What Became of the Tyrant After the Pregnant Empress Left - Chapter 101
Unlike the couple, who had delayed their first meal, Mikael needed to have at least a simple lunch. Fortunately, there were plenty of leftover fruits from breakfast, so it was decided he would eat those. The problem arose when Ysaris stepped out for a moment, saying she had some errands to attend to.
“…”
“…”
Across the modest table, red eyes met red eyes in silence. Having exchanged nothing more than awkward nods during their first meeting, both Kazhan and Mikael found themselves in an uneasy situation.
Or rather, the discomfort was entirely on Kazhan’s side. Mikael, for his part, seemed perfectly content chewing on the fruit, staring at Kazhan with an expression free of thought or concern.
Watching the child with a mix of awkwardness and resignation, Kazhan finally broke the silence.
“I’m your father.”
“…?”
Munch, munch.
Mikael, his cheeks puffed with fruit, didn’t respond. He simply blinked his large, childlike eyes and stared at Kazhan.
Doubting whether the boy had understood, Kazhan tried again.
“I’m your father. Call me Father.”
Munch, munch. Gulp.
Mikael swallowed the mouthful he’d been working on, and for a moment, it seemed as though he might respond. Instead, the boy ignored Kazhan entirely, reaching for another piece of fruit. He was too absorbed in eating to acknowledge the man speaking to him.
“This little…”
‘Is he deliberately ignoring me? He seemed to talk just fine with Ysaris.’
Kazhan’s brow furrowed slightly as he glared at Mikael. To a child not yet two years old, it might have been an intimidating look that would bring on tears. But Mikael wasn’t even looking at him, rendering the gesture futile.
“Nom!”
The boy grasped a fruit nearly as big as his fist in his tiny hands and bit into it with enthusiasm. Its soft, ripe texture and sweet, tangy flavor seemed to completely captivate him.
Munch, munch.
Kazhan could only watch in half-defeated silence as Mikael continued eating with gusto. He had hoped to accomplish something during Ysaris’ absence, but the boy was so fixated on the fruit that any attempt at conversation was impossible.
“…You eat well, at least.”
He takes after Ysaris in that regard, it seems. And judging by how neatly he’s picking out the seeds, he’s smart, too.
Kazhan observed Mikael closely, marveling at how much the boy resembled Ysaris. Despite inheriting the bloodline of Tennilath, known for its predominantly black-haired descendants, Mikael’s platinum blond hair was striking.
His development, however, was peculiar. By Kazhan’s calculations, Mikael was around 15 to 18 months old, yet he was smaller than expected, and his speech was still unclear. He reminded Kazhan of his own younger brother, who had passed away before turning one.
“Is this normal?”
It seemed Mikael hadn’t inherited Tennilath’s characteristic rapid growth. He was simply Ysaris’ child—a fact that encapsulated everything about him.
Perhaps that’s why Ysaris seems so deeply attached to him.
Kazhan thought back to earlier moments, recalling Ysaris’ overwhelming affection for Mikael. She had been distant toward Kazhan, but with Mikael, her love and devotion were unreserved.
Even before retrieving Mikael, it was obvious how much Ysaris cared for him. It was also clear how she acted when she truly loved someone.
That realization left Kazhan with a sense of loss.
“I don’t love you anymore, Cain.”
Ysaris had meant it. She had truly let go of her love for Cain.
Or perhaps it wasn’t entirely accurate to say she’d let it go—he had shattered it himself.
Though their newly defined relationship had started on a decent note, Kazhan understood it wasn’t because of him. If Ysaris had freed herself from the nightmares he had caused, she would have treated anyone else just as she treated him now.
Just like back in her academy days.
“Did you two manage to talk?”
“Ysaris.”
Kazhan turned his head at her voice, snapping out of his thoughts. She was walking toward them slowly, her face slightly contorted from the effort it took to move with her injuries.
“When we return to Uzephia, I’ll make sure you get stronger painkillers.”
“We’re not leaving for a few more days. By then, it’ll probably be better,” she replied, shaking her head as if to brush off his concern. Ysaris sat down between her husband and son, taking her place at the center.
“You’ve eaten a lot already, Mikael. Do you like it?”
“Mhm.”
Mikael nodded with his mouth full of fruit. It was a stark contrast to his interaction with Kazhan earlier.
For some reason, Kazhan felt slightly annoyed. His eyebrows twitched as he watched the mother and son exchange smiles, neither sparing him a glance.
