The Return of the Betrayed Heir

12

The dragon manor was shrouded in absolute silence as midnight approached. Helena walked down the hallway carrying a tray with Alex's medicine and water. Reaching his door, she noticed it was slightly ajar—a rare sight, considering she was the only one allowed inside and never left it unlatched.

A terrifying thought crossed her mind: (Did Lady Reyla come here...?)

Panic seized her chest as she pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was pitch-black and unusually quiet. Normally, Alex would run to hug her the moment she opened the door, but tonight, there was no sound. Setting the tray on the table, she approached the bed with trembling steps and spotted his small form lying still.

"Young master..."

She sat gently on the edge of the mattress and reached out to touch him. Hearing his steady breathing offered a momentary wave of relief... but that peace was shattered instantly.

Helena gasped, horrified by what met her eyes: Alex's feet were covered in deep scars, fresh wounds, and dark bruises. His frail body could hardly bear such physical trauma. Covering her mouth to muffle her sobs, she gently touched his feet, barely applying any pressure to avoid causing further pain.

"I'm so sorry, young master... I'm so sorry..." Tears overflowed as she whispered, "I couldn't protect you... I failed to take proper care of you. You're suffering because of me..."

The words choked in her throat. Seeing a young child subjected to such cruelty while being powerless to stop it tore her heart to pieces. She retrieved the emergency bandages she kept nearby and knelt beside his bed, tenderly wrapping his wounded feet.

"I'm so sorry... My helplessness brought you pain. You were all alone, weren't you?"

Wiping her eyes, she gently stroked his hair. "Alex... don't get used to this isolation. Don't think it's normal for people to treat you with hate. You are... the kindest boy in the world. I just want you to accept affection and be happy. I might not be enough... but I will always be here to love you. Even if you push me away, even if you say you hate me or utter harsh words..."

Her voice broke as she pressed on, "So please... cry like a child. Complain to me like any boy your age should. Don't bottle everything up and suffer in silence."

Alex heard every single word, tears cascading down his red eyes like a river. 

Helena quietly slipped out of the room, and Alex opened his eyes. Memories of his past life resurfaced with increasing frequency. He didn't hate remembering them; in fact, he welcomed the reminder. Whenever his family pretended to show kindness, these memories served as a stark reminder to keep his distance.

He climbed out of bed, changed his clothes, and washed his face with cold water.

A soft knock sounded at the door before Helena stepped inside with a warm smile. "Young master, it's time for breakfast."

"Thank you."

Alex dried his face and stepped out of the bathroom. Helena placed the food on the table, standing nearby with a bright expression. 

Alex, on the other hand, wore a cold frown. "Doesn't it get exhausting to smile every single day?"

"Not at all," she replied softly. "Watching you grow every day brings me genuine joy. I can't help but smile."

Alex sat down at the table. Helena's persistent optimism baffled him, though he kept his thoughts to himself. Before taking a bite, a sudden movement outside caught his attention—two silver dragons were gliding gracefully across the sky. Tessarion was nowhere to be seen, still fast asleep in his sanctuary.

"Your siblings have returned today," Helena remarked. "You haven't seen them since you were three years old, so you might not remember them clearly. You were just a toddler back then."

"I know them very well," Alex replied coldly. "Even if I didn't remember, their portraits are hanging everywhere."

In truth, Alex remembered them all too well from his past life, including their cruel natures.

"As twins, they complement each other perfectly in battle," Helena added.

The two silver dragons descended into the courtyard, and Baela and Baelon dismounted. Baelon immediately cast a sharp glance toward Alex's window. Alex ignored him completely, focusing entirely on his plate, which caused Baelon's brows to furrow in annoyance.

"Helena, close the curtains. The view outside is sickening."

Helena promptly pulled the curtains shut. Down in the courtyard, Baelon clenched his fists in irritation before entering the manor. Alex finished his breakfast and began sipping the coffee Helena had brought.

"Are you going to stand there all day, Helena?"

"I don't mind. Just watching over you brings me peace."

Alex didn't argue. Finishing his coffee, he cracked his neck and grabbed his pre-packed bag.

"Are you heading somewhere?" Helena asked curiously.

"Yes, going to the forest to continue my training. With the others back, the training grounds won't be private anymore. I need an isolated spot."

Alex stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him, sending a swift mental transmission: (Wake up, you lazy reptile. We're leaving.)

Tessarion yawned and stretched lazily. (Waking up at this hour is terrible for a growing dragon.)

(Right... keep telling yourself that.)

Arriving at the main hall, Alex found his mother and twin siblings sitting together. All eyes turned toward him, but Alex maintained his stride without stopping.

Reyla stood up. "Alex."

Alex halted, without turning around. "Is there a problem, Mother?" (Calling her 'mother' made his stomach churn as vivid memories of her past cruelty resurfaced.)

"Your siblings are back. Aren't you going to greet them?"

"They're staying here, aren't they? We'll bump into each other eventually. But right now isn't the time."

Alex resumed walking. 

"Alex!!" Reyla barked, her voice surging with a wave of bloodthirsty aura.

Alex let out a quiet sigh. "I have to train. Don't disturb me, Mother."

He turned his head slightly and unleashed a wave of suffocating, dominant killing intent that instantly crushed Reyla's pressure, forcing her to withdraw her aura in sheer shock.

(What was that intensity...?) Reyla thought, her eyes widening in disbelief.

Alex stepped out of the estate, meeting Tessarion as the dragon descended from the mountain, and together they made their way into the forest.

(You need to be more careful,) Tessarion warned mentally. (You're acting far too aggressive for a six-year-old. Control yourself.)

"No need. I just need a bit more time to put distance between myself and them. Soon I'll leave this place and never look back."

Alex pushed aside the overhanging leaves and kept moving. Tessarion's warnings didn't bother him; he simply wanted to stay away from his family to prevent himself from slaughtering them right now. Besides, he had another plan in mind: provoking his father to get himself exiled.

(Didn't we agree the other day not to go into exile?) Tessarion reminded him.

"I don't recall agreeing to that. Besides, where can they exile a six-year-old? The Dragon Citadel at most. Which suits me perfectly. I'll do whatever it takes to get away from this house, especially now that those two are back."

Tessarion sighed in resignation. (You really are unbelievable... I've met plenty of fools, but you take the crown.)

Alex smirked. "Thanks for the compliment. Always nice hearing that from you."

Infuriated, Tessarion threw a mental punch and delivered a sharp telepathic bite to his arm.

Alex winced, clutching his arm. "Okay, that one actually hurt!"

(You deserved it! Soon Lord Aenys will return, and Lady Reyla will report everything. I shudder to think what will happen then.)

"Don't worry, nothing will happen. Aenys was always cold—he never even looked at my face. At most, he'll lock me in my room."

Arriving at the tree marking the entrance to Osiris's cave, Alex adjusted his bag. "Alright, let's keep moving."