Solved sat on the balcony, the royal guards stationed around him like silent statues.
Below, the cart carrying Mr. Henrik rolled through the gates.
The moment Henrik stepped out, Solved saw it — the flicker of relief softening the man's worn face. Still, he couldn't shake the question pressing on his mind: Why does she need this much protection?
Solved rose from his seat, leaning slightly on the railing as he watched Elera burst through the doorway.
"Father!" she cried, sprinting toward him.
Henrik barely had time to open his arms before she crashed into his chest, sobbing.
He smiled through his own tears, holding her as though afraid she might vanish again.
From above, Solved couldn't help but smile. Watching them felt… right.
But the weight in his chest grew heavier.
He'd have to tell Henrik the truth — about what Elera had become, and why the palace would never let her leave again.
He walked downstairs, his steps slow but steady. Henrik turned at the sound, his face lighting up with genuine joy — the kind a man wears when he finally meets his daughter's savior.
"Thank you…" Henrik said, bowing slightly. His voice trembled. "Thank you so much. I can't ever repay you for what you've done."
Elera looked up at her father, her eyes still glossy with tears, nodding along to every word.
"You're welcome," Solved said with a faint smile. "Come on, let's go inside. I'm sure you've got a lot of questions."
Henrik nodded, still overcome. As they stepped forward, the butler moved swiftly to hold the grand door open, his eyes lowering in quiet respect as the three of them entered.
"Where's Andrew?" Henrik asked suddenly.
Solved paused at the doorway — the name hit like a forgotten wound.
Andrew… damn. I completely forgot about him, he thought.
"I think I lost him while searching for Elera," he said smoothly, avoiding Henrik's eyes.
"Mr. Andrew?" Elera's voice trembled. Her fingers tightened around her father's hand, eyes brimming again.
Solved noticed the worry on their faces and quickly raised his hand. "Wait— I don't think he's dead. Just… separated, that's all."
Relief softened their expressions, the tension in the air thinning.
He exhaled quietly, forcing a smile. "Let's be seated, please." He gestured toward the mansion, leading them inside.
As they settled into their seats, Roderick stepped forward. Solved gestured toward him.
"This is Captain Roderick," he said. "He'll be in charge of keeping Elera safe… during her stay in the palace."
Henrik's smile faded. His eyes darted between the two men. "What do you mean—during her stay?"
Solved inhaled slowly. Here we go.
"I don't really know how to say this, but—"
"—from now on, she has to remain in the palace," Roderick finished, his tone firm but polite.
Henrik shot to his feet. "What?"
"It's for her safety," Solved said quickly, trying to steady the situation. "There are… things at play we don't fully understand yet. But here, she'll be protected."
"What do they want with her?" Henrik's voice was tight, eyes fixed on Solved. "I want the truth."
"Umm… it's complicated," Solved started, rubbing the back of his neck. "She has… a gift. She's like a mage."
"She is a mage," Roderick said, matter-of-factly.
Elera blinked, turning between them and her father. "I'm… a mage?"
"Yeah," Solved said gently.
Henrik's face fell. "So that's why those men wanted her. To use her powers—forcefully."
"Exactly," Solved nodded. "We got to her first."
"But why her?" Henrik's voice broke. "Why my daughter?"
Solved hesitated, lowering his gaze. "I don't know. Not yet."
Henrik turned to Elera, managing a faint, trembling smile before looking back up at Solved. "But… I can still visit her, right?"
Solved lowered his head, trying to dodge the question—but Roderick stepped in before the silence could stretch.
"You'll be allowed," he said evenly, "but the Crown has agreed—only twice a month."
Solved felt a flicker of relief for the save… until the word Crown hit him. Wait. He said council before.
"Twice a month?" Henrik's voice broke into disbelief.
"Please, calm down," Solved said quickly, though even he sounded uncertain.
Henrik slammed a fist lightly against his knee. "How am I supposed to have any proper time with my daughter?"
Solved glanced at Elera—her face soft but strained, trying to stay strong.
"It's okay, Father," she said gently, forcing a small smile. "I'll be fine. You can come see me… and Solved will visit too, right?"
Solved managed a faint nod, though the pit in his stomach only grew deeper.
He knew the next rule would break their hearts, but hiding it wouldn't change anything.
"I'm sorry," Solved began quietly. "You… can't leave the palace grounds. Only once a month."
Elera's eyes widened. "But—what if my friends in town…?"
"I'm sorry," he said again, the words heavy. "You won't be able to visit them often."
Henrik shot to his feet, anger flashing in his eyes. "No! Just because you saved her doesn't mean you get to cage her with rules!"
"I didn't make the rules!" Solved snapped, his patience fraying. "And you don't know what I went through to save her!"
Henrik's glare hardened. "You agreed to it, didn't you?"
"I tried to negotiate!" Solved's voice rose, frustration spilling over.
Silence fell, thick with anger and helplessness.
"And in case you've forgotten," Solved snapped, teeth bared, "I don't know you from anywhere. I helped because I wanted to — not for thanks, not for favors. If you want selfish, then you should've left her to die."
The words fell into the room like a stone. Silence went heavy, everyone feeling the weight of it.
"Solved." Roderick's voice cut through—quiet, but it had that pull that made him stop.
He forced himself to breathe. The anger drained out in a ragged exhale as he saw Elera's face — small, wide, terrified. He'd said it in front of her. He'd spoken her fear aloud.
"Sorry," he muttered, but the apology was thin.
"Father—" Elera reached for Henrik and gripped his hand, voice barely a thread.
"I'm stressed," Solved said, the confession more to himself than anyone else.
He walked out of the room before the argument could start again.