Fallen General's Omega (BL)-Chapter 186: Missing and plans

"It’s just you and me today, little star," I say softly to Mirelle as she babbles in response, her tiny hands gripping the fabric of my shirt. Her sounds are nonsensical, but to me, they carry the weight of the entire universe. I cradle her securely in one arm, her warmth seeping into me, and head to the makeshift office Duke Remiro generously provided for my use.

Celia, with her unrelenting enthusiasm, had decided on an outing with Callan’s wife, Jane, and—unfortunately for me—dragged my beloved star along with her plans. While I trust Noelle to handle himself with his usual grace, I can’t deny I already miss his presence.

The office door creaks open, and inside, I find Roman standing stiffly near the desk, his usual stoic demeanor intact, and Leona lounging lazily against the wall, twirling a dagger between her fingers. They both straighten slightly as I enter, though Roman’s expression remains inscrutable.

I settle into the chair behind the desk, adjusting Mirelle so she’s comfortably perched in my lap. Her tiny hands bat at the air, and I can’t resist the urge to kiss the top of her head. "Now, let’s get down to business," I say, my tone light as I gently swing her back and forth.

Both Roman and Leona exchange glances but remain silent, waiting for me to continue.

"The reason you’re here," I begin, glancing at them briefly before focusing back on Mirelle, who giggles when I tap her nose, "is because I’m not the kind of man who lets grudges slide." My voice carries a steel edge now, though my actions remain tender as I play with my daughter.

Leona raises a brow, curiosity flickering in her sharp eyes, but she says nothing. Roman’s jaw tightens, a subtle sign he already anticipates where this conversation is heading.

"The king," I say, my voice cold and measured, "took away my husband. He may not have known it, but his actions—his greed and arrogance—cost me precious time. Time I can never get back. Time I should have spent with Noelle. Time I should have been here, holding Mirelle, watching her grow." My voice softens as I tickle Mirelle’s tiny tummy, her giggles like a balm to my anger.

Leona’s curious eyes vanish, replaced by a more serious expression. Roman stands like a statue, his silence one of quiet support.

"But," I continue, my tone hardening again, "I’m not about to repeat what I did in Aspen or Bodin. Burning this place to the ground isn’t an option—not because I’ve gone soft, but because Noelle might want to settle down here. And Duke Remiro—" I pause, looking at Mirelle as she grips my forefinger with surprising strength, "—he loves his kingdom.Patriotism and all."

Mirelle lets out a happy coo, and I smile down at her. "So we’ll hit the king where it hurts the most. Noble bloodlines, royalty—they love their power and authority more than anything. We’ll take that away. Piece by piece." I play with Mirelle’s tiny hands, her laughter a balm to the storm brewing within me.

Roman raises an eyebrow, his arms crossed as he leans against the wall. "And how exactly do you plan to dismantle a monarchy without causing chaos?"

"By playing kingmaker," I reply smoothly, the words tasting both bitter and satisfying. "We’ll strip him of his crown, his legacy, and leave him with nothing. And then, when the time is right, maybe I’ll cut off his head for good measure."

Roman’s gaze remains as steady as ever unfazed . "And the replacement?" Roman asks.

"That’s where you come in, Leona," I say, my attention still on Mirelle as she grips my finger with all the strength her tiny body can muster. "Look into the royal family. Find me someone suitable. Someone who can lead without being a tyrant. Someone we can mold."

"Someone we can control," I add on.

Mirelle yawns, her little mouth forming a perfect ’O,’ and my expression softens as I gently rock her. "Remember this, my little star," I murmur, more to myself than her. "You always pay back your grudges. Always."

Roman snorts. "That’s some fatherly advice right there."

"If Noelle were here, I’d never hear the end of it," I admit with a chuckle, brushing a kiss to Mirelle’s forehead. "But it’s true. The world doesn’t hand out justice—you have to take it."

I turn back to Leona and Roman, my tone shifting back to business. "Leona, start digging. If there’s even one redeemable member of the royal family, I want to know about them. Roman, we’ll need allies and resources to make this happen. Reach out to our contacts, quietly. If we’re going to play kingmaker, we need a solid foundation."

The office falls silent after Leona and Roman leave, the door clicking shut behind them. It’s just Mirelle and me now. The stillness amplifies the soft sounds she makes—her quiet coos, the little breaths that make her chest rise and fall. I look down at her, nestled snugly in my arms, and an all-too-familiar wave of emotion crashes over me. It’s overwhelming, this immense affection I feel for this tiny creature.

She’s so small, so fragile, yet she’s the most significant thing in my world. A tangible proof of the love Noelle and I share. She’s a piece of him, a piece of me, and somehow infinitely more than both of us combined. My chest tightens, my throat burns, and I can’t help but smile. "You don’t even know, do you, little star? How much I love you?" I whisper, brushing my lips against the crown of her head.

I hold her closer, inhaling the faint, sweet scent that seems to cling to her. Noelle says he gets these bursts of emotions too—moments when the sheer intensity of loving her feels almost too much to bear. He calls them inconvenient, and maybe they are, but I wouldn’t trade them for anything. Not for the world.

Mirelle stirs in my arms, her tiny fists waving in the air. I take one of her hands, marveling at how her tiny fingers curl instinctively around mine. "Look at you, so small, so perfect," I murmur, my voice softer than I thought possible. "How did someone like me end up with you and your papa? I must have done something right."

She babbles, her lips forming nonsensical sounds that feel like the sweetest music to my ears. I play along, nodding seriously as though we’re having the most important conversation in the world. "Oh, really? You don’t say?" I reply, earning another coo from her. I chuckle, a genuine laugh that surprises even me.

I shift her slightly, propping her against my chest so we’re face-to-face. She blinks up at me with wide, curious eyes—so much like Noelle’s that my heart aches. "You have his eyes, you know," I tell her, tracing the curve of her tiny cheek with my finger. "His smile too. You’re going to grow up to be just as wonderful as he is, I know it."

But gods, how I miss him. The thought slips in unbidden, sharp and aching. Noelle, my beloved star, my everything. It’s only been a few hours since he left, dragged off by Celia for some social outing, but it feels like an eternity. I can’t help but imagine him here with us, his laughter filling the room as he teases me for how utterly smitten I am with our daughter.

Mirelle lets out a sudden giggle, breaking through my thoughts. I grin, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "What’s that, little one? You miss him too, don’t you?" I cradle her closer, swaying gently as I hum a lullaby I’ve heard Noelle sing to her a hundred times.

For now, it’s just the two of us, and that’s enough. But I can’t wait for him to come back. This family of ours—it’s my everything, my reason for every choice, every sacrifice. And as Mirelle’s tiny fingers tug at my shirt, I know I’

d do it all over again, a thousand times over, for them.