The next morning, Dad was more than ready to accompany to Ryujin Mansion. He practically radiated excitent, and I couldn’t help but smile at his enthusiasm. I liked seeing him happy—especially when the reason was .
As we settled into the carriage, I sat across from him, fully dressed as Ocean Ryujin, my disguise perfected down to the last detail. Beneath the thick, elegant layers of my attire, I had tucked away my reward—the egg—securely nestled against my chest. Wrapped in a soft, thick handkerchief, it rested in the inner pocket of my vest, close to my heart.
Dad, on the other hand, looked like an eager child heading out on his first adventure. His eyes sparkled with anticipation, his entire deanor light with an almost boyish excitent.
"Please rember," I reminded him, watching his animated expression, "even by mistake, you mustn’t call Reina. Address as Ocean or Baron."
He nodded quickly, a playful smile curving his lips. "Yes, I know."
I observed him for a mont, taking in the tired lines etched onto his face—the slight wrinkles at the corners of his eyes, the faint silver strands in his dark hair. He had always carried himself with quiet dignity, but ti had left its mark.
That didn’t sit well with .
Leaning forward, I reached out and pressed my fingers gently against his forehead. A soft glow emanated from my touch as I cast the Supre Healing Spell, letting the ancient magic weave through him, rejuvenating both his body and spirit.
He blinked, startled. His eyes widened slightly as a shimr of blue spangles danced across his vision, disappearing into his skin like stardust.
I withdrew my hand and sat back, crossing my arms over my chest.
He flexed his fingers, examined his arms, then instinctively reached up to touch his face. His gaze darted toward the carriage’s polished mirror, where his reflection revealed smooth, youthful skin and dark hair free of any gray strands.
"What did you do?" he asked, his voice laced with awe.
"I don’t like seeing you so tired," I said simply, resting one leg over the other.
He turned back to , disbelief and amusent mingling in his expression. The unspoken question was evident in his eyes—Where did my wrinkles go? What happened to my white hair?
I rely lifted a brow.
It wouldn’t hurt to have a long life if you had a Dragon in the family.
With a resigned sigh, he finally relaxed, a small, contented smile playing on his lips as he leaned back into his seat.
Our journey continued, the rhythmic motion of the carriage steadying as the path to Ryujin Mansion stretched before us.
After a couple of minutes, we were getting out of the carriage and Lyall was there to greet . He bowed as soon as he saw the Duke and then looked at .
"His Grace, will be staying with for today." I told him as we walked inside with Dad beside .
He fidgeted a bit and I asked, "What’s wrong?"
"You have guests, Master." He said and I recalled of my alleged vassals that were going to co see .
"Ah, right. They were going to co today."
I looked at Dad who gazed back at and I said, "This won’t take long,"
"It’s fine, you did say you had work." Dad said with a smile.
"Lyall, bring Fa-His Grace to the reception room and look after his needs." I said and smacked myself ntally for almost calling him Father instead of addressing him formally.
"I understand, Master." Lyall responded ignoring my mistake and Dad smiled at before he walked away with Lyall.
I sighed deeply running my hand through my hair.
"This might be a bit harder than I imagined." I mumbled before I walked up to my office.
I sensed the familiar presences before I was even close to the office and I shook my head as I realised how I didn’t think of these people.
I opened the doors of my office and the four people in there rose to their feet.
"Welco back, Master." They bowed and Roan stood to a side while I closed the doors behind and faced them.
"Lord Devil, Lord Hawke and Lord Snake, since when are you all my vassals?" I asked right away crossing my arms at my chest.
Zach aka Lord Snake chuckled as he looked at with his mischievous green eyes.
"Why not? You’ve been so good to us, so, we should be there for you too."
Lord Hawke nodded, "Indeed, Lord Dragon. We heard that you usually are busy with so external matters so, we were hoping that we could provide our aid in any way we can."
"Besides, where would you find as capable n as usual for your work, Lord Dragon?" Lord Devil smiled.
"Don’t you all have your own places to handle?" I asked.
"We can squeeze in a little more work," Lord Snake said with a shrug of his shoulders.
"We’re indebted to you so, this is the least that we could do for you." Lord Hawke said.
