Kaizen stepped into the duke's living room without ceremony, his footsteps calm against the marble floor. The room was grand, high ceilings, velvet drapes, the scent of incense lingering faintly in the air, but his expression remained unreadable as he crossed the space and took a seat opposite the duke.
Duke Cedric did not bother with pleasantries.
"Tell me," Cedric said sharply, fingers digging into the arm of his chair, "who was behind the massacre?"
Kaizen did not answer immediately. He glanced toward the side table, then back at the duke. "Tea," he said simply. "I would like a cup of tea."
The duke stared at him, incredulous. For a moment it seemed like he would explode, but instead he barked an order to a servant. The silence that followed was thick, heavy, broken only when the tea was placed before Kaizen.
Only then did Kaizen speak.
"Whoever did it," he said calmly, lifting the cup, "is one of us."
Cedric's eyes widened. "One of… us?"
"Someone extremely close," Kaizen continued, unbothered by the duke's rising tension. "Close enough to move unseen. As for the purpose?" He took a slow sip. "Even I don't know it yet."
The cup had barely touched the table before Cedric slammed his fist down. "Then we will find them!" he roared. "And when we do, I swear they will not be spared—"
Kaizen looked up.
His gaze was sharp, cold, and piercing. "And how do i know," he asked quietly, "that it wasn't you?"
The words landed like a blade.
Cedric froze. His mouth opened, then closed. The rage drained from his face, replaced by something tighter, caution. Slowly, he leaned back, forcing his breathing to steady.
"…Careful," the duke muttered.
"I am," Kaizen replied smoothly.
After a pause, Kaizen continued, his tone shifting. "There is a resistance group. They are the ones behind the assassinations of the ministers. They've already sent threats to the king, demands to return what was taken from them."
Cedric frowned. "Return… what?"
Kaizen's eyes narrowed slightly. "Mana crystals. Embezzled over time. Quietly. Systematically."
The duke's expression darkened. "Then they're survivors."
"Or descendants," Kaizen added. "Most likely from the same village the crystals were drained from."
Cedric let out a slow breath. "So this massacre… this chaos… it's retaliation."
Kaizen clicked his tongue softly. "And an irritating one. It disrupts the path to balance. Everything was moving as it should, until now."
Cedric straightened, resolve hardening in his posture. "Then leave it to me. I will have this resistance group dealt with."
Kaizen's lips curved faintly, not quite a smile.
"Good," he said. "In fact, your timing is convenient."
Kaizen lifted his gaze slightly, a brow arching. "Oh?"
"My younger daughter," Cedric continued, his voice carrying a trace of pride, "Isolde has been searching for an opportunity. Her awakening is complete. She's eager to test it."
Kaizen's eyes gleamed.
"Then," he said softly, lifting his tea once more, "perhaps this chaos will at least serve a purpose."
.....
The castle gates stood wide open, sunlight spilling across the stone courtyard where they waited.
Kael stood among them, arms folded, half-listening to the quiet hum of anticipation around him. His mother paced once, then twice, smoothing her dress with nervous excitement she didn't bother hiding. Elisia stood nearby, composed as always, though her gaze flicked toward the road more often than she'd admit. Hiryuu leaned lazily against a pillar, Rin sat beside Mira on the steps, and Miyako whispered something under her breath while Kaien watched the road with a knowing grin.
Then the sound came.
Wheels.
The carriage rolled into view, polished and familiar, its presence commanding attention before it even came to a stop.
Kael's mother gasped softly.
"That's him."
The carriage slowed, guards stepping forward as the door opened.
A young guy stepped out.
Blonde hair caught the light immediately, bright and almost soft, framing a face that carried an easy, open smile. He was a little taller than Kael now, broader in the shoulders too, dressed neatly but without stiffness, someone who looked like he'd grown comfortably into himself.
He barely had time to straighten before.....
"My baby!"
Kael's mother rushed forward dramatically, skirts lifting as she wrapped her arms around him without warning. She pulled him into a tight embrace, kissing his cheeks, his forehead, the top of his head like she'd been deprived for years.
"You've grown so much," she exclaimed, cupping his face. "Look at you! Oh, you must be eating well—are you sleeping enough? You look thinner—no, taller—no, both!"
