You were currently in your wooden cottage with your two children Silas and Alice nestled under their blankets.

"Alright," you began with a playful grin, "Who’s ready for a story?"

"Me!" they chorused.

You leaned in, lowering your voice dramatically. "Once upon a time, long before you were born, I was a brave knight and I spent years chasing down the most dangerous villain the realm had ever known."

"The Shadow Lord?" your oldest, Silas, whispered.

You nodded "The Shadow Lord. He was powerful. Cruel. A sorcerer who could command storms with a flick of his hand. He burned down entire villages just to prove he could. No one could stop him."

The kids shrieked and laughed, clutching their blankets.

"He had a voice that turned brave soldiers into cowards. And eyes like burning amber," you continued, barely hiding your smirk.

"Like Papa’s!" Alice giggled.

"He would always appear at dusk," you said in a mock-whisper, "And make anyone who came his way disappear…"

From the corner of the room, Lucian slowly rose from his armchair. "Did someone say… Shadow Lord?" He said in a deep voice.

The kids gasped as Lucian approached them.

He stomped forward dramatically. "Who dares speak my name in the light of fire?"

You gasped. "Children- quick! Hide! He’s found us again!"

The room erupted in laughter as Lucian dropped the act and scooped the little ones into his arms, pretending to cackle wickedly.

---

Later, when the children finally fell asleep, curled up between you both, you caught Lucian’s eye over their heads.

He gave you a slow, knowing smile.

"They still don’t know, do they?" He asks.

You shook your head slowly "They don’t need to."

Lucian looked down at the little ones between you. "I prefer it this way. Let them think their mother fought a monster… not that she saved him."

Your expression softened as you looked at him.

"And what would they think," you whispered, "if they knew the monster now tucks them in at night?"

Lucian gave a small, crooked grin. "Then let’s keep being their bedtime story."