"Let them go. There's no point in taking the life of a crippled child.He poses no threat to the nation or humanity anymore," Adam finally announced.
The crowd collectively exhaled in relief.Katerina's brief, devastating display of power — sending two cardinals flying with a single strike — had left a lasting impression.Her earlier promise to hunt down every citizen of the Province of Light if provoked again sent chills down the spines of the gathered nobles, who had always put their own interests above all else.
Of course, the revelation about the prophecy had unsettled them too.In a world where magic ruled and gods walked among mortals, fate was not something to be taken lightly.But that was a problem for the distant future — a problem for all of humanity to debate.For now, hadn't they already crippled the child of darkness?Surely that was enough, right?Right?
Why risk pulling a tiger's whiskers any further — especially a tiger ready to fight to the death?
Even the thought sent shivers down their spines.
Hearing Adam's decision, Katerina finally exhaled.She had to prioritize the safety of her children above all else.
Only after reaching a secure place would she allow herself to think through the implications of the prophecy — a prophecy she had only just heard about today.
It gnawed at her.Not because she doubted her son — never — but because she understood the gravity of the situation they now faced.
Just yesterday, everything was fine.Today, they had been declared enemies of an entire race — without ever having done anything wrong.
In this mad world, no one would blame the Church for attacking an innocent child.She could already imagine tomorrow's headlines:
"The Church of Holy Light Prevents the Birth of the Devil Who Would End Humanity!"
"Princess Grace and Prince Gray: The Tale of the Saint and the Demon Twin."
"The Mother Who Sheltered the Spawn of Darkness: The Final Revelations."
Just thinking about it made Katerina realize one thing:They had to run.Far.And fast.
Where to?It didn't matter.They just had to get out of the capital.
Her keen senses remained alert to the crowd's movements when she heard the beating of wings.
A massive white owl, its wings spanning over four meters, swooped toward the altar.
"Snowy, I'm counting on you again.Cassia, stay close," Katerina commanded, swiftly climbing onto the owl's snowy back.
Carefully cradling her wounded son, she helped Cassia up as the maid held the unconscious Grace tightly.
"From this moment, I renounce the name Starlight," Katerina declared coldly."There is nothing left between us, Adam.Don't search for me — next time we meet, it will only be for your death."
Those were the last words Adam heard from his third wife as he watched her disappear into the skies — a shrinking white dot against the heavens.
"Eva," he muttered, his voice melancholic, "did we do the right thing?"
"Yes, my king," Eva replied firmly."The will of the gods is law.We cannot allow the prophecy to unfold.We may not have eradicated the threat entirely, but we've done our part in identifying and neutralizing it.The rest must be left to all the leaders of humanity.Katerina, blinded by her selfishness, refuses to see the bigger picture."
"You're right..." Adam murmured."What about Alaric and Fulvius?"
"They're being treated.Their lives aren't in danger, but full recovery will take time, even with the aid of light magic," Eva answered before hesitating slightly."My king, are we truly going to let her go?Shouldn't we send a tracking party?"
"It's pointless, dear," Adam said bitterly."From the moment she took flight, we had no hope of catching her.Her snow owl — it's no ordinary beast.Only the gods know how she tamed it."
"Send news of today's ceremony to the other leaders of humanity.We must gauge their reactions," he ordered grimly.
Meanwhile, soaring further and further from the capital, the small family was wrapped in heavy silence.
Gray stared blankly at his mother and sister.He hadn't fully grasped their situation yet, but he understood enough.
He had ruined their lives simply by existing.
Because of him, they had to flee their home.Because of him, they were now fugitives.
"Mama... Sister... I'm sorry," he croaked hoarsely, coughing up blood.
"Little brother, you're not allowed to talk!" scolded Grace, tears still streaming down her face after everything they'd endured.
"She's right, Gray.Don't you dare apologize," Katerina said firmly, her voice full of love and pain."If anyone is at fault, it's me.What kind of mother am I, that I couldn't protect my children?If you want to make us happy, then rest and heal.We don't care what the world thinks of you.We are a family — and family always comes first.In sickness or health, we will always stand by each other.Do you understand?"
Gray didn't answer — but tears streamed down his blue eyes, finally letting his bottled-up emotions flow free.
No three-year-old child wants to die.Gray had endured everything out of fear.And that fear had only grown worse when he heard about the prophecy — about being called a child of darkness.
He had been terrified his mother would abandon him.
But her gentle, unwavering words shattered the dam inside him.He sobbed into her chest, clinging desperately to her warmth.
"Mama, where are we going?" Grace piped up suddenly, trying to change the gloomy mood.
"Somewhere they'll never find us, sweetheart," Katerina answered softly."Somewhere safe.We'll live like before — just the three of us and Cassia.Far from civilization.Does that sound good?"
"Mhm! Mama, I'll train hard and protect you and brother!I'll become super strong!"The little white-haired girl puffed out her tiny chest proudly.
Children's moods shift quickly — and Grace's innocent, determined smile lightened the heavy hearts of mother and son.
Gray managed a weak smile through his tears and leaned back into his mother's embrace, allowing her healing magic to continue its work.
The pain was unbearable — but knowing how much they loved him, he allowed himself to relax at last.
Slowly, he drifted into a deep sleep, silently praying that all of this was just a terrible nightmare.
That when he woke up, he would still be safe in the loving arms of his mother and sister.
To soothe her children, Katerina, sitting upon the soft snowy feathers of the owl, began to sing — her voice delicate and clear as a silver bell, overflowing with all the love and pain in her heart:
*"I close my eyes,Feel the snow upon my lips,A tear of joy turned ice,Only frost kisses my cheeks...
I know winter remembers,I know I too shall remember.I will cherish it all without exception,Every awkward meeting,Every trembling of the heart,Every innocent dream...
I'll find a quiet corner,Somewhere deep within forest roads,Where every petal belongs to me alone.I'll disappear for a long, long time,And stick my tongue out at fate."*
Listening to their mother's sweet song, echoing gently through the sky, Grace drifted deeper into her dreams.
She too was exhausted.
It had been a day filled with emotions her small heart wasn't ready for.
She had been a good girl.She had listened to Mama.She had protected her brother the best she could.
Now, snuggling against her mother's waist — careful not to disturb Gray — she let herself relax.
Mumbling sleepily, she whispered as she surrendered to sleep:
"Little brother... you lost the bet... now get better quickly..."
Seeing her children asleep, Katerina spoke quietly — perhaps to Cassia, sitting close by, or perhaps just to herself:
"Is this... the man I fell in love with?The one I gave my heart to?And this is what I receive in return?"
"Years of loneliness with only my children for company.An attempt on our son's life.Adam, I expected many things from you — but not this."
"Rest assured.This isn't over.I will have my revenge.Mark my words, Adam —I will have my revenge."