When Adeline opened her eyes, she found herself gazing at the familiar ceiling of her room.
However, it didn't take long before she realized that she wasn't the only one lying on her bed.
Sleeping beside her was a young lady whose beauty surpassed her own.
Aurora was sleeping peacefully, hugging Adeline. The Elf couldn't help but admire this young lady, who was capable of charming boys and girls alike.
Glancing through her window, she noticed that the sky was still dark, and dawn was still a few hours away.
She was still feeling sleepy, and Aurora's warmth made her feel very comfortable. Adeline had been alone for nearly two decades after the death of her child.
Although her parents wanted her to live with them in the Elven Capital, she insisted on living on her own and remained in Moss Village.
She spent her days taking care of the orphanage's children who had lost their parents after they died or went missing in Elysium.
Elves were a race that was highly sought out by Slave Traders due to their beauty and grace.
For this reason, they were not advised to travel alone in Elysium and to always travel with a group of their own kind.
It was because Adeline refused to do this in the past that led to her being captured and auctioned away.
Fortunately, the one who bought her, Vincent, was not a bad person.
This saved her from suffering a fate worse than death, which was becoming the plaything of a Noble who would show her off to his friends like a trophy during the day and use her as a bed warmer at night.
Vincent would often sleep with her every night, but he never forced her to do anything. At most, he would only hug her like a pillow and fall asleep in a minute or two.
Perhaps, missing her beloved, Adeline wrapped her arms around Aurora and pulled her close.
The young lady was in a deep sleep, but she still burrowed her head subconsciously into Adeline's chest because it felt soft and smelled good.
'I know that it is impossible, but I can't help thinking about it,' Adeline thought as she hugged the young lady in his arms. 'I don't want to hope, but if Lux is truly my son, then… Aurora is my future daughter-in-law.'
Adeline's gaze softened as she looked at the young lady in his arms. She had been touched when Aurora lent her shoulder for her to cry on earlier, and it gave her a good impression of the young lady.
A few minutes later, Adeline closed her eyes to sleep.
She dreamed of enjoying a picnic with Lux and Aurora as if they were truly a family.
The beautiful Elf wasn't aware that, despite the fact that she was having a good dream, tears streamed down her eyes in the real world, soaking Aurora's hair with the warmth of her tears.
A few hours later…
Adeline woke up feeling refreshed.
It had been many years since she last felt like this, and she knew that this was thanks to her two guests who were currently staying inside her house.
The smell of something delicious reached her nose, making her stomach growl in response.
Aurora, who was still sleeping a few seconds ago, opened her eyes and looked at Adeline in a daze.
A second later, the beautiful Elf's stomach growled a second time, making her face turn beet red due to embarrassment.
"Good morning, Aurora," Adeline said in order to hide the fact that her stomach was growling. "Did you have a good sleep?"
"Yes," Aurora replied with a smile. "I slept well since it felt like I was sleeping with my deceased mother. It felt good."
Adeline felt sad after hearing that Aurora's mother was no longer in this world. It triggered her maternal instincts, making her kiss the young lady's forehead before patting her head affectionately.
"Then why don't you always sleep beside me from this point onwards?" Adeline proposed. "That way, both of us will be able to get a good night's sleep together."
"Sounds good," Aurora smiled. "I'd love that."
Adeline was about to say more, but her stomach chose this opportunity to complain a third time, making the words she was about to say stop in her throat.
At that moment, the two ladies heard someone knocking on the door.
"Breakfast is ready," Lux said. "Come and get it."
The two beautiful ladies glanced at each other and smiled.
They then got out of bed and joined Lux to eat breakfast.
"I didn't know you were a good cook, Lux," Adeline said. "This is wonderful."
Lux chuckled because he knew that Adeline was just exaggerating.
He merely cooked sunny side up eggs and cured meat, so there was nothing special about it.
After eating breakfast, Adeline took Aurora to a nearby spring so they could bathe together.
Lux stayed in the house and waited for the two ladies to finish.
He wasn't in a hurry to leave Moss Village because he decided to stay one more day before returning to Elysium.
Aurora looked very happy to spend time with Adeline, so he decided to let them enjoy each other's company for the time being.
Technically, the beautiful Elf would become Aurora's mother-in-law once the two of them got married.
He thought that this was a good idea for the two of them to form a bond early, nurturing their future relationship as in-laws.
After a night of thinking, Lux finally decided to embrace the identity that was granted to him by Fate.
While it was true that he wasn't really Adeline's child, the fact remained that his vessel belonged to her baby.
He even felt that the remnant spirit of Adeline's child, which still lingered inside his body, wished for him to take over his identity and become the beautiful Elf's family.
He didn't really sleep and simply meditated all night, trying to better understand how he should proceed with his relationship with Adeline.
At first, he only wanted to see her to bring closure to his past. But after hearing her story, he knew that he couldn't stand idly and remain on the fence.
He was not the only one who wanted to look for closure.
Adeline was also looking for it.
She had lost her husband.
She had lost her child.
And now, she spent her days in solitude.
For a long-lived race, this kind of lifestyle was considered torture.
Nearly two decades had passed, yet Adeline was still unable to let go of the two people she had lost.
If she truly had the ability to move on, by now, she would have already remarried and formed a new family.
But, she didn't do that.
She clung to the feelings inside her heart, making her unable to find happiness in life.
A sigh escaped Lux's lips as he leaned on the sofa and closed his eyes. He had already made his choice, and he would abide by his decision.
At that exact moment, Asmodeus' voice reached his ears.
"Master, I have a report to make," Asmodeus said.
"Okay," Lux replied.
The Lich King then began to tell him all the information that he had gathered in Elysium, making the Half-Elf frown.
"That's the end of my report, Master," Asmodeus stated. "But I will continue to gather information."
"Good job, Asmodeus." Lux commended his loyal servant. "We'll be there in a day or two. So, continue your mission."
"Yes, Master."
Asmodeus said nothing more as he returned to his undercover work in the Fynn Kingdom.
