Running Away with the Elf Prince's Baby!

Chapter 13: Where Will I Be?

"You can do it Lucius!" Jill cheered in the night.

She was kneeling down on the wooden floor with open arms. Royce was leaning against the door while Ashera was behind Lucius, holding her arms out to catch Lucius just in case if he falls. The young boy's stance was wobbly, but he was trying his best to take another step.

Ashera patiently guided the boy to take another step without fear, since she could easily sense the boy's fear. "Mama's behind you, she won't let you fall."

With just those comforting words from his mother's sweet voice, Lucius took a step, Ashera following closely. He takes another step, then another, until he finally reached Jill by stumbling towards her with content laughter.

"You did it Lucius!"

Jill engulfs Lucius in a tight hug, lifting him up in the air and spinning him around. After a good spin, Jill puts Lucius back on the floor. Lucius holds onto her legs to balance himself, but his gaze was stuck on Royce.

Royce raises an eyebrow at him and Lucius pulls away from Jill.

"Pa..." Lucius calls and wobbles his way over to Royce. Royce says nothing, his eyes following Lucius' movements. Ashera is close behind, hands ready to swoop him just in case. However Ashera didn't need to worry that much. Lucius was getting the hang of it after all and successfully latched onto Royce's leg.

Lucius rests his chin on Royce's leg, looking up to the man with an expectant gaze.

Want to be praised, hm? Royce lifts Lucius and rubs his head gently.

"He likes being carried by you." Ashera comments.

"And I still don't get why." Royce sighs, but he sounded fond and amused.

"Papa! Nice! Nice!"

To translate, Lucius likes to say nice when he likes something or someone, its his way of expressing his love and comfort. Being in his family's presence calms him and makes him feel safe.

"Mama! Jill! Nice! Nice!" Lucius laughs. "Papa! Play!"

Ashera chuckles and shakes her head, taking Lucius away. "It's time for bedtime, Lucius."

"No! Papa! Play!"

"..."

Royce shakes his head. "Get to bed young man, we'll play tomorrow."

"Tomo...?"

"Yes, tomorrow."

Lucius looks at his mother. "Yes, Lucius. Papa will play with you when you wake up. So you have to sleep to have energy to play with papa, hm?"

"Mama...Un." Lucius nods.

Ashera presses a kiss on Lucius' forehead and leaves Jill's room after saying good night. After putting Lucius to bed, Ashera leaves her room and walks to Royce's office. The man should be there by now. With three gentle knocks, she enters Royce's office.

"What brings you here?" Royce asked.

He was on the sofa, reading a document.

"Are you busy?"

"No." Royce says, putting the document aside. "It's nothing, I was just reviewing the payments for today."

"I see."

"Sit with me." Royce says, moving aside to create space for Ashera to sit.

"E-Eh?"

Royce says nothing and pats the empty spot beside him thrice. Ashera was a bit flustered, but took a seat beside Royce.

"So what did you wish to talk about?"

Ashera took a deep breath and answered.

"Where will I be?"

"Pardon?"

"In the future I mean."

"You'll be with Lucius, Jill and me. Where else would you be?" Royce simply answered and placed his palm on top of Ashera's head. Royce's words made Ashera feel an unfamiliar beat. It was warm and reassuring. "Are you still worried about getting caught?

"No, it's just that...In the future. I have made a decision that I want Lucius to know the truth. We can't avoid hiding it from him after all, he'll get curious as to why you look different..."

"I know."

"What if he wants to meet his father?" Ashera panicked.

With a blank face, he replied.

"Just say he's dead."

"R-Royce!"

"Or missing."

Ashera sighs.

"Hey." Royce calls, pulling his hand away from Ashera's head to place it on top of Ashera's hand. "Just like I told you before, just focus on now. It's too early for you to be thinking of things like that. Your kid is still a few months old, he won't just suddenly ask you the next day and stumble his way to his father. What if he doesn't want to meet him?"

"...You're right." Ashera nods.

"I know that you want to be prepared for what's to come in the future." Royce says, "But just let it flow naturally and see how Lucius comes to be. It'll be his decision in the end after all and his choice in what he would like to do with the information."

"..."

"And whatever he decides, I know he can handle it."

"How are you so sure about that?"

"You're his mother."

"..." Ashera's eyes widen.

"You're raising him well, Ashera." Royce says, a rare smile shown on his face. His gaze so gentle and soft that Ashera felt something inside her melt. Royce gives Ashera a comforting squeeze and continued. "Lucius can feel that and look how he is now. The smiling and sunny Lucius is who he is today and beyond because of the love you poured into that boy."

"..."

"Don't cry."

"I-I'm not!"

"And like I said, no matter what happens...I'll be there for the both of you."

"Why?" Ashera asks and Royce looks at her, slightly surprised. "Why are you doing so much for Lucius and I? I don't...understand."

Royce didn't know how it happened himself. He doesn't logically understand why he's willing to do so much for the mother and son pair. Was it because he pitied them? No, it's not that. He never once pitied Ashera and Lucius for their situation, instead he felt proud and inspired. Ashera was such a strong individual for carrying so much. Was it that? Was it...

"To protect the light."

"Eh? What do you mean?"

A small tender laugh leaves Royce's lips, leaving Ashera in awe.

Royce didn't want to see that beautiful light diminish.

So whatever he had to do as man of darkness, he'll always be their shadow to shine over.

That's the decision he made.

"You'll understand in the future." Royce smiles. "And so will I."

~~~~~~~~~

Hello everyone!

Where will they be in the future? Whew, with so much happening from so many sides, I'm so excited to publish the next chapters and show what happened with Lily too! This chapter also focuses a bit on Royce's feeling and I wonder how all of you will react to it, hehe~

Did you guys enjoy this chapter? I hope so! Thank you so much for reading Running Away with the Elf Prince's Baby! Thank you for the views, votes, comments and support! I want all of you to know that it really means a lot to me and I'll continue to do my best to bring out more content!

Thank you so much for reading and I'll see all of you in the next chapter!