Reborn As Papa Silva

Chapter 80: Their Story (30): The Hell

All good things must come to an end, that's why they're called good things. Otherwise they'd just be ordinary - Who Really Knows Who Said This

—

Sebastian darted through Castle Silva in a cold sweat, not paying any of the servants or retainers any heed as he dashed up two flights of stairs and sped toward his and Acier's private wing.

He felt his heart thumping as he rounded hallway after hallway before sliding and skidding to a stop in front of their bedroom.

Not even sparing Hilda or Jeeves a glance as they stood outside, he yanked the door open and darted in, only to freeze at what he saw.

Nathaniel, Amara, and Aurelia seemed to be chatting casually with Acier, who was propped up on their bed, eating a spoonful of yogurt.

They turned to Sebastian, taking in his cold sweat, and fixed him with a blank stare. Acier's mouth hooked upward as she stifled a strange laugh.

"Sebby, it's only the first phase... our little Nozel won't come for hours..."

Sebastian blinked, and so did Acier. "Did you forget, Sebby? You told me this yourself... I'm a first-time mother, so Nozel may not come out for an entire day..."

Sebastian flushed red and crouched down in embarrassment, fixing Aurelia across the room with a cringed glare.

"Could you have made that clear?!" The way she spoke made it seem like the baby was coming now.

Aurelia stuck her tongue out and rubbed the top of her head sheepishly, looking slightly apologetic.

Sebastian sighed and stood back up, walking toward Acier's bedside. "It's a premature birth, so Nozel—"

Sebastian paused as he blinked. "Nozel?" He then turned to Nathaniel and raised a brow. "That's the name you picked out?"

Nathaniel coughed awkwardly and nodded. "Yes... what do you think?"

Sebastian beamed. "It's wonderful!" I hope I don't accidentally call him Nozzle at times... Sebastian thought wryly.

Shaking his head free of those thoughts, he turned back to Acier in concern. "Still, this is a premature birth. It may take even longer than usual, or he may come even faster. Whenever you feel anything—whatever sensation it may be—take it seriously, alright?"

Acier smiled. "I get it, Sebby. I'm not going to play with our baby's life."

Sebastian grabbed her hand and looked at her seriously. "It's not just Nozel's life that needs to be considered here."

Acier paused before smiling softly and beautifully. "I know, Sebby. You don't need to worry. Nozel and I... both of us will come out just fine."

Sebastian forced a smile and nodded.

He then sighed and placed a gentle hand on her belly. "Didn't I ask you to take your time? What's the rush?"

Acier placed her hands on top of Sebastian's, guiding him to rub her bump lovingly, and chuckled. "Looks like someone is really excited to play with their Papa."

Sebastian's neck flushed slightly before he smiled calmly. "Looks like I'll have to give him a stern lecture once he arrives."

Acier chuckled and shed a comical tear. "Wow, Sebby, our baby boy hasn't even been born yet, and you're already talking about whipping out the belt."

Sebastian grinned. "I think it's well deserved for him hurting his Mama."

Acier flushed and averted her gaze bashfully before tapping her lips. "What are you supposed to do when you come back?"

Sebastian hesitated for a moment, a blush working across his cheeks, before he bent down, leaned in, and gave her a peck on the lips. "I'm home."

Acier smiled and reciprocated with a peck of her own. "Welcome back."

At the other side of her bed, Amara and Aurelia watched this scene with fond amusement, while Nathaniel sported a complex expression, his gaze fixed on Sebastian.

—

Time passed in a hazy blur from then on. As Acier's cervix began to soften, thin, and gradually open, she experienced minor contractions every 15 to 20 minutes, lasting from half a minute to about 45 seconds.

Although Sebastian knew it was normal, the soft moans of pain and discomfort from her menstrual-like cramps made it impossible for him not to worry. He sat at her side, his hand linked with hers the entire time.

The cramps became more regular, more frequent, longer, and stronger, leaving her breathless and unable to speak. Sebastian was very thankful for being a healing mage, but he was also upset with himself for his incompetence.

He could heal injuries and soothe someone's pain, but he was unable to completely mitigate it. Not to mention, with his humble mana reserves, he wasn't able to treat her through the entire process.

