Snowman stood in the hallway, his heart heavy with the realization that his father's
absence wasn't caused by the weight of a crown, but by the weight of a blanket. But
before the boy could ask anything else, the silence was shattered.
A servant came sprinting down the corridor, his boots skidding on the marble. "Lord
Sparta! Lord Sora!" he gasped, doubling over to catch his breath. "Three carriages
have just entered the capital gates! They came straight through the main
thoroughfare, asking the border guards for the exact location of the palace!"
Leo's brow furrowed. "Carriages? Who would dare enter the Sunspire Fields with
such a lack of ceremony?"
"It's not just carriages, my Prince," the servant stammered. "There are two ornate
Royal Carriages, and between them... a high-level prisoner transport. It's reinforced
with cold iron and magic dampeners. They're at the garden gates now!"
"What are the symbols on the banners?" Sparta asked, his voice sharp and
disciplined.
"An open sea shell with a shimmering pearl, my lord," the servant replied.
The color drained from Sparta's face instantly. The powerful, stoic Lizardman—the
master of ocean magic who could crush a ship with a wave—began to tremble. His
knees shook so violently that his armor rattled.
"Sparta?" Sora asked, looking at his comrade in shock. "What's wrong? You look like
you've seen a ghost."
"That..." Sparta choked out, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "That is my family's
crest."
"Your family?" Ryuki chirped, still oblivious. "Hey, that's great! A family reunion! Why
are you shaking like a leaf?"
Sparta didn't answer. He turned and bolted toward the palace garden, his speed so
great he left a trail of dust. Confused and sensing a new wave of "noise," Leo, Sora,
Snowman, and Ryuki chased after him.
They reached the grand garden entrance just as the three carriages rolled to a halt.
The Sunspire sun glinted off the polished wood of the royal transports. The door to
the lead carriage opened, and four women stepped out. They were strikingly beautiful,
appearing human, and possessed an elegance that rivaled the Empresses
themselves.
The four women locked eyes with Sparta and smiled—a smile that was both sweet
and terrifyingly expectant.
Sparta stared at them, his eyes wide. He looked at the first sister, then the second,
then the third and fourth. Finally, his gaze dropped to their midsections. His jaw hit
the floor as he realized all four of his sisters were visibly pregnant.
"No..." Sparta whispered, his world spinning. "Not all of them..."
From the second royal carriage, a High Priest stepped out, smoothing his robes. He
looked toward the shaking Lizardman and gave a casual, mocking wave. "Hey there,
Sparta! Good to see you're doing well in the South. We've brought the 'gifts' you left
behind."
Sparta didn't say a word. His eyes rolled into the back of his head, and the third
subordinate of the Monster collapsed onto the grass, fainting in pure, unadulterated
shock.Snowman, Leo, and Ryuki stood frozen, looking from the unconscious Sparta to the
four pregnant sisters and the mysterious prisoner carriage still locked tight in the
middle.
The "noise" of the palace hadn't just grown—it had just become a hurricane.