5. Adriana Kingsley

Cedric had built his reputation among the citizens as he walked semi-naked through the city, cradling his newborn baby in his arms.

Opening his notebook, Cedric's gaze stopped at the entry for the name Camila.

With one hand resting on the back of a chair carved from wood, Cedric carefully extracted an ostrich feather quill. Cradling his baby with the other arm, he sought to create a cozy and tranquil atmosphere for the child to sleep.

Now, as Cedric's eyes moved over the letters forming Camila's name, shaking his head slowly as if challenging his own memory, he took a deep breath and began to write: Annulled. Camila is not the mother of my child.

With that simple statement noted, Cedric felt relieved. His quest led him to the next person on his list: Adriana Kingsley.

When he recalled Adriana, Cedric couldn't help but smile. She was a charming woman, full of personality and vitality that shone in every gesture and word. He couldn't recall with certainty why their relationship had come to an end. Perhaps he had seen her with another man, or maybe he was the one who first deceived.

As the hours passed and the daylight began to wane, Cedric tidied his clothes and left his humble abode to meet Adriana. Walking through cobblestone streets and past abandoned buildings, he reflected on the night he had met her; that night when the moon shone through the clouds, and she appeared as a ray of sunshine in his dark life.

He finally reached the inn where Adriana worked, and she awaited him with anticipation, unable to hide her joy at seeing Cedric had decided to present himself to her again.

"Hello, Adriana," he began as his hands nervously moved over the simple wooden table, "I'm grateful for the opportunity to talk to you and, above all, to remind you."

Adriana smiled kindly, recognizing the words of the wizard.

"Cedric, what a joy to see you again," she said with a hint of curiosity and hope.

Seeing Lysander, Adriana's gaze was drawn to the small being resting in Cedric's arms. Her face expressed an unmistakable sentiment: empathy and a desire to care for him as if he were her own child. With a tender and understanding smile, she approached Cedric and offered her arms to take the baby. As Lysander nestled into Adriana's embrace, she looked at him with a mix of curiosity and empathy.

"Congratulations, Cedric," she began as her fingers delicately felt the well-cared-for head of the newborn, "For the first time in my life, I feel proud of you. Who is his mother?"

Cedric could barely breathe, feeling as if all his memories were pierced by an unknown wind. If it wasn't Adriana, he had to continue his search.

"I'm aware that I don't know who the mother is; they left him on my doorstep," he finally replied with a fragile and difficult voice.

Adriana looked at Cedric with understanding eyes, grasping his dilemma.

"Well, Cedric," she began in a low but firm voice, "you mustn't forget that men like you—the adventurous ones—can assume their responsibilities. I hope you remember and accept to take care of little Lysander. I hope your quest to find his mother isn't aimed at getting rid of this adorable child."

With eyes fixed on Adriana and Lysander, Cedric felt tormented by his own words and desires. Nevertheless, he decided to present his proposition with the sincerity that remained somewhat distant from his heart.

"Adriana," he began as his hands trembled while gathering the courage to continue speaking, "I'd like to go out with you again."

Adriana smiled, but her laughter was haunted by uncertainty and difficulty.

"It's a beautiful sentiment, Cedric, but we never worked out," she replied with a slightly shaky voice, "I've started dating another young adventurer; I feel like I'm in love for the first time. However, if you need help finding Lysander's real mother so that your son can grow up in a family, remember there's Sofia, and she might have knowledge of a spell to find Lysander's mother."

Cedric's memories went back to the time he met Sofia Harrington. She was a beautiful blonde woman with deep eyes and a mysterious allure. They had spent entire nights sharing their bodies under the starry sunset, when the blues contemplated their nudity.

As he faced the idea of turning to Sofia again, Cedric felt an unconfessable fear and palpable uncertainty. What would happen if her sight condemns me to a fate worse than what I've already lived? What would be my fate in asking for her help? Sofia was a sorceress, better than Cedric could ever be.

However, despite these reservations and fears, Cedric decided to turn to Sofia for answers.

This might be my only hope to uncover the truth, he thought as Adriana returned Lysander to his arms.

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