Angelic Predator:Trust Me, I'm Sane

{Elarion, Age 3 – POV}

"The Beginning of Something Soft"

The next morning, Marcus arrived at the private study assigned to me, right on time.

He carried a stack of books in one arm, and in the other—a small basket of fresh pastries.

"Good morning, young master," he greeted, smiling as he placed both on the table.

"Elation,Just Elarion is fine," I said, calmly pulling my chair back.

"Alright then, Elarion," he replied, his voice warm but respectful. "I hope you don't mind—I brought breakfast for you specially. My son insisted you try the ones he picked."

"Your son?" I asked, slightly raising a brow.

"Danny. He's five. Quite the energetic one… He made a fuss this morning, saying, 'Make sure Elarion eats this or I'll cry!'"

That caught me off guard.

I looked away, trying not to smile, but failed.

Someone cared enough to do that for me?

"Tell him I accepted his offering,but if I may ask why he did that when we haven't met yet?" I said coolly, but inside… I was curious. Amused.

Marcus chuckled softly" I told him about you and from then on he keep insisting to meet you. Should I bring him some day?," he asked.

I nodded at the response

" Yes, why not" I said as formality.

Marcus smiled softly. He is kind, he always was. No matter which time zone.

--

We began our lesson. At first, I expected the usual drone of dry lectures, but Marcus had a different approach. He didn't just teach—he explained. He asked me what I thought. He told stories.

He didn't treat me like a prodigy or a noble, just like a boy who could learn.

I don't really remember anything much from my past life,all blurry pieces.

When I got a difficult concept right, he clapped gently.

"Brilliant, Elarion. You understood faster than most seven-year-olds."

"Of course I did," I muttered, but again, I was pleased.

Maybe I liked it,his praise or maybe his genuine gestures.

----

That week, he returned daily. He brought Danny with him on the third day.

The boy peeked from behind his father's leg, holding a wooden rabbit awkwardly in one hand.

"Hi! I'm Danny! You're really Elarion? You don't look mean like the others said."

I blinked.

"Others?"

"Yup! Rumours said but you're small and pretty. Like a doll."

He said it so innocently that I had no words.

"You're… weird," I said after a pause.

"I get that a lot!" Danny giggled and ran around my chair like a squirrel on fire. Marcus sighed.

From that day on, they both became regular visitors.

We studied in the mornings, trained lightly in the afternoons, and during breaks, Danny would drag me outside to show me worms, pebbles, or his latest "adventure treasure."

At first, I resisted.

I didn't play. I didn't wanna wastemy precious time.

But Danny would grin at me with those big, earnest eyes and say,

"You're always thinking with that stone face. Come on! You'll forget how to smile!"

It was ridiculous.

And yet, sometimes… I followed him.

We'd sit under trees while Marcus read aloud, letting us rest before the next session. We played chess (Danny always lost).

We picked wildflowers for fun—well, he did. I just watched.

Sometimes, Danny would fall asleep in the sun, his head resting against my arm like I was some kind of safe place.

And Marcus would just smile, not saying a word. Not pushing anything.

Just... present.

I had known fear, betrayal, and cruelty from too young an age.

But here… there was no judgment. No masks. There was no need to put a fake smile on my face.

All there was-

Just a kind man. A bright child. And moments of peace I didn't think I deserved.

But, I didn't hate it, never did.

---

One rainy afternoon, I sneezed during training. I wasn't weak, but my body hadn't grown enough yet. The weather got to me.

Marcus immediately placed a hand on my forehead.

"That's it. No more training today."

"I'm fine—"

"You're human, Elarion. Even geniuses catch colds."

He wrapped a thick blanket around me and lit the fireplace in the study. Danny made me drink honey tea and tucked his rabbit beside me "so I wouldn't get lonely."

I stared at the rabbit for a long time after they left.

That night, I slept with it beside me.

---

I never admitted it aloud.

But in that quiet room, with the sound of rain, warmth of fire, and the gentle weight of kindness I never asked for...

I felt something I hadn't in a long time.

Safe.