After death, without memories (Translated edition)

 Ethan Sapphirús

After a quiet dinner, where Angie's mistrust was barely concealed behind her polite smile, the house fell silent. Only then, when night enveloped the home and my family was asleep, did I find myself alone with John Ravenscroft.

The tension in the air was palpable. I, the man who had protected his family like a lion, now faced his son's enigmatic teacher.

However, before I could say a word, John broke the silence.

"Don't worry, Mr. Ethan." His voice was calm but firm. "I have no ulterior motives toward you or your family."

A wry smile crossed my lips.

"That... makes me even more uneasy." I let out a slight laugh, but my eyes remained alert, studying his every move.

John searched for something in his pockets. When he found it, he placed it delicately on the table.

It was an emblem. But not just any emblem. The royal emblem. The seal of the family of King Charles Von Mondragon XII. I held my breath. That small object had the power to sway kingdoms... and now it was in front of me.

"It's not a threat." John's voice was soft, but his words resonated strongly. "It's to show you that I'm someone you can trust."

The air grew heavy. This was no game.

"Your son is an extraordinary child." John's eyes shone with pride. "He learns quickly, too quickly, with an insatiable curiosity. But... although he is sometimes impulsive..." A nostalgic smile appeared on his lips. "It's part of his charm. You know what I mean."

I couldn't help but smile as I remembered Drake's "pig's foot" prank, which he had done out of jealousy toward Thomas.

"Yes..." I laughed softly. "You're absolutely right about that."

"But there's something else..." His tone changed, becoming more serious. "Your son isn't just talented. He's a prodigy, Mr. Ethan. And I can't believe you haven't noticed."

My heart beat faster.

"I know." He sighed deeply, looking up at the ceiling, as if searching for answers in the stars. "I tried to delay his fencing lessons as long as I could. Even though he's a prodigy... he's still a child." My voice broke slightly. "I don't want to take away that pure and beautiful part of his life. He grows and learns so fast... that in the blink of an eye, he'll want to leave.

John saw reflected in Ethan the pure love of a father who fears losing his son. It was then that he decided to open his heart.

"I didn't lie when I talked about my fight with my wife." His gaze was lost momentarily in memories. "But... the real reason is that I haven't yet accepted the position of teacher at the Institute of Magic in the capital, in Aurenthia."

My eyes narrowed in surprise.

"The Institute of Magic?"

"Yes." He nodded. "After wandering through the villages... I found Drake. His thirst for knowledge, his potential... made me realize that I can't walk away from this. If I can teach children like him... then that is my purpose."

John paused, his voice now filled with determination.

"That's why I'm making you an offer, Mr. Ethan." He looked me straight in the eye. "When Drake turns eleven, let him enroll in the Institute. I'll take care of everything. You won't have to worry about expenses or where he'll sleep. Your son has potential that can change the fate of this kingdom... and he deserves to explore that gift."

The silence lingered. My thoughts revolved around Drake... and everything he meant to me. Could I really entrust my son's life to this man?

I felt a lump in my throat. Knowing that someone close to the king recognized his son's talent filled me with immense pride.

"This..." he whispered, "is something I must discuss with him in due course. I will tell him... and whatever he decides, that will be that."

"That seems fair to me." John nodded. "Once you have decided, please let me know. I will take care of talking to Drake."

The atmosphere, although more relaxed, was still charged with emotion.

"Well..." I smiled slightly. "Since it looks like we'll be seeing each other more often, let's leave the formalities aside. Please, just call me Ethan."

"And you can call me John." His smile was sincere and warm.

We shook hands, but before letting go, a thought crossed my mind.

"John..." My tone changed, becoming more serious. "If something ever happens to me..."

The air became thick. John understood immediately.

"Please..." My gaze locked with his. "Take care of my son as if he were your own."

The weight of those words seemed to surprise him, but after a moment of hesitation, he nodded solemnly.

"You can count on it... Ethan."

And in that moment, I knew that John Ravenscroft was not only my son's teacher... he could be the man who would watch over him if I were no longer there.

