Serpent Emperor's Bride-Chapter 110: The Ring, the Memory, and the Shadow

[Inside the Carriage — On the Way to Veyrhold House — Night]

The carriage moved steadily through the frozen road.

Outside, the northern night stretched wide and pale beneath the moon, snow drifting across the path in thin silver lines while the sound of the wheels echoed softly in the quiet darkness. Inside the carriage, the air was warm, lit only by a small lantern hanging from the side.

Levin sat near the window, silent. In his hand rested the blue ring. The same ring Seraphine had returned to him in the gallery.

The gem caught the faint lantern light, glowing softly against his fingers as the carriage swayed with the road. For a long moment, he did nothing.

Only stared at it.

Then slowly... his gaze drifted toward the dark window, and the reflection of his own face faded into memory.

And the years fell away.

***

[Many Years Ago — Veyrhold House — Inner Garden — Day]

The winter wind moved gently through the garden of Veyrhold, but the bright sunlight fell over the stone path, and the sound of wooden swords striking echoed between the trees.

A small boy stood in the middle of the yard, holding a wooden sword far too big for his arms.

His blue eyes were wide, round, and innocent, yet even at that age there was a quiet steadiness in them... the kind of calm that only the heir of Veyrhold ever carried.

He swung the sword again, missed, and nearly fell. A soft laugh came from behind him.

"...Careful, Levin."

The boy turned at once. His mother stood near the stone bench, her long dress moving gently in the summer breeze. In her hand, she held something small, wrapped in a piece of silk.

Levin ran toward her without hesitation.

"Mother!"

His eyes immediately fell on the object in her hand, "...What is that?"

She smiled softly and knelt so her eyes met his. "Come here... look."

She opened the silk slowly. Inside lay a blue ring, the stone shining brightly under the sunlight.

Levin’s eyes widened. He stepped closer, almost forgetting the sword still in his hand, "...Wow...Mother...it’s beautiful..."

She laughed quietly.

"Do you like it?"

He nodded quickly, his small fingers reaching forward but stopping before touching it. "Yes... very much."

She took the ring gently and held it between her fingers, the blue stone glowing like a piece of the sky.

"This ring belonged to my grandmother," she said softly. "And before her... it belonged to the women of our house for generations."

Levin listened carefully, his small brows slightly furrowed as if he did not want to miss a single word.

She continued, her voice warm, "One day... this ring will not belong to me anymore."

Levin blinked. "...Then who will wear it?"

She smiled and tapped his forehead lightly. "The one who will stand beside you."

He tilted his head in confusion.

"...Beside me?"

"Yes."

Her eyes softened as she looked at him. "This ring is given only to the one who becomes the partner of the heir of Veyrhold."

Levin looked at the ring again, then back at her. "My... partner?"

She nodded, "The one who will stay with you for the rest of your life."

He stared at the blue stone for a long time, his expression strangely serious for a child. His mother watched him quietly before speaking again.

"This ring carries the blessing of my grandmother... and my blessing as well."

She placed the ring gently in his small palm.

"When you see this ring on the hand of someone who stands very close to your heart... remember this."

Levin looked up, and her hand moved to his hair, ruffling it softly. "It means the heavens have chosen that person for you."

The wind passed through the garden. Levin looked down at the ring again, his tiny fingers closing around it slowly.

His mother smiled, her voice almost a whisper.

"...May my child be given a partner who will never leave his side."

Levin did not smile; he only stared at the ring, quiet, thoughtful... as if even at that age he understood that the thing in his hand was heavier than it looked.

***

[Present — Inside the Carriage — Night]

The memory faded, the sound of the wheels returned, and the lantern swayed gently.

Levin was still holding the ring; his thumb moved slowly over the blue stone, his eyes distant, as if the past had not fully released him yet.

For a long moment, he said nothing, then, almost under his breath—"... Should I give this to Zer...?"

The words were quiet, nearly lost beneath the sound of the carriage. Across from him, Iru looked up in surprise. He had been watching his Malika for a while now, noticing the way his gaze had softened the moment he looked at the ring.

A small smile appeared on his lips.

"...Do you miss Malik, Malika?"

Levin blinked faintly, as if pulled back from far away; his eyes moved toward Iru slowly.

"...Do I...?"

He looked down at the ring again, the lantern light reflected in the blue stone. For a moment, his fingers tightened around it. Then he leaned back against the seat, his gaze returning to the window where the snowy night passed endlessly beyond the glass.

