April 4th, 1353 – Cassius is almost five years old now

  Over nearly five years of g for Cassius, Lana has earned a siderable amount of money. She has used it to support her family - a more spacious home, a more stable life, and most importantly, her younger brother ow attend school without w about expenses

  Everything has been going well, except for ret: she only visit her family once a month

  'But It's not that bad' she thinks to herself, her gaze quietly settling on Cassius, who is holding her hand tightly as they walk together

  The boy has grown a lot. Cassius is now taller, his height reag past her waist. His once-round face has bee slimmer but still retains the soft, youthful features of a child. His bck hair has grown long enough to cover his eyes—he could have it trimmed shorter for ness, but he prefers to keep it as it is. His rge, bright eyes, high nose bridge, and thin lips create a face that is both adorable and refined, like a noble in the making

  After nearly five years together, the boween Lana and Cassius has bee incredibly close. She is certain that aside from Duchess Celeste, she is the closest person to Cassius. He doesn’t just see her as a caretaker - he siders her his seother. And Lana ot deny that she has e to see him as her own son

  She is holding his hand as they walk down the hallway, leaving the castle

  This m, the duchess had informed her that she had some matters to attend to, so she asked Lana to take Cassius for a walk in the nearby town

  Before long, the two of them leave the castle and approach a luxurious carriage

  On the carriage door, an intricately carved emblem of ah silver wings gleams uhe sunlight

  Lana helps Cassius climb in first befracefully stepping inside and taking a seat beside him

  Sioday is just a casual outing, Cassius is dressed simply: a white button-up shirt and bck trousers. He leans against the carriage window, his eyes ily the sery outside as the wheels begin to roll

  The Eclipse territory is located in a highly secluded area. Traveling from the castle to the own takes over an hour by carriage. The castle itself is situated in a breathtaking ndscape - on one side, a dense forest; oher, t coastal cliffs where white-capped waves endlessly crash against the shore

  From the castle, Cassius see the vast blue o stretg to the horizon, but he has never o foot there. The reason is simple: it is too dangerous. The coastal cliffs are steep with no accessible path down, and the fierce waves below could sweep away anyone who falls

  "Nana, I want to go to the sea"

  A childish voice breaks Lana out of her thoughts. She looks down at the boy beside her ahat he is still glued to the window, his gaze fixed on the horizohe sea faintly appears

  Lana chuckles softly, reag out to gently smooth his soft bck hair

  "We’ve talked about this many times, Cassa. That pce is too dangerous. If you really want to go, you’ll have to vihe duchess first"

  Cassius pouts slightly but does nue

  The name "Cassa" is a niame Cassius had insisted Lana give him. At first, she had felt hesitant about calling her master by such a name, but since Cassius persistently persuaded her, she eventually relented. However, she only uses it when they are alone

  Cassius once mentiohat he had also asked Celeste to call him Cassa, but she had refused immediately

  "Your name is Cassius. I prefer to call you that"

  After an hour of travel, the carriage finally approaches the city gates

  T stone walls e into view, along with rows of guards patrolling diligently

  As soon as they reize the silver eye emblem on the carriage, the soldiers immediately tense up. Without hesitation, they rush to opees, allowing the carriage to pass through without any iion

  The carriage rolls on a bit further before ing to a stop in a quiet area he tower

  Despite his noble appearance, Cassius walk around freely without drawing too much attention. His face remains unfamiliar to the on folk. Uhe nobility, ordinary people are focused on their daily lives, paying little attention to politics or the faces of the upper css. As a result, Cassius explore fortably without anyone realizing that he belongs to the Eclipse family

  Cassius and Lana step out of the carriage and instantly blend into the lively energy of the town. The cobblestoreets stretder the bright sunlight, crowded with people moving about, creating a vivid and colorful se

  Lana holds Cassius's hand firmly as they weave through the busy streets. The stalls lining the road give off all kinds of entig aromas - the crisp st of freshly baked bread, the spicy fragrance of exotic seasonings, and the sweet floral notes from bouquets dispyed along the sidewalks

  Cassius looks around with wide, curious eyes. Since he rarely gets the ce to go out, everything here feels new aing to him. He tugs on Lana’s sleeve, his voice filled with enthusiasm

  "Nana, Nana! That stall is selling pastries! Buy one for me!"

