Rebirth Of The Dragon Prince

Chapter 4 - The Golden Shield

Chapter 4

Adrian braced for death.

The swirling magical vortex in Prince Lyrixa‘s hand crackled like a brewing storm. He couldn’t move, couldn’t run, couldn’t even think. All he could do was stare in horror as the energy surged toward him.

“This is it,” he whispered, frozen. “I’m really going to die here…”

Then it happened.

A blinding golden light burst between him and the incoming blast. The energy smashed into it with a thunderous roar, sending a shockwave through the courtyard. Stone cracked, dust exploded into the air, and part of the palace wall behind Adrian splintered like paper. But Adrian was untouched alive.

His legs gave out, and he fell to his knees, panting in disbelief.

“kael” a furious voice rang out.

Adrian turned toward the light. Seraphina stood at the edge of the corridor, her golden aura still shimmering around her outstretched hand. Her face was pale with rage, lips tight, and her eyes burned like fire. She stormed forward, her long dress trailing behind her like a comet’s tail.

“What do you think you’re doing, Lyrixa?!”

Lyrixa lowered her hand, the magical energy fading. Her sharp eyes narrowed slightly, feigning innocence. “I didn’t know it was kael. I thought it was a stranger sneaking around.”

Adrian blinked. “Wait… Lyrixa?”

Seraphina stepped protectively in front of him, glaring at the rider. “Don’t act like you didn’t recognize him. He’s the prince. Prince Kaelith Virelian. You nearly killed him!”

Adrian’s head snapped toward Lyrixa in shock. “You’re a girl?!”

The words left his mouth louder than he intended.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Even the maids standing at the edge of the corridor froze. One of them snorted before quickly covering her mouth. A couple others broke into nervous giggles.

Lyrixa’s lips twitched. Her eyes narrowed dangerously. “Excuse me?”

Adrian, still recovering from the fear and adrenaline, couldn’t help himself. “I mean wow. That’s… some serious jawline. And the voice! You had me convinced you were a guy. Not gonna lie, I even admired it for a second.”

More stifled laughter. One of the younger maids actually choked.

Seraphina’s eyes widened in horror. “kael what is wrong with you?!”

Adrian opened his mouth, but before he could say another word, Seraphina stomped over and pinched his ear so hard he yelped.

“Ow, ow, okay! Not the ear!”

“Apologize!” she hissed. “That was incredibly rude!”

“I didn’t mean to offend”

“I don’t care. You almost died just now, and you’re cracking jokes like a fool!” She turned to the maids. “Wait here for father Thorian’s elixirs. I’ll take him back.”

Still rubbing his ear, Adrian muttered, “Jeez. Everyone here’s stronger than they look…”

Seraphina didn’t reply. She practically dragged him back into the room, and once the door shut behind them, the tension eased just a little.

Adrian collapsed onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.

Seraphina folded her arms and stared at him. “What were you thinking, walking around like that?”

Adrian sighed. “I needed to clear my head. I’m still… adjusting.”

Seraphina’s expression softened. She sat beside him on the edge of the bed. “Do you really not remember anything?”

Adrian looked at her, eyes serious. “Nothing. Not even my own name until you said it.”

She bit her lower lip. “You are Kaelith Virelian. Son of the thirty-fifth emperor of the Holy Dragon Empire. A prince of royal blood… even if not everyone accepts it.”

Adrian’s brows rose. A prince? He didn’t show his surprise, but inside, his thoughts raced. This body… it really belonged to royalty?

“What about you?” he asked. “Are we… like, close? Were we”

Seraphina blinked, then smiled sadly. “We grew up together. My mother… she nursed you when your own was too ill. We’ve always been like family.”

Adrian’s heart sank just a little. “So… more like siblings?”

“Yes.”

He forced a smile. “Right. Got it.”

Seraphina tilted her head. “Why do you ask?”

“No reason,” Adrian muttered, scratching his neck awkwardly. “Just curious.”

She stood and began pacing. “You really don’t remember Lyrixa either?”

“Trust me, I’d remember someone who launched a magical nuke at my face.”

Seraphina rolled her eyes. “Her name is Lyrixa Vaelthorn. Her father is one of the highest-ranking generals in the empire. She’s from the Vaelthorn Clan an elite noble family known for their strength and discipline.”

Adrian frowned. “So… a spoiled rich girl with superpowers?”

“She bonded with dragon spirit energy at age eleven,” Seraphina said, her voice sharp with warning. “She’s a master-level spirit manipulator now and highly respected across the empire.”

Adrian whistled low. “Sounds terrifying.”

“She is. And don’t forget if I hadn’t stepped in, you’d be in a lot worse shape.”

Adrian sat up straighter, suddenly aware of the burning ache still throbbing in his shoulder. “Yeah… thanks for that.”

Seraphina’s voice softened again. “kael… this world isn’t kind. You can’t afford to provoke the wrong people. Even as a prince, your position isn’t secure.”

Adrian nodded slowly, the weight of her words settling in.

He was in a new world. A new body. A new life. And if he wasn’t careful… it could end just as quickly as it had started.

Adrian’s heart pounded as Seraphina’s warning echoed in his mind: “You’re vulnerable now… and Lyrixa knows it.”