The amusement park had wound itself into twilight. The neon lights along the rides glowed brighter against the dimming sky, painting the streets in shifting hues of pink, violet, and gold. Families lingered with arms full of toys and snacks, children still buzzing with sugar-fueled energy, while teenagers chased the last rides before night full fell. Above it all, the gravity coaster roared one last time, its cars streaking the dusk like shooting stars. But when the first firework cracked open the night, the park stilled. A thousand faces tilted skyward as the explosion bloomed in sapphire sparks, cascading down like waterfalls of starlight. Then came another, and another. Reds, silver, emerald bursts that rained brilliance across the sky, reflecting on every glass surface of the city beyond. On a small rise overlooking the park, away from the crush of crowds, Ethan sat with his children. Regnare sprawled on the grass beside him, his hoodie bunched under his head like a pillow, still clutching the wolf plush he refused to let go of. It was in moments like these that Regnare truly behaved like a child, though he was already in his twenties. If his friends were to see him now, they would be more than shocked. After all, he was known for his cold and serious character. He barely even smiled. Delphina sat upright, legs crossed neatly, her iridescent curls catching every flicker of color overhead. Her hair had gained this effect as part of her coming awakening. It was still red, but it changed to its iridescence once her emotions fluctuated. Ethan himself leaned back on one arm, the other resting lazily across his knee. His glasses were gone now, set aside, and his mismatched eyes, gold and silver, mirrored the fireworks above. For the first time all day, no one else intruded. The crowds were too far away, and the cameras were too focused on the light show to capture them. It was just the three of them, the night, and the sky erupting in fire. "Best day ever," Regnare murmured, voice heavy with exhaustion but laced with satisfaction. Delphina shot him a fond, exasperated glance. "You only say that because you won half the prizes." "I would have won more if someone hadn’t cheated," Regnare retorted, throwing a pointed glare at his father. "I wonder how mothers would react when I show them videos of you laughing. I’m sure I could get permission to go to a school with that and escape homeschooling," Delphina said with a mischievous smile. Ethan smirked as he added, not even looking away from the sky. "Winners don’t whine, son. Remember that." He spoke in a sage-like voice, like cheating was some divine art. "And no public schooling for you, Delphie. Never!" Chapters fırst released on 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹·𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒·𝗇𝗲𝘁 Regnare groaned, rolling onto his side dramatically. "You’re impossible." "I will report you to Grandma!" Delphina added with an agonized look, as if she was about to cry. "I would love to see you try, haha!" The laughter that followed was loud, almost barbaric, but it was genuine, the kind that belonged more to a happy father with his children than an emperor with heirs. Another firework burst overhead, this one larger than the rest, golden streaks weaving into the shape of a phoenix before dissolving into sparks. Delphina leaned back on her hands, her expression softening. "Father," she said quietly, "do you ever... forget? Even just for a little while? That you’re... you?" Ethan glanced at her, the corner of his mouth curving upward. He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he reached out, ruffling her curls, ignoring the small protest she gave. "I didn’t forget today," he said finally, his voice low but warm. "Not once." Delphina blinked, then looked away quickly, as though the fireworks suddenly demanded her full attention. Regnare snorted, though there was no hiding the grin tugging at his lips. The fireworks crescendoed then, wave after wave of color breaking open the night. The crowd below cheered, their voices carrying faintly up the hill. But for Ethan, the world felt quiet. For all the wars, the burdens, the kingdoms he carried, moments made it all feel... worth it. He leaned back fully, his arms folding behind his head, and let the sky paint itself in fire. Beside him, his children, his legacy, his heart, watched the night with him. Not as heirs, not as symbols, but simply as family. And in that silence, with the fireworks blooming above, Ethan allowed himself something he really loved. The night had eventually folded itself into quiet. The cheers, gasps, and camera flashes that had followed Ethan and his children gradually faded into the hum of a city settling down. The amusement park lights dimmed to sleepy embers, food stalls closed one by one, and the streets—once alive with laughter and chatter—slowed to a gentle silence broken only by the distant sound of waves brushing against the harbor. Morning arrived in a different rhythm. The weekend sun stretched its golden fingers through sheer curtains and glass windows, warming rooftops still wet with dew. Vendors along the market streets rolled open their carts again, this time with steaming buns, fried dough, and freshly brewed coffee drifting into the air instead of candied apples and caramel popcorn. Families with children were already beginning to stir, eager to seize another day of leisure. Within this calm yet bustling new dawn, the whispers of yesterday still lingered. Social media feeds were flooded with grainy photos and shaky videos of Ethan, Regnare, and Delphina walking casually among the crowds, drawing both disbelief and awe. Some people debated whether it was really them, while others swore the casual grace, the striking features, and that aura of quiet command could belong to no one else. And as the new day settled into its stride, the city seemed to hum with an unspoken anticipation. Everyone wondered: would the three appear again today, or was yesterday’s encounter a fleeting brush with legends in disguise? Well... they would have to take it as the latter, as the people in question were currently being judged for their doings. In the vast living room of the Kael’Dri household’s mansion, three people sat with their heads bowed. One was actually kneeling with the others sitting on his left and right. They were surrounded by a group of women with fierce expressions and fiery eyes that would make the dragon emperor shit his pants. Three of them were seated on the couch facing Ethan and his cohorts, while the rest surrounded them. Ethan was the one kneeling with Regnare and Delphina standing beside him. Harley sat in the middle with a cold expression, her usual green eyes now slit and glowing with a dangerous gold color. It sure looked like Ethan was now in trouble.