The Return of the Betrayed Heir

26

Godrey watched the embrace between Alex and Laena, his chest heavy with boiling resentment. Being of the same age as Laena and serving as her private instructor, he found the boy's presence deeply irritating. Although Alex belonged to the prestigious dragon riders, he remained a human—a species Godrey fundamentally despised.

"Are the ants truly gone?" Laena asked, her voice laced with anticipation.

"I settled the matter permanently this time," Alex answered smoothly. "The Queen has been eliminated. The kingdom will no longer be plagued by the Slaughter Ants."

Laena's eyes sparkled with genuine delight. "I can hardly believe you accomplished all of that on your own! You are truly remarkable, Ali."

Alex raised an eyebrow, amused. "Ali?"

Laena giggled softly. "Ali—a nickname for Alex. It sounds much gentler to the ear."

"Very well, if you prefer it, you may call me Ali," Alex replied smoothly.

Godrey narrowed his emerald-green eyes, radiating silent animosity. Alex registered the intense glare but chose to ignore it entirely, maintaining an indifferent demeanor before turning back to Laena.

"May we speak in private for a moment?" Alex asked.

Laena nodded without hesitation. "Of course, whatever you wish."

Turning to Godrey, she offered a polite smile. "That will be all for today's training. Thank you for your guidance."

Godrey suppressed his anger, bowing stiffly. "As you command, Princess."

Laena and Alex stepped out into the palace courtyard, strolling side by side along the stone pathways. With her hands clasped behind her back, Laena stole subtle glances at his profile. Growing up alongside him over the past three years, she couldn't help but notice how much he had matured; the soft, boyish features of his younger self had yielded to sharper, more defined lines.

"The weather is exceptionally clear today, isn't it?" Alex remarked casually.

Laena looked up toward the horizon. "Yes, it really is..."

"It's remarkable how quickly time passes," Alex continued, his tone carrying a reflective weight. "Not long ago, you were giving me a tour of the Elven Kingdom, and now I know every corner of it like the back of my hand. Looking back, those were truly enjoyable days."

Laena stopped abruptly, her posture stiffening. "What are you trying to say...?"

Alex paused and met her gaze with absolute seriousness. "It is time for me to depart. I am returning home."

A gentle breeze stirred Laena's long silver hair, sweeping a few strands across her face as she struggled to process his words. Alex was leaving? What was she supposed to do now? She had grown accustomed to his presence and found immense happiness in their shared time. Was she to be left alone again?

Lowering her head, Laena asked in a faint voice, "Do you truly have to leave...?"

"Yes, I must," Alex replied firmly. "I haven't detailed my long-term plans beyond this, but my immediate destination is home."

In truth, Alex was being deceptive; his future itinerary was meticulously planned. He intended to return to his family estate briefly before making his way toward an isolated dragon stronghold.

Laena bit her lip, struggling to contain her emotion. "If you leave, I'll be left alone here again..."

"I did everything I could," Alex said softly. "I extended my stay by a full year for your sake, but I cannot delay my departure any longer."

Laena was well aware of this fact. She had been overjoyed when Alex chose to stay extra time, but she had avoided contemplating the reality of his eventual farewell. Over the past three years, she had formed a deep emotional attachment to him, making this separation profoundly difficult.

Reaching out, Laena lightly grasped Alex's sleeve with her fingertips. "I'm going to miss you, Ali... Thank you for being my best friend. Thanks to you, I have so many wonderful memories."

Alex offered a faint smile, patting her head gently. "The pleasure was mine. Bringing you joy was a worthwhile endeavor."

Laena pouted, turning her head slightly. "You always do this!"

Alex raised an eyebrow in mock ignorance. "Do what?"

"You treat me like I'm just a little child!"

A teasing smirk touched Alex's lips. "Aren't you one?"

Feigning outrage, Laena began lightly tapping her fists against his chest. As Alex broke into a quiet laugh, she stopped suddenly, her expression softening. "I'm even going to miss you teasing me like this..."

"Don't worry, our paths will cross again," Alex reassured her. "The Academy lies ahead, and we will be spending a great deal of time there."

Laena's eyes lit up instantly. "You're attending the Academy?!"

Alex found her rapid shifts in mood somewhat perplexing—was it merely a trait of her youth, or something deeper?

"Yes, of course," Alex answered. "Attending the Academy is essential for my goals. Furthermore, according to my father, the heirs of the Four Great Families will be assembling there for the first time in generations, so my presence is mandatory."