"I hope you won’t reject our pure intentions of being your vassals." Lord Devil said and I sighed.
"Fine, do whatever you want." I mumbled as I eyed the three Lords of the Underworld Cities who had already pledged their loyalty to .
They owed one way or other so I guess I could put my trust in them. Besides, once I beco the Marquis I would have more things to take care of so, more helping hands would be a good thing.
"We’re already a part of Oasis Foundation, Master." Lord Devil reminded and I nodded before I looked at Roan.
"Prepare the contracts for them," I told him.
"Yes, Master."
"How was your trip though?" Lord Snake asked, "We heard you’ve been gone for two months."
"It was good enough," I responded.
"Where did you go? If you don’t mind us asking." Lord Devil asked.
"I can’t tell you," I said and the three exchanged looks.
"It’s fine, Lord Dragon. We’re glad that you returned safely." Lord Hawke said and I nodded.
"I apologise, but we’ll have to cut this conversation here. I have a guest here so, I need to take care of them."
"Who?" Zack ended up asking and I tilted my head a little.
"Duke Arthur Aurelius." I spoke and their eyes went wide.
"Duke Aurelius?" Lord Devil mumbled.
"Why would he be here though?" Zach asked.
"I invited him to learn about the Magic Portal that was being made, he’s worked on it." I answered.
"Ah, right. Then, I guess we should be taking our leave." Lord Hawke said.
"Yes, but we do hope you would give us so of your ti, Lord Dragon." Zach smiled with the hint of mischief dancing in his eyes.
"I’ll send you an invitation for another play soon, so, I hope you’ll have ti to co and watch it." Lord Devil said with a smile.
The three left soon after and I sighed stretching my arms above my head.
"I hope there’s nothing much to do here " I said and Roan walked up to .
"Duke Arthur Aurelius is here..." He muttered and then his eyes widened, "Wait, isn’t he your-"
I looked at him and he clamped his mouth shut.
"Did you bring him here to show the world that you’ve built here?" He asked and I smiled.
"Yes,"
After that I stepped out as I couldn’t keep Dad waiting for long, I walked over to the reception room but he wasn’t there. I walked out and spotted a maid who was cleaning close by.
"Hey, did you see where His Grace and Lyall went?" I asked.
"Mr Lyall went to show His Grace the garden, Master." She answered and I nodded.
"All right,"
I walked up to the garden and spotted Dad but what I wasn’t expecting was Kai walking with him. I saw him holding Kai’s little hand in his while smiling down at him.
"Are you having fun?" I asked and both of them turned around.
"Master!"
"Re-Lord Ocean!"
They gasped, Kai ca running into my arms and Dad raised his eyebrows as he watched scoop Kai up in my arms.
"You’re back!" He grinned and I smiled.
"Did you have breakfast?" I asked and he nodded.
"Were you taking a walk with His Grace?" I asked and Dad walked up to us.
"Yes," Kai answered and I looked at Dad.
"It seems like you’ve gotten introduced already," I said and he looked in between both of us.
"Re-Lord Ocean... what’s the aning of this?" He asked, "Y-You are acting li-like his pa-pa-parent..."
I could see the shock on his face as the blood had already drained from his face.
"I’m an acting parent for him," I clarified and Dad’s jaw fell on the ground.
"What?! But you-"
I quickly raised my hand to stop him from freaking out, "I, as Ocean Ryujin am his acting parent and guardian, Your Grace. He’s my successor."
Dad blinked a couple of tis before he straightened up and cleared his throat.
"I-Is that so?"
I looked at Kai who was looking in between us, before I let him down.
"Introduce yourself, Kai." I told him.
Kai looked up at and then at Dad before he spoke in a low voice, "I-I’m Kai Nereus Ryujin."
Dad stared at Kai for a mont before he smiled warmly, "I’m Arthur Aurelius, Duke of Aurelia. It’s a pleasure to et you, Young Master Kai."
Kai held my hand looking shy while Dad seed like he was relaxed.
"Now that you two have been acquainted, I’ll give you a tour of Oasis. I hope you’ll like it."
User Comments
0 comments from readers