From then on, things got even worse. The contractions, now lasting up to around 90 seconds, came every two to three minutes, leaving Acier in intense shaking pain, mood swings, and nausea.

Day turned to night as she completed the first phase of her labor, and then came the pushing—it was time for Nozel to be born as his head began to emerge.

—

Outside the bedroom, Nathaniel, Jeeves, Hilda, and Alfred leaned against the opposite wall, standing upright, while Aurelia and Amara sat next to one another in a pair of chairs. Meanwhile, Sebastian paced back and forth in front of them in a hurry, anxiously biting his nails.

The five spectators watched his speed increase as Acier's cries of pain and the doctor's and midwives' pleas to hang on and push grew louder from inside.

Watching her brother-in-law, Aurelia bit her lip and couldn't keep quiet any longer. "Brother... Why don't you head inside? I'm sure Sister would appreciate your presence."

Sebastian abruptly froze, turning to her and furrowing his brows in consideration before resolutely shaking his head. "No... no... I shouldn't... I might break her focus... and get in the way..."

He then went back to mumbling incoherently, biting his nails as he resumed his back-and-forth pacing.

Amara parted her lips softly. "Perhaps you should sit down and eat something. I don't believe you've had a meal today—"

"I don't have the appetite, ma'am," Sebastian interrupted, never stopping his pacing.

Just as it seemed like Alfred was going to chip in, Nathaniel held up a hand and spoke softly. "Just leave him be."

With that, the hallway returned to how it was, the five spectators watching blankly as Sebastian's mumbling grew louder. As the hours passed, he bit off the last of his nails, only to come to a screeching halt as the cries of a baby rang out from inside.

All six of them let out a deep sigh of relief. Sebastian crouched down, staying like that as he stared at the door, while Aurelia looked at him curiously.

"Brother, aren't you heading inside now?"

Sebastian shook his head without looking at her, his gaze fixed on the door. "The afterbirth still remains." [1]

Aurelia paused before nodding in understanding.

Ten minutes later, the old lead doctor of House Silva swung open the door and smiled softly. "It's over. The prince has been born perfectly healthy, and the princess is fine as well. You can come in now—"

He didn't get to finish as Sebastian dashed right past him. The old man barely had time to step aside to avoid being body-slammed as Sebastian rushed straight to Acier's bed.

She looked up at him, joyful tears in her eyes, as little Nozel suckled at her breast. "Isn't he beautiful, Sebby?"

Turning his gaze to the newborn, a pudgy and wrinkly thin mass of flesh in her arms, Sebastian's eyes watered. He raised his right hand with a tremble and placed it gently on Nozel's head, ruffling his soft hair lovingly. "Yes, he is."

Sebastian then leaned down and gave Nozel a peck on the head before pressing a kiss to Acier's lips. "Thank you for giving me this beautiful boy."

Acier smiled shakily. "I should be the one thanking you. None of this would be possible if not for you."

Sebastian's smile broadened as he knelt at her bedside, one hand placed gently on Nozel's back, the other on Acier's head, his gaze softening.

If being "taken advantage of" by Acier Silva led to things like this, then he would be willing every time.

Sebastian smiled at her and beamed. "We've got thirty more to look forward to."

Acier abruptly stiffened, forcing a strained smile. "S-Sebby, g-giving birth kind of hurts... I-I was just joking when I said that—"

She didn't get to finish her thought, as Aurelia couldn't contain her excitement anymore and barged into the room, dashing to Acier's bedside with a squeal.

"Aww, he's so cute! Let me hold him—"

Acier comically batted her little sister's hands away, fixing her with a blank stare. "Nozel is still feeding. And even then, your turn comes last. Sebby, Father, and Mother come before you."

Aurelia froze like a statue.

Amara and Nathaniel meekly entered the room, peeking over Sebastian's shoulder at their grandchild. Sebastian smiled and stepped aside.

The grandparents gently placed a hand on Nozel's back and rubbed it lovingly, while Sebastian rounded the other side and climbed onto the large bed, lying beside Acier. His fingers ran through her hair, prompting her blush to return in full.

As Acier peered around the room—at her parents, her sister, her baby boy, her husband, and even the three head servants peeking in from the doorway—she couldn't help but smile and think, I'm the luckiest girl in the world.

—

Sebastian took Nozel from Acier into his arms with a tremble, causing Acier to smile and chuckle.