This assertion was entirely fabricated; Aenys had never given him such an instruction. Alex simply possessed personal objectives that necessitated his enrollment at the Academy, making his attendance non-negotiable regardless of external circumstances.

A broad smile returned to Laena's face. "I'll be waiting for you at the Academy then!"

Grasping his arm, she gestured toward the estate. "Since you're leaving soon, let's visit the winter garden one last time."

Alex gave a quiet nod, and together they walked toward the inner sanctuary as the sunset painted the sky in warm, radiant hues.

Upon stepping through the main archway of the palace, a sudden burst of applause echoed through the hall. The entire royal family had gathered, holding up a large hand-painted banner that read:

**"Thank You for the Wonderful Memories!"**

Alex stood frozen, taken aback by the unexpected reception. Even Tessarion, observing from within his shadow, let out a soft chuckle at his partner's bewilderment.

It was not the collective gesture of the royal family that surprised Alex the most, but the active participation of one specific individual: King Zephyr. Of all people, Alex had least expected the stoic monarch to join such a display.

"Well... I certainly didn't see this coming," Alex admitted quietly.

Laena laughed warmly. "We wanted to surprise you when you least expected it!"

She rejoined her family as the servants unveiled a grand, two-tiered celebratory cake. Gazing at the elaborate confection, Alex felt a strange, unfamiliar sensation stir within his chest—a sudden, sharp flutter that caught him off guard.

Cluthing his chest in silent surprise, Alex thought, *'What is this?!'*

Tessarion cleared his throat mentally to draw his attention. "They call that affection. You may not be familiar with it, but recognizing their genuine warmth toward you is causing that stone heart of yours to soften slightly."

*'Affection?'* Alex mused internally, the concept feeling entirely foreign to him.

"Indeed," Tessarion replied. "I actually wanted you to remain here a bit longer, hoping you might learn a thing or two about warmth."

Alex scoffed internally. *'No thanks, I'll pass.'*

Stepping forward toward the royal family, Alex looked at the cake and expressed with apparent emotion, "I cannot thank you all enough... I hardly deserve such kindness."

Wiping away manufactured tears, Alex put on the display of a deeply moved child. Queen Mylia, visibly touched by his reaction, stepped forward and pulled him into a warm embrace.

"Zephyr, I want him to stay as my son!" Mylia pleaded, looking toward her husband. "Please let him remain with us. I can't bear to see him leave. I know he and Elrond would make wonderful brothers."

While appearing tearful on the outside, Alex questioned his performance behind his mental mask: *'Did I overdo the drama?'*

Over the past three years, the royal family had grown genuinely attached to him, viewing him as one of their own.

King Zephyr stepped up beside his wife, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, my dear, but he has a family of his own. He must return."

Alex looked up at Queen Mylia with sorrowful eyes. "Thank you for caring for me like a true mother during my stay. You will always be a second mother to me."

Mylia embraced him tighter. "I always wished for another son, and you truly feel like my second boy. Even this stubborn Elrond learned to be a bit gentler thanks to your influence!"

"Mother!" Elrond protested from the background.

King Zephyr observed Alex with a lingering sense of intrigue, thinking to himself, *'This boy is truly strange. On the battlefield, he transforms into a cold, ruthless combatant, yet here he appears no different from an ordinary child.'*

Alex had deliberately maintained this innocent persona around Zephyr, ensuring the King never caught a glimpse of his true, darker nature.

King Zephyr picked up a glass from the table and tapped it thrice with a fork to draw everyone's attention. "Alright, enough emotional displays! Let us enjoy the celebration."

Laena retrieved the cake knife and handed it to Alex. The moment his fingers closed around the hilt, Alex's sharp instincts automatically identified every vulnerable point on the people around him; except for King Zephyr, everyone in the room was completely exposed to a lethal strike.

As a sinister smile began to form on Alex's lips, Tessarion delivered a swift mental strike to his consciousness. "Get a grip, you psychopath! You aren't killing anyone here—you're just cutting the cake!"

*'I know, I know. You don't need to tell me,'* Alex snapped back mentally.

Alex sliced the cake to enthusiastic applause. After sharing the meal, the royal family retired to their respective quarters for the night.

Later that evening, Alex sat on his windowsill, his legs dangling over the edge as he gazed up at the full moon. Heightening his auditory senses to monitor the quiet palace, he finally heard Elrond step into his chamber and settle into sleep.