"Duke Florance… no—Reynald Virian Avaris," the hoarse voice came out heavy and low. "Is this how you behave after seeing your father after all this time?"
The Emperor lay weak in his bed, having spotted the young man who entered his chambers without warning. His gaze swept over Reynald gravely, his expression unreadable. Beneath it all lay a deep, aching longing for his eldest son—yet alongside it gnawed a profound, heavy guilt.
"Father? Hah. That's rich," Reynald replied, his tone dripping with disdain. He paused a moment, then stepped slowly toward the older man. Stopping at the bedside, he looked down sharply, hands clenched at his sides. "Do you truly think I would treat you as my father now?"
The Emperor fell silent, his stern gaze softening instantly. It had been more than a decade since the First Empress passed away—followed months later by his raising Evelynine to the throne and his departure alongside Schnee. Little wonder his eldest son stood this way now.
