Lady Serena finally came back. It felt like life itself had returned to us — and yet, Master was oddly quiet. Even when the lady returned, his eyes were distant. Calm… too calm. Almost like he was trying to hide something deep within.
Later, Lady Serena told us everything that had happened in the past weeks.
How they went to a party.
How Caspian bought her an expensive dress, just to parade her in front of others — laughing fake laughs, forcing her to smile while pretending they were the perfect couple.
How he acted intimately with her even though she clearly didn't want it. Through the entire hall, she was cursing him in her heart… and yet the people around them clapped and congratulated them on the baby. None of them saw the truth.
Then, one of the women smiled and asked,
"Have you two chosen the baby's name yet?"
Caspian flinched at the question.
He hadn't even thought about the baby. The baby wasn't a child to him — just a tool to silence the rumors. Something to keep his image intact.
"Well, the baby's name…" Caspian began, trembling, clearly stalling for time, hoping to come up with something.
But Serena cut him off.
For the first time since arriving, she raised her voice enough for the entire hall to hear.
"Yes!" she answered with a wide smile, full of confidence.
"Lady Ava, we've decided. If it's a boy, his name will be Liam. If it's a girl… Melody."
Her voice rang with a joy that stunned the room. Genuine, radiant, and proud.
Everyone turned, surprised by her sudden change — but they burst into polite laughter, clapping.
"They must be so happy!"
"They've clearly had those names planned for a while!"
Serena smiled again, louder this time.
"We did!"
Caspian's expression turned dark. He quickly grabbed her arm and leaned close, whispering through gritted teeth,
"What are you trying to do, you bitch?"
But Serena, disgusted by his face so near hers, leaned back slightly. Then, with a smirk, she whispered,
"What? I just saved your ass. You should thank me."
"AHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Jason's laughter exploded through the whole house.
"My lady! You're the best!"
The three of them sat together on the couches as Serena recounted the whole event in detail. And when she mentioned the names, Caelis's eyes widened—
Those names...
Serena turned to him, her voice soft and warm.
"You're the father afterall, Not him. Isn't that right?"
The Caelis who had looked so down, so lifeless, just moments ago — suddenly, his eyes began to glow.
She was laughing. She had chosen his names. She was standing tall. There was no sign of the fragile Serena who couldn't even eat without help. She had become strong — for him, for their child.
Caelis brought his hands to his face, hiding it as he whispered inwardly,
"Just how much more… Just how much more will I fall deeper for her?"
Some time passed and it was finally January 15—Serna's final birth month. Outside, snow fell heavily, and the cold clung to Serna. She was always feeling cold and was easily getting irritated. She sometimes bothered Caelis and they started to argue, but Caelis always lost. They started to get intimate—Caelis hugging her each time she got emotional. Serna getting on his lap and clinging to him became her habit, and Master Caelis, who was always gentle, became extra gentle with her. She often threw things at him, but he always accepted it and tried calming her down.
"I want to go outside," Serna said.
"But it's snowing heavily, it's risky, Serna," Caelis replied.
"Aghh, I'm always inside and seeing your face. I'm bored—I want to go out and breathe!" she snapped angrily.
"My face is handsome. I look young too," Caelis said, still reading his book.
Serna silently moved to the wide window, watching outside.
Caelis saw her really feeling down. "Jason, bring the warm clothes."
Serna looked around, sparkling. "We are going!?"
"We'll just take a short stroll and then come back inside, okay?" Caelis said, smiling at Serna's reaction.
They put on warm clothes and went out, strolling side by side on the cleared road surrounded by snowbanks. Caelis was on his wheelchair while Serna walked slowly—both matching each other's pace. Serna really looked happy as they walked. Suddenly, Serna's breath became heavy. Caelis noticed and said they should go back inside, but as they turned back, Serna's breathing became heavier, and she felt wetness between her thighs. She fell to the ground, water leaking from her.
"Aghhh—!"
"Serna!!" Caelis shouted, his soul leaving him at the sight. He rushed to her, falling from his wheelchair onto the wet ground. He breathed heavily, helpless, unable to move.
"Jason! Jason! Jason!" he kept shouting.
Finally, Jason and the maids rushed to their side. The servants carried Serna, who was now breathing heavily.
"Jason, help me back on my wheelchair..." Caelis gasped, his heart shattered. I wanted to be with her. I wanted to go with her... I wasn't even allowed to go out...
Serna was rushed to the hospital, and after hours of labor, the baby was finally born—a slight shade of black hair, and blue eyes so dark the color could barely be seen. They brought the newborn boy into Serna's arms. Strangely, she felt nothing for him—just a cold shoulder—but she still held him.
"So you're Liam, huh? Lis will be happy if he saw you... I want to see him soon," she whispered and dug her face into her baby, finally smelling his whole. She smiled, "You just smell like him."
Caspian came soon after the birth, walking in like he was visiting a finished project. He totally ignored Serna and went directly to see the baby. When he saw the shape of the child, he smirked, noticing the identical hair color—but when the baby opened his blue eyes, he looked dissatisfied.
"Tch. Even his genes are weak," he muttered, and left the room shortly after.
Because guests kept coming constantly to congratulate the birth, Serna wasn't able to return to the villa even though she wanted to.
One month passed since the baby was born. Now Serna was back on her feet. The visitors stopped. She went to her favorite path at the back of the mansion. With the baby in her arms, she finally reached the villa. She finally got to see his face again.
Caelis was reading a book as usual, a cover over his legs. When he saw Serna with the baby, the book fell from his hands.
Trembling, he gasped, "Serena?"
He rushed to her, forgetting that he couldn't walk, and threw himself forward. The wheelchair tipped, crashing onto him.
Serena hurried forward. Jason also came out.
"My lord! Huh? My lady!!"
Jason stood frozen in shock.
Serena placed the baby in Jason's arms and, without hesitation, lifted the fallen wheelchair with one hand and grabbed Caelis with the other, helping him up.
Jason was stunned. "Wha—?!"
Caelis, still in her arms, blinked in confusion.
"My lady? How!!?" Jason asked, stunned.
"Hm? Did I never tell you?" Serena said, swinging the chair in one hand while holding Caelis in the other.
"My power is body enchantment. Hahaha."
Later, she sat Caelis down on his chair, then leaned down close to his face.
"Lis... Lis... Lis... Lis," she said repeatedly.
Caelis's eyes teared up at seeing her so near again. Jason returned, gently placing the baby into Caelis's arms.
Caelis looked at the baby, who had his exact same face. He laughed while crying.
"My son... Liam. The protector of light. The one who will protect your loved ones. Our light in the dark tunnel. Welcome to life."
He lowered his head, nuzzling and kissing the baby.
Serena and Jason looked on as he showered the baby with love.
They felt... jealous of the baby.
Such a gentle man. Such a kind man. As warm as light itself. If he were to nurture his son... what a man he would create.