The Prince and His Loyal Hound

Caelan walked through the palace gardens — the vast, overgrown section that nearly resembled a forest. The air was quiet, filtered through tall hedges and twisting trees, but she knew exactly where to look.

There.

Behind one of the old sycamore trees, crouched low with his back to her, was Lucian.

"Your Highness," Caelan called out — her voice calm but firm.

Lucian didn't respond. His small shoulders stiffened, and he sniffled softly, hiding further behind the trunk like a sulking cat.

Caelan let out a slow breath.

He looked like a little chick — small, ruffled, and utterly defeated.

She approached and crouched beside him, leg protesting from her still-healing wounds.

"Lucian," she said gently this time.

His head turned slightly, but not enough to face her.

"You misunderstood," she continued, keeping her voice low and steady. "You can call me father… but only under one condition."

Lucian whipped around, eyes wide and rimmed red from crying.

"What condition?" he asked, voice breaking with a hiccup.

Caelan offered a faint smile.

"You only call me that when we're alone."

"But—!" Lucian's lip wobbled. "I want everyone to know I have a cool father like you!"

Tears spilled freely down his cheeks again, his voice rising with emotion. "You protect me! You teach me! You're always there! I want the whole palace to know you're mine!"

Caelan's expression faltered — the kind of falter only someone fighting back a thousand emotions could make.

Lucian kept his head low, long blond hair falling like a curtain over his teary face. His small hands balled into fists against his knees, shoulders trembling with every sniffle.

Caelan watched him, heart tight in her chest.

"But then…" she started carefully, her voice soft, "His Majesty might feel sad—"

Lucian's head snapped up, red-rimmed eyes flashing.

"Then what about how I feel?!"

His voice cracked, thick with frustration and heartbreak.

"I've only ever seen him once! He doesn't talk to me, doesn't even look at me! But I see you every day! You protect me, you teach me things… You even let me stay near you."

Caelan opened her mouth to speak, but hesitated.

"You make me feel like I belong," Lucian added, voice dropping into a quiet plea. "And that's more than anyone else ever did…"

Then he looked away again, biting his lip.

"Forget it," he muttered. "Mama was right… no one loves me like she does. I'll just go follow her. She wants me."

Caelan's breath caught. She reached out and gently grasped his arm — not tightly, but firmly enough to keep him from rising.

"Lucian," she said softly, but clearly, "you can call me father."

He froze, blinking at her through strands of golden hair.

"You can call me that anytime you want," Caelan continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just… not in front of His Majesty. That's the only condition."

Lucian's lips quivered. "So… I can?"

Caelan gave a small, pained smile, brushing a few damp strands of hair behind his ear.

"Yes. You can," she said. "Just… don't go, alright?"

Lucian's eyes brimmed with new tears — but softer ones this time.

"And Lucian…" Caelan added, steady and quiet. "I do love you. A whole lot."

Lucian broke down all at once — a choked sob bursting from his throat as he lunged into Caelan's arms.

She caught him with a soft grunt, one arm wrapping protectively around his back while the other cradled the back of his head.

"It's okay…" she whispered, rubbing slow circles across his trembling shoulders. "You're okay…"

His small frame shook against hers as he wept, face buried into the crook of her neck, warm tears soaking into the collar of her tunic.

Caelan held him close, saying nothing more — but her mind whispered with thoughts she couldn't silence.

If Sakino truly loved him… why does he always feel so unloved?

What kind of love did that woman show him, for her child to look so broken?

But Caelan didn't speak those thoughts aloud. She simply gathered the boy into her arms, lifting him carefully as she rose to her feet, ignoring the dull ache in her leg and back. Lucian clung to her without hesitation, like a kitten terrified of being put down.

She adjusted her hold, hand gently supporting his back.

And then, softly — almost like he was testing the weight of the word — Lucian murmured, "Father?"

"Yes?" Caelan replied, voice calm and steady.

Lucian's face crumpled all over again. "I-I lobe uu…"

His words slurred through a sob, but Caelan understood.

She pressed a quiet kiss to the top of his golden head.

"I love you too, Lucian," she said. "Always."

And with that, she carried him back toward the palace — toward warmth, safety, and the love he'd always longed for.

By the time Caelan reached the main corridor, Lucian was fast asleep in her arms — breath soft and shallow, golden hair sticking to his damp cheeks.

Sorina, the young maid, came rushing toward them, eyes wide with worry. "Sir Grey—! His Highness—" she began, only to stop when she saw Lucian peacefully asleep against Caelan's shoulder.

"He's alright," Caelan said quietly, shifting the boy's weight slightly. "Just tired."

Sorina nodded quickly, clearly relieved. Caelan crouched slightly, carefully passing Lucian into her arms.

"Make sure he rests," she added. "And maybe give him something warm to eat once he wakes."

"Yes, of course," Sorina said with a deep bow before hurrying off, cradling Lucian as if he were porcelain.

Caelan remained for a moment, watching them disappear down the corridor — her expression unreadable — before turning on her heel and making her way back to the training grounds.

The moment she arrived, the familiar sarcasm greeted her like clockwork.

"So…" Ryeon said, sidling up beside her with a cautious smile. "You're a father now?"

Caelan let out a deep, exasperated sigh as she rolled her shoulder, already turning toward the weapons rack. "If I get beheaded for this, the squad is yours now. Try not to let them burn the palace down."

Ryeon gave a half-laugh, half-gasp. "Noted, Commander Dad."