Chapter 68: He was a boy…

"A boy or a girl?"

"A boy, Your Majesty." An attendant bowed with her response.

His fingers continued their slow movement over Thira’s stomach, gentle enough that anyone watching would have mistaken it for affection.

I guess it’s time to get rid of that one too.

. . .

. .

.

Thira was exhausted.

His body had only just begun recovering from the birth, his porcelain frame still warm from the effort while the newborn slept quietly against his chest. One of his arms remained curled protectively around the little body, his fingers occasionally moving whenever the baby stirred.

Tuk watched him with the new addition, then his gaze shifted toward the door.

"Khae’el."

The name left his mouth like something bitter.

The U’Kan attendant on duty lowered her head.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Where is he?"

"The child has been moved to his quarters to allow the kept one recuperate properly but he is currently waiting outside."

Tuk’s fingers twictched beneath where he had folded them.

Outside.

Of course he was.

He had probably been waiting for Thira to wake, just as he always did. The human child had somehow developed the irritating habit of appearing whenever Thira needed anything, as though he could sense his presence from anywhere within the palace.

Tuk’s jaw tightened.

"Bring him here."

The attendant hesitated.

Tuk slowly turned his head at her sluggishness.

"Did you not hear me?"

"Yes I did, Your Majesty."

She hurried away.

Thira’s eyes remained closed as he slumbered with his child.

Tuk watched him carefully.

"Are you awake?"

A faint hum escaped the Miwa.

"Mm."

Tuk looked down at the newborn.

"Your son."

Thira’s fingers shifted against the baby’s back.

"He’s beautiful."

Tuk twitched once more.

How could he call what wasn’t theirs beautiful?

"He is."

His thumb brushed the infant’s tiny hand.

For a brief moment, genuine pride softened his expression but it was quickly replaced by something else.

Then footsteps approached.

Small ones.

Tuk’s sour mood deepened.

The doors opened.

Khae’el stood there with his newly made friend tucked beneath one arm. The Tchik from days ago.

The boy’s blue eyes immediately searched the room and once they found Thira.

His face brightened.

"Thira."

He took a step forward.

Tuk’s rings glowed and the boy stopped midair.

"You will not approach him. He is recovering."

"Aw, I just want to see the baby."

"Stay put."

The boy’s eyes watered with a strange light.

The same strange glow that had first caught Thira’s attention. The same eyes Thira had once compared to the light of Ageisha.

The same child who had stolen every scrap of affection Tuk had spent years trying to earn.

Khae’el looked toward the newborn.

"Can I just see the baby?"

Thira finally opened his eyes.

His tired plating softened immediately.

"Khae’el."

"Release him, Tuk."

The U’Kan growled and raised the boy a bit higher before releasing him making him hit the ground harder less than he intended but Khae’el didn’t care.

The boy ran forward.

He stopped beside Thira and carefully climbed onto the edge.

Thira shifted slightly, making room for him.

The boy leaned closer to inspect the newborn.

"He’s so little."

Thira smiled.

"He is."

Khae’el reached one finger toward the baby’s hand.

The newborn’s tiny fingers curled around it.

Khae’el gasped.

Thira laughed softly.

"It seems he likes you."

"Don’t worry baby, I’ll be a good big brother!"

Thira burst into another hearty laugh.

The room suddenly felt smaller to Tuk.

Thira had barely looked at him since he entered.

His entire attention was on the human and the bastard child.

Tuk’s eyes lowered.

He had given Thira a Miwa could dream of.

A kingdom.

A family.

Protection.

And still, somehow, the human child received his smile.

His touch.

His warmth.

Even the name.

His light.

Tuk’s rings dimmed.

He stood and began to head out.

The movement caught Thira’s attention.

"Where are you going?"

Tuk looked back at him.

"I have something to attend to."

Thira nodded, "can you ask the attendant outside to fetch Khae’el food? Poor boy must be starving from waiting outside for so long."

Then his attention returned to Khae’el.

Tuk walked toward the door.

Nobody noticed the way his hand closed around his thumb, dislocating the finger and drawing silver blood alongside broken plating.

Nobody noticed the hatred behind his porcelain face.

Nobody except himself.

He stopped outside.

The doors closed behind him.

The two guards outside immediately bowed.

Tuk stared down the corridor then at the attendant waiting behind.

"Have the boy watched." He said to the guards.

They exchanged a glance.

"Your Majesty?"

"Do not let him leave the palace grounds."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"You." He pointed to the attendant. "Walk with me."

"Yes, your majesty."

He had not yet decided what would happen to Khae’el.

But he knew one thing.

The human child could not remain between him and Thira forever.

And this time, Tuk intended to make sure the light that had stolen his beloved’s heart finally disappeared.

Weeks later...

Thira woke to the sound of a tiny cry.

His eyes opened slowly, the familiar ceiling of the emperor’s chamber coming into focus above him. For several seconds, he couldn’t remember where he was. Then he felt the warmth against his chest and remembered.

His child.

The child stirred beneath the blanket wrapped around his tiny body, making another faint noise.

"Shh..."

Thira shifted carefully against the pillows.

Every part of him still felt exhausted. His limbs were heavy, his stomach still tender from the birth but less swollen, and even breathing too deeply sent an uncomfortable ache through his body. An attendant immediately noticed his movement and approached.

"Please don’t sit up too quickly, my lord."

"I need to help him."

The attendant understood immediately.

She carefully adjusted the baby until the little one was resting comfortably against Thira.

The infant began rooting instinctively.

