Peace
Comfort
Safety
The things every child, every parent, and maybe every member of society wanted - a necessary want.
Even Aiden Cross craved, yearned and reached out for those things
They were within his grasp, yet so far from reach.
Asleep on her laps, her golden hair cascaded above his face, as her crimson eyes looked at him with warmth.
Asleep on Millia's lap, the peace, comfort, and safety Aiden had chased for years—ever since the day his brother died—finally slipped quietly into his arms, fragile and precious.
The torments, nightmares, and fear plaguing him seemed to vanish easily under her embrace
'So warm'
Aiden thought to himself
His eyes half asleep, his vision hazy and face swollen from intense sobbing
'Ah…'
His vision slowly returned.
The pieces began connecting in his mind
'I am lying down'
The woman's face gradually came into focus
'Mom…'
Aiden blinked once.
Paused.
Then he froze:
He was on his mother's lap
Jolting upright like a bolt, Aiden locked eyes with her for a split second before turning his head away in sheer embarrassment.
Millia's sapphire eyes stared at the embarrassed Aiden for a moment, scrutinizing him up and down.
Finally, she spoke
"I'm your mom, you don't have to act guarded"
Her voice carried a tone of sheer disappointment
"I know mum"
Aiden responded, his face beet red as he still averted his gaze from his mother
"So,"
*Tap Tap*
Millia tapped on her lap calmly, gesturing for him to lie back down
"Oh no"
"Why not?"
"It is kind of uncomfortable for me"
"Hmm"
Millia backed down, pouting slightly so Aiden could see
"….."
Aiden sighed
"So, what do you expect of me, Mom?"
*Slurp*
Aiden began sipping on his tea.
"Yum"
"Sweet right?"
Millia asked with a smile on her face
"Surprisingly so"
"Yeah, so what are your expectations?"
"Nothing"
Millia responded
Hearing her response, Aiden frowned slightly
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said son"
Aiden clutched his fists tightly at his mother's reply
"You insufferable child"
"I am asking about what are you going to do next?"
"….."
Silence enveloped the whole area.
'So that is what she meant'
Aiden understood
Yet—
No words could come out
Scratching his head furiously, one thing became abundantly clear
Aiden had not thought things through
'Was just thinking of going back to Dad as much as I hate it'
That was Aiden's initial thinking process
But‑
A puzzling question stuck with him: Would his father accept him?
A failure of a son, unfit to reach the pinnacle he could not reach while his brother who put in the effort died without reaching his full potential
Disgusting
That was Aiden only reply to such thought as his face twisted in disgust
Observing Aiden who was in a state of dilemma, Millia shook her head while smiling
'He really has not changed at all'
'Still a baby'
"Aiden, you have not really thought about this, have you?"
"No"
Aiden replied bowing his head in quiet shame
"Hah, I got it"
Millia said as she clapped her hands together with a smile on her face
"I have a solution"
"What is it, mum?"
"So, what of I personally ask Farris to train you"
"….."
Aiden gulped
"Sweat trickled down his face as Farris's name reached his ears""
Farris Ashworth
The head maid of the Cross Residence
Millia's right-hand woman who serves at her beck and call
Her ranking is on par with an expert, even capable of taking on a master head-on.
A Truly terrifying woman
"Aiden, everything ok?"
Millia asked as she looked at Aiden in worry
"Yeah"
"Would she accept a student like me?"
Aiden asked, curiosity shining in his eyes
"Of course, she would"
*Tap Tap*
Standing behind Aiden, Farris spoke up in a calm yet dignified tone
"You called, madam"
Aiden turned his head abruptly only for his gaze to meet Farris own head on
'When did she reappear'
'No killing intent nor did I even hear her footsteps'
'So scary'
Yet —
A question plagued at Aiden's mind
One that defied any sense of logic yet made his heart rate rise exponentially
One that put a smirk on his face
"Can I win in a spar against her?"
Aiden spoke calmly yet his voice betrayed as Millia and Farris both heard him
"Did you say something honey?"
Millia's words brought Aiden back to reality
"No"
"Before interruption, Farris I have a question for you?"
"Of course, ma"
"I would like to ask if you would personally train Aiden"
"Why do you ask?"
"He's a quick learner and I think that if he would like to survive any more in the future, he would need direction"
"Which is me, right"
Farris said fishing Millia's statement
A faint tug of smirk appeared on Millia's face at Farris words
"Sharp as usual"
"Thank you ma"
Farris turned her gaze to meet Aiden's own
'What?'
Aiden thought to himself but could not voice it out
"Meet me tomorrow morning"
"Yes"
Farris smirked before stepping away
*Thud*
"Why are you on your knees?"
"Get up"
The young girl stood up, her short white hair tied back in a simple ponytail.
Sweat trickled from her face, sliding down her skin and soaking into the collar of her shirt.
Her sapphire eyes burned with quiet determination as she spoke, her voice soft yet steady.
"I know, bastard"
"What did you say?"
"Nothing"
"Get ready then"
The instructor spoke calmly before pointing his wand at Seris
"Begin"
'Fucking kill me'