Holding Eleanor, Murphy walked with steady steps through the debris-strewn hallway, but he did not leave Taymer Palace immediately.

Although the intruder had been dealt with, the chaos from the attack had yet to subside, and panic lingered in the air.

As Duke Temeris’s closest current ally, and more importantly, as Eleanor’s father, his departure now would only heighten the panic.

He needed to make an appearance to stabilize the situation, even if only for a short while.

He didn’t head for the main hall or the council chamber, but instead walked directly toward Eleanor’s private chambers deep within the palace.

It was more secluded there.

The scattered guards and still-shaken servants they passed all wore expressions of relief mixed with awe upon seeing Murphy appear with a safe and sound Eleanor in his arms.

They bowed deeply, instinctively clearing a path. The pervasive atmosphere of panic seemed to calm slightly at the sight of his steady presence.

Eleanor’s chambers were in the east wing of the palace. They were cozy and elegant, a world away from the bloody chaos in the hallway outside.

The faint, milky scent of a child hung in the air.

Murphy stepped into the room and gently closed the door behind him, temporarily shutting out the clamor and residual tension from the outside.

He walked to the bed, which was covered with a soft goose-down quilt, and sat in the armchair beside it. He kept Eleanor on his lap, letting her sit sideways and lean against his chest.

Eleanor seemed genuinely exhausted.

The intense stress from earlier, coupled with the complete relaxation she felt upon her father’s arrival, gave way to a deep wave of fatigue as his steady presence enveloped her.

Her small body nestled limply against Murphy. She let out a tiny yawn, her eyelids heavy, but she still struggled to keep them open to look at her father. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Murphy looked down at her, gently rubbing her back with his hand.

"Were you scared?" he asked, his voice lower and softer than usual.

Eleanor shook her head against his chest, her black hair brushing against his chin.

"No." Her voice was weary but clear. "I’m not scared when you’re here, Father."

She paused, then added in a small voice, "That bad man... he was very bad. You protected me, Father."

Murphy fell silent for a moment. The hand rubbing her back paused briefly before continuing its gentle motion.

"Mm," he grunted, acknowledging her words.

"Father," Eleanor looked up again, her bright black eyes filled with a child’s unique curiosity. "That... shiny thing with the thunder... was that your Witchcraft Artifact?"

"It’s a weapon," he said after a moment’s thought. "And... a part of my power."

Eleanor nodded as if she understood, though she didn’t quite grasp it. She buried her face in the crook of his neck again and fell silent. Her breathing slowly grew deep and even. Just as Murphy thought she was about to fall asleep, she suddenly murmured, her voice barely a whisper:

"When is... Mother coming back?"

The hand rubbing her back stiffened, an almost imperceptible movement.

The chamber fell silent for a moment, the only sound the faint commotion from outside as distant guards cleaned up the aftermath.

"She’s busy," Murphy finally said, his voice as steady as ever, betraying no emotion. "She’ll be back when she’s finished."

It was a vague answer, but it seemed to soothe Eleanor.

She didn’t press the matter, only tightening her arms around her father’s neck as if drawing some reassuring strength from his words and his steady heartbeat.

"Will you always be here, Father?" Her voice grew fainter, becoming little more than a breath.

"Always," Murphy gave her a firm promise.

"Mmm..." Eleanor finally relaxed completely. Her long, thick eyelashes slowly fluttered shut, covering the pitch-black eyes so like her father’s.

Her breathing became utterly deep and steady. Tucked in her father’s warm, solid embrace, her small body found the most comfortable position and drifted into a deep sleep, a small, contented smile on her lips.

Murphy remained motionless, sitting quietly for a while longer to ensure his daughter had fallen into a deep sleep.

He looked down at Eleanor’s peaceful sleeping face, his gaze softening.

After a long moment, he moved with extreme slowness and care. He adjusted his position, gently lifting Eleanor from his lap as if she were a fragile treasure. He laid her gently in the center of the bed with its soft covers and carefully tucked her in.

Once that was done, he stood beside the bed, watching his daughter for another quiet moment.

Then, he turned and walked toward the door.

His steps were still steady, but the gentle aura he’d had with his daughter was replaced by a somber gravity.

By the time he pulled the door open and stepped into the hall, his face was an impassive mask.

The chamber door closed silently behind him, safely sealing away the sleeping Eleanor and the room’s gentle tranquility.

Outside the door, Annabelle was waiting. She had already had the wound on her arm tended to and had changed into a clean spare uniform. Though her face was still pale, her eyes had regained the calm competence befitting a Lady Chief.

A few key guards and a Steward also stood at attention nearby, evidently summoned by her.

Seeing Murphy emerge, Annabelle immediately stepped forward and bowed. "My Lord, Miss Eleanor..."

"She’s asleep," Murphy cut her off, his words clipped. "What’s the situation outside?"

"My Lord, there was only one intruder, and you have eliminated him. The other areas only suffered minor disturbances and a few breached Barriers, all of which are now mostly under control. The Guard Team is conducting a full sweep to ensure there are no other infiltrators or hidden threats. As for casualties... twenty-six dead, thirty-seven with serious injuries, and thirty with minor injuries. From the Wizard’s High-tier Guard detail, three are dead, six are seriously injured, and three have minor injuries. All the wounded have been sent for treatment."