Claimed by King

Chapter 3

It had been a few hours since Juliana had vanished into the Grand Dragons’ Palace. All the knights, including the chamberlain, remained still outside. The mage tower had been informed, but Noah had left the territory for his search. As much as the chamberlain wanted him there, there was no means of connection outside the barrier, only Noah could leave and enter whenever he desired.

The only choice was to wait for his arrival and, or whether any news came from the Grand Palace itself.

“No one has ever survived after colliding or even stepping within the range of this barrier.”

Albert stepped towards Kael and stated. Directing everyone’s attention to him.

“What I mean to say is, we have been here for hours now… and the Grand Mage's whereabouts are unknown.

Isn't it best to search around the other areas around here?

Perhaps, the lady has fallen somewhere?”

“We have already searched the whole surrounding area, including that outskirts.”

Gabriel stepped forward and stated to the chamberlain.

“Perhaps the lady was abducted?”

Albert questioned further.

“It is not possible. Do not forget where we are standing.”

Kael responded.

Albert stepped forward once again.

“Chamberlain! She is not one of us.

I doubt she could have been taken to the dungeon or, worse, to the public prosecution as per your early order!”

“What nonsense!”

Gabriel remarked.

“There is no harm in searching both areas. But Albert. No one here is cruel enough to harm a child.”

Chamberlain confronted Albert, who had now started crying after holding back his tears all this time.

Kael stepped up to him and patted him on the shoulder.

Many others broke down in tears as well.

“I believe the lady brings good luck for us!

And so, I believe that nothing will happen to the young lady.

Let us resume our duties!

I want you to spread out and guard this whole area in shifts. Do not take your eyes off of this barrier.

Not for a second. And report back whenever you notice anything unusual.”

Kael gave out the command, and nodded while looking at the knights. They, in their tears nodded and went to separate posts.

…

“I have to… I have to find a- place… to hide.”

She murmured while trying to gulp her saliva down the dry throat.

Juliana had reached her limits, eyes blurry, throat dry, and her chest hurting. Just when a dark, murky barrier like wall came into her view. Without another thought, she threw her whole body with force against the barrier.

The moment they both came into contact, her already bruised shoulder got dislocated, and her clavicle as well as a few of her ribs broke. Causing an immense scream to leave her mouth.

Soon she passed through the barrier and fell on the floor coughing blood. No longer able to see or decipher anything, she collapsed again and again as she tried to get up.

“I have to go back…”

As she continued to murmur, a cold hand, pressed against her forehead, brought her back from her haze.

“You can go back, little one, just rest.”

A voice consoled her very gently, it was her first. The very first time someone had treated her with gentleness, and her age.

Warm tears slid down her cheeks.

In her semi-conscious state, she tried grabbing the hand, while whispering:

“They will die.”

Pain and concern, both visible in her voice. And she hissed in pain while trying to move.

The hand moved down to her eyes, keeping them closed… by the size of the hands, they did not seem to be the hands of any child.

“I will take care of them for you.”

And with that, the child had finally calmed down and entered her slumber.

…

“Noah.”

Claude sat down on a chair near the window and commanded. Right then Noah was summoned and thrown on the floor.

“Who audacious enough would - summon me like this…”

Noah’s remark almost became a non-existent whisper the moment he turned around and saw the man sitting in front of him, staring at his soul…

“AUhh”

Noah cried out dramatically in a whisper. Trembling, he sat down.

“My Lor - auhh.”

He cried out again before completing his sentence, as soon as Claude stood up.

Covering and backing away, very dramatically, yet seriously. He knelt down even more.

“Leave and announce.”

Claude commanded and, with fast, swift movements, Noah vanished from the room, only to come out a second later to inform that he could not cross the barrier on his own. And by the looks of it, the collision with the barrier had broken his arm.

“You came in just fine.”

Claude questioned. For if he could enter without any issue, he also should be able to leave without any issues.

After a few seconds of stare. Noah once again sat down in his cry after realizing.

“Auhh… no, my- AUH”

“I command you to LEAVE and ANNOUNCE my awakening NOAH.”

And just like that, the crying Noah was thrown out of the barrier.

The knights standing on the posts were shaken by the sound of a crying man that had just been thrown- out of the barrier. All gathered at once around him, while one ran to inform the chamberlain.

They all remained still in their positions, except for Noah's cry and their changing expressions time by time while passing each other's glances.

From afar, Kael spotted a kneeling Noah, and picked his pace.

“Noah?”

“Ahh.”

Noah cried more, the moment he heard Kael’s voice.

Kael stopped meters away. At his bizarre dramatic side.

“Just what is…”

Kael questioned, looking around at the knights, who were just as puzzled as he was.

“I had heard that Noah appeared near the palace barrier out of nowhere, but what is this ugly sight?”

Kael questioned Noah and signaled one of the knights to tap him on his shoulder.

“AAhh… I- I survived the devil's summon. AAHH…” Noah started and crawled towards Kael, crying as he grabbed his cloak's hem, which was snatched by Kael as he moved away…

“Aishh, you creep me out…”

Kael murmured before taking a turn to go back and leave this insane fellow for a while, when suddenly he looked back, eyes wide open.

“Devil’s summon?”

Kael whispered. And then finally walked up to him hurriedly.

Grabbing his hand with both of his.

The knights all took a few steps away.

“You mean his grace?”

Kael asked as Noah looked up.

Then nodded.

Kael threw Noah’s hands away with force, making them collide on the ground.

Noah cried out once again. Kael faced the knights and announced.

“HIS GRACE, THE GREAT DRAGON, HIS GRACE CLAUDE HAS

AWAKENED!”