So Be It

Chapter 3

The leaves seemed to bubble out of the branches like bubbles of emerald and amber. The breeze that reached his keen sense of smell felt like a mixture of freshly watered field flowers and grass.

Niel felt the weight in the air as it wrapped itself around the dark-haired figure in the middle of the garden, and he didn't need memories or Sebas to know that this was her father. The horns that rose from his forehead were draped in golden chains and ornaments, his sharp feline eyes seemed to notice Niel from the moment he woke up in his room and the draconic just smiled.

"Have you given up on embarrassing the Tempest name?" were her father's first words. Aaij Tempest was many things, but Niel knew that caring and gentle was none of them, so that didn't surprise him.

"It's great to see you too, Dad," the brunette made a small curve of his lips and reached towards a table, near the lake. Niel had to admit, the Tempet’s garden was bigger than any garden he'd ever seen, completely resembling an environmental reserve. "But you're right, I got tired of embarrassing the family name"

Surprise flashed in Aaij's crimson eyes and with the grace that only the descendants of dragons possess, he walked to the table set out in the garden.

"It was about time"

I have to agree, Niel thought, but he only curled his lips in a small smile.

"I intend to present myself at the next royal ball as the Ducal Prince of Tempest."

His words were said calmly, carefully, but Aaij, who had just sat down, looked up quickly.

"What did you say?"

Niel snorted.

"I know I would ordinarily send my younger brother, but I don't think it's necessary"

Aaij growled, “Is this another one of your damn tricks to keep close to that unsalted human? When will you grow up, Nielant?”

Niel's eyes sparkled with mischief, Aaij Tempest wasn't wrong, if it was his real son there, it would clearly be just a ploy to be close to the mortal he so adored and envied, but he wasn't that stupid, passionate boy. There was nothing left for him to be an imbecile and a total waste of time like passion.

“You are wrong, father. I don't wish to meet the Lady and she clearly won't be at an event of such a size, especially being just an ordinary mortal.” Aaij gritted her teeth and with the tips of her sharp claws, drummed on the small round table that was covered with food, sweets. , drinks and fruits. They all looked delicious in Niel's eyes.

"Then?"

The prince smiled.

“I intend to present myself directly to the king as Tempest's next heir and will attend the annual hunting event and games on behalf of our house.” Aaij's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Will you participate?"

Niel expanded the smile he was already sketching and with grace and delicacy, he pierced a small grape with the claw of his index finger and brought it to his rosy lips.

“I think this world has already forgotten the strength of a real draconic, Dad. It's time to show them why we've been feared for so many years and even the king bows down to us"

Aaij looked confused deep down, in fact Niel knew he was suspicious of her quick change, but that would go away when he received the monthly report on the mortal lady's numerous slights. That would be a valid justification for such a drastic change in attitude.

If a draconic doesn't conquer by beauty and charm, he conquers by force. These were the rules of the race, the clan, the people who descended from the ancient dragon gods. Those who ruled the world.

"So be it," Aaij said at last, "but should I ever disgrace the name Tempest in front of the king, I will make sure that he never returns to that house and that his fangs, wings and claws are permanently torn out."

It was a threat. A simple, direct and conclusive threat.

"So be it," Niel replied with a curt nod. Threats had no effect on him, not after all he'd felt, what he'd lived through. Now he was no longer a pretty boy, fragile and unable to protect himself, he was a draconic. A superior being who could kill, slaughter or just skin someone without any difficulty and he would not hesitate to do so.