Chapter 276: The Name That Returned
[Silthara Palace — Malika’s Private Residency — Royal Nursery — Later]
The nursery rested beneath a blanket of peaceful silence.
Warm afternoon light streamed through the carved lattice windows, painting silver patterns across the marble floor. Fresh lotus blossoms rested inside crystal vases, their gentle fragrance mingling with sacred incense offered to Lord Urzan earlier that morning.
Inside the carved cradle... The Golden Blood twins slept peacefully. One tiny hand rested upon the other’s blanket.
As though even in sleep... They refused to be separated. Near the cradle... Asha lay upon the polished floor, her enormous silver body curled protectively around its base.
Beside her...Lyresaph remained seated upright, blue eyes never leaving the sleeping children. Neither creature blinked very often, and neither wished to miss even the slightest movement.
Levin smiled; he slowly crouched beside them, his fingers gently stroking Asha’s head.
"You both have an important duty now."
Asha lifted her head. Lyresaph turned immediately toward him. Levin looked from one ancient guardian to the other as his voice softened. "My children...are now under your protection."
Silence.
Lyresaph blinked once. Asha blinked once, then...as though they had understood every word...both lowered their heads together in perfect agreement.
Levin laughed quietly. "I shall take that as a promise."
The two guardians immediately returned their attention toward the cradle, completely serious once more. Iru watched the scene with a smile.
"I believe...they have already accepted the young heirs as their own."
Levin’s eyes lingered upon the twins. "I never doubted they would."
A brief silence followed, then Iru tilted his head. "My Malika..."
Levin looked toward him. "Have you thought of any names? What shall we call them?"
The question lingered quietly within the nursery. Levin’s gaze slowly returned to his children; he remained silent for several moments, thoughtful and almost distant.
Finally...he spoke as his eyes drifted towards his kids. "I wish their names to carry both the sun...and the moon."
Iru blinked curiously. "Is there a reason, My Malika?"
Levin smiled, a peaceful...almost nostalgic smile, as his voice became barely louder than a whisper.
"There was, when they were born...I stood between life and death." His fingers unconsciously rested upon the edge of the cradle. "And in that moment...the heavens gave me a miracle."
He looked beyond the nursery window.
"I remember opening my eyes...and seeing the impossible: the Sun...and the Moon...sharing the same sky."
Silence embraced the room.
"They brought me back," Levin whispered. "So I wish for their names to forever remember the day...the heavens welcomed them."
Iru listened quietly, then bowed. "I understand. I shall visit the Royal Library. The oldest scrolls contain the names of the ancient celestial houses. Perhaps Lord Urzan has already prepared names worthy of them."
Levin nodded. "Thank you, Iru."
Iru bowed once more before quietly leaving the nursery, and the chamber fell silent again. Only Levin and the twins...and the two loyal guardians remained.
Levin slowly stepped closer to the cradle; his smile deepened for several moments...he simply watched them sleep.
Then...the little girl stretched, her tiny arms reached upward, and her silver hair caught the afternoon light like threads of moonlight itself.
Slowly...her sapphire-blue eyes opened.
Blink.
Blink.
The moment she found Levin...her entire little face brightened.
"Aaa...Aaaa..." Tiny arms reached toward him immediately.
Levin laughed softly as he carefully lifted her into his arms. "There you are..."
The little princess sighed contentedly as she settled against his chest.
"Did my little moon sleep well?"
She answered by snuggling closer, her tiny cheek resting against him. Then...she began searching.
Levin frowned slightly. "What are you looking for..."
He watched curiously as the little girl gently nuzzled around his nipples for milk with innocent determination. She paused and sniffed again. Then instinctively sought the warmth she recognized before she had ever entered the world.
Levin blinked, and a quiet chuckle escaped him. "My dear...I may have brought you into this world...but I am still an Alpha. I do not believe I can—"
He stopped, his eyes widened as the fabric beneath his daughter’s tiny hands gradually became warm. Then...noticeably damp.
Levin looked down in complete surprise. "...What?"
He blinked again, then gently touched the fabric. For a long moment...he simply stared and mumbled.
"...I...I suppose...I can produce food for you both."
His eyes softened as he looked at the tiny princess resting peacefully against him. His daughter relaxed immediately as she started drinking milk, comforted by the warmth and closeness of her parent.
Levin carefully adjusted the blanket around her tiny shoulders; his fingers gently brushed her silver hair away from her forehead.
