Crimson Like A Rose 🌹 [Tcf x Wmmap]

Chapter 2: ♥ First Embrace ♥

Calix woke up from his nap and finally began to process what had happened. Wait a minute... am I a baby? He thought, holding his tiny hand up in disbelief. Ugh—why does this always happen to me? he thought miserably before someone walked in. The familiar sensation returned as two strong arms gently wrapped around him, pulling him into a warm embrace.

Calix's eyes slowly drifted up, meeting the gaze of the person holding him. His heart skipped a beat. The eyes staring back at him were so bright, so intense, they seemed to pierce right through him. They sparkled, like precious jewels. How could someone's eyes hold so much beauty, so much warmth? It was almost too much to take in.

"Calix," the voice came softly, as if trying to calm him, to reassure him.

The name echoed in his mind, but confusion overtook him. He stared blankly at the man, his mind struggling to piece together the meaning of it all. Who was this? Why did his voice sound so familiar, so... comforting? His dense, unfeeling nature kept him from recognizing the truth—his father.

The man's voice trembled as he spoke again, almost as if he needed to hear the words himself, as though the reality of it all was too much to accept.

"My son," he whispered, his words soft but heavy with something deeper—something like a plea.

Calix's world came to a halt. The words hit him like a punch to the gut—sharp, unexpected, and heavy. His heart ached in a way he had never known. Never in his life had he heard those words directed at him. He had always been cast aside, overlooked, like a shadow. Not as Kim Rook Soo, abandoned and unloved, and certainly not as Cale; his existence had been one of isolation, hiding behind walls he had built to protect himself.

Hadn't he already created a family of sorts—bonds that felt real, even if they were born from a body that wasn't truly his own?

He paused, lost in thought, grappling with the weight of the unfamiliar words, trying to comprehend what it meant to be truly acknowledged by a father.

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𝓢𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓪𝓵 𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓼 𝓵𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓻 ...

The room was bathed in the soft glow of candlelight, casting long shadows on the walls. Claude sat at the edge of his bed, holding his son—his son—close to his chest. The baby's tiny form was impossibly fragile in his large hands, but for once, the great king found peace in such small things.  

Isabella, still resting beside him, was nestled under a thick blanket, her features softened by sleep. The light from the fire caught her hair, making it seem like a halo around her head. Claude couldn't help but smile. In that moment, everything felt more real, more like a family than he had ever known.

He reached over gently and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, his touch lingering for a moment longer than necessary. Isabella's eyes fluttered open, and she looked up at him with a sleepy smile.

"Are you sure you're alright?" she asked softly, her voice thick with exhaustion but filled with concern. "You've been up with him all evening."

Claude nodded, though he couldn't find the words to explain how this moment, this new reality, had shifted something inside him. "I'm fine. Just... adjusting," he said quietly, as if he could barely comprehend the change himself. He glanced down at Calix again, who had settled into a peaceful slumber in his arms. "He's perfect," he whispered, almost in awe.

 Isabella's eyes lingered on Calix, then shifted back to Claude, her voice soft but steady. "He is," she agreed, her smile a gentle curve. "And so are you."

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𝓕𝓵𝓪𝓼𝓱𝓫𝓪𝓬𝓴 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓵𝓲𝓮𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓭𝓪𝔂...

The door to Claude's chambers opened with a soft creak, and in strode Felix Robane, his usual confident stride tempered by the seriousness of the task at hand. He gave a respectful bow, his bright red hair falling slightly over his brow.

"Felix, what's the situation?" Claude asked, not bothering to look up. His attention was fixed on the papers before him, but his mind was elsewhere, already preoccupied with the mounting threats.

"It's worse than we thought, Your Majesty. Reports from the border villages indicate an organized group. We're dealing with more than just simple bandits. These intruders seem to be getting bolder."

Claude leaned back in his chair, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'll deal with this personally. I want you to scout the Wყƚԋҽʅɱσσɾ village at dawn. Find out everything you can. If they're not just rumors, we need to take action quickly."

Felix nodded, his expression serious. "Of course, Your Majesty."

But as Felix turned to leave, his eyes fell on the small figure in Claude's arms. He stopped in his tracks, his usual confidence faltering for a moment.

Felix's heart fluttered as he looked at Calix, peacefully asleep, his tiny face so calm and innocent that, for a moment, Felix couldn't help but feel a wave of baby fever.

Claude noticed Felix's lingering gaze and, without even looking up, gave him a pointed glare. "Felix," he said, his voice low and commanding. "You're ten steps away from crossing a line."

Felix snapped to attention, taking a few quick steps back. "My apologies, Your Majesty. I didn't mean to overstep."

Claude's eyes never left Felix as he added, his tone teasing but sharp, "I'm warning you, Felix. No one gets too close."

Felix gave a sheepish grin, scratching the back of his head. "Understood, Your Majesty," he said, before offering a final, respectful bow and stepping out of the room.

Claude's gaze softened as he looked back down at Calix, his son. 

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Hey everyone! ♥

This chapter mainly focuses on Claude and his growing bond with his family, mainly Calix. I tried to show the dynamic of the family. Next chapter will hopefully focus more on Calix adjusting to his new life. Hope you enjoyed!

By the way, I'm still trying to figure out how to incorporate Athanasia into the plot; Should I make her evil? Feel free to comment down any ideas you have. 

*Note: I know this chapter is short, but I'm currently focusing on my studies. Hopefully, I'll be able to write longer chapters soon!

 -ᑎᶤ𝓰Ĥт𝐟𝔞𝕃𝐋 ⓞù𝓣 ✌★