Transmigrated Into a Cannon Fodder Phoenix, Stuck With the Ice Dragon-Chapter 110: A Mixed Child

Lucian stood near the gazebo in the garden, his gaze fixed on the one person kneeling among the flowers.

Seraphina was in the small courtyard, her sleeves rolled just past her wrists as she carefully tended to a cluster of pale blue blossoms. Her fingers brushed soil from their stems with quiet patience. There was no rush in her movements, no sound but the faint whisper of leaves in the wind. She looked alive... but deep down, Lucian knew she was not. Not truly. Even after two weeks had passed.

Sebastian stood a few steps behind him, his voice low and steady as he delivered his report.

"There’s still no trace of Elyndra’s soul, my lord," he said. "No fluctuation. No residue. It’s as if she vanished into thin air."

Lucian’s jaw tightened, but his eyes never left Seraphina.

"And Auren?" he asked.

"He’s still trying to locate the marble anchor," Sebastian continued. "The readings are unstable, but he believes the object hasn’t left the manor grounds. Whatever Elyndra used to contain Lady Celeste’s soul... it’s being deliberately concealed."

Lucian exhaled slowly through his nose. "Idiot," he muttered. "He was holding the marble that day..."

His brows furrowed as the memory flashed through him — Seraphina collapsing, Elyndra’s scream, and the moment that cursed light shattered the air.

"Since Lord Auren was thrown back by the impact," Sebastian added carefully, "it is possible the marble cracked... or worse."

Lucian’s gaze finally shifted. "Or worse...?" he prompted.

Sebastian nodded slowly. "I would truly hope it isn’t the worst case, my lord." He hesitated, then met Lucian’s eyes before continuing. "If the marble sphere cracked or shattered... then Lady Celeste would either be freed... or she would have vanished with the marble itself."

Lucian’s breath slowed.

"Vanished," he repeated quietly.

"Yes, my lord," Sebastian replied. "Not dead... but displaced. Untethered. If the vessel that bound her soul was destroyed, her spirit would no longer be anchored to this realm."

Lucian clenched his jaw.

"And if she was freed?"

Sebastian exhaled. "Then she may already be awake. Confused. And searching. A soul that’s been sealed for so long does not simply return peacefully."

Lucian turned back toward the courtyard.

Seraphina had risen from the flowers and was smiling faintly at Ena.

"Do you want to head inside now, my lady?" Ena asked gently, holding out a small white towel for her to wipe her hands.

Seraphina shook her head.

"Ena..." her voice was soft, but the end of it trembled. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, my lady," Ena replied at once, stepping closer.

Seraphina took the towel but didn’t use it. Her fingers lingered over the fabric instead, twisting it slightly as if she were gathering courage from its softness.

"I heard you are a mix..." she asked hesitantly. "Your father is a phoenix, right? What about your mother?"

"Oh... she’s a mermaid," Ena answered after a small pause, blinking a few times. There was just a hint of worry in her eyes, as if she were trying to guess where this conversation might lead.

Lucian’s words echoed faintly at the back of Ena’s mind — ’Be careful. Don’t say anything that could lead her to remember...’

Seraphina’s eyes suddenly brightened with pure, unfiltered curiosity.

"You mean..." she leaned in slightly, "mermaid?"

Ena smiled, soft but real. "Yes, my lady. My mother is a mermaid."

From where he stood, Lucian didn’t even realize he was smiling as he watched her react.

Seraphina lifted a hand to her lips, eyes wide with wonder, as if she had just heard the most magical word in the world.

"A real mermaid..." she whispered, half to herself.

She laughed quietly, almost breathless with excitement, as though the heaviness clinging to her earlier had finally loosened its grip.

"Do you have a tail?" she asked suddenly, then flushed. "I mean—sorry, that’s probably rude."

Ena chuckled softly. "Not rude, my lady. You’re just curious. And to answer your question..." she turned slowly in a small circle, lifting the hem of her dress just a little with a playful smile, "no, I don’t have a tail."

Seraphina blinked at her, then laughed again. "That’s... almost disappointing."

Ena grinned. "I suppose it would be more dramatic if I did."

Seraphina tilted her head, studying her in open fascination. "Then... Can you breathe underwater?"

Ena’s smile softened. "For a little while. Longer than most phoenixes. But I still prefer the shore."

"The shore," Seraphina echoed, thoughtful. "That sounds lonely too. Standing between land and sea."

Ena nodded gently. "It can be. But it also means I get to love both."

Seraphina’s gaze drifted toward the open sky above the courtyard, as if she were imagining waves instead of clouds.

"That sounds like a nice kind of in-between," she murmured. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

And Lucian, standing quietly at the edge of the garden, felt a strange mixture of warmth and ache settle into his chest.

Because for the first time since everything fell apart... she was smiling again.

Seraphina suddenly covered her face, her cheeks flushing out of nowhere.

"I’m sorry... but just wondering..." She peeked at Ena between her fingers, blinking with honest curiosity. "How?"

Ena froze for a second before realizing what she meant—then burst out laughing.

"Oh—my lady, I’m so sorry!" she said between giggles, covering her mouth. Then she leaned closer, lowering her voice dramatically.

"I actually asked my mother the same thing once..."

She straightened and cleared her throat innocently.

"And I was rewarded with a smack on the back of my head."

That made Seraphina laugh too.

"Well," Ena continued with a playful shrug, "you probably aren’t familiar with mermaids, but our clan can live on land for about a week at a time. Once we leave the ocean, the tail fades... and legs take its place."

Seraphina covered her mouth again, eyes lighting up.

"Really?! That’s amazing... so you do have a tail?"

Ena shook her head with a small smile. "Unfortunately, I don’t."

"Ah..." Seraphina pouted slightly, then laughed it off. "I guess that’s the price for being a mixed child, right?" She tilted her head thoughtfully before adding, softer, "I really wonder what my baby would’ve looked like, if it had survived..."

Her words were light, almost teasing, but something fragile slipped through them.

She lifted her gaze toward the open sky, squinting as if she could see something there.

"Maybe they would’ve had my hair color... and Lucian’s eyes," she mused. Then she laughed again, a little too quickly. "That would be strange, right? Red hair with icy blue eyes... totally unfair."

The sound of her laughter lingered for a moment too long.

"Why would it be strange?" Lucian’s voice cut in quietly from her side as he stepped closer and reached for her hand. "I’m sure our baby would’ve been beautiful."

Seraphina startled slightly at his sudden presence, then looked at him with a small, fragile smile.

Ena straightened at once. "My lord." She bowed and quickly stepped back. "I’ll... excuse myself."

Within moments, she had retreated, leaving the garden too quiet again.

Lucian didn’t speak right away. His thumb brushed lightly over Seraphina’s knuckles, slow and careful.

"Don’t ever hide your sadness, little bird," he murmured softly. "I will always be here to listen to you."