"So..." He whispered with a smile that reached his eyes. "My little moon...It seems your stubborn father still has much to learn."
Across the cradle...the little prince stirred in his sleep, as though sensing he was being left out. He made a tiny protesting sound, and his golden eyes fluttered open, blinking sleepily...he looked toward Levin, then toward his sister.
His tiny lips immediately formed the smallest pout. Levin laughed quietly. "Oh...so the little sun has awakened as well."
He reached out with his free hand and gently stroked the boy’s cheek. "I promise...no one shall steal your share."
The little prince instantly relaxed beneath the touch, his tiny fingers wrapped around Levin’s hand. The nursery fell silent once more.
Outside...the empire continued rebuilding.
Inside...the future of Zahryssar rested peacefully within the embrace of the one person who had carried them into the light.
***
[High Mage’s Residence — Night]
CLAAANG!!
The silver wine goblet slipped from Arkhazunn’s fingers, and dark crimson wine spilled across the marble floor like fresh blood.
Yet...he never looked at it; he remained seated upon the lower diwan, utterly motionless. His eyes had widened, not with fear, not with shock but with horrifying realization.
Silence.
Slowly...his trembling gaze lowered toward his own hand. The same hand...the same foolish hand...that had pulled Captain Varesh closer, his breathing became uneven.
Then...for what felt like the hundredth time...the memory returned, not as fragments, not as blurred images...perfectly and painfully.
Varesh’s surprised eyes.
The silence between them, his own reckless decision, the kiss, and then...those words.
"Naburash..."
Silence.
Arkhazunn’s shoulders slowly fell; his whisper barely escaped his lips. "...By Lord Urzan...I truly am an idiot."
He leaned forward, elbows resting upon his knees, both hands covering his face. "No...Idiot is far too kind."
He slowly leaned backward until he collapsed against the mountain of embroidered cushions behind him; his head struck the pillow softly, and he stared blankly toward the painted ceiling.
"...How...did I manage to become this foolish?"
Silence answered him. His fingers slowly rubbed against his forehead as his voice sounded distant.
"I kissed another man...while calling someone else’s name." He closed his eyes tightly. "...Magnificent, Arkhazunn. You have spent decades mastering forbidden magic...yet somehow failed at behaving like a decent serpent."
Another long silence settled inside the chamber.
The candles quietly burned. Outside...the wind whispered through the hanging silk curtains. Inside...only regret remained.
Arkhazunn replayed the memory again, this time...he noticed something he had failed to see before.
Varesh had not argued, he had not become angry, and he had not even questioned him. Instead...the captain had quietly stepped back, quietly hidden his wound, quietly avoided his eyes and quietly begun addressing him with nothing but formal respect.
The realization struck harder than any blade as Arkhazunn whispered.
"He never became angry...he simply walked away. " His chest tightened. "I thought...he was merely busy."
Another bitter smile crossed his face. "...No, he was protecting himself."
Silence.
Arkhazunn slowly covered his eyes again as he finally admitted it aloud.
"...You hurt him, you...hurt the one serpent who never once opened anything from you." His breathing grew heavier. "He stood beside you through war, through politics, through Slyvarakh. He obeyed every impossible command...and when he finally allowed himself to lower his guard..."
Arkhazunn swallowed painfully.
"...I rewarded him by reminding him...that my heart was still looking at someone else."
Silence...an unbearable silence.
His voice became almost hoarse. "...How humiliating...for him."
He imagined Varesh standing there. Trying not to show disappointment, trying not to reveal how deeply those words had wounded him and trying...to leave with what little dignity remained.
Arkhazunn shut his eyes; his voice cracked into a whisper. "He must have hated every heartbeat after that, and still...he bowed to me the next morning...as though nothing had happened."
Another long silence followed.
Then Arkhazunn slowly looked toward the shattered goblet lying across the floor; his own reflection shimmered within the spilled wine, broken and distorted.
"You truly are an arrogant fool," he murmured to himself. "You spend your life studying the heart of another serpent who was never yours...yet fail to see the heart standing right beside you."
The High Mage slowly exhaled, long, heavy and filled with regret. His gaze drifted toward the open window, where the moon hung high above Silthara Palace.
"...Captain Varesh..." His voice was almost carried away by the night wind. "I owe you...more than an apology."
The chamber fell silent once again; only the moon...bore witness to the guilt of the High Mage of Zahryssar.