His voice came softer now.

"...I do not know."

A short silence followed.

Then, after a breath—

"...But when he is not near..." His hand moved unconsciously to his stomach. "...everything feels quieter than it should."

Iru’s smile faded into something gentler; he lowered his head respectfully. The carriage continued through the night, carrying the heir of Veyrhold back to his house—with a ring from the past in his hand...and the future of an empire growing beneath his heart.

***

[Veyrhold House — Later That Night]

The carriage rolled through the iron gates of Veyrhold House, its wheels crunching softly over the thin layer of snow that covered the courtyard.

Torches burned along the stone walls, their flames bending under the restless northern wind, and servants hurried forward as soon as the duke’s carriage stopped near the front steps.

The door opened.

Levin stepped down slowly, one hand resting briefly against the side of the carriage before straightening. The cold air touched his face at once, sharp and familiar, yet his eyes remained distant, as if part of his thoughts were still somewhere on the road behind him.

Iru stepped down after him, adjusting the fur cloak over Levin’s shoulders, while Captain Varesh and Captain Raevahn moved ahead instinctively, their gazes sweeping across the courtyard out of habit more than necessity.

Everything seemed normal.

Too normal.

Then the sound of another carriage echoed from the outer path. Levin stopped, his brows furrowed slightly as he turned his head toward the gate. A second carriage was entering the courtyard, its wheels rolling slowly over the snow-covered stones.

No banners.

No sigils.

No escort.

Just a plain, travel-worn carriage like those used by merchants or commoners. Varesh stepped half a pace forward, his hand resting near the hilt of his sword as his eyes narrowed.

"...That carriage bears no crest," he said quietly. "...Malika, stay behind."

Raevahn’s gaze hardened as well. "No house mark... no imperial seal... and it comes at this hour."

Levin did not move, he simply watched. The carriage stopped near the center of the courtyard, and for a moment nothing happened.

Then the door opened.

A woman stepped down. Levin’s eyes narrowed.

"...Aelira?"

She lifted her head slowly. The torchlight fell across her face, and for a brief moment something cold passed through her eyes before it vanished behind a faint smile.

Levin took a step forward, confusion clear in his voice,"You returned already, and in a commoner’s carriage...?"

Aelira tilted her head slightly, the smile on her lips widening just enough to feel unnatural.

"...Brother."

Her voice was soft, almost playful, yet there was a sharpness beneath it that only someone watching closely could notice.

"So this is how you welcome your dearest sister now?" She walked closer slowly, her boots leaving faint marks in the snow. "I thought after so long... you would at least greet me with warmth, not with questions like a court officer."

Levin stared at her for a moment, then sighed faintly, as if realizing his own mistake.

"...You are right." His expression softened, and he opened his arms. "Come here."

Aelira’s eyes flickered for the smallest moment before she stepped forward. She moved into his embrace without hesitation. Levin’s arms wrapped around her gently, the gesture natural, familiar, nothing more than the affection of an elder brother who had not seen his sister in months.

But behind his shoulder—Aelira’s eyes were open, cold and sharp. Filled with something that did not belong in a reunion.

Varesh noticed it first, his brows drew together slightly. Raevahn’s hand tightened near his sword without him realizing it.

Iru lowered his gaze, but his fingers curled faintly at his side.

Something was wrong.

Levin pulled back slightly, his hand moving to her head as he patted her hair the way he used to when they were younger.

"How was the masquerade ball?" he asked calmly.

Aelira smiled brightly, almost too brightly.

"It was wonderful." She laughed softly. "You know how Lord Helion’s gatherings are... music, wine, dancing until morning... I almost did not want to leave."

Her fingers brushed lightly against the sleeve of his robe before she stepped back.

"But on the way back, the carriage broke near the southern road," she continued, her tone light, careless. "We had no choice but to hire a commoner’s carriage to reach the capital."

She glanced toward the plain vehicle behind her.

"It was uncomfortable... but at least it moved."

Levin studied her for a moment longer, as if trying to decide whether to ask more.

Then he nodded faintly.

"...You should have sent word." She shrugged lightly. "And make Father worry for nothing? No... it was faster to come back myself."

A short silence passed. Levin finally stepped aside, gesturing toward the manor doors.