"Sebby... you need to be more confident. You're not going to drop him..."

Sebastian gulped and adjusted his grip, wrapping his arms stiffly around Nozel in a cradle hold. Looking down at the sleeping boy, he managed a small smile.

Acier sat up in bed with her father's help and placed a hand on Nozel's tummy, while Aurelia absentmindedly fed her elder sister a spoonful of yogurt.

Acier chewed on the snack, her gaze transfixed on Sebastian's face as he looked down at Nozel with the same enchanted expression he so often gave her.

Her heart warmed even further, her eyes lightly stinging. Swallowing the yogurt, she leaned forward and pressed a sudden kiss to Sebastian's cheek, startling him as he turned to her.

Sebastian's breath hitched as he took in her shaky smile, and before he could say anything, she parted her lips. "I love you. So much."

Sebastian paused before smiling softly and nodding meekly. "Me too. Both of you."

Acier smiled and rested her head on Sebastian's left shoulder. He leaned his face against her head, gradually holding Nozel more loosely, more confidently, while Acier traced gentle circles on the infant's belly.

Nathaniel, Amara, and Aurelia exchanged a look before slowly leaving the room in silence, closing the door behind them politely.

They could wait for their turn.

Sebastian and Acier remained where they were, enveloped in content silence, as the curtain of night slowly unraveled and the first light of dawn filtered into the bedroom, signaling the start of a new day.

It would also be the last happy day they would spend together for a very, very long time.

—

"Sebby..." Acier groaned aloud, looking across the room from their bed.

"I don't wanna!" Sebastian pouted and shook his head, his gaze never lifting from Nozel, who was sleeping soundly in his crib.

Acier bit her lip comically, feeling a throbbing headache. "You've skipped the past two days—the first for my birth, the second to stay with Nozel."

"You can't keep doing this. Your patients—our patients—are relying on you..."

Sebastian looked up and blinked blankly. "Treat it as a New Year's Eve break."

Acier fixed him with an unimpressed look. "The worst of winter is on the horizon. They need their doctor."

Sebastian snorted. "I'll ask Father to send some medical mages to fill my place."

Acier sighed. "They're not comfortable with them. Our patients need you. They want you..."

"Tough luck," Sebastian cut her off. "I'm taking paternity leave."

Acier fought the urge to roll her eyes. "There's no such thing."

Sebastian furrowed his brows. "Why not?! That's unfair!"

Acier smiled softly. "Then hurry up and inherit this house and pass some new laws."

Sebastian mumbled, disgruntled, "Can't Father just do it now?"

Acier's smile slowly grew strained as she tried to convince her husband to leave for work for the umpteenth time.

Sighing inwardly, she tried to placate him. "Sebby, I'll be fine. I'll be able to manage. Father, Mother, Aurelia, and all our servants are enough to support me and help me care for Nozel."

She was expecting him to look relieved and moved—not to stare at her blankly in confusion. "I know they can. That's not what I care about."

Acier blanked. Huh?

Sebastian's face turned worried as he looked down at Nozel and panicked. "What if my baby boy forgets me?!"

Acier stilled as Sebastian kept crying comically. "What if I return home, and all he sees is a stranger and cries?!"

Acier groaned. "Can you talk softly? What if you wake him up?"

Sebastian winced as his wife placed a hand on her forehead. "Sebby... both of us are still practically strangers to him. And he's a baby. He'll cry regardless, even if everything is right in the world."

Sebastian pouted again, placing a finger in Nozel's sleeping palm before fixing Acier with a puppy-eyed stare. "Do I have to?"

Acier paused. Don't let this get to you, Acier. Be strong. Gritting her teeth, she forced an indifferent look and nodded. "Yes. You don't want Nozel to grow up hearing his father is a bum, right?"

Sebastian cringed and was just about to shake his head—only to freeze and stiffen as he looked down at Nozel.

His boy, his baby boy, had curled his tiny little hands around his finger, holding him tightly.

Sebastian snapped his head back up to Acier and whispered, "See? See? He doesn't want me to go."

Acier sighed again before looking at her husband softly. "Just go today. Talk to our patients, see how they're doing, if they need anything, and then you can have January off, alright?"

