The Return of the Betrayed Heir

15

Silence hung heavy in the study for a long moment before Tessarion broke it in Alex's mind: *(Well... I definitely didn't see that coming.)*

Alex stared at his father, confusion and frustration mixing in his eyes. "The Elf Kingdom? Are you saying I'm not going to the Dragon Citadel?"

Aenys nodded calmly, leaning back against the edge of his desk. "There's nothing to discuss; the decision is made. You will reside there for a considerable time. I have already spoken with Zephyr, the Elf King. Everything is set, and they are expecting your arrival."

Alex felt a tight knot form in his chest. All his meticulous plans had been centered around reaching the Dragon Citadel—where his uncle resided—to gather allies and build leverage. But this unexpected turn completely shattered his roadmap. How was he supposed to adapt to being sent right into the territory of his past life's enemies?

Raising his crimson eyes, Alex asked in a low, measured tone, "May I ask on what grounds this decision was made?"

Aenys replied evenly, "Your mother believes staying among the elves might give you a calmer environment. You know how deeply elves value family bonds and peace; perhaps your young mind can learn something from them."

In that instant, the full picture clicked in Alex's mind. A faint, cynical smirk touched his lips. It was Reyla's idea! She feared he would grow even more ruthless if he stayed near his uncle at the Citadel, so she arranged to exile him to the land of trees and isolation, hoping to soften his edge.

*(Reyla... she continues to mess with my head even in exile,)* Alex muttered bitterly to himself.

Tessarion chuckled softly in his mind. *(Lady Reyla certainly knows how to throw a wrench in your plans.)*

*(Indeed...)* Alex replied coldly. *(Sending me to a place filled with flowers and nature, expecting me to return as a soft-hearted good boy—it's utterly foolish. But I have no choice right now.)*

Alex let out a long sigh and ran a hand over his face before looking back at his father. "When do I leave?"

"You may depart immediately," Aenys said.

Alex rolled his eyes subtly. "Before I go, may I say goodbye to Helena and visit the forest one last time?"

Aenys gave a firm nod. "Yes, of course."

Alex bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, Father."

He turned and exited the study, pulling the heavy wooden doors shut behind him. As he walked down the grand corridor, portraits of past Dragonblood kings lined the high walls, staring down with cold, painted eyes. He paused before each one, studying the ruthless men of his lineage, until his gaze rested on his father's portrait.

Fixing his eyes on it for a quiet moment, he whispered in dark resolve, *(Soon... my portrait will hang right beside yours, Father. And I will be the greatest among you all.)*

He continued toward his room and pushed the door open gently. His young maid, Helena, stood near his bed, holding one of his coats and staring at it with deeply sorrowful eyes; she was the one most heartbroken by his sudden departure.

Alex offered a rare, gentle smile as he stepped inside. "Helena."

The girl gasped, startled, and reflexively hid the coat behind her back, her face flushing with panic. "Y-Young Master! What are you doing here?"

Alex raised an eyebrow in mild amusement. "What are you doing alone in my room?"

Her cheeks burned red as she lowered her head. "I... I heard you were leaving today, so I..."

Alex sighed softly. "I've already packed my things, Helena."

Realizing she had no excuse left, Helena bit her lip. "Then... I guess I have no business being here." She turned to hurry out, but Alex reached out swiftly and caught her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.

She looked back at him, tears shimmering in her eyes. 

"I'm leaving today, Helena," Alex said, his tone genuinely soft. "But I wanted to tell you that I'll miss you. You're the only one who served me with true loyalty and tolerated my temper."

Helena swallowed the lump in her throat, her voice trembling. "I will miss you too, Young Master... I will always be ready to serve you, whenever and wherever you need me."

Alex smiled. "I know. That's why I want you to stay here and wait for my return. I'm leaving for now, but I will be back."

Helena nodded, gently pulling her hand away before rushing out of the room. Alex waited until the hallway cleared, then headed down to the courtyard and slipped out past the estate walls, making a beeline for the deep forest.

*(We need to see Osiris one last time before we leave,)* Alex said as he wove through the towering trees.

*(And what are you going to tell him?)* Tessarion teased mentally. *(That you threw a fit with your mother and got exiled?)*

*(Yes, I'll tell him the truth right away,)* Alex snapped back. *(Why should I hide it?)*

The dragon accepted his bluntness and fell silent. But as they ventured deeper, an eerie quiet settled over the woods. Alex's footsteps slowed, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the shadows.

*(Is something wrong?)* Tessarion asked, instantly alert.

*(Doesn't it feel way too quiet out here?)* Alex murmured. *(Usually, this part of the forest is alive with birds and small beasts. Now, there isn't even the sound of the wind.)*

Sense of foreboding washing over them, Alex broke into a sprint, pushing branches aside until he reached the ancient, hollow tree trunk. He slammed his palm against the bark, causing the hidden entrance to open and pull him inside.

The moment he stepped into the cavern, a foul, metallic stench of thick blood hit his nostrils, making his stomach turn. He had smelled blood on Osiris before, but this time, the stench was overwhelmingly potent and rancid.

Panicking, Alex shouted into the gloom, "Master! Osiris!"

Nothing answered him except his own hollow echo. He called out again, his heart racing. "Osiris! Where are you?!"

He dove straight into the glowing pool of Asura Water, thrashing through the currents to search the bottom and the banks, so consumed by panic that he didn't even hear Tessarion shouting in his mind.

Finally, Tessarion delivered a sharp mental shock straight to his core, forcing Alex to freeze underwater. *(Pull yourself together, Alex! Calm down!)*

Alex gasped, breaking the surface and wiping water from his eyes as he fought to control his erratic breathing.