"Alright. Enough of the cold." His voice softened again. "You must be tired. Come inside."

Aelira smiled sweetly and nodded.

"Yes... I am."

She walked past him toward the entrance, her steps slow, graceful, perfectly composed, but as she passed Captain Varesh—Her eyes met his for a brief moment.

The smile did not reach her gaze.

Varesh’s expression hardened slightly. Raevahn leaned closer and whispered under his breath,

"...Did you see that?"

Varesh did not look at him.

"...Yes."

Iru glanced toward Levin, who was already walking toward the doors, unaware.

Varesh’s voice dropped lower.

"...Something about her is wrong."

Raevahn muttered, "She is his sister."

Varesh’s eyes remained on Aelira’s back, "...That does not mean she cannot be dangerous."

Ahead of them, the doors of Veyrhold House opened. Warm light spilled into the cold courtyard, and Aelira stepped inside—With a smile on her lips...and hatred burning quietly behind her eyes.

The entrance hall of Veyrhold was bright with firelight.

Tall torches burned along the stone pillars, and the sound of footsteps echoed softly beneath the high ceiling as Levin and the others stepped inside.

Before they could move further, hurried steps came from the staircase.

Duke Aren descended quickly, his cloak still half-fastened as if he had come down the moment he heard the carriage arrive.

"Oh—Levin, you have returned."

Levin inclined his head slightly.

"Yes, Father."

The duke’s gaze moved over him quickly, as if making sure with his own eyes that his son was truly standing there, unharmed, before he finally allowed himself to breathe.

Then his eyes shifted...and stopped.

"Aelira?" He blinked in surprise. "I thought you said you would remain in Faraskar for several more days."

Aelira smiled sweetly and walked toward him without hesitation, her hands folding neatly in front of her.

"How could I stay away longer, Father?" Her voice was warm, light, almost playful. "Brother has returned after so long... how could I miss the chance to welcome him home myself?"

The duke’s expression softened at once, he placed his hand gently on her head, patting her hair the way he always had since she was a child.

"That is very thoughtful of you, sweetheart."

His tone held quiet affection.

Then his voice became more practical."But you should go and rest first. You must be exhausted after traveling at night."

Aelira nodded obediently.

"Yes, Father... I am a little tired." Her eyes flickered briefly toward Levin, then away again. "I will go to my chamber."

She stepped aside.

The duke turned back to Levin, his expression shifting into the serious look he only wore when something needed to be discussed privately.

"Levin."

Levin met his gaze.

"Yes, Father."

"We need to talk."

Levin gave a faint nod, "I thought so."

The duke turned toward the corridor leading to his office, "Come with me."

Levin followed without another word, Iru moving behind him while Varesh and Raevahn remained a few steps back, their eyes still watching the hall carefully.

They had barely taken a few steps when—

"...Brother."

The voice came from behind, soft and almost gentle.

Levin stopped, he turned slowly. Aelira was still standing near the staircase, her hands resting lightly over the railing as she looked at him.

Her smile was calm.

Too calm.

"Yes?" Levin asked.

For a moment she said nothing, her gaze lowered slightly...to his stomach. The movement was small, but not small enough to escape the eyes of Varesh, Raevahn, or Iru.

Her lips curved faintly.

"...Congratulations."

The word was soft, polite and perfect. Levin’s expression did not change, but his eyes remained on her for a moment longer than usual, as if trying to read something behind that smile.

Then he inclined his head slightly.

"...Thank you."

Aelira’s smile did not move.

"Take care of yourself, Brother." Her voice lowered just enough to sound personal. "You should not overwork... in your condition."

A short silence followed.

Levin turned away first, "We will talk later."

Aelira nodded.

"Of course."

She stepped back toward the stairs, her expression still gentle as she began to walk upward, but the moment she turned—The smile disappeared.

Her eyes grew cold again, behind her, Levin walked toward Duke Aren’s office without looking back. Varesh watched Aelira until she vanished at the top of the staircase.

His jaw tightened slightly. Raevahn leaned closer and whispered, "...You felt it too."

Varesh answered without taking his eyes off the stairs.

"...Yes."

A pause.

"...She congratulated him..." His voice lowered further. "...like someone watching a game she already knows the ending of. We need to inform this to Malik."

The doors of the duke’s office closed.

The hall fell quiet, and somewhere inside the house of Veyrhold—Something had returned that did not belong there.