Starting out as a Dragon Slave-Chapter 73: The arrival of the prince, the king and... the queen?

Chapter 73: Chapter 73: The arrival of the prince, the king and... the queen?

While Mordred was still lost in his dark thoughts, a trumpet suddenly sounded loudly, cutting through the murmurs and animated discussions that filled the palace hall. All heads immediately turned towards the main entrance, where a herald in a crimson and gold tunic raised a solemn hand to attract attention.

- Make way! he announced in a powerful, clear voice. Welcome His Eminence, Guardian of the Original Fire, King Aegon of the Burning Fangs!

Instantly, a respectful, weighty silence fell as the gigantic doors slowly opened. King Aegon entered with a confident stride, imposing his regal presence with a natural majesty that overwhelmed all else. His impressive stature, draped in a dark red cloak embroidered with pure gold, underlined the brutal power contained beneath his perfect humanoid appearance. Mordred instinctively felt an overwhelming magical pressure emanating from him, a burning but controlled aura, the absolute symbol of the kingdom’s sovereign strength.

- Glory to King Aegon!" cried the crowd with unanimous deference, noble dragons and simple servants alike bowing deeply.

Then another bell rang, distinct and vibrant, announcing an important new arrival:

- Welcome now His Highness, heir to the kingdom and future king, Prince Maelor of the Burning Fangs!

The crowd cheered enthusiastically as the young prince strode through the door, a charismatic smile lighting up his cool, elegant face. Mordred immediately felt a striking contrast between the king’s mature assurance and the ambitious ardor of his son, Prince Maelor, who was clearly appreciated by his people, who cheered him with fervor and sincere admiration.

Finally, a third trumpet blast sounded, softer but surprisingly vibrant with a strange, almost sacred emotion:

- And now... murmured the herald with deep respect, welcome Her Royal Highness, Queen Alenya of the Burning Fangs, Supreme Oracle, Holder of the gift of divination!

A murmur of surprise immediately ran through the entire hall, faces clearly expressing general amazement. Even Elystria at her side seemed momentarily frozen in astonishment. Queen Alenya, an almost legendary figure whom no one had seen for a long time, slowly entered the room, accompanied by two servants who discreetly supported her. Her slender, delicate figure was wrapped in a gown of pure silver, adorned with precious stones glittering like stars.

Her gait was slow, but imbued with a supreme, almost supernatural grace. Her face, though marked by fatigue and apparent weakness, exuded unfathomable wisdom, her deep, clear eyes shining with a mysterious light.

Mordred immediately felt a subtle and different power emanating from her, totally opposed to the king’s magical brutality. An ancient and delicate magic, but undeniably powerful.

- It’s incredible," Elystria murmured softly beside him, genuinely astonished. My mother hardly ever appears in public. Her gift of divination is extremely precious, but it drains her strength dangerously...

- Is her power that important? asked Mordred coldly, intrigued despite himself.

- Far more than you can imagine," replied Elystria, almost solemnly. It’s largely thanks to her that our people are always one step ahead of our enemies. She sees what others can’t even imagine...

Queen Alenya finally joined her husband and son, greeting the crowd briefly with a delicate gesture, triggering murmurs of sincere respect and wonder among the guests.

King Aegon slowly raised his hand, imposing total silence on the room. His deep voice resounded with power and authority, each word charged with royal dignity:

- Dragons, nobles and guests, thank you all for being present on this memorable evening, the eve of the official coronation of my son, Prince Maelor. Today marks a new Chapter for our kingdom. Our line has always reigned with power, wisdom and strength. My son will carry on this tradition with honor.

He turned slightly to his wife, his voice suddenly tinged with respect and sincere affection:

- The presence of our queen, despite her fragile state, honors us deeply. Her wisdom is the key to our prosperity and our future.

Alenya smiled gently at her husband, stepping forward to speak, her soft yet clear voice immediately captivating the entire assembly:

- My gift wears me out, but this sacrifice is nothing compared to the bright future I see for our people under our son’s governance. Be confident, for Maelor will lead our kingdom to a glory never before attained.

Prince Maelor stepped forward, an arrogant yet charismatic smile lighting up his face as he spoke with perfect assurance:

- I am ready to take on this sacred responsibility. Our reign will continue to demonstrate to all our supremacy, our indisputable power and our eternal greatness.

The crowd cheered fervently, applauding loudly, completely won over by the royal family. The king raised a hand, announcing with serene authority:

- Let the festivities begin!

Immediately, tables appeared as if by magic in the center of the hall, laden with refined, delicate dishes. Servants dispersed discreetly to serve the guests, and the soft music resumed, encouraging the guests to disperse into small groups to chat and enjoy the evening.

Conversation soon turned naturally to the upcoming coronation ceremony, with everyone speculating on the promises and changes that Prince Maelor’s imminent reign would bring.

