Rio left Ayla with Esme and went back to the room prepared for him.
His maid, Aina had been informed beforehand and had prepared a separate room for Ayla and her father.
While Esme stayed with Ayla, watching her so she doesn't get scared seeing the new surroundings. Myra went back to check everything about the man they've just saved.
Even though the details of everything were to be handed to Haven's own authorities, she still wanted to double check everything herself and make sure it wasn't anything suspicious.
With the help of Alphas, it wouldn't be hard for her to know everything about Augustus and the criminals who were behind it.
Watching Ayla today, crying as she saw her father in that wounded state had surprised Rio a little. He couldn't quite understand what he was feeling now, was he glad that he avoided a tragedy for a little girl? Was he glad that he saved a man's life? Or was he glad that he got the heroine in his debt -it was just all getting so complicated and confusing in his head now, that he couldn't think clearly.
Yes, he cared less about others than anyone else would've, but he wasn't heartless.
And now he didn't know what to do next?
He was responsible for the deaths of many since he came here in this new world. Yet this was the first time he actually saved someone -and now everything was just so blurry.
Lying down in his bed, he kept thinking about the plotline of Ayla, the sufferings she would've had to go through after her father's death. The traumatic experiences that would've molded her into humanity's next savior.
Should he let her suffer all those horrible things just so she could grow and become what she was supposed to, just so he can use her to the maximum value. Or should he just let her be, and deal with other things himself.
He had said to himself that Ayla could be used so he can earn profits by selling potions, but now that he saved her father, would she still become the alchemist like she was supposed too.
She didn't have that drive, that motivation now, then can she still reach her full potential.
The potion her father died for, the potion she dedicated her life for, that was something he already made and showed to half the kingdom with this birthday celebration.
So what would this duo of father and daughter do next? They both have no drive, no target in life now, so what's next for them.
He didn't regret changing the plotline, as leaving Ayla alone for the protagonist was too big a risk. If ever he and Leon stood against each other, then her support could very well be used to turn the tides at some point.
But what now? What should he do with them now? He could hire Ayla's dad to work for Blake family. Since he already lost his everything in Haven, and after his experience in that prison, he wouldn't like to stay here anymore anyway. So he'll agree to it.
Especially after he learns that I saved him and Blake family finished the potion that he's been trying to make for years.
'So I should just take them to Damascus and leave them be.'
In Damascus there safety could be guaranteed and if they're close, I can just keep an eye on them.
'Her dad is also a great alchemist, so maybe he'll bring some surprises.'
He still had too many questions that he needed the answers for. Too many doubts he needed to think about.
'Maybe the system would've had some answers for me.' He thought, as he realized there really wasn't anyone else he could talk these things with.
Ignoring all these thoughts as there really was no point in thinking about them now. There were 8 years for him to adapt to this world and all the changes it would bring to his personality.
He needed to prepare himself for everything, for all of them who stood against him. For all those who stood against her, and this new family too.
'Things are only going to get more complicated, the more time I spend here and the more attached I get to them.'
Even if he tries not to, knowing how much everyone here loves Rio, even though it's not him, their love and affection is affecting his mind too. He couldn't be as ignorant towards their life as he used to be at the beginning.
'Man thinking too much really gives me a headache. I should just sleep.' He thought and closed his eyes.
Maybe it was the effect of his laziness, or maybe it was because of him being the follower of Nyx, the night sleeps have become far more peaceful to him after his awakening.
'Whatever happens, will happen, unless I change my mind.'
The last thought came to his mind, before he lost himself in the peaceful darkness of night and slept.
The legend of the last villain had just been started.
*
On the other side, in royal palace, the news that the princess had successfully awakened and even got a blessing from some goddess came as a surprise to everyone.
The previous celebration which was put on a halt, due to the 2 sudden awakenings that drew everyone's attention, was started again with even more vigor and excitement.
The news that the Baron Heartwell's son failed the awakening also reached everyone's ears, but no one cared about that.
Every guest was either busy congratulating the king and the Royal family, or busy speculating about the rumors of a miracle potion that helped the awakening.
The people who followed behind the king, who heard the words directly from the king's mouth, were using every connection they could pull to see what that potion was.
Smart ones already connected the dots and started flocking towards the Blake family, hoping to confirm their doubts, but all they got in return was a sly smile and no answer.
No one neither confirmed nor denied the rumors, so it only fueled the curiosity of everyone.
Away from the whole crowd, a middle aged man was sitting near a bed, his face etched with worry and sadness. The sight of his motionless son lying there was breaking his heart, and he felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness just sitting there and watching him.
Some healers had come and given some potions and healing pills to him, but his son showed no sign of improvement, and it only fueled his anxiety even more.
In just one night, his face had aged a couple years. And yet he didn't know how to tell this news to his family.
His thoughts drifted to his wife, who was still unconscious too. The recent string of misfortunes in his family felt like an unending wave of darkness crashing down on them.
"Why is this all happening to me?" he whispered to himself, his voice choking with emotion.
He was Darren Heartwell. The father of Leonard Heartwell, who failed his awakening few hours ago.
Failing an awakening might not be a big thing for nobility, as they had enough resources to heal all the damage done by the failed attempt.
And if one still had a chance to awaken again, they wouldn't even care much. Since Leon was only 10 years old, he still had 8 years to try again and successfully awaken.
But the fact that the healing potions didn't work on him deeply worried him.
There have been cases where a failed awakening damaged one's brain during the merging process, and that person fell into a coma.
If something like this happened to Leon, the mere thought of it sent shivers down his spine. He would do anything to prevent that fate for his son.
He could just hope and pray to his Gods that someone would listen and would agree to help him.
So here he was, clasping his hands together praying for hours, so much so that his knuckles had turned white. And he got no reply.
No gods were even looking his direction, and those who did only mocked him or asked unreasonable things in return for helping him.
Unknown to him, a mark of the golden sun appeared on Leon's forehead for a second and merged into his skin the next, leaving no sign of its presence behind.
The story of the selected hero had officially started.
*
In a place far away from the grandiose of Haven or Damascus, in a city called Harendale, a girl was looking out her windows with a sad expression, her heart heavy with sorrow.
The bustling night market outside, which was still filled with people and the sound of their chatter which could be heard even in her balcony, was a stark contrast to her somber mood. Even the happy laughter of the crowd and kids couldn't put a smile on her face.
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and her hands trembled with a mix of anger and grief..
She clenched her fists, as she remembered everything that's been happening in her life. Ever since her mother's death, nothing's been going right. Now even her brother was killed, and the sad thing is no one else seems to even care about that.
The constant stream of loss had left a void in her heart, that just kept eating her up.
She was Katherine Winston, daughter of Misha Winston, and sister of the late prophet Noah Winston.
In the future, she would be known as the feared "Ice Enchantress of Schilla," a powerful mage with abilities to manipulate ice that surpassed imagination. Just one wave of her hand was enough to freeze entire cities and bury them forever.
She was also the one who killed Urd, the goddess of fate. Because she sided with the villains and chose to stand against everyone in their war against the Devil.
Not even Rio could guess, just how far had the destiny of this girl changed, because of his arrival.
Or how, soon enough, they will both be entangled in the twisted game of fate that might as well rewrite the entire world.
But that's a tale for another time, and another me to tell.
For now, they were both living their life, unknown and unaware of each other. And that is until the peace of this place was gonna last.
But for now, the saga of Katherine Winston, the sleeping beauty, had begun,
###
A/N - Next chapter is the time skip. This one marks the end of this volume called the beginning. Now we start the second part of his journey, which will be - the academy.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