To Love A Villain-Chapter 188: Zola

>>Amber

It’s been a month since Zola was born, and I’ve noticed something strange.

Hael hadn’t picked her up once.

He always found a reason to stay close but not too close—either letting me hold her or watching from a safe distance, as if she were made of the most delicate glass. Every time Zola would stir in her crib, his eyes would soften with so much affection that it made my heart melt. But no matter how much I encouraged him to hold her, he’d always shake his head, offering a sheepish smile or a flimsy excuse and to avoid it further, he would go to ’work’

Today, I decided enough was enough. I wanted to see my husband hold our daughter. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Zola was resting in her crib, bundled up in a soft blanket, her tiny chest rising and falling as she slept. I looked over at Hael, who was standing nearby, staring at her like she was a sleeping angel. The look on his face—pure love mixed with a hint of worry—made me smile.

"Hael," I called softly.

He turned to me, a small smile on his lips. "Yes?"

"Come here."

He stepped closer, glancing between me and Zola, his brows furrowing slightly. "Is she okay? She’s not cold, is she?"

"She’s fine," I reassured him, laughing softly. "But you’re not."

His brow creased more in confusion. "What do you mean?"

I took a deep breath, deciding to approach this gently. "You haven’t held her yet."

Hael blinked, his gaze shifting back to Zola. "I... well, I didn’t want to wake her up or... or hurt her," He said, stumbling over his words. "She’s so small... What if I don’t... what if I’m not careful enough?"

I could see the worry in his eyes, the fear that he might somehow be too rough, too clumsy. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to hold her—he was just scared. Because he’s a powerful mage, he could just use his magic to catch her or cradle her if something goes wrong. IF, I say, If, because I know he’s not going to drop her or hurt her.

I smiled softly, walking over to him and gently placing a hand on his arm. "Hael, you’re not going to hurt her. You’ll be careful. You’re always careful."

He looked at me, clearly unsure. "She’s so... fragile," He whispered, as if the very word might break her. "What if I—"

"Hael," I interrupted gently, "You’ll be fine. She’s your daughter, and she’s waiting for you to hold her."

I saw the internal battle in his eyes, the hesitation warring with his desire to hold Zola close. He swallowed hard, his eyes flickering back to the crib.

"Come on," I coaxed, my voice soft. "I’ll help you."

I took his hand and led him to the side of the crib. Zola was still peacefully asleep, her tiny fists curled near her face. I could feel the tension in Hael’s body, the way his hand trembled slightly as I guided it closer to her.

"I... I don’t know if I can," He murmured, his voice so low it was almost a whisper.

"You can," I said firmly but gently. "Just be gentle, like this." I placed my hands over his, helping him slide his fingers under Zola’s tiny body, supporting her head the way I had learned to do in the weeks since her birth.

Hael’s breath caught in his throat as he felt the weight of her small form resting in his hands. His fingers were trembling, but he didn’t pull away.

"There you go," I whispered, smiling at the sight of him holding her for the first time. "You’ve got her."

He stood perfectly still, his eyes wide as he cradled her in his arms. Zola stirred for a moment, but then settled back into her soft sleep. Hael’s entire body tensed as if he were holding something infinitely precious, too valuable to ever let go of.

"She’s so small," He whispered again, his voice filled with awe.

"She’s perfect," I added softly, watching the tender way he looked at her.

For a moment, he just stared down at her, his face a mixture of amazement and fear. But then, slowly, his shoulders began to relax. His fingers, once stiff with worry, softened as he held her more naturally, cradling her with such gentle care that it made my heart swell.

Hael shifted her slightly, his thumb brushing lightly over her cheek, and I could see the wonder in his eyes. He was still afraid, but beneath that, there was something deeper—a growing connection, an overwhelming love that was starting to outweigh the fear.

"She’s so light," He murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "How can someone be this small?"

I laughed softly, watching him in awe. "She’ll grow," I said. "And you’ll get more comfortable holding her. But look at you now—you’re already doing amazing."

He glanced up at me, his lips curving into a soft, almost shy smile. "I don’t know about amazing... but she’s... she’s beautiful."