Sebastian bit his lip and sighed. He could never say no when Acier spoke to him like that. Bending over, he placed a gentle kiss on Nozel's forehead and slowly slipped his finger out of the infant's hold.

Sebastian rounded the crib to Acier's bedside and planted a soft kiss on her lips. "I'm leaving."

Acier smiled and reciprocated the kiss. "Be safe."

Sebastian nodded and, sparing Nozel one more reluctant look, silently walked out of the room.

—

Sebastian entered his private study, opened his cabinet, and picked up his large leather bag before routinely packing his tools the way he liked. Metal instruments, wrapped in a towel, went at the bottom. Elixirs, remedies, ointments, and herbs were placed in a rectangular tray above them, cushioned by small, square beanbags of varying colors to keep them secure.

Shutting the cabinet, he turned to his desk, scanning the surface to see if he had forgotten anything. He pulled open his drawers, checking carefully.

As he yanked open the bottom-right drawer, he paused. Inside was something he hadn't seen in a very long time.

"Did I put this here?" Sebastian murmured to himself, unsure. He reached in and picked up a small, simple cross—Pope Benedictus's gift to him at Aurelia's coming-of-age ceremony.

He blinked at it in confusion. He didn't even remember bringing it to the castle from their cottage, much less placing it in his drawer. The sight of it caught him off guard.

He shrugged, figuring his memory was simply playing tricks on him. The day Nathaniel had yanked him into Castle Silva had been hectic. He had grabbed pretty much anything he could think of and stuffed it into his satchel before leaving the cottage.

Sebastian smiled as he twirled the cross between his fingers. It brought back memories of simpler times. And while everything that followed had brought its fair share of hurt, trials, and tribulations, he wouldn't trade any of it—not when it had led him to Nozel.

Not to mention, his love and bond with Acier had never felt stronger. Holding the cross a little tighter, he chuckled. "The Pope said he'd do anything for me. Asking him to have someone permanently take over my stall isn't too much, right?"

He hadn't meant what he said, so he placed the cross back into the drawer gently, his gaze drifting toward the door. His thoughts wandered absently.

As he let go, he failed to notice the faint, imperceptible glow that flickered across the cross's surface, nor the tiny speck of orange that floated from his body into it.

Closing the drawer, Sebastian hoisted his pouch over his shoulders and checked himself in the mirror, ensuring he was bundled up properly before smiling and heading out.

If I have time and make enough, I'll buy something for Nozel and Acier.

—

At Saint Luminous Basilica, Pope Benedictus sat in prayer before the primeval cross. Slowly, he opened his eyes and sighed, weary.

"Apologies, child... This is the best I can do for now. I look forward to the day you return to the light."

With that, the old Pope returned to his silent prayers.

—

In a certain alleyway, near the threshold between Kikka and the noble realm, a young boy—perhaps twelve—sat on the ground, obscured by a brown cloak.

Strangely, no one noticed him. No one told him to leave. He was invisible to all but those he wished to see.

Inside his head, small whispers pleaded softly. "Lucius, please don't do this—"

The voice was cut off by his own. "Shush, Julius. You're supposed to be asleep right now."

Silence followed. Julius had been put to sleep. When he woke up, he would forget Lucius and everything that had happened.

Again. As always.

—

The night sky loomed over the kingdom as curfew neared. Sebastian smiled in anticipation, jogging up toward the noble realm, eager to see his wife and son.

As he neared the final stretch of road before entering, a soft, feeble voice called out to him.

"Please, sir... can you spare some change?"

Sebastian froze, turning his head toward an alleyway. There, a small figure leaned against a brick house, half-hidden beneath a tattered cloak. The shivering frame, the slight tremble—it was unmistakably a child.

He stared for a moment, his thoughts drifting. Then, he stepped forward.

—

Sebastian strode through the hallways of Castle Silva, his posture upright, his expression impassive. He moved toward Acier's room without hesitation.

As he passed, the House Silva servants and retainers respectfully stepped aside, offering soft smiles.

Inside his mind, a voice—his own—roared in desperate protest.

"Please! Please! Whatever it is, whatever you want, I'll give it to you! Just stay away from her, from him, from them!"

His body didn't listen. He continued forward, his movements eerily controlled, unfeeling.

"Someone stop him! Hilda! Jeeves! Alfred! Why are you just standing there?! This isn't me! Do something! Please!"

