The sun was still climbing over the eastern horizon when Dominion Sanctum stirred to life.

Its golden rays spilled across the sprawling estate, casting a warm glow on the palatial roofs, towering spires, and lush gardens.

The sea winds brushed against the cliffs, carrying a crispness that only morning could bring.

Birds sang sweetly in clear notes, flitting from tree to tree, while butterflies danced lazily over fresh blossoms, their wings shimmering like stained glass in the sunlight.

In the heart of one of the smaller gardens, tucked beside a gentle stream, Arthur sat alone.

Clad in a black royal robe with silver lining, casual yet regal,he exuded an effortless authority.

His feet rested comfortably in slippers as he crossed one leg over the other, his posture relaxed but commanding.

On a small table beside him lay a plate of pastries wafting with the faint aroma of honey and butter.

A steaming cup of hot chocolate sat nearby. With his eyes closed and face serene, Arthur appeared to have momentarily set aside all burdens.

Warm sunlight caressed his skin while soft winds whispered against his face. He let out a slow sigh that seemed to release the weight pressing down on his chest.

Lifting his cup for a quiet sip, he savored the rich, smooth chocolate,a comforting embrace for his soul.

For this rare moment, Arthur looked like a man at peace.

---

Just then behind him,the soft sound of footsteps echoed.

Margaret stood just a few steps away, her hands folded before her as she watched her nephew with fondness.

A genuine smile graced her lips,not just any smile but one filled with warmth and maternal affection.

She had watched Arthur grow from a little boy into a man; now he towered over empires and shadows alike,but in her eyes, he would always be part of her family she vowed to protect.

Arthur didn't turn around; instead, he kept his eyes closed as calm words drifted back to her: "Aunt Margaret. Good morning."

Her smile widened slightly as she replied playfully, "You truly have sharp senses, Arthur. I didn't even make a sound!"

With one eye finally opening and lips curving into an almost imperceptible smile, he quipped back lightly: "What can I say? I'm gifted."

"Hmph! Arrogant," she teased with mock indignation; yet warmth lingered in her voice.

She stepped forward gracefully; her long dress brushed against the grass as she approached him.

Reaching for her sleeve's hidden napkin, she spread it neatly over the ground beside him before lowering herself with poise befitting someone born into refinement but grounded by humility.

For several moments they sat together in silence, the gentle sound of water flowing from the stream filling their shared space.

Arthur broke this tranquil hush first: "So… Aunt Margaret. What brings you out here so early?"

Margaret sat quietly at first, her gaze fixed on Arthur's profile.

His face appeared calm and composed, but there was an unsettling chill in his eyes, colder than she remembered.

Finally, breaking the silence, she spoke softly yet firmly.

"You've changed, Arthur."

Arthur opened his eyes wide and turned them toward the clear blue sky above. "Changed? How so?"

Margaret hesitated, searching for the right words. "I can't quite put my finger on it. But your eyes… they seem emptier now. Colder. Even when something is supposed to be funny, your smile doesn't reach them, it feels like you're… dead inside."

Arthur felt a lump form in his throat; he was momentarily speechless.

He closed his mouth again and stared at the endless blue above as if seeking answers from the heavens.

Margaret watched him closely, noticing the faint tremor in his shoulders and how tightly he gripped his cup.

"Arthur," she said gently, "whatever weight you're carrying, you don't have to bear it alone. You have a family..Liz, Billy, Julian, Nathaniel, Richard... all of us! We're here for you."

His jaw tightened as he took a deep breath; still, he remained silent.

His gaze stayed locked on the sky while sunlight glinted off his eyes like reflections on glass.

Margaret softened her tone further and reached out to place her hand gently on the table near him.

"Don't bury your emotions completely," she urged. "A family can't thrive on logic alone. If you cut yourself off from everything that matters, what will you leave behind? An empire? Wealth? It all means nothing without the warmth that binds people together."

Her words echoed within him like hammers against steel walls he'd built around his heart.

He thought about the system,the cold voice stripping away pieces of his humanity with every mission completed and feared that one day there would be nothing left: just a hollow machine shaped like a man.

Margaret's truth cut deeper because it resonated with him.

He wanted to speak up,to confess what weighed heavily on him but no words came forth; only silence filled the air between them once more.

---

With a soft sigh, Margaret withdrew her hand and turned her gaze toward flowers swaying gently in the breeze,a splash of color against the morning light.

"I know you won't say it out loud," she said quietly, "but remember this: you're not alone. Don't let yourself forget that."

Arthur felt another tightening in his chest but noticed that his grip on the cup had eased slightly; finally allowing himself to relax just a bit.

He glanced at her,his expression unreadable but something flickered faintly in his eyes: perhaps gratitude buried beneath layers of control.

She offered him a small smile before rising gracefully from the grass and brushing off her dress.

"I'll leave you to your peace," she said, her voice warm and inviting. "But please, don't brush aside what I just shared. Think about it, Arthur. Just... think."

With that, she turned and walked away, her silhouette gradually fading among the trees like a whisper in the wind.

Arthur remained where he was, frozen in thought.

His gaze followed a dance of butterflies flitting above vibrant flowers, nature's own ballet.

Finally, he leaned back in his chair and lifted his cup to his lips.

The hot chocolate had cooled considerably, but he sipped it anyway; comfort was found even in lukewarm moments.

He let his eyes drift toward the sky, which hung heavy and still like an unturned page, while inside him brewed a tempest of thoughts.

A soft whisper escaped his lips, barely audible over the gentle rustle of leaves.

"Family… my last tether before I lose everything."

The stream continued its cheerful bubbling, birds sang their morning songs with abandon but for Arthur,the sun's warmth felt strangely distant today.

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