He laughed, warm and easy, returning the hug without resistance.
"Mother," he said fondly, "I'm home. I missed you too."
She kissed his cheek again before finally releasing him, though her hands lingered on his shoulders like she wasn't fully convinced he was real.
As he turned, his bright eyes scanned the familiar faces, until they landed on Hiryuu.
The shift was instant.
His posture stiffened. His smile faltered. His gaze sharpened.
"…Wait."
Hiryuu raised a brow, unimpressed.
Before the boy could say anything else, Kaien stepped in smoothly, clapping a hand onto his shoulder.
"Relax," Kaien said casually, grinning. "Don't worry about that."
The boy blinked. "Wha—?"
Kaien jerked his thumb toward Kael.
"Kael's into dragons now."
Silence.
Then—
"…What?"
Kael's head snapped in Kaien's direction.
"Oh, I will kill you," Kael said pleasantly, a fake laugh slipping out that fooled absolutely no one. "I will bury you so deep they'll write legends about how you vanished."
Kaien laughed louder, clearly enjoying himself.
"See? Defensive already. That's how you know it's true."
Kael took a step forward.
"Say one more word and I swear—"
Hiryuu snorted.
The blonde boy stared between them, confusion melting into disbelief, then into something dangerously close to amusement.
"…I leave for magic school and this is what happens?"
Kaien smirked.
"Welcome home."
Lucien stepped forward with an easy, confident smirk, hands tucked casually into his coat as if he owned the courtyard already.
"Well," he said, eyes sweeping over the gathered faces, "this is warmer than I expected."
Kael sighed. "Don't start."
Lucien ignored him completely and gave a small bow. "Lucien," he said smoothly. "Kael's sixth older brother."
There was a brief pause.
Elisia blinked once. Then twice.
"…Sixth?" she repeated.
Rin tilted her head slightly, counting in her mind. "Wait… then how many..."
Hiryuu leaned closer to Kael's Mother, lips curling with amusement. "You truly did well, Your Majesty," she said sweetly. "Such… productivity."
Kael's mother laughed nervously, waving a hand. "Oh, it wasn't that bad..."
Hiryuu's smile widened, sharp and playful.
"The more children," she added lightly, "the more satisfaction."
Silence.
Absolute, devastating silence.
Rin froze mid-thought, imagination instantly betraying her as her face turned red.
Mira choked on absolutely nothing.
Miyako looked away, mortified.
Elisia cleared her throat far too loudly.
Kael's soul left his body.
"Hiryuu," he hissed. "Why would you say that."
Lucien, however, laughed.
"Oh?" His eyes lit with interest as he turned fully toward her. "And what type of dragon are you?"
Kael rubbed his face. "Don't encourage her."
Hiryuu lifted her chin proudly. "Southern."
Lucien's brow lifted. "Southern dragon…"
He snapped his fingers. "Ah. Lust-driven, emotionally intense, very territorial."
Kael snapped his head up. "HEY—"
Lucien turned back to him, grinning. "So how did you manage to capture one?"
"I didn't," Kael shot back immediately. "She's not captured."
Hiryuu smiled slowly.
Kael swallowed. "…She's their Queen."
The world ended.
Kaien yelped.
Mira screamed.
Miyako nearly tripped backward.
Their mother gasped so hard she clutched her chest and stepped away.
"A—A QUEEN?"
"You brought a WHAT?"
"WHY IS IT STILL STANDING NEXT TO US?!"
They scattered instinctively, creating a wide, terrified space around Hiryuu.
Lucien, however, only stared, then laughed softly.
"…Fascinating."
Kaien rounded on Kael immediately. "You kidnapped an entire Dragon Queen—"
"I DID NOT—"
"—and still managed to lose a battle?" Kaien finished, horrified.
"I SAID I DIDN'T—"
Kael raised both hands desperately. "Everyone calm down! Please!"
He turned to Hiryuu. "Help me."
Hiryuu sighed theatrically, then stepped forward.
"I am Hiryuu," she said calmly. "Queen of the Southern Dragons. I am… allied with Kael."
She glanced around at their pale faces.
"If I wished you dead," she added pleasantly, "you would already be ash."
That… did not help.
They smiled.
Very. Very nervously.