***

I headed back to my room, but each step felt heavier than the last. The silence of the hallway seemed to envelop me, as if the house itself shared my uncertainty. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, revolving around a single question: How would I tell Drake?

I knew his reaction would be one of pure excitement. His eyes would sparkle with that insatiable curiosity that always characterized him, and he would accept without hesitation. But... would he really understand what it meant? Would he understand that this decision would take him away from us, from his home, from everything he knows?

I felt a lump form in my throat. He was still just a child... a child who dreamed of adventure and greatness, without thinking about the price those exploits might cost him. Would it be fair to take his childhood away from him so soon? Would he forgive me if one day he looked back and realized everything he had left behind?

I rested my hand on the doorframe before entering, taking a moment to breathe deeply. I had to find the right words... I couldn't just let myself be carried away by the emotion of the moment. This would change his life forever. And mine too.

To my surprise, Angie was still awake when I entered the room. The soft candlelight illuminated her face, but her eyes reflected concern. Next to her, Thomas slept peacefully, oblivious to the whirlwind of emotions that consumed me. Although I tried to hide my unease, Angie knew me too well.

"What's wrong, my love?" she whispered softly, but there was a hint of alertness in her tone.

I remained silent for a moment, debating internally. Should I tell her directly about the proposal... or mention the king first? 

My thoughts were in chaos, but before I could sort them out, Angie spoke again.

"You look... distressed." Her eyes narrowed, analyzing me. "What did that John guy say to you?"

I took a breath, feeling the weight of the words I was about to utter.

"Um..." My voice was barely a whisper. "I don't know where to start."

She leaned closer, placing her hand gently on my face, caressing my cheek tenderly.

"Start with the most important thing..." she whispered. "Drake."

The lump in my throat grew stronger.

"For him, it would be wonderful news... but for us..." My voice broke a little. "It would be a little... sad."

Angie tilted her head, her gaze reflecting a mixture of curiosity and fear.

"Why sad, dear?"

I felt my heart beating fast as I searched for the right words.

"John made me an offer..." My gaze locked with hers. "He wants us to enroll Drake in the Aurenthia Institute of Magic when he turns eleven."

The surprise on Angie's face was instantaneous.

"The Institute of Magic?!" Her voice rose unintentionally, almost waking Thomas.

"Honey..." I whispered, placing a finger on my lips, "you're going to wake Thomas up."

"I'm sorry..." she whispered again, bringing her hand to her mouth, but her eyes remained wide open, overflowing with amazement. "The same institute...?" In the city where we used to live?

"Yes..." I nodded with a slight sigh. "That's the one."

Excitement began to shine in her eyes, but her surprise had not yet dissipated.

"This... this is incredible, Ethan, but..." Her voice trembled a little. "How can you be sure that man is telling the truth? What if...?"

"Angie..." I whispered, taking the small object John had given me out of my pocket. "It has the royal emblem. He works for His Majesty, King Charles Von Mondragon XII."

Her lips parted, and her eyes fixed on the emblem as if it were a sacred object.

"Oh, my goodness..." she whispered, almost breathless. "How... how did someone like that end up in this godforsaken town?"

"Even I was surprised by the answer..." My voice reflected my own disbelief. "He had a fight with his wife, it's true... but the real reason seems to be that he hasn't yet decided to accept a position as a teacher."

"A teaching position...?" she whispered, almost as if talking to herself. "Who would turn down something so prestigious?"

"I don't know, love." I shook my head. "He didn't give me any details... but I can sense that teaching is something he's done many times before."

Angie frowned slightly.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because of the way she treats Drake." I smiled wistfully. "The patience she has with him, the way she talks to him... and above all, the pride in her voice when she mentions him. It's not the first time she's guided someone like him... I'm sure of it."

A brief silence enveloped us as she processed everything I had said. Her eyes, previously filled with surprise, now reflected understanding.

"Seen from that perspective..." she whispered finally, with a slight smile. "You're right, Ethan."

Her words were comforting, but the weight of the decision still felt like a shadow surrounding us. We both knew that Drake's path was about to change... and that nothing would ever be the same again.

