Chapter 114: What is my FUCKING Life?

As soon as they were far enough from any ears,

Ezra looked at Ricardo, who still wasn’t looking at him. Ricardo rubbed his forearm, his eyes red and sore from crying.

His hair and clothes were rumpled. He looked like a man whose world had collapsed, and to Ezra, that was true.

Because Ricardo’s wife had just died, and his daughters were taken, with no certainty that he would ever see them again.

’And here I am, wallowing in self-pity over what happened between me and that bastard, Kaelis,’ Ezra thought, sudden guilt piercing through his earlier frustration as he let out a quiet breath.

Ricardo was going through the worst pain imaginable.

“What did you want to speak to me about, Ricardo?” Ezra asked. He knew it was probably about his family, but he still asked just in case.

Ricardo still didn’t look at him, but he answered. “I just wanted to see how you were doing. I didn’t get a chance to speak to you because you passed out. His Highness was worried, and when I heard you were awake, you and the prince were gone.”

“Right…” Ezra said. “Well, I am more or less okay. I… you’re very kind for checking in on me, Ricardo, but you… Though I know I shouldn’t even ask… how are you?”

Ricardo let out a small, mirthless laugh. “I’m okay, I think. Well, every time I close my eyes, I see my wife die.”

Ezra winced slightly, his own discomfort briefly surfacing as Ricardo spoke so bluntly about his pain.

No amount of knight training could prepare him for this. He had been taught to regulate his own emotions, not to handle someone else’s grief.

“…I can hear my daughters’ screams. I always think if I turn, I’ll see them,” Ricardo said as he wiped his face with his hands.

“Ricardo, I’m…” Ezra started. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t—”

“I don’t blame you,” Ricardo said, still not looking at him, which made it harder for Ezra to believe.

But again, it was understandable.

“As I told the prince, I don’t blame either of you. He admitted he suspected we would be cornered, but just like him… I didn’t mind at the time either. I wanted to find out who destroyed our home,” Ricardo said. “I didn’t think we would be outnumbered or that you would lose. After all, he is a prince, and you… You’re the Crimson Fae.”

Ricardo let out another small laugh.

“I should have remembered that you’re human too. The prince may have golden blood, but he can still bleed. I… who am I to blame you? I couldn’t even protect my own family. Lanie died… fighting. She died a fighter. I almost turned into one of those things…”

“You can’t blame yourself,” Ezra said. “You were in shock. There was too much happening.”

“Right… Prince Kaelis said the same thing,” Ricardo replied. “He said, at least I’m still alive to find my daughters.”

“That’s right,” Ezra nodded. “You can still find them. Especially now that Prince Kaelis has leads.”

Ricardo went silent, staring at the ground without blinking. The air thickened with unspoken pain, and Ezra watched him, anxiety rising as he waited for Ricardo to break the silence.

’His face is filled with guilt. Poor guy,’ Ezra thought as he sighed. After brief hesitation, concern won out, and he cautiously placed a hand on Ricardo’s shoulder.

Ricardo flinched slightly.

“Ricardo, I know I should not promise this, because I might only end up eating my words,” Ezra said. “But… I promise I will do whatever it takes to find them.”

Ezra remembered when Larnie and Ranie were happy to see him. He remembered their faces, how they expected him to protect them.

’I can’t fail them again.’ And something told Ezra that all of those children were still alive.

He couldn’t understand what the cult wanted with them, but he had a feeling it wasn’t to kill them.

“I know you will be able to help me, Captain Ezra.” Ricardo finally looked up at him for the first time since they started talking. “Especially knowing you have your own son, I know you have parental instincts like me. I know you understand me the most.”

’What?’

Ezra froze. He met Ricardo’s knowing gaze and slowly pulled his hand away from his shoulder. “I… I don’t have a son—”

“You don’t have to deny it. The moment I figured you were an omega, and the moment I saw the child…” Ricardo said, not breaking eye contact. “…I knew he was your son.”

“Ricardo…”

“Do not worry. I will keep it a secret,” Ricardo said as he took a step back. “I should get back. I still feel exhausted, and being exhausted won’t help me find my daughters.”

As soon as Ricardo said that, he turned and walked away, leaving Ezra standing there, frozen.

’Not even a week back and a whole group of people know I’m an omega… and now someone knows Lior is my son,’ Ezra thought, resisting the urge to hit himself. ’What the fuck is my life right now?’

Ezra took a deep breath, forcing himself to steady his emotions. He gave himself a moment to collect his thoughts before finally deciding to head back to the tent.

’I can’t believe this,’ he thought, his head slightly lowered.

“It’s Captain Ezra.”

“I heard he got suspended.”

“Well, because of whatever he did…we’re back in the line-up.”

“Sucks to be him, though. I heard he never got in trouble for anything, so what happened must really pissed off Prince Helios.”

He ignored the stares and whispers from the knights who had already heard about his suspension.

He had no time for them.

And then, as soon as he reached the tent, he was about to announce that he was back when—

“Uhm.”

Ezra heard Lior’s confused and worried voice and looked inside.

Lior was staring at a tall figure with long silver hair.

’Oh my fucking God.’

“What are you doing here…” Ezra frowned. “Prince Kaelis…?”

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