Chapter 220: Chapter: 220 Departure.

One month passed quietly in the Zenithara estate.

Everything was calm and peaceful.

Vivian spent most of his days in the administrative office, handling family matters and estate business.

Sometimes he went to the training grounds to spar with Edward and give him advice on sword skills.

After so many years, Vivian finally met his little brother Aron again.

He had last seen Aron when the boy was just a tiny child. Now Aron was seven years old.

He was a bright and cheerful kid, always asking questions and smiling.

But Aron showed no talent or interest in swordsmanship.

When Vivian saw this, he told Edward, “Teach him magic instead. He will do better with spells than with a blade.”

Aron’s eyes lit up when he heard about magic. He seemed much more excited to learn spells than to hold a sword.

The big Zenithara house was full of laughter and happiness those days.

The two women, Charlotte and Elena, who sometimes felt bored now had Salena for company.

They spent hours talking, sharing stories, and laughing together.

This was how the last month went by, peaceful and warm.

But today was the day Vivian had to leave for the North.

Everyone in the family gathered outside the main gate to say goodbye.

The morning air felt cool, and the sun was just rising.

His grandfather stood tall and strong.

Even at his old age, he looked bright and healthy, with sharp eyes and a steady voice.

He did not seem old at all.

Next to him was Edward.

Edward’s face looked sulky. He did not like that Vivian was taking him.

Little Aron stood behind Edward, holding the edge of his brother’s shirt. He looked up at Vivian with big, curious eyes.

On the other side stood Elena, Vivian’s mother. Her face was soft but worried. Beside her was Charlotte.

Selena stood close too, quiet but watching everything.

Charlotte stepped forward first. She reached up and gently brushed the hair away from Vivian’s forehead.

Her fingers were warm and careful.

“Come back safe,” she said in a soft voice. Her eyes were shiny, like she was trying not to cry.

Vivian held her hand for a moment and nodded. “I will.”

Though Charlotte wanted to say more, this wasn’t the right place with everyone watching.

She rose on her toes, lifted herself a little off the ground, and gently kissed his cheek.

Her lips stayed there for a second longer than usual.

“Your child and your wife will be waiting,” she whispered, her voice soft but clear. “Don’t forget that.”

Vivian looked into her eyes. He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on her forehead.

“Take care of yourself,” he said quietly. “And take care of our little one.”

Charlotte gave a small nod, her hand lingering on his arm for a moment before she stepped to the side.

Her eyes stayed on him, full of love and worry.

Then Elena walked forward. Vivian’s mother stopped right in front of him.

She looked up at her son, her tall, grown son who had only just come home after four long years.

Now he was leaving again.

This time it was for the northern war, the same cruel war that had kept her husband and her father away for seven years.

They had only managed to visit once in a while, always in a hurry, always leaving too soon.

Elena stared at him for a long moment. Her eyes moved over his face, his shoulders, the way he stood so steady now.

She let out a slow, heavy sigh.

“I know you have grown up,” she said.

“I know I can’t stop you anymore. You’re not my little boy who used to run after me in the garden. But whatever you do up there… remember that you have a home. You have responsibilities. And most of all—”

Her voice cracked just a little. “—keep your life as your first priority. Nothing is worth more than coming back to us.”

Vivian gave her a gentle smile. “I will, Mother.”

Elena let out another sigh, deeper this time, like she was letting go of something heavy inside her chest.

Then she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him tightly.

She held him the way she used to when he was small, strong, warm, afraid to let go.

“Come back safe, son,” she whispered against his shoulder. “Please… just come back safe.”

Vivian hugged her back, careful but firm.

He rested his chin lightly on top of her head for a moment. “I promise.”

When they finally pulled apart, Elena wiped her eyes quickly with the edge of her sleeve and tried to smile.

She stepped back to stand beside Charlotte, the two women holding each other’s hands without a word.

Vivian looked around one last time.

His gaze landed on his grandfather first.

The old man was smiling at him, warm, proud, with that same steady light in his eyes that never seemed to fade, no matter how many years passed.

Vivian returned the smile. “Take care of yourself, old man,” he said, his voice light but carrying real feeling.

“Hahaha!” His grandfather laughed, loud and deep, the sound rolling across the courtyard like it always did.

“You too, grandson. Don’t let the northern winds freeze that thick head of yours.”

Vivian’s smile lingered for a second longer before his eyes moved to Edward.

His younger brother stood there looking far too sulky.

His lips were pressed tight, his shoulders stiff, and his eyes were shiny in a way that said he was fighting hard not to cry.

It was the exact same look he had years ago when Vivian left for the academy.

Back then Edward had been smaller, easier to tease.

Now he was taller, stronger… but some things never changed.

He was trying so hard to hold it in, but the tears were winning.

Vivian let out a quiet sigh. He stepped closer.

“Take care of the house,” he said firmly. Then, with a small frown to hide his own softness, he added, “And stop crying. You’re grown up now.”

Edward swallowed hard. His voice came out small and rough. “Yes, brother…”

The words sounded almost like a child’s promise.

Everyone else felt the same ache, Elena, Charlotte, even Selena, but they knew how to bury it deep.

They stood straight, faces calm, only their eyes betraying the storm inside. Edward was the only one who still let it show.

Vivian’s eyes moved to Selena.

She stood quietly with her hands folded in front, watching him with the same steady, respectful gaze she always gave him.

He gave her a small nod.

“Take care of Mother… and your big sister.”

Though she had known him for only a short time, Vivian was the kindest man Selena had ever met.

Edward was kind too, but he didn’t have the same warmth and strength his brother carried.

From the day Vivian brought her here, he had treated her with the gentle, protective love of an elder brother.

For the first time in her life, she felt what real family love was like.

Back in her own home, even her blood brother saw her only as a tool, a piece to be moved in someone else’s game.

But Vivian was completely different. He never once made her feel small or used.

In just one month, her respect for him had grown deep and strong.

She no longer saw him only as a kind man, she truly accepted him as her elder brother, someone she could trust completely and look up to with all her heart.

Selena lowered her head slightly.

“Yes, elder brother. You don’t need to worry. I will take care of them.”

Her voice stayed calm and steady, but her fingers quietly tightened around the edge of her dress.

Vivian took one final look at them all, his grandfather still smiling, Edward blinking fast, little Aron waving again with both arms, Selena standing tall and quiet.

Then his eyes settled on the two women who held his heart: his mother and his wife Charlotte.

They stood side by side, hands clasped, both looking at him like they were trying to memorize every line of his face.

“I will be back,” he said simply. The words felt heavy, but they were all he could give them right now.

He turned, placed one foot in the stirrup, and swung up onto the horse in one smooth motion.

“Neighhhh!!”

The horse let out a sharp, impatient cry, tossing its head.

Vivian tightened the reins, gave the saddle a light pat, and nudged his heels forward.

Without looking back, he rode out through the gate.

The sound of hooves on the stone path grew louder at first, then softer, then faded into the distance.

The morning wind carried the last echo away.

Behind him, the family stayed where they were. No one moved. No one spoke.

They simply watched the empty road until even the dust settled.

Then, slowly, Elena squeezed Charlotte’s hand. Charlotte rested her other hand on her still-flat belly.

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