NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: Family tradition (2)
"Finally, you're back, you giant mutt," said Raphaël, glaring at the large black dragon with a murderous look.
The black dragon leaned down, looking at Raphaël, and said:
"I am here because I sensed that interesting things are about to happen."
"And also, I would like to witness the awakening ceremony this time."
Raphaël continued to glare at the dragon, gripping the hilt of his sword, and said:
"You have some nerve, dragon. Do you want me to cut off your wings and turn you into a mere lizard?"
The dragon replied:
"Grant me at least this favor, Raphaël, especially for what I have done for this family while you were weakened."
The legendary black dragon, Valthor, son of the black dragon Syrs, whom the hero Raiden had subdued before eliminating most of the dragons and sealing the world of darkness. Syrs and all his descendants were tasked with protecting Raiden's lineage.
Valthor inherited his mother's will and protected Raiden's descendants for over 500 years, especially during a time when the royal family had lost most of its power and influence, and the kingdom was under attack from all sides by other kingdoms seeking to take advantage of Ingrissia's weakness. This led to the kingdom losing a significant portion of its original territory.
But the Ingriss lineage did not meet its end thanks to the protection provided by Valthor until the family's recovery.
Raphaël removed his hand from the hilt of his sword, crossed his arms, and looked at the dragon, saying:
"You have indeed protected our family for a long time, but..."
Raphaël then activated the power of his stigmate, which turned his red eyes into golden ones with lightning, and a heavy aura emanated from him as he said:
"If you hadn't lost your mind 15 years ago, perhaps my mother would still be standing on her two legs without scars covering almost her entire body."
"So, for now, don't think about approaching my family until I allow it."
Raphaël turned and began to walk away but suddenly stopped, pursed his lips, and said:
"You can attend the ceremony, but stay far away from us, or I'll cut you down."
The dragon, looking somewhat dejected, looked at Raphaël with a surprised expression and said:
"Thank you very much, Raphaël."
Raphaël then left the secret chamber and returned to the castle. It was already evening.
As Raphaël lost himself in thought, he stopped in front of a window and gazed at the moonlight with a distant look, saying:
"I am already so exhausted."
"Don't worry, my children. I will do everything in my power to keep you smiling."
"Even if I have to sacrifice myself."
After that, Raphaël headed to Arianne's suite and entered in the middle of the night. Upon arriving, he saw Arianne sleeping. He sat on the edge of her bed, moved the hair covering her face to observe her, and then kissed her forehead. He then approached Lucas's crib, watched him sleep with a smile on his lips, and left the queen's suite.
Next, he went to Princess Layna's suite, approached her bed, and looked at her with a smile, saying:
"I hope you will always grow up with a smile, my daughter."
Raphaël then left the princess's suite and headed to his own.
THE NEXT DAY:
Raphaël and Hallan walked together toward the throne room. As they walked, Hallan looked at Raphaël intently and said:
"What did you do all night, Raphaël, to have such heavy eyes?"
"You know, you're the king. If you're tired, we can postpone everything, and you can rest."
Raphaël laughed and said:
"Don't worry, Hallan, everything is fine."
Then, looking toward the courtyard, Raphaël saw Arianne playing with Layna and Lucas, and his face softened into a smile. He turned to Hallan with a smile and said:
"Admit it, you're the one who wants to take a day off, especially since you shaved your beard and cut your hair."
"You want to win back your wife with a new style," he teased Hallan.
Hallan, embarrassed, quickly changed the subject to escape Raphaël's teasing:
"Your Majesty, Prince Dayvon should be back at the castle in five days, and Lady Arya should arrive in four days with the patriarchs of the secondary families."
Raphaël said:
"Finally, my entire family will be reunited again," he said with a smile. Then he added:
"We must organize Lucas's awakening ceremony next week."
And then, looking at Lucas through the window, he said:
"I wonder what kind of power Lucas will awaken."
Raphaël then said:
"I think we should bring my mother to this awakening ceremony."
Hallan looked at Raphaël with a slightly shocked expression and said:
"Are you sure, Your Majesty?"
"Yes," replied Raphaël, smiling. "She will be able to see her grandchildren reunited, and it will also allow her to get some fresh air."
Hallan stopped overthinking and said:
"As you command, Your Majesty."
"We will escort her to the sword field on the day of the awakening ceremony."
Raphaël grabbed Hallan by the shoulder and said with a smile:
"I knew you would understand my whims."
Hallan removed Raphaël's arm from his shoulder and sighed:
"Anyway, we're almost at the throne room."
Raphaël said:
"Yes, yes, Mr. Serious."
After that, they headed to the throne room together and began their day.
A WEEK LATER:
Sitting on a throne at the edge of a field filled with swords, Raphaël stood up with his sword and planted it in the ground in front of him, still gripping the hilt. He declared in a commanding voice:
"I declare this awakening ceremony open!" At the same moment, he activated the power of his stigmate, turning his eyes golden, and a bright aura surrounded him. Eight angelic wings materialized through his aura in the middle of the sword field, witnessed by his younger sister Arya, who said with a face dazzled by her brother's power and a smile:
"One day, I will succeed in dueling you, brother."
Meanwhile, the former matriarch of the Ingriss family sat in a wheelchair, missing an eye, but she suddenly smiled with pride at what her son Raphaël had shown. She opened her mouth and said:
"..."
TO BE CONTINUED...….