Elystria gently grasped Mordred’s arm, leading him slowly through the crowd:

- Stay close to me, Mordred, she said softly with a hint of subtle authority. This evening is just beginning, and I intend to make the most of every moment to demonstrate to everyone that you are my precious and exclusive property.

He clenched his jaw slightly but remained silent, his mind already occupied with discreetly observing Akane, still close to Belgaroth,

Elystria gently but firmly grasped Mordred’s arm, dragging him without hesitation towards the elevated part of the hall where her royal family had taken up residence. Mordred felt his heart quicken in spite of himself. Coming face to face with this family was the last thing he wanted right now. Yet he had no choice but to accompany the princess without apparent resistance, displaying a carefully controlled impassivity.

As he approached King Aegon and Prince Maelor, Mordred immediately felt the overwhelming power emanating from these two dragons, their auras commanding involuntary respect. Queen Alenya stood slightly apart, silent, her pale eyes riveted to the ground as if she sought to avoid any interaction.

- Father, Maelor, Mother," says Elystria with a slightly provocative smile, "allow me to officially present my personal toy, Mordred. Perhaps you recognize him already?

King Aegon frowned, examining Mordred with a puzzled but intense expression, while Maelor sported a curious and slightly puzzled pout. For a few moments, the silence weighed heavily, as if the king and his son were trying to place Mordred’s face back into their memories.

Suddenly, the faces of king and prince lit up simultaneously, illuminated by the sudden realization of Mordred’s identity. Maelor let out a loud laugh, surprising Mordred with this unusual reaction. Elystria frowned, puzzled and then suddenly embarrassed when she immediately understood the reason for her brother’s uncontrolled laughter.

- Oh, now I see!" exclaimed Maelor, looking at his sister with a teasing, provocative smile. Very nice purchase, dear sister. Really beautiful!

- Maelor..." she hissed through her teeth, her face flushed with a mixture of anger and obvious embarrassment. Stop thinking about that right now...

The prince laughed even harder as he saw his sister’s face turn redder and redder, clearly amused by the awkward situation. King Aegon, totally lost by this strange exchange between his children, coughed softly to mask his total incomprehension.

- Hmm, yes, yes, excellent acquisition," repeated the king awkwardly, desperately trying to understand what he’d missed. You’ve always had an eye for choosing your toys, Elystria. This Mordred seems... solid and competent.

- Thank you, Father," Elystria replied coolly, glowering at her brother who was still smiling with amusement. freeweɓnovel.cѳm

Mordred watched the exchange silently, but his attention was quickly diverted when he felt an intense, oppressive gaze upon him. He turned his head slightly and met Queen Alenya’s unfathomably clear eyes, fixed on him with an almost terrifying intensity.

Her pale face had turned livid, as if drained of all blood, and she was trembling slightly. The fixity of her gaze gave Mordred a chilling sensation of oppression, as if she could read directly into his soul, perceiving things in him that no one else could.

Uneasy, he tried in vain to look away, but his gaze seemed irremediably bound to that of the queen. This moment was terribly oppressive, heavy with a strange, palpable tension, so much so that he felt a drop of cold sweat slowly trickle down his back.

King Aegon, finally noticing his wife’s worrying condition, immediately turned to her in alarm:

- Alenya? he murmured worriedly, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. Are you all right?

Queen Alenya didn’t answer immediately, her lips trembling slightly as her gaze remained riveted on Mordred with barely concealed fear, but also an inexplicable form of respect mixed with profound astonishment. Finally, she slowly turned her eyes away from him, inhaling deeply:

- I... I’m tired, my dear husband, she murmured in a weak but controlled voice. I must rest... at once.

The king nodded with sincere, protective tenderness, gently taking her arm to help her stand:

- Of course, my queen. Maelor, Elystria, accompany me, your mother must retire to rest.

- At once, Father," Maelor replied quickly, suddenly serious in the face of his mother’s visible vulnerability.

Elystria turned to Mordred, her face once again cold and distant, though a hint of concern still shone subtly in her violet eyes:

- Mordred, I must go away for a while. Stay here, do what you like, but above all, don’t do anything rash. Do you understand?

- Yes, Princess," he replied calmly, his gaze following the queen with dark, troubled curiosity.

Before long, the entire royal family disappeared into an adjoining room, leaving Mordred alone among the noble dragons and their toys. Without Elystria, he suddenly felt less protected, exposed to the hostile and contemptuous gaze of the guests. Strolling slowly through the crowd, he tried to remain discreet, carefully avoiding the conversations and scornful glances of the dragons around him.

Suddenly, as he passed through a less animated part of the hall, Mordred distinctly sensed a presence behind him. Someone suddenly reached out to grab his shoulder. His body reacted immediately by instinct: without thinking, he activated his skill [Intangibility], and the hand passed through his body like a ghost.

Turning with a quick movement, he found himself face to face with the figure who had tried to grab him, and his eyes widened in amazement as he immediately recognized the person in front of him.

- You?" he exclaimed, stunned, his gaze fixed on the face of the individual in front of him.