Chapter 588

Chapter 588
Helena stood at the door a moment longer than necessary.
Listening.
To nothing.
Then she exhaled, slow and tired, and stepped back inside, closing the door behind her with a soft click.
The silence settled immediately.
Too fast.
Too complete.
She turned—
And stopped.
Lys stood in the middle of the hall.
Calm as always.
A travel case placed neatly beside her.
Helena blinked.
“…That luggage.”
Lys followed her gaze briefly, then looked back at her.
“I need to return to Noctis.”
The words were simple.
Expected.
And still—
Helena didn’t like them.
“So you’re leaving me alone now?” Helena asked, trying to keep it light and failing just a little.
“I need to go back. There are things to settle.”
Her gaze softened, just a fraction.
“And my children are there. I need to bring them back here.”
Another beat.
“All of them—except Jaden.”
Helena’s lips pressed together.
“Yes…” she murmured quietly. “Jaden belongs there now.”
The house felt bigger suddenly.
Too big.
Helena sighed softly, shaking her head.
“You’ve gotten me used to company again,” she admitted. “I had forgotten what it feels like to not be alone.”
Lys didn’t interrupt.
She just listened.
“…Come back soon,” Helena added, more quietly now. “I mean it.”
A faint, almost embarrassed smile touched her face.
“You’re not easy to replace.”
Lys’s expression shifted—subtle, but real.
“I will come back.”
That was enough.
Helena stepped forward and pulled her into an embrace.
Not formal.
Not distant.
Close.
Warm.
"I’ll miss you,” Helena murmured.
Lys rested her hand lightly against her back.
“And I’ll be waiting,” Helena added. “Just like you said.”
“…Thank you,” Lys replied softly.
They pulled apart.
Slowly.
Like neither of them was in a hurry to make it final.
Lys picked up her luggage.
Helena moved ahead of her this time, opening the door without needing to be asked.
Cold air slipped in again.
Another departure.
Lys stepped outside.
Then paused.
Turned back.
“I’ll come back,” she said, looking directly at Helena now. “To you.”
Not to the house.
Not to London.
To her.
Helena nodded.
“…I’ll hold you to that.”
Lys gave a small, knowing look.
Then turned.
And left.
Helena stood there, watching until the street emptied.
Until the movement disappeared.
Until there was nothing left to look at.
Then she exhaled.
Long.
Quiet.
And stepped back inside.
Closing the door.
The house settled around her again.
Still.
Empty.
Helena leaned lightly against the door for a moment, eyes closing briefly before she pushed herself upright again.
“…I hope you keep your promise, Lys.”
And this time—
There was no one there to answer.

Later that day on the way to Silverwilds'—

The carriage slowed, then came to a full stop.
By the time the door opened, the forest air had already slipped inside, cool and grounding after hours on the road.
Alaric stepped out first.
Then turned, steady as always, offering his hand.
Jaden took it carefully, adjusting Seraphim against his chest as he stepped down.
She didn’t wake.
Didn’t even stir.
Ahead, the clearing had been prepared.
Tents already raised. Fires beginning to glow. Guards positioned with quiet discipline.
Temporary—but not careless.
A servant approached, bowing.
“My lord, your tent is ready.”
Alaric nodded once.
“Lead.”
They walked side by side, Jaden slower, careful with the weight in his arms.
As they passed, he caught a glimpse of Dimitri and Ronan being guided to their own tent, already disappearing behind canvas and shadows.
Everything was in motion.
Except—
the small, quiet world in his arms.
Their tent stood slightly apart.
Alaric opened the entrance.
Jaden stepped inside first.
Then him.
Warmth met them immediately.
Soft light.
Thick furs layered across the ground.
A low bed already prepared, blankets folded neatly.
Simple.
Comfortable.
Enough.
Jaden let out a quiet breath and sat carefully on the edge of the bed, still holding Seraphim.
“…She didn’t wake once.”
Alaric moved closer.
“She will.”
Jaden huffed softly.
“I know. I’m just pretending I can sit down for five minutes.”
Alaric didn’t answer.
He just reached out.
Carefully.
Jaden paused.
Then let him.
Alaric took Seraphim into his arms with surprising ease, adjusting her instinctively, supporting her head without even looking like he was thinking about it.
She stirred immediately.
A small sound.
Her face turned toward him.
“…Papa.”
Alaric’s expression softened—barely, but enough.
“I’m here."
Jaden watched.
Quiet.
Seraphim blinked, still half asleep, one small hand lifting to grab onto Alaric’s collar.
“Up.”
“You are already up,” Alaric murmured calmly, adjusting her slightly higher anyway.
She seemed satisfied with that logic.
Or didn’t care enough to argue.
Jaden leaned back on his hands, watching them.
“…You look very natural doing that.”
Alaric glanced at him.
“I am her father.”
Jaden smirked faintly.
“Still. You didn’t even hesitate.”
Alaric looked back down at Seraphim, brushing his thumb lightly over her hair.
“She needs to be held.”
A pause.
“She will always be held.”
Jaden’s expression shifted slightly at that.
Not joking anymore.
Seraphim settled fully against Alaric this time, her breathing evening out again.
Calm.
Safe.
Alaric walked slowly around the tent, not pacing—just moving, adjusting to her weight, letting her rest properly before lowering her onto the bed.
He stayed there a moment longer than necessary.
Watching.
Making sure.
Then he stepped back.
Only then.
Jaden noticed.
Of course he did.
“…You’re worse than me,” he said quietly.
Alaric raised a brow.
“I am efficient.”
“You’re obsessed.”
“I am attentive.”
Jaden snorted.
“Sure.”
Alaric sat beside him.
Close.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Just the soft sound of Seraphim breathing behind them.
The quiet of the forest outside.
Then Jaden stretched slightly, wincing just a bit before hiding it.
Alaric noticed anyway.
“…You’re still sore.”
Jaden rolled his eyes.
“I carried a child, Alaric. What did you expect.”
A pause.
Then, quieter—
“That wasn’t easy.”
Alaric didn’t argue.
Didn’t dismiss it.
He just reached for him, pulling him a little closer.
Jaden leaned into it without thinking.
“…Next time,” Alaric said after a moment, voice calm, “we wait.”
Jaden glanced at him.
“Next time?”
“When Seraphim is older.”
A small pause.
“Five years.”
Jaden stared at him.
“…Five years?"
Alaric nodded slightly.
“That is reasonable.”
Jaden let out a short breath.
“…I almost died last time.”
Alaric’s gaze sharpened slightly.
“You did not.”
“You weren’t the one pushing,” Jaden shot back, then shook his head. “No. No, I’m not doing that again anytime soon.”
Alaric watched him.
Then leaned in and kissed him.
Slow.
Soft.
Not demanding.
When he pulled back, his voice was quieter.
“It’s alright.”
A pause.
“You decide when.”
Jaden looked at him for a second.
Then exhaled.
Relaxing.
“…Good.”
He leaned his head lightly against Alaric’s shoulder.
“Because I’m not going through that again anytime soon.”
Alaric’s arm settled around him.
Steady.
Certain.
Behind them, Seraphim slept.
Unbothered.
And for that moment—
That was enough.