"…Friend," Rin squeaked. "She's a friend."
"Yes," Miyako nodded rapidly. "A very friendly queen."
"Let's go inside," Elisia said too quickly. "Right now."
They began moving, stiff and shaken.
Lucien lingered behind, eyes still on Hiryuu.
"You know," he said casually to Kael, "I've taken quite an interest in her. I'd love to study—perhaps even experiment with—"
Kael turned instantly. "Touch my girls and I'll end you."
Lucien laughed. "Girls?" He leaned closer. "I never thought I'd see the day Kael became a man with a sexy harem."
Kael's face burned red.
"I WILL push you into the moat."
Lucien chuckled, already walking past him. "Relax. I'm just impressed."
Kael grabbed his sleeve. "Get inside. Now. Before Mother comes back out and drags us in."
Lucien smirked. "Yes, yes. Wouldn't want that."
Kael exhaled deeply.
And wondered what was his life.
----
Lucien sat comfortably in the royal chamber, legs crossed with effortless elegance, posture relaxed in a way that only someone who had grown up in royalty could manage. Kael stood nearby with Kaien, while their parents occupied the high-backed seats opposite him.
"So," the queen began warmly, eyes shining as she looked at her son, "tell us about your studies. How is the elite academy treating you?"
Lucien's lips curved into that familiar proud, yet somehow boyish, smirk. "Still standing," he said lightly. "Which already makes me one of the top students."
The king chuckled. "And your magic training?"
"Advancing well," Lucien replied smoothly. "They specialize in control refinement and complex formations. Tedious at times, but effective."
Kaien snorted. "That means he's flexing on everyone again."
Lucien shot him a lazy glance. "That means I'm surviving what most of you wouldn't."
Kael rolled his eyes.
The queen smiled fondly. "We're proud of you."
Lucien tilted his head, gaze drifting around the chamber. His eyes lingered on the distant presence of servants moving quietly, then toward the wing that led deeper into the palace.
"…Though," he added casually, "I don't remember the palace being this crowded. Why are there so many ladies around lately?"
Kael stiffened.
The queen answered easily, "Kael asked Miyako to stay. She's been serving as his teacher."
Lucien's brow lifted in surprise. "Miyako?" He turned to Kael, clearly amused. "That Miyako?"
Kael sighed. "Yes. That Miyako."
Lucien leaned forward slightly. "Why exactly does a prince of Devon need a personal teacher?"
Kael glanced away. "Because I've been… slacking."
Kaien immediately burst out laughing. "He means he keeps wrecking the mana balance of half the training grounds."
Kael shot him a glare. "I'm working on stabilizing it. It's harder than it looks."
Lucien studied him for a moment, then smiled. "You should've written to me."
Kael looked back at him. "You weren't around."
Lucien's smile softened just a little. "Still. Didn't even occur to you?"
Kael didn't answer. His silence said enough.
Before it could linger, the queen spoke again, clapping her hands lightly. "And of course," she continued, "Elisia is here as well."
Lucien's attention snapped back. "Elisia?"
"She's Kael's fiancée," the queen said proudly.
Lucien froze.
"…He has a fiancée now?"
Kaien grinned. "Surprise."
Lucien slowly turned to Kael. "You?"
Kael rubbed the back of his neck. "It wasn't… planned."
Lucien laughed under his breath. "Of course it wasn't."
"And Hiryuu," the queen added calmly, as if discussing the weather, "is a friend. She's been helping with travel and… other matters."
Lucien's eyes gleamed faintly at the name, that same curious spark returning. "A very interesting friend," he murmured.
Kael immediately felt uneasy.
The king cleared his throat, bringing the conversation back to order, but Lucien's smile lingered, sharp, intrigued, and unmistakably entertained.
"Oh," he said lightly, leaning back in his seat. "I leave for a few years, and Kael builds an entire world without me."
Kael muttered, "It wasn't intentional."
Lucien chuckled. "That makes it even better."
Kael's mother leaned back slightly, a small smile playing on her lips. "And Mira, well… she's probably a healer. Helping out wherever she can." Her gaze softened for a moment. "And Rin… she just recently arrived. Perhaps as… a pet."
