung over the dining table as they ate. Only the soft clinking of forks and knives broke the stillness.

No one spoke. Instead, looks were exchanged—especially between Chronos and his father.

When the meal was over, chairs slid back all at once. Eldric stood up, brushing invisible dust from his sleeves.

"Chronos, I need a word. Alone."

Liora's voice cut through the tension like a blade.

"No. Everyone is going to bed. I won't have any fighting in my house."

Eldric's jaw tensed, but he softened his voice.

"No fights, love. I promise."

"Hmm." Liora let out a sharp breath, her eyes cold and dangerous.

"One loud voice, one sign of trouble, and I'll remind you both why I was the city's best assassin before I settled down."

No one doubted her. Liora had been famous—second only to her brother, Yung Lin—before she chose marriage and motherhood. But her deadly edge hadn't faded. It was clear in how she held herself.

Eldric led Chronos outside. The heavy front door shut with a deep thud. The night air was cool and smelled faintly of wet earth. Eldric paused, rubbing the back of his neck—a rare sign he was nervous.

"I… I'm sorry about earlier. I overreacted."

Chronos kicked at the gravel.

"It's okay. I'd be angry too if I were you."

"Then tell me the truth." Eldric's voice was quiet but firm.

"Where were you?"

Chronos opened his mouth—

But something moved in the corner of his eye. A shadow. It held up a sign with messy red writing:

DO NOT REVEAL OR ELSE—

Then it was gone.

"Son?" Eldric's voice brought him back.

"Sorry. Just… thinking." Chronos swallowed. Did he imagine it?

"I blacked out on the way. I don't remember anything."

Eldric watched him carefully. He wasn't convinced. But after hearing the same answer for the third time, he sighed.

"No kidnappings? No slavery? No… other worlds?" he asked, listing the crazy ideas with a straight face.

"Nothing like that," Chronos lied, looking down.

"Alright." Eldric reached into his pocket.

"My father was a time cultivator. Your disappearance reminded me of his old stories."

Chronos held back a smile. If only you knew.

"And?"

"Well," Eldric cleared his throat,

"He used to take my mother to secret places or other timelines to… you know… spend time together."

"Ugh, Dad. Please stop talking." Chronos made a face.

"The point is," Eldric went on, ignoring him,

"if someone took you, if they're threatening you, I'll deal with them." His aura flared, heavy and powerful. The nearby lanterns flickered.

"Relax. I'm fine." Chronos gave a weak laugh.

Eldric's shoulders dropped.

"These past two years… Your mother blamed herself. She quit her job. I… I wasn't much better." He met Chronos's eyes.

"I'm just glad you're home."

"Yeah. Me too." Chronos rubbed his neck, feeling awkward.

Eldric turned and went back inside, leaving Chronos under the moonlight. He looked at the large mansion—part home, part new life—then stepped through the door.

Down the hall, the maids whispered.

"Do you think it's really him?"

"He looks different. Older. But those eyes…"

"Still handsome." A giggle.

"Imagine him pinning you against the—"

"Enough." Mary's voice cut them off. As the head maid and a skilled assassin—her word was law.

"Go to bed. Now."

The whispers stopped. But as she turned off the lights, even Mary let her thoughts drift: Master Chronos, breath warm against her neck, his hands on hers and pinning her on the bed....

Morning light spilled into Chronos's room. He lay awake, staring at the ceiling, as if the the cutsy designs could tell him something.

"Back to school, huh?" he muttered, rolling over.

A knock came at the door.

"Breakfast is ready, Master Chronos," said a maid's calm, polite voice.

Chronos groaned and slowly got up. He moved carefully, half-expecting the floor to vanish beneath him.