A Giant Dragon covered entirely in cyan scales was already waiting here. Tiny sparks of lightning flickered between its scales, letting out a soft CRACKLE.
It was none other than Aiden Duke’s companion, the Thunder Dragon Astra.
Astra sensed its master’s arrival and slowly opened its vertical-slitted eyes.
"That sick lion’s head down in the South is still waiting for to claim it."
Aiden Duke’s voice rang out. He wasn’t looking at Raylo; his gaze was fixed on the distant southern horizon.
Raylo stood silently to the side.
Aiden Duke turned, his tall figure casting a long shadow in the moonlight.
He took a Sheepskin Scroll sealed with silver thread from his robes and held it out to Raylo.
The Scroll was branded with the insignia of the Thunder Dragon Family and emanated a faint pulse of Magic Power.
"From this day forward, I am entrusting the Northern Territory to you completely. Rember, Raylo, with great power cos great responsibility. Do not disappoint the people of this land."
Raylo accepted the decree solemnly. The weight he felt far surpassed that of the Sheepskin Scroll itself.
He could feel the profound trust and high expectations underlying his father’s words.
"I understand."
A faint smile touched Aiden Duke’s lips. In that mont, he was not the Duke, but a father.
He balled his fist, hard as cast iron. Instead of an embrace, he gave Raylo a solid thump on the shoulder.
THUMP!
In that dull thud lay the most direct form of affirmation between n.
"Treat Avril well. She’s a good girl."
With that said, Aiden Duke vaulted onto Astra’s broad back.
The Thunder Dragon let out a deep roar that seed to summon the very thunder from the heavens.
Its massive wings snapped open, and the powerful gust of air kicked up sand and stone, making Raylo’s robes whip loudly.
The next mont, a flash of blue Lightning tore across the night sky. Astra beca a streak of light, vanishing over the northern horizon in an instant.
Raylo unfurled the decree the Duke had placed in his hands.
"I hereby appoint the Crown Prince of the Duchy, Raylo Thunder Dragon, as the Northern Guardian. Effective imdiately, he shall assu command of all military and political affairs in the Northern Territory, with the authority to conscript the private armies of all Lords in the Northern Territory to form the Northern Alliance Army. All Lords of the North, to see this decree is as if to see in person."
At the bottom of the decree was Aiden Duke’s personal signature and the Duchy’s Thunder Dragon seal. The imnse Power contained within the seal made the entire sheepskin radiate a faint, oppressive authority.
Raylo’s breath hitched.
Northern Guardian.
This title had appeared only a handful of tis in the Duchy’s history. Each ti, it signified that the Duchy had entered its highest state of military readiness.
It represented not just glory, but the crushing responsibility of the entire Northern Territory’s safety resting on a single person’s shoulders.
’Father has...’
’He has truly entrusted the entire North to .’
The cool night wind blew, clearing his chaotic thoughts sowhat.
In the distance were rolling mountains and vast forests—his domain, and the land he was now sworn to protect.
After a long while, he carefully put the decree away and turned to head back to the castle.
In the bridal chamber, the Fla in the hearth burned brightly, letting out a warm CRACKLE.
The candlelight flickered, and the air was filled with Avril’s faint, sweet fragrance.
His new bride had already changed out of her elaborate gown. Dressed in a light silk night-robe, she sat before her vanity, undoing her intricate chignon.
One by one, she removed the pearls, placing them in her jewelry box with a series of soft, crisp clicks.
The soft candlelight traced the elegant contours of her profile. A few stray strands of hair fell beside her cheek, making her seem less like the poised "Pearl of Baisha Port" and more like a charming girl next door.
Hearing the door open, Avril turned. A gentle smile lit up her eyes when she saw Raylo.
The mont he saw her smile, the weight and turmoil in Raylo’s heart were soothed.
He walked up behind her and gently wrapped his arms around her waist.
"It’s been a long day."
His voice was soft.
"I’m alright."
Avril leaned into his embrace, feeling the sense of security that radiated from him.
"I just never expected a wedding in the Northern Territory would be like this."
"You didn’t like it?"
"No."
Avril shook her head, her lips curving into a lovely smile.
"It was very interesting. And also... romantic."
Raylo smiled, swept her up into his arms, and carried her toward the large bed with its soft velvet bedding.
He gently laid Avril on the bed. But just as he was about to lean down to embrace her, a white figure shot down like a bolt of lightning from the open windowsill, landing with a PLOP, squarely between them.
It was Moonlight.
As if they weren’t even there, Moonlight flopped down between them and started to purr. It even gave Avril a little nudge with its furry backside, pushing her closer to the edge of the bed as it claid the pri spot for itself.
A muscle in Raylo’s temple twitched.
Before he could react, the air rippled faintly, and with a soft POOF, Coal Ball also appeared on the bed.
The Space Young Dragon was clearly Moonlight’s most loyal underling. It copied its role model, squeezing in beside Moonlight and curling its glossy black body into a ball. It then mimicked Moonlight by giving Raylo a nudge with its tiny backside, as if staking out territory for its leader.
The warm, romantic atmosphere in the bedroom vanished in an instant.
Raylo looked at the two uninvited furballs, one large and one small, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
He reached out, grabbing both little creatures by the scruffs of their necks.
"How would you two like to go keep Sun company tonight?"
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