As Archielle followed them, her heart pounded faster with every step deeper into the unknown house. What would it look like inside? She didn't know. But a gnawing fear whispered in her mind—would she be able to fit in? Would she belong?
Upon entering the living room, both she and Gaby froze. A man paced back and forth, whispering something under his breath, his movements tense, restless.
"Rae-Rae?" Gaby called out.
The man—now identified as Rae-Rae—abruptly turned, his expression taut with stress. His gaze flickered between Gaby and the unfamiliar figures accompanying him before finally landing on the girl and the infant in her arms.
"Gaby!" Rae-Rae exclaimed, though his voice lacked its usual vitality. His brows furrowed as he gestured toward the unfamiliar duo. "Who's…?"
"Archielle," Gaby answered with quiet firmness. "And since you appear to be in no state of clarity—this is Azrael, your husband." He threw a quick, knowing wink toward Azrael.
Azrael, however, wasn't focused on Gaby's antics. Concern etched his features as he turned to his wife. "Yeah. But—is she alright, Gaby? What do you mean 'not in the right mind'? Did something happen? How's the infant?"
"Let's discuss this in private," Gaby stated, promptly tugging Azrael toward an adjoining room.
Archielle sank onto the couch, her gaze following the two men as they disappeared beyond the doorway. Azrael seemed kind—his features held a gentle warmth. Maybe this situation wouldn't be as daunting as she feared.
"Lady Archielle, would you care for a sandwich? We may also have some leftover milk for the young lady," Luci inquired, his voice poised and refined.
A guard or a butler? Archielle couldn't quite discern his role. She nodded politely, her attention momentarily shifting to her surroundings. She was observant, an innate analyzer of environments. The house exuded a peculiar comfort, an unfamiliar yet eerily familiar ambiance—like a lingering echo of something that should feel like home.
Moments later, Azrael returned. His pallor had worsened, exhaustion weighing visibly upon his frame. Gabriel—Gaby—had evidently filled him in.
Settling beside Archielle, Azrael exhaled a soft breath before addressing her. "Love?"
"Yes, Azrael?" she responded instantly, her voice carrying a tinge of hesitance.
"Would you accompany me for a moment?" His tone was gentle, careful. "Gabriel informed me that you were unconscious for nine days after childbirth and lost your memories. Considering that, would you like me to reintroduce you to your bodyguards?"
A soft blush tinged Archielle's cheeks. For a man, he was uncharacteristically tender—like the hushed whisper of wind dancing through the forest canopy.
"Yes, please," she answered with a composed nod, her gaze locking onto his grayish-blue eyes, reminiscent of a storm-kissed sky.
Azrael stood, extending a hand toward her, his expression lined with the faintest of smiles. She hesitated only briefly before slipping her fingers into his, allowing him to guide her through the house. Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad…
The infant in her arms stirred, roused by the gentle movements.
By the time Azrael had introduced her to Khial, Onix, Waynn, and Navy—her four appointed bodyguards—she found herself perplexed. They carried themselves with an air of dignity, their demeanor bordering on knightly reverence. Gentlemen, even. But how could men of such civility be warriors? How could they be entrusted with her protection?
Though, if Azrael trusted them… perhaps she could, too.
A sudden wail shattered the brief silence. The infant's tiny arms flailed, her cries escalating in distress.
Archielle stiffened. She attempted to soothe the baby, but her efforts only seemed to amplify the wails. It was as though the child could sense her unease, feeding off her apprehension and responding with unrelenting sobs.
Azrael swiftly intervened. Without hesitation, he reached for the infant, cradling her with practiced ease. His voice, low and mellifluous, wove through the air in a lullaby:
"Hush now, love, don't you cry,
Papa's here, the night is kind.
Softest stars and whispered streams,
Close your eyes, drift to dreams.
Tiny hands, so warm, so small,
Papa's arms will catch it all.
Rest, my love, the world is bright,
Papa holds you through the night."
The moment his voice caressed the atmosphere, the baby quieted. Her tiny form relaxed, surrendering to slumber within his embrace.
Archielle watched, her breath caught in her throat. His voice… it was celestial, imbued with a tenderness she could scarcely believe. Had she truly forgotten a man like this? Forgotten a love so profound?
Time passed.
By nine o'clock, the early morning sun bathed the world in golden light—like a deity illuminating his domain.
Decorations adorned the space with elegant precision. The infant wore an exquisite dress, delicate and pristine. Archielle herself was clad in a striking black gown, an embodiment of quiet grace. Everything had been arranged meticulously. The scene was breathtaking.
All that remained was the arrival of the birthday boy.
Azrael had departed earlier to retrieve him.
How old was Sunshine? Seventeen? Nineteen? Was he bratty? Arrogant? Perhaps a spoiled heir, coddled by wealth and family? Archielle's thoughts spiraled with uncertainties, her amnesia only heightening the apprehension.
Soon, the distant hum of helicopter blades resonated through the air. The backyard helipad bore witness to Azrael's return.
The door swung open.
"Uncle Gabyy!" A young boy—no older than four—burst into the room, his tiny feet carrying him straight into Gabriel's waiting arms.
Gabriel grinned. "Hey, Sunshine! Happy birthday, kid."
(OW1's A/N: I just realized Sunshine's birthday was supposed to be in February, but the story's current timeline is March—sorry for the misinformation!)
A child? Sunshine was a child.
An undeniably adorable one.
His gaze flickered to Archielle, then to the infant in her arms. Before he could utter a word, Gabriel took the liberty of speaking.
"Sunshine, guess what? Your mama and mommy gave you a new little sister!" His voice held an unfamiliar warmth—a softness that felt more like that of a caring brother than his usual insufferable self.
Sunshine's mouth parted in awe, his grayish-blue eyes alight with wonder.
"A new sister!? Can I hold her? Pretty please?" Sunshine's excitement was palpable, radiating from him like sunlight itself.
Archielle gently placed the infant into his eager arms.
"Be careful, sweetheart. Don't drop her, okay?" she cautioned with a soft smile.
Sunshine nodded with determination, gazing down at the baby with reverence. "She's beautiful…" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. His resemblance to Azrael was uncanny—save for the absence of white strands in his dark hair.
"What's her name?" he inquired, his awe-filled gaze shifting between his mother and uncle.
Archielle pondered for a moment before offering, "Why don't you choose a name for her?"
Sunshine's expression brightened, the gears in his young mind whirring with thought.
"How about… Astraeus Artemis?" he suggested excitedly. "Astraeus—like the warrior Mama's making! And Artemis—like the amazing Greek goddess of the night!"
Archielle chuckled at his enthusiasm.
"You've been reading my Greek mythology books, haven't you?" Azrael mused, raising an amused eyebrow.
Sunshine beamed up at his father, nodding fervently.
(OW1 A/N: Just to clarify, Mama is Azrael & Mommy is Archielle. I was sleep deprived and in class when I made this. This is currently OW1 from the future writing this note. And sorry to cut this short but I'm ending this chapter right here.)
(Started: 16/03/2025 - Finished: 17/03/2025 - Published: 18/03/2025)
(Written By OW1 - Edited by OW2 - Reviewed By OW3 - Proofread by OW1's Irl bestie)