But his body turned its back on the three silent servants, reaching for the bedroom door.

For the briefest moment, an imperceptible, devilish smile flickered across his lips. Then, he twisted the handle and slowly pushed the door open.

—

A few moments ago...

Acier sat up in bed, cradling a soundly sleeping Nozel in her arms, her lips pursed in a small pout. "Where is that Sebastian? It's getting so late..."

Aurelia chuckled, leaning in closer, seated comfortably between their parents. "Brother probably got swamped with work. I'm sure he'll be back soon."

Nathaniel, ever composed, felt an inexplicable discomfort settle in his chest. His heart constricted, racing with a foreboding sense he hoped was merely an illusion.

Unaware of her husband's unease, Amara offered a gentle smile. "Aurelia is right, Acier. It's a busy time. I'm sure he'll be back before the new year, though."

Acier huffed, crossing her arms with a theatrical pout. "He better be, or no kisses for him."

Aurelia and Amara shared a glance, their smiles growing strained as they bit back the thought lingering in both their minds—The one who can't live without his kisses is you.

Nathaniel opened his mouth to speak, but his words died on his tongue as his gaze snapped toward the door. A moment later, Acier followed suit.

The door creaked open.

Sebastian stepped inside, silent and unreadable.

Nathaniel's trepidation spiked. His son-in-law moved with an unnatural stillness, his expression devoid of warmth as he approached Acier's bedside.

But Acier—like her mother and sister—lit up instantly, her smile radiant as she lifted a hand to playfully tap her lips.

Expecting his usual flustered reaction followed by an inevitable kiss, she instead found herself staring into an expression as cold as ice.

Her smile faltered.

Still, she tapped her lips again, forcing a cheerful tone. "Welcome back!"

Sebastian didn't respond. His gaze remained locked on her, impassive, unreadable—tinged with something...off.

Nathaniel's stomach dropped. Aurelia and Amara sat up straighter, a chill creeping into their bones.

Acier swallowed, her fingers tightening slightly around Nozel. Is he still upset about this morning? The thought gnawed at her as doubt seeped in. I guess I was a bit hard on him... He hasn't slept since Nozel's birth. He must be exhausted...

Softening, she mustered a warm, understanding smile and gently held Nozel up toward him. "Sorry about that, Sebby. Why don't you hold our baby? He's been missing his Daddy!"

A heavy silence hung in the air.

Acier's smile wavered further as Sebastian continued to stare at her.

Then, at last, he spoke.

"Why would I want to hold that?"

The casual, near-bored tone sent an icy jolt through the room.

Acier stiffened. So did her mother and sister.

"H-Huh?" She barely managed to stammer out.

"You heard me." His brows furrowed ever so slightly, his expression twisting into something almost...perplexed. "Why would I want to hold this?" He gestured vaguely toward Nozel. "Does it give me anything? Provide me anything? Does it do anything for me? Can it walk on its own? Talk? Eat? Entertain me? Help me? What does it do for me? Why should I—why would I—hold it?"

The room froze.

Acier's pulse pounded in her ears as her eyes widened in disbelief. "W-What are you talking about? N-Nozel's just a baby—your baby! How could you say such a thing?!"

Sebastian tilted his head slightly, his expression morphing into something like mild irritation. "Please don't raise your voice," he said coolly. "And talk like a human being. It's grating on the ears." n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Acier's breath hitched. Amara and Aurelia were just as still, as if the temperature in the room had plummeted.

Sebastian, undeterred, continued in that same indifferent voice. "I haven't slept in nearly three days. I've been slaving away—for your sake, for your whims—and the moment I finally return home, you don't even give me a second to rest?" His expression darkened slightly. "Do we have a problem?"

A chill ran down Acier's spine.

She swallowed hard, trying to push down the creeping panic. "This isn't like you," she thought desperately, blinking up at him as if she could will the warmth back into his eyes.

"S-Sebby..." Her voice shook, barely above a whisper. "W-What are you doing? T-This isn't like you. W-Why are you acting like this?"

The question barely left her lips before his hand shot out.

His fingers clamped around her jaw.

Acier gasped, her pupils dilating in shock as pain shot through her skull.

Amara and Aurelia bolted upright, their expressions alarmed, but before they could move, Sebastian crouched down to meet Acier's eye level, his grip tightening.

