After the girl left, John let out a long sigh.
Teenagers these days—reckless, passionate, and completely devoid of foresight.
At their age, they were meant to bloom like spring flowers, bursting with life and possibility. But one misstep, one lapse in judgment, and the petals would wilt before they'd ever truly opened.
Modern education had failed them. The more society tried to suppress, the more curiosity festered. It was only natural—the forbidden always beckoned louder.
Suddenly, John's thoughts wandered—to Zara.
Last time, after returning from Skyline Mountain, she had said something...
"Tomorrow is my birthday."
Right.
John tapped his forehead as an idea sparked to life.
Something bold.
Something unforgettable.
The next day.
At the Remar estate, John immediately noticed a shift.
Stratton, Maxwell, Simon—they were different. Their eyes lingered longer, their words weighed more heavily. Every gesture was more cautious, every smile a little forced.
Of course it was.
Yesterday, he had merely been a gifted doctor—Stratton's esteemed son-in-law, the man behind the scenes.
But now... now they knew the truth.
He was the King of Horizon.
A man whose footsteps made armies rise. Whose gaze made monarchs tremble.
The shadow behind empires.
No wonder they were nervous.
He had tried to reassure them, using calm smiles and gentle words, urging them to treat him as before.
But old habits—and fear—die hard.
Everyone shifted.
Everyone… except Zara.
As bubbly and bold as ever, she rushed over, latching onto his arm with practiced familiarity and flashing a sweet, impish smile.
"Mr. Lopez! I've been waiting for your gift!"
Stratton and the others flinched like they'd just heard her curse a priest.
Did she just speak to the King of Horizon like that?!
Maxwell looked ready to faint. Simon's mouth was half open in horror.
Before any of them could bark a scolding, John gave them a look—a subtle narrowing of the eyes.
They froze on the spot.
Zara giggled, oblivious to the silent panic, and snatched the sleek gift box from his hands.
With excitement practically radiating from her, she peeled it open…
…then frowned.
Her lips curled in theatrical disappointment. Her eyebrows twitched with exaggerated betrayal.
Even Stratton and the others winced at her expression.
Four bold words stared back from the cover of the box:
Kaplan SAT Comprehensive Program.
Zara groaned, dragging the syllables like a child denied candy.
"Mr. Lopez, are you serious? Who gives SAT prep as a birthday gift?!"
"Zara! Watch your tone!" Stratton barked, sweat beading at his temples.
But John gave him another look—cool, relaxed, vaguely amused.
Stratton clamped his mouth shut.
'Am I really that terrifying?' John mused silently, suppressing a smirk.
Stratton, recovering with effort, put on a smile so forced it might've cracked his jaw.
"Z-Zara… Mr. Lopez gave you this because he wants to help you succeed. He's investing in your future. Don't… don't disappoint him."
Zara puffed her cheeks, then blinked, a spark lighting behind her eyes.
"Fine!" she huffed. "I'll work extra hard! Once I get into New York University, I'll be with Mr. Lopez forever!"
Silence.
It dropped like a boulder.
Stratton turned pale. His knees almost buckled.
He had made up that lie—to trick her into studying harder.
Now she'd gone and said it. In front of him.
If he could tape her mouth shut, he would've done it with glee.
All eyes turned to John, awaiting his reaction.
He looked at the girl clinging to his arm. Then at the stunned elders.
He smiled.
"Alright. If you get into New York University, I'll pursue you."
"REALLY?!" Zara squealed, eyes shimmering.
Before John could move, she jumped into his arms and planted a kiss on his cheek.
The room broke.
Stratton's mouth flopped like a beached fish.
Maxwell stumbled. Simon gripped the table like it was the only thing keeping him upright.
Even John blinked in disbelief.
Stratton coughed hard, trying to regain his composure.
"Mr. Lopez… will you truly keep that promise?"
He looked more eager than Zara.
After all, this wasn't a promise from a random suitor. This was the King of Horizon. His word alone carried the weight of dynasties.
John studied the old man's gleaming eyes and chuckled inwardly.
'Sly old fox. You're more invested than your granddaughter.'
He gave a slow nod.
"Of course. I never break my word."
Stratton looked like he might leap in joy, had it not been for his brittle bones. His wrinkled cheeks flushed like a schoolboy with a crush.
Then Zara beamed again.
"Mr. Lopez, since it's my birthday... can I ride your big treasure just once? Please? I swear I'll study like a maniac tomorrow—I'll even smash my phone!"
The room froze again.
Big treasure? Happy?
The phrasing was…
Concerning.
But then realization dawned—they remembered.
She was talking about his vintage bicycle.
John burst into laughter and patted his chest.
"Alright. I'll take you out to enjoy yourself to the fullest."
Soon…
Laughter filled the streets of New York.
Zara rode behind him, arms stretched out, her hair wild in the wind, joy painting her face.
John pedaled effortlessly, his bicycle gliding as if possessed by magic.
They zipped past a group of punk bikers revving their engines and showing off.
One of them gawked, shouting, "What the hell—who the hell is that guy?!"
John, atop his antique bicycle, surged past them like a meteor streaking across the sky.
The punks were dumbfounded.
They flagged down a nearby traffic cop.
"Officer! A bicycle just sped past us like a freakin' jet!"
The cop glanced at them, unamused.
"You idiots… You're on gas-powered motorcycles, and you're scared of a guy on a bike? Next you'll be telling me he flew into the sky."