“Angel?”
Before I could react, he threw his arms around my neck and hugged me tightly.
“Hey—easy,” I murmured, instinctively catching him so he wouldn’t fall. “What’s wrong?”
He buried his face against my shoulder.
“I knew my angel would come back,” he whispered sleepily. “Mama said my angel would return.”
A strange chill crept along my spine.
Still, the child didn’t seem afraid.
Only desperate.
I lifted him carefully into my arms.
“Alright,” I said gently. “Where are your parents?”
He pointed toward a towering stone building nearby.
My brows knit together.
It was the same place Lily had mentioned.
Confused but concerned, I carried him inside.
---
Moments later, a servant rushed toward us in alarm.
“Young Master!” she exclaimed. “Your father has been searching everywhere for you!”
She tried to take him from my arms.
The boy immediately tightened his hold around my neck.
“Don’t force him,” I said calmly. “Just tell me where his father is.”
The woman hesitated… then nodded reluctantly.
She led me through several long corridors before stopping at a massive office door.
Raised voices echoed inside.
The servant visibly paled.
“You may go in,” she said quickly before hurrying away.
I knocked.