Her teeth ached from the pressure.

His gaze burned into hers—sharp, cold, unfamiliar.

"Sebby?" His voice dropped to a chilling whisper. "Who's that?"

Acier's breath hitched as his hold tightened further.

"I know no Sebby. My name is Sebastian."

Tears pricked at Acier's eyes.

"Understand?" His fingers dug in just a little more, sending a fresh bolt of pain down her jaw. "It's Sebastian. Enough with these ridiculous pet names, woman."

The room was deathly silent.

A few stray tears slipped down Acier's cheeks as she stared at him in raw, disoriented disbelief.

She could barely process the words, could barely form a thought beyond the sheer wrongness of what was happening.

Slowly, numbly, she gave a weak nod.

Sebastian withdrew his hand, satisfied, and straightened. His gaze shifted toward Aurelia and Amara, both of whom were staring at him as if they'd seen a ghost.

"B-Brother?!" Aurelia's voice trembled with disbelief. "W-What are you doing?! How can you treat Sister and Nozel this way?"

Amara swallowed, her hands trembling as she pointed at him. "If you're upset about something, if something happened, then use your words! W-Why are you—"

She cut herself off the moment Sebastian's cold, piercing glare locked onto her. A chill ran down her spine, her breath hitching as she recoiled. Aurelia wasn't any better—both mother and daughter shrank back into their seats, their bodies frozen stiff.

Sebastian sneered. "Who are you to speak? This is between my wife and me. Outsiders should stay out of it."

Then, as if they were no longer worth acknowledging, he turned back to Acier.

The sheer disgust on his face only deepened as he looked upon her silently sobbing form.

"What a pathetic woman you are, Acier Silva," he spat. "What a pathetic woman."

Acier didn't respond. She simply sat there, tears streaming down her face.

Sebastian's voice grew sharper. "You can treat others like dirt, but the moment it's thrown back at you, you crumble into this pathetic, filthy mess." His lips curled. "The Steel War Princess—nothing but glass, shattering at the slightest touch."

Acier could only stare at him, her mind scrambling for answers.

Her husband. Her lover. Her best friend. Her other half. Her better half. Her everything.

And yet, the man before her was a stranger.

What happened?

Why?

Where had the man she loved just this morning disappeared to?

Sebastian—whether oblivious or uncaring—tilted his head in mock sympathy. "That won't do," he murmured, bending forward, his sneer deepening. "My wife is the most beautiful woman in the kingdom. She's supposed to be the strongest—not just in mana and body, but in soul, will, and spirit, too."

Slowly, he reached out, running his fingers through her silvery locks.

Acier shuddered.

His touch was gentle. Sickeningly so.

A slow, predatory grin crept onto his face.

"You should fix that," he murmured. "Breaking you won't be fun otherwise."

The color began to drain from Acier's lavender eyes.

Sebastian leaned in, his voice a whisper—low and taunting, just for her.

"You said you could accept being put through hell by me."

His lips brushed against her ear.

"Let's test that."

His next words sent a shiver through her bones.

"Let's see how long you last, my dear."

Acier's pupils dilated.

Then—

The last traces of color drained from her irises, leaving only hollow black in their wake.

She collapsed lifelessly against the headboard, her arms tightening unconsciously around the sleeping Nozel.

Holding him protectively.

Holding him away from his father.

—

Deep within the murky, black ocean of his mindscape, the real Sebastian watched in horror.

Powerless.

Trapped.

His own body moving without his will.

He screamed—desperate, agonized—but no sound escaped.

His arms, bound in thick chains, trembled violently as he fought against them.

But it was useless.

All he could do was watch—watch as his wife, his love, his everything, pulled their son close.

Protecting him.

Protecting him from him.

Sebastian writhed in his bindings, his throat burning as he tried, tried to call out to her.

Acier!

Run.

Leave me.

Get away from me!

But the words never came.

Suddenly, the black fog around him began to shift.

A presence emerged.

Sebastian froze.

A figure stepped forward—one that looked just like him.

Identical in every way.

Except for its color—pitch-black, like a living shadow.

And its smile.

Wide. Amused. Mocking.

Sebastian's breath hitched.

No—

He fought against the chains, his mind screaming in panic as his doppelgänger raised a hand and pointed.