Thira lowered his gaze.

"Aren’t you hungry little fella?"

The attendant helped him settle the baby against his chest, making sure both of them were comfortable. Thira’s cheeks warmed slightly at the intimacy of the moment, but exhaustion quickly overcame embarrassment.

The baby latched.

Thira exhaled.

His shoulders finally relaxed.

The room became quiet except for the soft sounds of the infant feeding.

His fingers moved gently over the baby’s back.

"So impatient..."

The attendant smiled.

"He has your temperament already."

Thira gave her a tired look.

"I hope not."

A second attendant entered carrying a tray of food and a cup of warm liquid.

"You need to eat as well."

"I will."

"You said that an hour ago before yiu slept off."

Thira glanced toward her.

"I was busy..."

"With what?"

Thira looked down.

The attendant followed his gaze.

"Ah."

She smiled.

Thira rolled his eyes.

"You’re all very amusing today."

The attendants laughed quietly before leaving him to feed the newborn.

For the next few minutes, Thira simply watched his child.

The little Vashki’s tiny forming rings glowed faintly whenever he moved. They were barely visible beneath his porcelain skin, but Thira could feel their warmth against his chest.

His child.

The thought still felt strange.

He had spent months carrying him.

A child he had wanted to be the cause of his own death.

And now he was here.

Real.

Alive.

Thira touched one finger to the newborn’s cheek.

"You’re going to cause me trouble since you couldn’t properly kill me, aren’t you?"

The baby continued feeding.

Thira smiled.

"Of course you are."

Once the child finished, an attendant helped Thira clean and settle him. The newborn was wrapped securely before being placed against Thira’s shoulder.

Thira gently patted his back.

A tiny burp escaped.

"Oh, stars."

Thira smiled despite himself.

For the first time since giving birth, he felt almost peaceful.

After another hour of rest, Thira decided he wanted to leave the chamber.

"A walk?"

The attendant looked uncertain.

"You’ve only just eaten and gained little energy."

"I know."

"You should rest, the emperor will have my head if he sees me letting you walk about."

"I have been resting."

"You need more."

Thira looked toward the enormous windows.

The evening light was beginning to spread across the palace gardens.

"I just want some fresh air."

The attendant sighed defeatedly. "Then only for a short while."

Thira smiled.

He carefully gathered his child into his arms and stood.

His legs trembled and his attendant immediately caught his elbow.

"Slowly."

"I am moving slowly."

"You nearly fell just now."

"I was adjusting..."

"Falling."

Thira ignored her.

Two Oroth guards accompanied him as he soon as he stepped out.

The palace corridors were unusually quiet.

Thira walked slowly, occasionally looking down at the newborn nestled against his chest.

The little one was already asleep.

His tiny hand remained curled against Thira’s clothing.

Thira smiled.

They eventually reached the outer gardens.

The cool evening air touched his face.

Thira closed his eyes for a moment.

It felt good.

The flowers surrounding the palace glowed softly beneath the fading sky, their strange colors reflecting against the white stone paths.

He walked farther than he had intended.

The Oroths followed.

Then Thira heard something.

A cry.

Low.

Familiar.

He stopped.

"Khae’el?"

The Oroths immediately became alert.

Thira looked toward the sound.

A figure stood farther down the garden path.

Tall.

Massive.

Impossible to mistake.

Tuk.

Thira’s first instinct was relief but then he noticed what Tuk was holding.

Something small.

Something familiar.

Thira’s eyes narrowed.

His feet moved before his mind could process what he was seeing.

"Tuk?"

The U’Kan slowly turned. His enormous hand hung at his side.

Something was clenched inside it.

A small stuffed rabbit.

Thira recognized it immediately.

His heart stopped.

It was stained red.

"No..."

His gaze moved upward.

Tuk’s other hand held something else.

Something small and round.

Something drenched in the same red.

The large U’Kan tossed the object and it rolled towards Thira.

Blue eyes stared blankly into the evening sky.

The world seemed to disappear around Thira.

"Khae’el..."

The name came out as barely a whisper. Thira’s arms tightened around his baby.

His entire body shaking.

"No."

He took another step.

"No, no, no..."

The Oroths moved in front of him but Thira hissed and pushed past them.

"Khae’el!"

The newborn stirred at the sudden movement.

Thira immediately lowered his voice, tears beginning to seep through his plating.

"Khae’el..."

Thira’s knees nearly gave out.

One of the Oroths swiftly caught him.

"My Lord !"

He barely heard him.

His eyes fixed on Tuk.

"You...you monster!" His voice trembled. "You killed him."

"How could you!"

"You’re better off without him."

"...what?"

"He’s a human, give him a few years and he’d die and leave you behind. What’s the use?"

Thira stared stupified.

"I’m just helping speed the process, come on, smile and tell me I did good just like you’d tell him."

"...you need help. No... you need more than just help."

"I don’t. I have you."

"He is just a child and you killed him! Have you no conscience? How could you!"

The evening air trembled with his voice.

"He’s a human, Thira. Do you know how hard it is for me to watch the offsprings of those who took my family from me, run around and play house under my roof? Did you ever consider my feelings?"

"Feelings? You have feelings? A monster like you?"

"Did ever even hold me in your heart?"

"I’d rather die than do such a thing! I’d ra—"

The scene froze.

You asked me for your truth.

I’ll show you your truth.

I’m sorry I couldn’t reach you quickly, Khae’el.

I’m sorry I let your history repeat itself.

I’ll save you this time.

I promise.