Chapter 124

Chapter 124


Standing on the cliffside, my eyes were enthralled by the breathtaking scenery—the dark sky looming above and the seemingly infinite body of water stretching into the horizon. The whirling wind kept tossing my hair back.

"Another night without the moon," Brix said, standing beside me.

I closed my eyes to feel the serenity of the night. Everything was calm—but I knew it wouldn't last. Just like the sky heavy with dark, looming clouds, the rain would fall at any moment.

Brix gently held my hand and gave it a soft squeeze.

"I still underestimated you…" I whispered into the wind.

He released my hand and moved behind me, wrapping his arms around me. He rested his chin on my shoulder.

"If only you knew how much I wanted to be with you two…" he murmured into my ear. "If only you knew how hard I held myself back from showing up and hugging you."

I smiled. “I think I finally understand why you rarely came here.”

He tightened his embrace. "I can't wait to end this war and be with you. I'll be the one to train Aya how to fight. I'll do everything I can to prepare her for the battles of her life."

I gently pulled away and turned to face him. He immediately wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close. I could see the spark in his eyes.

It was as if the stars had left the sky only to shine in his gaze.

“Do you really think you can keep a secret from me?”

“You’re still an asshole for pretending not to know,” I chuckled. “You have no idea how many times I tried to tell you, but fear always got in the way.”

A weight lifted off my chest... so light, I nearly kissed the man who had unknowingly carried it with me for so long.

His expression turned serious. “Do you think… she’ll like me?”

I should’ve comforted him—but instead, I burst out laughing.

Brix frowned. “No, huh? Yeah, not surprising.”

“Work on it,” I teased.

“What if—”

“Why do you sound so terrified of our daughter?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?” he nearly rolled his eyes. “You’re her mother.”

“So what you’re saying is—”

“Shouldn’t you be reassuring me?” His voice showed his irritation. “You're making it worse. You are so heartless, Astra.”

My eyes widened when he suddenly turned away and walked over to Servena, who was tied to a nearby tree. He untied the reins, clearly ready to leave, so I quickly followed.

“She’ll like you!” I called after him.

“I doubt it…” he muttered, sulking.

“Come on, Brix. Of all the things you have to worry about—”

I gasped when he suddenly turned back to face me. “What if you’re right? What if she sees Abel as her real father?” He ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “God… I don’t want to kill anymore after this war.”

My jaw dropped.

I remembered… when I told him I would rather have Abel be the father of my child. And he knew the truth all along. That must have hurt. But he never said a word.

Looking back now, I realize… I wasn’t the only one who suffered from hiding Aya.

“Hyacinth will be proud to have you as her father,” I said, with all the sincerity in my heart.

Brix bit his lower lip, failing to hide the smile forming on his face.

“Really?”

“Imagine this—Brixton Wenz Cardinal as your dad? Anyone would be proud.”

“Enough already.” He looked away, flustered.

I grinned wider. I couldn’t wait for them to finally meet. That might be the happiest moment of my life.

We stayed there, talking more about Aya. Finally, I could open up about her. And somehow… it felt like she was free. Even though Brix was the only one who knew, it felt like our daughter had been unburdened.

I learned that Brix had never planned to bring Aya into the world. Just like Madame Melendez said—she was the one who orchestrated it. She caught him off guard when he found out.

Maybe her plan worked after all.

"My original plan," Brix confessed, "was just to give insurgents a chance to prove themselves. You know part of my past—I was one of them. I learned a lot from the time I spent with them."

I nodded. I was riding Servena while Brix walked beside us, holding the reins. From where I sat, I could see the massive castle in the distance, still bearing the scars of the fire.

“I was still lucky,” he continued, “compared to those who were cast out. I managed to rise. But the rest… they had to survive in a world that sees them as traitors, as enemies.”

“That must’ve been horrible…” I murmured.

“Not really.” He let out a short laugh. “With them, I felt accepted. Something I never experienced in my own clan. It was wild—chaotic—but every time we survived something together, it felt like an achievement. Even if I helped just a little, they’d praise me. They didn’t expect anything from me, but if I did something, no matter how small… they saw it.”

Now, I understood just how close he had become to them. I saw why building a kingdom for them mattered so much to him.

I didn’t know it was possible, but I felt even prouder of this man.

"After I built that kingdom, I planned to come back and claim you. That was all I could think about back then."

“But then something happened…” I laughed softly.

He sighed deeply, then stopped Servena and held out his hand. I took it, and he helped me down. Holding my hand in one and Servena’s reins in the other, we walked side by side.

“When did you find out, Brix?” I asked.

“Too late,” he admitted. “After I left the Nightfall Clan, I never came back. I was tempted to, but I stayed away. Those were the darkest days of my life. I felt like seeing you would only drag you into danger. So I isolated myself… from everyone.”

I nodded. “You only found out after Aya was born…”

“I had eyes on you, but the Esparago Clan kept me blind. I should commend them for hiding you so well. I wasn’t fully healed when I found out about our daughter—but I realized… I didn’t need to be healed. My daughter wasn’t safe. You weren’t safe. There was no perfect time to wait. I had to act.”

“She’s safe now…”

“As long as no one knows I’m her father.” He turned to face me, staring deep into my eyes. “I might be good at keeping secrets, but this… this is something I can never keep hidden. Why would I hide something I should be proud of?”

Tears welled up in my eyes again. “Now you’re bragging, huh? Of all your achievements…”

“This isn’t an achievement. This… this is the peak of my life.” For a vampire who had lived for centuries, that meant everything. He wiped away my tears. “Hold on, Milady. I’m building a world where you and our princess can live freely.”

I pulled him into a tight hug. “Please… live. My King.”

He embraced me back.

“Forever…”

We still had so much to endure before peace could truly be ours. But even now, I felt certain… we would make it. We would succeed.

A lot happened that night. Our allies had begun summoning more warriors from their hidden bases. And as the night grew darker, our world began to feel tighter and more suffocating.

“Have a safe journey, Milady…” Brix bowed his head to Lady Grenda.

Instead of replying, she turned to Lord Oscar and Lady Nathalia. “I don’t know what you two see in this man—or how he won your loyalty—but mark my words… you’ll regret it.”

I noticed Brix clenching his fists.

“I’ll assign some of my guards to escort you—” he offered.

“Stop pretending to be noble, Brixton. I don’t need your help.”