A white screen flickered into view in the mindscape.

Sebastian's heart stopped.

On the screen—

Nathaniel was standing up.

Sebastian's blood ran cold.

Slowly, he turned back to his shadowed replica, taking in its eerie grin.

"No... no..." His voice trembled, hoarse from his earlier cries. "W-What are you trying to do?! What are you going to do?!"

The shadow didn't answer.

It simply turned its back on him—pointing to the screen once more.

A silent order.

Shut up and watch.

Sebastian thrashed, panic consuming him. "No! Stop!"

But this time, no sound came out.

His voice had been stolen again.

His body refused to move.

Bound. Silenced.

And forced to watch what happened next.

—

Nathaniel slowly rose to his feet, his legs creaking as he suppressed his sorrow under an indifferent mask. The movement drew the attention of Aurelia and Amara, their uneasy gazes locking onto him.

His eyes fell upon his eldest daughter.

Acier sat motionless, her expression blank, her lavender eyes void of life.

Nathaniel's heart clenched, but he forced himself to turn away, his gaze shifting toward Sebastian—only to freeze.

Inexplicably, his son-in-law was already in front of him.

Before he could react, a firm hand clamped onto his shoulder.

Then—

Despite being far more powerful than the younger man, Nathaniel was pressed down into his seat like a child.

His pupils dilated in shock.

But just as quickly, he steadied himself, his hands clenched into fists.

Seated, he tilted his head back to meet Sebastian's gaze.

His voice, when it came, was cold.

"Son," he said, his tone measured, "I know we all have bad days. I know she's put you through a lot. But that is not how you're supposed to react—"

Sebastian's lips parted.

"Son?"

He repeated the word, slowly, as though tasting it.

Then, without warning, laughter erupted from his throat.

"Son?! Old Thing, where do you get off acting like my father?!"

Nathaniel's eyes widened.

For a fraction of a second—

A single, fleeting moment—

Something flickered across his face.

Hurt.

Inside the mindscape, the real Sebastian recoiled as if struck, his bound body trembling in agony.

He saw it.

That flash of pain.

That small, nearly imperceptible wound his words had inflicted on Nathaniel.

And just like Acier, another piece of Sebastian shattered.

His eyes dimmed further.

Aurelia and Amara felt bile rise in their throats. Acier barely seemed aware of what was happening.

As for Nathaniel—

His expression had already steeled.

The sorrow, the shame—both buried once again beneath another mask of cold indifference.

He lifted a hand and pointed to the bedroom door.

Mana spiked.

His voice cut through the air, frigid and unyielding.

"Get out. Now."

Sebastian paused.

Then, as if completely unfazed, he pivoted on his heel.

But not before shooting Acier a smile.

Twisted.

Perverse.

Without another word, he strode to the door and pulled it open—

Only to be met with the horror-stricken faces of Alfred, Hilda, and Jeeves.

For a moment, Sebastian simply stared at them.

Then, as if remembering something, he turned his head slightly—locking eyes with Nathaniel once more.

Face dark.

Expression unreadable.

And then—

A sneer.

"Just hurry up and die already," he spat. "So I can take this place for myself."

Nathaniel went rigid.

Immobilized.

A single instant of stunned silence—

And then—

Sebastian smiled.

Satisfied.

He shut the door behind him with a bang.

And walked away.

—

Inside the mindscape, Devil Sebastian mirrored that grin, crouching before the lifeless form of his true self.

He licked his lips.

The devil said no words.

He didn't need to.

Because the real Sebastian understood.

Just like Acier—

This is the start of my hell.

Bound by chains, trapped in the vast, black ocean of his own mind—

Sebastian began to sink.

Little by little.

Deeper.

Deeper.

—

House Novachrono welcomed a new and permanent addition to their family.

A child by the name of Julius.

Though none in the kingdom—nor even the household itself—recognized him as new.

To them—

Julius had been.

Julius was.

And Julius would always be a part of their family.

—

Author's Notes:

[1] The placenta was usually referred to as the Afterbirth in common speech in medieval Europe, while as Secundinae in medieval literature.

[2] If everything goes right this arc should be over in no more than 5 Chapters

[3] Feel free to join the discord: https://discord.gg/s3MME8X8ar