"I have to talk to him tomorrow."
***
[The Next Day — Silthara Palace — Eastern Hallway]
Morning sunlight poured through the high crystal windows of Silthara Palace. The palace had begun breathing again. Knights resumed their patrols. Attendants crossed the marble corridors carrying scrolls and silver trays.
Priests walked toward the Temple of Lord Urzan, their morning prayers echoing softly beneath the vaulted ceilings.
Yet...
High Mage Arkhazunn walked through those same halls with none of his usual composure. His pace was quicker than usual, almost hurried.
"...I have to speak to him." He murmured beneath his breath. "I cannot allow this misunderstanding to remain any longer."
His robes flowed behind him as he descended the eastern corridor leading toward the military grounds. Then...his steps slowed ahead... Captain Varesh walked alone toward the Malika’s private residence.
His sword rested at his side; his posture remained as disciplined as ever. Arkhazunn exhaled quietly.
"There you are...Captain."
Varesh stopped; he immediately turned and bowed. "I greet the High Mage."
His voice remained respectful, professional, and carefully distant. Arkhazunn noticed it immediately, and he nodded.
For a brief moment...neither of them spoke. Finally, Arkhazunn cleared his throat. "Are you...heading toward Malika’s residency?"
Varesh nodded. "Yes, the young prince and princess require permanent royal guards. I have come to assign their personal knights."
Arkhazunn smiled faintly. "A necessary duty."
In another silence, the High Mage folded his hands behind his back. Then unfolded them again for perhaps the first time in years... He appeared uncertain.
"...Captain."
Varesh raised his eyes. "Yes, High Mage?"
Arkhazunn drew a slow breath. "...May I...have a moment of your time?"
Varesh bowed once. "You never need to ask. If it concerns the Empire...I am listening."
Those words struck Arkhazunn harder than expected; he slowly shook his head. "...No. This...concerns only us."
Varesh became still; the hallway fell silent. Arkhazunn looked away briefly before forcing himself to continue.
"...I owe you an apology."
Varesh frowned. "...An apology? For what, High Mage?"
Arkhazunn’s fingers unconsciously tightened against his sleeves. "I...I never intended..."
He closed his eyes, gathering what little courage remained. "...to speak another man’s name...while I was kissing you."
Silence...an absolute silence.
Varesh visibly flinched; his shoulders stiffened. His hand slowly tightened around the sheath of his sword.
Yet...he refused to look at Arkhazunn. The High Mage saw everything: the embarrassment, the disappointment, and the quiet hurt that had remained hidden until this moment.
His own chest tightened. "...Captain..."
Varesh finally spoke; his voice remained calm...too calm. "...You need not explain. It happened. It is already behind us."
He offered a polite smile, one that never reached his eyes. "People make mistakes; we should both simply forget it."
"A mistake?" Varesh asked.
Arkhazunn froze as he realized he chose the wrong word, and Varesh said, "Since it was a mistake, let’s forget about it."
He moved to leave.
"...Captain." Arkhazunn instinctively caught his wrist.
Varesh froze, slowly... He turned back. Arkhazunn immediately released him. "...Forgive me. I chose the wrong words."
His silver eyes finally met Varesh’s. "The kiss...was not the mistake."
Varesh’s expression changed. Arkhazunn continued before fear stole his courage again. "The mistake...was allowing the past to intrude upon that moment."
Silence.
"Naburash..." he spoke the name quietly. "...belongs only to memories now. He is no longer someone I wait for. He is no longer someone I hope for, and he is no longer someone my heart belongs to."
Arkhazunn lowered his head. "I cannot erase the hurt those words caused you, but I swear before Lord Urzan...that what happened that night...was not because I wished you to become someone else."
The corridor remained utterly still. Varesh stared at him, speechless as Arkhazunn said, "Naburash is nothing for me...please believe me."
Then...a third voice echoed behind them.
"...Who?"
Both men froze. Arkhazunn’s heartbeat stopped. Varesh slowly turned, standing several paces behind them... Raviel remained completely motionless; his eyes had widened with unmistakable shock.
He stared directly at Arkhazunn as his voice came almost as a whisper. "...Did you...just say...Naburash?"
The morning suddenly felt much colder, neither Arkhazunn...nor Varesh...answered.
And for the first time in many years...a forgotten name...had returned to the halls of Silthara Palace and to Raveil’s life.
Comments