A month passes by after the birth of my healthy baby boy. After Lussios showed up with the both of us in his strong arms at the gates, we were quickly escorted inside. At least that's what I was told by one of the wet nurses in the birth center I've been staying in. Supposedly, I was on the verge of bleeding out before I was taken here for care.

Since then, I've yet to see Lussios' beautiful mug.

The pale child in my arms wiggles around before his big blue eyes open. This one has taken splendidly after his father with a vast ocean in his half-lidded gaze. I want to touch the tuft of red hair on his head, but I still have first time parent jitters.

What if I make him uncomfortable?

What if I touch his soft spot too hard?

What if I give him a cold?

"Have you decided on a name yet?" Leera has quickly become my favorite wet nurse in the past month.

One thing I had to quickly realize while here was that this world is much more similar to my old world than I thought it was. Like on my earth, birthing is oftentimes like a chore here. Aristocratic women will have babies because it's part of their duty, but they disregard motherhood completely. While old money nobles hire in nannies or pass down nannies throughout generations, new money nobles send their newborn babies to birthing centers. It's not common for the mothers to stay as well, but there are some who do take pride in becoming mothers.

Shaking my head, I glance up at the short but busty women. "It's much harder than I thought it would be to think of a name."

I've tried countless times to wrack my inherited memories, but despite the old Chrysanthy loving this child, she had failed to think of a name for him. It's clear to see that she had assumed once the child was born, Callum would take interest in her once again. Though with my short time in this life, I don't think that would have been the case.

"Ah, it might be good to start asking for help then," Leera says. She takes the seat next to me, the old wood creaking under her. "Many new mothers ask for suggestions... if you understand my drift."

So the aristocracy even allows for others to name their children. That shouldn't come as a surprise to me, but it does. It makes my heart twinge at just the thought of some other woman naming my child. Nevertheless, I give Leera a smile for her suggestion. She's just trying to help.

"I think something will come to me soon."

Leera and I delve in conversation a little longer before she's called away for a feeding. Once again, I'm left alone with my child and an empty room with multiple chairs and tables. The common room is often vacant as most women leave their babies here for months. But lately, I've enjoyed the alone time that I have.

It's only when my thoughts venture to unpleasant things that I wish this place was bustling.

The last couple of nights, my mind has been occupied with what will happen when I return to Torbum. I didn't leave with the best circumstances, so now that the child is here, I can't imagine things will be better.

"I only want you to be raised in a safe and loving environment," I whisper to the sleeping child. He's still at the age where sleeping, eating, and pooping is the only thing he has to worry about. But I'm always anticipating each moment he opens his eyes, knowing that it's only instinct that makes him comfortable in my arms. "If I have to... I'll travel to the ends of the earth to make sure you will have nothing to worry about. Even if that means fleeing Torbum for the rest of our lives."

Once I start to doze off, I get to my feet.​ Each step I take is a reminder that it's time for me to squeeze my breasts as they start to feel tender and full. That also means the child should be crying for food soon.

Each woman I pass, I give a friendly nod to. Some hold the hands of toddlers, some carrying babies, and some on their way to their next job. I haven't asked, but I wonder how long some of these children stay.

The hall begins to thin out as I round the corner down more private suites. Before Lussios completely disappeared, it seems he paid for me to stay in a private room on a nicer wing of the establishment. The list of things I have to thank him for just continues to grow.

Welcoming the bright interior of my room, I breathe in my familiar smell that's now mainly milk. Instantly, my shoulders relax as I step inside. So far, this has been my most comfortable moment since coming to this world. I'll be sad once it's time for me to leave.

I don't expect a tall figure to turn upon me stepping further into the room. Long black hair falls over broad shoulders and the light causes his skin to glow like gold. Amber eyes become even lighter in the presence of the sun. Perfect right teeth are revealed as he gives me a wide smile. This is a face I haven't seen in a solid month. This is also the face of my savior and the man who birthed my child.

"It seems you've been settling in well." Lussios strides over to me in only three steps. He keeps a comfortable distance away and briefly, his eyes move to the child in my arms. "So this is him. He's grown, even in the five weeks since his birth."

"He's been eating and sleeping well thanks to the place you've provided for us."

Lussios shakes his head, the smile still there. "I wouldn't be a man if I had left you to fend for yourself; both during and after birth." He places a hand onto my back in a silent urge. The two of us then walk to the bed in the center of the room.

"It seems you have something to say?" Rather than a statement, I can't help but give a silent question for why he's here. And why has he decided to come now?

"Yes, you're right." Lussios rubs his stubbled chin. Then the tip of a pink tongue darts out to lick pinking brown lips. "I wanted to tell you that I will be leaving Ganehan soon. My business has ended and now it's time for me to go."

Ganehan is a small kingdom located within the empire nation that is Torbum. The best way to describe the layout of this world is like saying Torbum is a continent. Within the continent of Torbum are many small kingdoms or countries. While each kingdom has a king, they still follow the absolute word of the emperor.

I've recently started to realize that Torbum is much like a totalitarian empire. Not much is taught to children of this empire about the outside world. Even to the nobles who attend the academy, they're mainly taught basic things about Torbum, politics, business, and other useless crap. I can only assume that once you've graduated from the academy, it's up to your family to teach you more about the world.

"You're leaving?" I ask in a small voice. I can't help the tears that well in my eyes upon hearing this news. Embarrassment wells in me as one breaks free and falls down my cheek. This is a man I barely know, yet I've somehow developed an emotional attachment to him all because he's been nice to me. Clearing my throat, I ask, "When will you leave?"

A warm hand wipes away my tears. Save for the cook in my palace and those I've met recently, this has been my most pleasant connection yet. I hadn't realized how vulnerable I had become, so it makes sense that I would grab onto any form of affection I could find.

"Tomorrow. I apologize for not being able to tell you sooner about my plans. But I think it will be best to get word to the capitol about everything that has happened." Lussios removes his hand from my face and sets it into his lap.

I had completely compartmentalized everything I had been through. Following the birth of the child, he has taken up my entire everything. There's been no time to question my almost death. A flood of questions begin to roll around in my head about everything, yet I can't seem to get any of the words out.

"Before I leave here, I'll make sure that your husband gets word about your whereabouts."

Metallic covers my tongue. Releasing my bottom lips, I wince as I realize I've bitten it hard enough to bleed. I don't want to go back to that horrid place. There's no telling what will happen to me or this infant if I return.

"Lussios-" I cut myself off.

Is it okay to ask this man to whisk me away?

"Please tell me." Two hands grab my cheeks this time. My head is lifted to meet the smoldering gaze of the man before me. "Tell me what you're thinking."

It's unexplainable why I feel like this, but I think this is a string of fate I need to tug on. Right now, this is the brightest light I can see and I know that if I don't follow it, I'll regret everything. Without another thought, I grab Lussios' hand that's on my cheek and squeeze it. With the child still in my other arm, even as my limb becomes numb, I know this is the right step.

"Please take me with you."

*Phew, sorry for a slightly late update. I hope this chap was better than the last. Just know this is a first draft and once the story is complete and I begin editing this baby, it'll be so much better!!*