"He also mentioned..." My voice was barely a whisper as I searched for the words. "That we shouldn't worry about his stay or the expenses. John... said he would take care of everything."

I felt an immense weight on my chest as I uttered those words. The air grew thick, and without thinking, I leaned toward Angie, hugging her tightly. But instead of relief or joy, I felt anguish... an anguish that squeezed my heart more than I could bear.

"What should we do, Angie?" I whispered, my face buried in her neck. "What do you want... as Drake's mother?"

Angie didn't answer right away. Instead, her fingers began to gently slide through my hair, caressing me with that tenderness that always managed to calm my inner storm. Her hands spoke before her words, conveying comfort without saying a thing.

"Ethan..." she whispered at last, with a calmness that contrasted with my agitation. "I think, like you..." She paused, as if her emotions weighed heavily on her voice. "I'm proud. Proud that someone of the caliber of a man who works for His Majesty has recognized our son's talent."

I felt her heart beating beneath my hands, and although her words were ones of pride, concern also seeped into her tone.

"But..." she continued softly, "he's still a child. And we must prepare ourselves... talk it over with him. We can't let him make such an important decision without understanding the consequences."

My thoughts wandered for a moment, taking me to a dark corner of my mind. Aurenthia... The capital city. The place where it all began... and where it almost ended. 

My chest tightened.

"Angie..." I whispered, feeling my voice tremble. "I'm worried that... if Drake goes there... he might run into the Ciavattini family." 

His caresses stopped for a moment. I knew those words would bring back memories that we had both buried long ago.

"Ethan..." Her eyes met mine, reflecting understanding. "I understand that you're still worried... but many years have passed. Too many. No one should even remember that our families existed anymore."

"Maybe..." I murmured, but the weight of that possibility continued to crush my soul. "And yet... I can't help but feel that anguish."

Angie rested her forehead against mine, her lips barely brushing mine.

"What if...?" she whispered softly. "What if Drake also ended up under His Majesty's mantle one day? Wouldn't that fill you with even more pride?"

My eyes locked with hers, feeling her words slowly disarming me.

"It sounds..." My voice trembled, though a slight smile crossed my lips. "It sounds incredible, but..." I shook my head. "Angie, you're setting your expectations too high."

"So what?" she replied, a spark of determination in her eyes. "It's Drake's future. What's the worst that could happen...?" With that teacher and His Majesty on her side, what could go wrong?

Silence enveloped us again. This time, not out of fear or doubt... but out of the certainty that Angie had already made her decision.

"So..." I whispered, my voice barely audible, "that means you agree..."

"Yes, Ethan." Her lips formed a soft smile, though her eyes were misty with emotion. "I agree. No matter how far away he is... no matter how little we see him... he will always be our beautiful son. And if this is what's best for him, then..." She paused, her gaze growing steadier. "We will take an oath."

I frowned, surprised by the seriousness in her tone.

"An oath?" I asked, incredulous.

"Yes." Her lips barely brushed mine, a smile playing on them, but her eyes... her eyes reflected the weight of a mother who understood the sacrifice that this path entailed. "Whatever happens... in the coming years... Drake will go to that school. No matter what."

A chill ran down my spine. An oath... Something Angie never took lightly.

"And tell me..." My tone changed to a more playful one, seeking to ease the tension that still hung between us. "How... do you plan to make sure I keep that promise?"

A mischievous smile curved her lips, and in one slow motion, she took my hand and placed it gently on her chest.

"Mmm..." she whispered, her voice laden with innuendo. "What if... you find out?"

The tension of the day evaporated in an instant. My worries, my fears... everything was relegated to a corner of my mind when I felt her warmth envelop me.

She knew exactly how to distract me from my dark thoughts. And in that moment, I decided to let that distraction consume me.

"I guess..." I whispered, moving even closer, "it's time to explore... that vow."

Her soft laughter echoed in my ears, but before I lost myself completely in her, one last thought crossed my mind.

Forgive me, Thomas... I glanced sideways at our son, who was still asleep. Tonight we might interrupt you a little.

And with that last bit of guilt... I gave myself completely to Angie, knowing that no matter what the future held, our son would always have a bright path ahead of him.