Midnight in the Vaelor mansion, all that could be heard were the screams and cries of the mistress of the house.
Seraphine, the wife of Kael, had already given birth to six children; however, none of them could compare to the pain she was feeling now.
The baby wasn't expected to be born for another month; however, on the coldest day in winter, Seraphine went into labor.
Because of both the early labor and the intense nature of the birth, Seraphine began to have doubts.
'Was it too early? Have I failed? - the mistress of the Vaelor family - failed at something as simple as giving birth?'
Being engaged to the eldest son of the Vaelor house, she had been taught from a young age that it was her duty to bear strong children for the house.
"Whaaaaaaaaa." All her thoughts and doubts were washed away by the cry of a baby.
However, what followed were gasps from all the nearby maids who were helping the family doctor with the delivery.
"What is it! What's wrong?" Seraphine asked nervously.
The fear and doubt came back instantly, several times stronger than before.
However, the response of the head maid left her even more confused. "Calm down, my lady, the baby is all right. He seems to be a healthy boy."
Seraphine searched her face to see if she was lying; however, if she was, she didn't show it.
Seraphine looked to the doctor, who was carefully wrapping the baby in a small blanket, and said, "Let me hold him."
The doctor finished wrapping the baby and quickly handed him to Seraphine; however, as soon as she saw him, her eyebrows lifted in shock.
Seraphine married into the Vaelor family, which meant she didn't have the same characteristics as the family.
But she still had red eyes, but rather than red hair, hers was black.
What she saw didn't resemble either her or her husband. She held the baby with snow white hair and alabaster skin.
As his eyes began to flutter, she found an azure gaze fixed on her; she couldn't help but gasp. His eyes felt so deep as if she was staring into an icy abyss.
His appearance was more than just surprising. Part of the reason people believe the Vaelors were descended from dragons is because of how dominant their blood was.
Every single child ever born into the family, regardless of the other parent's genes, always held the characteristics of the Vaelors.
As she held him, she felt a cold draft radiating from the newborn in her hands. 'It's as if his very existence goes against everything Vaelor stands for.' Seraphine thought.
Her thoughts were interrupted as the door creaked open. Seraphine raised her head and found herself staring at her husband, Kael.
Without a word, Kael walked over and glanced at the baby resting in Seraphine's arms.
As soon as his gaze locked on the baby, his brows slightly lifted. For the usually emotionless patriarch, this was a strong reaction.
He quickly shifted his glance with the same subtle look of surprise on his face and muttered, "What have you done?"
Seraphine quickly met his gaze and spoke hurriedly, "Kael, I promise, it's not what you think."
Kael didn't reply to her words, but rather looked once more at the infant in her arms.
As he did, his brows drew together slightly, as if he was thinking really hard about something,
"You're right, I do sense Vaelor blood in the boy. But this appearance, this chill radiating off him.
This boy is a disgrace to the Vaelor name." As he finished, he looked back at Seraphine with a cold and distant look in his eyes.
Seraphine almost yelped under his powerful gaze, but before she could, he spoke.
"That is no child of mine." His words held an air of finality. As he finished speaking, he slowly turned around and left the room.
His words lingered in the air, and Seraphine looked back at her son, recalling the cold, piercing eyes of her husband. She spoke in a hushed voice,
"Nor mine."
The head maid hesitated before speaking. "What shall we call him, my lady?"
Seraphine's eyes lingered on the pale child in her arms.
Kael's voice, already fading down the corridor, was the one to answer.
"Isfrid. Let his name bear the chill he brought into this house."