Kael nearly choked on his tea. The words hit him harder than he expected. Beastmen weren't considered human by most, treated as animals rather than people unless they were extraordinarily independent or powerful. His mind immediately raced through all the times he'd interacted with Rin, recalling her strength, her intelligence, and her resilience. He hadn't asked about her past before, hadn't tried to understand how she'd ended up in a slave trade. His hands gripped the edge of the table, eyes narrowing as he spoke with unshakable seriousness.
"Rin is not a pet," he said firmly, tone unwavering. "She's my companion. Her worth… is far greater than that."
The room fell silent for a heartbeat, everyone noticing the intensity in his gaze. Lucien, however, couldn't resist. A mischievous grin spread across his face, and he leaned back casually in his seat.
"Well, I had no idea you had a thing for beastwomen too," Lucien teased, eyes glinting with amusement.
Kael's eyes went wide. Tea sputtered from his mouth as he coughed violently, his face burning red. "I-I… it's not like that!"
Lucien chuckled, leaning back. "Sure, sure, keep telling yourself that."
Kael wiped his mouth, trying to regain composure.
Lucien then turned to his parents. "Why… why didn't you invite me or the other brothers to the engagement?"
The king's face softened with a touch of sorrow. "Even we weren't invited," he admitted quietly, as if this were the greatest misfortune of his life. "It came as a surprise."
Kaien snorted, smirking across the table. "They just showed up one day, and Elisia dropped it like a bomb."
Lucien raised a brow. "And… the wedding date?"
Kael slammed a hand on the table, voice rising. "Can we just… forget about this entire thing?"
His mother laughed, the sound warm and musical, cutting through the tension. "Oh, Kael. You'll get used to surprises like this eventually," she said lightly, shaking her head.
Kael groaned, resting his forehead on his hand, while Lucien and Kaien exchanged knowing, teasing looks, silently reveling in their brother's discomfort.
.....
Later, Lucien was escorted down the dimly lit hallways to Rin's room. She sat upright on the edge of the bed, her posture straight and attentive, as though she had been expecting him all along. The faint light from the window highlighted the tension and patience in her figure, making her seem almost regal despite her recent hardships.
Elisia stepped forward, her expression serious. "Lucien… this is the mana restriction symbol on her waist," she explained, gesturing toward Rin's flat stomach. "Since you're an exceptionally powerful mage, you might know how to remove it."
Lucien's lips curved into that familiar, slightly amused smirk. "It seems," he said smoothly, eyes glinting with a quiet confidence, "that I was expected."
Miyako nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Yes… we were hoping you'd arrive when you did."
Lucien tilted his head slightly, a thoughtful glint in his eyes. "Very well," he said. "Give me… five to ten minutes alone. I need to assess this properly."
Everyone quietly filed out, leaving the room with a soft shuffle of feet. The silence that followed was only broken by Rin's soft breathing and the faint hum of the morning light filtering through the curtains.
Six minutes later, Lucien called them back in. They returned, Elisia and Miyako's eyes locked on him, waiting for answers. The mana restriction symbol still glowed faintly on Rin's waist, pulsating as if aware of the attention.
Elisia stepped forward as the group re-entered the room, her eyes scanning Rin carefully. "Lucien… have you managed to figure out anything yet?" she asked, her tone gentle but tinged with urgency. "Is it… serious?"
Elisia stepped forward, concern etched on her face. "What… what exactly is the problem?" she asked, her voice tight with a mix of curiosity and worry.
Lucien's expression remained calm, almost teasing in its serenity. He let out a soft chuckle. "Yes, yes… you're lucky," he said, his smirk playful, letting the tension linger for a moment before he continued. "The problem isn't that it can't be removed. It can be done… easily. But the method… is quite… complicated."
Elisia blinked, caught off guard. "Complicated how? What do you mean?"
Lucien's smirk widened ever so slightly. He leaned back, letting a single word roll off his tongue with casual finality.
"SEX."
The room went silent for a heartbeat, and then Elisia's jaw dropped, eyes widening in shock. Miyako's mouth opened slightly, her brows raised in disbelief. Rin's cheeks flushed faintly, the faintest hint of embarrassment coloring her otherwise composed face.
Lucien simply shrugged, eyes gleaming with a mixture of mischief and certainty, as if this was the most natural solution in the world.