I leaned into him, resting my head on his shoulder as we both looked down at our daughter. "She looks like you," I whispered, feeling a deep warmth spread through me. Although she took my hair and eye color, her features were definitely from Hael.

Hael chuckled softly, his eyes still fixed on Zola. "She’s much prettier than I am."

I teased, nudging him gently. "But you’re going to be an amazing father, Hael."

He didn’t respond immediately, but I could feel the way his body relaxed, how the fear seemed to drain away little by little as he held Zola closer. His breathing evened out, and for a moment, everything felt right.

"I’m still terrified," He admitted quietly after a while, his gaze never leaving her face.

"And that’s okay," I reassured him. "It means you care."

He nodded slowly, his eyes softening. "I do. I care so much... I didn’t realize I could feel like this."

I smiled, pressing a gentle kiss to his cheek. "That’s because you’re her father. And she’s going to love you just as much as you love her."

Hael’s expression softened even more, his lips curving into the faintest of smiles. He held Zola a little closer, his hand now steady, his fear melting away as he gazed down at her.

And in that moment, watching him hold our daughter for the first time, I knew everything was going to be just fine.

***

Hael and Zola only grew closer, but in the following months, two people came to visit us.

Serena and Nevan had begun to travel around the country. Even before they both married, they had traveled together and the people had begun to support the couple.

They both got married a year after Hael and I did. And as one would expect from the Crown Prince’s wedding. It was grand.

"How is your daughter?" Nevan said as I met them in the guest room of the tower. That guest room is barely used because we don’t get many guests. The mages are reclusive, mostly keeping to themselves after all.

"Where is she?" Serena asked.

"She’s good," I chuckled and nodded toward the small crib by the window. Zola was resting peacefully, her tiny chest rising and falling with each breath. "She’s right there," I said softly.

Nevan moved first, his steps slow and careful as if he were afraid to disturb the silence. He crouched beside the crib, peering in with awe. "She’s so small," He murmured, a tender smile playing on his lips. Serena joined him, standing just behind Nevan and placing a hand on his shoulder.

"She’s perfect," Serena whispered, her eyes shining with warmth.

I watched as they took in Zola’s tiny features—the soft wisps of her hair, the little fists she had clenched in her sleep.

"How have you two been?" I asked. "How were your travels?"

"Good," Serena answered. "And traveling has been fun."

Nevan looked at me with a smile. "There were many things I wanted to see myself," He looked relieved. "So in the guise of traveling we went around," He nodded softly. "And we were able to catch onto a lot of stuff that would never be possible otherwise."

"I see," I nodded. Each time I meet Nevan, my feelings about him being a good king grow stronger.

"Can I hold her?" Serena asked, her voice full of excitement and hesitation at the same time.

"Of course," I smiled, moving over to carefully pick Zola up. She stirred slightly, but her eyes remained closed as I gently placed her in Serena’s arms. Serena cradled her as though she were the most delicate thing in the world, her hands gentle and sure.

Nevan stood beside them, watching with quiet affection. "You’re a natural, Serena," He said, chuckling softly.

Serena grinned at him. "I’ve always been good with babies," She joked before turning her attention back to Zola. She rocked her gently, swaying side to side. "Hey, little one," Serena cooed, "Look at you, all snug and cozy."

Nevan leaned over, one hand resting lightly on Zola’s back. "What’s it like being a parent?" he asked me, his voice soft but curious.

I smiled. "It’s everything I didn’t expect, and more," I said, glancing between them and my daughter. "It’s exhausting but so rewarding. You’re constantly learning, constantly adapting, and every little smile she gives makes it all worth it."

Nevan nodded thoughtfully. "I bet." I noticed a look in his eyes, like one an expecting father would have.

Wait—

"Serena," I realized, "Are you having a baby?"

!!!

She was shocked, but then became shy and looked at me with a flustered but happy look. "Yes," She nodded. Then I looked at Nevan.

"My God, I’m so happy for you!" I smiled. "I hope it works out for you both."

They both smiled back, "Thank you!"