  Lana chuckles at his eagerness. She gently pinches Cassius's cheek before leading him toward the small roadside stall

  "Alright, but just ooo much, and you’ll get a stomachache"

  Cassius nods eagerly. When he receives the warm apple pastry, he happily takes a big bite, his eyes lighting up. But just a sed ter, he winces, his little mouth puffing out as he blows out air

  "It's too hot!"

  Lana quickly pces a hand over his mouth, scolding him lightly

  "I told you to eat slowly!"

  She gently blows on the half-bitten pastry before handing it ba. Cassius pouts but obediently follows her advice

  They tirolling through town, with Cassius stig close to Lana, his small hand still g hers. Occasionally, he tugs her to stop whenever he spots something iing - a wooden puppet, a peculiar mask, or even just a apping under a shop’s awning

  Everywhere they go, Cassius observes curiously, asking endless questions. Lana patiently answers eae, like a mother indulging her child’s endless curiosity

  By noon, they stop at a small roadside eatery. Lana orders a meat sandwid a gss of fruit juice for Cassius. The boy eagerly takes a big bite, his eyes sparkling with delight as the fvors spread across his tongue

  —

  Uhe radiant suhe sky gradually shifts into a warm shade e, casting a soft golden hue over the streets. Cassius is now visibly tired after a long day of expl. He walks slowly, his eyes slightly droopy, his small body swaying ever so slightly

  Lana watches him, thely bends down and suggests

  "Do you wao carry you, Cassa?"

  Cassius doesn’t o think twice - his eyes immediately light up with excitement

  "Yes!"

  He quickly climbs onto her back, ing his arms around her ned burying his fato her warm shoulder. Lana supports his small legs and begins walking slowly, blending into the peaceful atmosphere of the evening

  The steady rhythm of Cassius’s breathing and the warmth of his body bring Lana an ued sense of tranquility. She hears his soft voiear her ear

  "I had a great time today, Nana."

  Lana smiles, respondily

  "So did I, Cassa"

  The boy shifts slightly, then murmurs in an increasingly drowsy voice

  "We should e here more often… Maybe ime, with mom too…"

  Lana chuckles softly but does not reply. When she feels the slow, even rhythm of his breathing behind her, she knows Cassius has already fallen asleep

  She tinues walking carefully, making sure not to wake him. Upon reag the carriage, Laly lifts Cassius into her arms, pg him on her p aing him rest against her. She s her arms around him securely, ensuring that he sleeps as peacefully as possible

  Looking down at his sleeping face, she notices the gentle flutter of his long shes with each breath. His features still hold a childlike roundness, yet the traces of nobility are unmistakable

  ‘Someday, he will definitely attract many girls’ she thinks with a faint smile. It isn’t hard to imagine a grown-up Cassius - elegant, regal, and undeniably handsome - being a loving husband and father

  Shaking her head slightly, she pushes the thought away and tightens her embrace around him

  A gentle breeze sweeps past as the carriage moves slowly toward the castle. The peaceful silend the exhaustion from the long day gradually lull Lana into slumber as well

  —

  But that sleep does not st long

  Suddenly, a violent jolt shakes the carriage, making it sway unsteadily. Lana’s eyes snap open, her breath slightly ragged

  Still dazed, she lifts her head, trying to make sense of what is happening

  Her arms instinctively tighten around Cassius as she turns toward the window. And the moment she sees what’s outside - dark figures rushing toward them, ons in hand, the knights esc them drawing their swords to fight back - Lana immediately uands

  They are utack