In the Ingriss family, three distinct traits identify each member of the bloodline:
- They all have red eyes from birth, transmitted from their origins.
- They bear wing-shaped stigmas engraved on their backs from birth, which evolve as their power increases.
- And finally, when they activate the power of their lineage, their eyes turn golden.
In this family, an ancient tradition dictates that each newborn must go through a ceremony called: The Revelation Ceremony. It takes place within the family estate, in the presence of each adult member of the family.
This ceremony is held in the Ingriss Field of Swords, a sacred place where the blades of past family members who made history rest, each having earned the right to plant their sword there.
During the ceremony, the infant is placed a few meters from the field. From there, the patriarch and all present relatives release the power of their stigma, guiding the child to choose the path that resonates with him among the swords before him.
Six months after the birth of Lucas – Royal Palace:
As he walked alongside Hallan through the corridors of the Royal Palace, Raphael thought:
" The revelation ceremony of Lucas must take place soon... I should start the preparations. "
He then turned to Hallan and calmly asked him:
" Hallan, can you give me an overview of the situation in the East? "
Hallan on his side was slightly surprised by this sudden request. But he answered calmly:
" Currently, the order of the Royal Knights and the order of the white lions are stabilizing the situation in the former Kingdom of Aldros since its annexation.
The population seems fairly content to be part of our kingdom, which has helped maintain stability in this newly acquired territory."
" Commanders Draven and Shane have taken the capital of the Stein kingdom, and according to their information the entire royal family has been eliminated, but they also report that one of the princesses managed to escape."
" As for the order of the Knights of the Phoenix, they are stationed on the border of the kingdom of Glast with part of our army, and waiting for the green light to begin the invasion"
After hearing the reports, Raphael thought with slight frustration :
"When I was born, this war of expansion had barely begun. I grew up by constantly rubbing shoulders with the battlefield, and now my third child was born still in the middle of this conflict. I must do everything in my power to end this conflict, even temporarily. So that my children may grow up in peace, far from the chaos of war."
Raphael pulls himself together and says in a calm tone :
" Hallan, I want you to send invitations to my brothers, as well as to my sister Arya.
Tell them Lucas's ceremony will be held soon, and I expect everyone to be present. Above all, tell Arya to stop playing the role of a simple soldier for fun, and to leave the preparations for the Glast invasion to General Daymond"
Hallan, tilted his head slightly and said calmly :
" Understood, I'll do it right after our meeting."
After that, the two men continued on their way to the meeting room, where several nobles were waiting for them with a firm foot.
Arya is the little sister of King Raphael, but she is also the general of the order of the Royal Knights.
It is a mature woman with white hair that reaches her shoulders, and a striking figure that makes her appear younger than her thirty-two years.
She is currently deployed on the Eastern Front, where the kingdom of Ingrissia is increasingly active in its war of reconquest. She serves as intimidation to prevent one of the three great empires from daring to intervene in the Ingrissia war.
The Order of the Phoenix is one of the five great knightly orders established by King Raphael. And currently it is Daymond Reynolds who is at the head of this order as General. He is an intelligent man who has a great mastery of the sword. His mere presence at the front signals that the king has ordered total annihilation of the enemy.
A few moments later - in Queen Arianne's apartments:
" Go ahead Your Majesty, you can do it! " encouraged Jasmine.
Jasmine is a woman with chestnut-brown hair and warm chocolate eyes. She is one of Queen Arianne's close servants.
At that moment, she had brought her two knees to the ground and stretched out her arms towards the young Prince Lucas who was trying to get on his two legs, but he stumbled and advanced towards Jasmine walking on all fours.
Jasmine took him in her arms, and her smile widened as she felt Lucas' little hands grab his tunic. A soft, tender laugh escaped her.
" I knew that the children of the royal lineage were impressive, but he is only six months old, and yet... he is almost standing, already stuttering a few words, and reacts to his first name as if he understood everything we were saying. "
" Although I've already seen and experienced this with the princess, I still can't get used to it," she added, sighing.
Queen Arianne, watching the scene, let out a soft laugh and smiled as she added:
" Don't worry Jasmine, you'll get used to it with time. "
Arianne slowly straightened up, smoothed her dress with a discreet gesture, then approached the window. Her gaze was lost for a few seconds in the bright sky, as if she was looking for someone.
Then in a soft voice, she said:
" It's been six months since Lucas was born. I think today we could go for a little walk. In addition, it will allow me to spend time with my daughter. "
Jasmine stood up full of enthusiasm and said:
" At your command Your Highness, I immediately prepare everything we will need to have a picnic. "
" You know me well Jasmine. So let's prepare well !" replied Arianne, looking slightly playful with a smile on her lips.
After that, Arianne wore a fluid dress with lavender hues, accompanied by a straw hat. She then dressed Lucas and gently lifted him into her arms.
Then, followed by Jasmine, they went to one of the gardens of the royal complex, located to the west. There, the trees formed a natural arch above a stone path. The sweet scent of summer flowers floated in the air, and the song of the birds accompanied their quiet steps.
In the calm of the royal garden, bathed in a soft and golden light, the leaves trembled under the warm morning breeze. The scent of the flowers mixed with that of the still wet grass of dew. The birds, perched in the branches, chirped peacefully, as if to accompany the serenity of the moment.
Beneath a large tree with dense, rustling foliage, Jasmine spread out a delicately embroidered mat. She lightly tapped the surface, chasing the last grains of dust, then leaned gracefully:
" Please settle in, Your Highness. "
Arianne, settled in silence. A soothed sigh escaped his lips. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the wind caress her face.
At his side, Lucas, still so young, explored the world around him with silent curiosity. He crawled awkwardly on the soft grass, his fingers spread, trying to capture the strands that tickled his palms. His red eyes sparkled with wonder, at each new thing he saw for the first time: the light filtering through the leaves, the butterflies fluttering around him, the song of a lonely bird.
Jasmine, sitting a little back, watched the scene smiling, her hands crossed on her knees.
" It looks like he's falling in love with the world," she whispered.
Suddenly, a crystalline voice tore the calm:
" Mom! Mom, I found you! "
A silhouette broke through the flowery alleys: Layna, Ariane's eldest daughter. Her white dress was stained with dust, her black hair flew in all directions, and in her hand, she proudly brandished a small wooden sword.
" On guard !" She shouted, stopping sharply in front of her mother.
Arianne burst out laughing, and stretched out her arms.
" So my little signet ring came to protect me? "
Layna threw herself into her arms, the sword still pressed against her.
" I missed you, Mom! Six months without you is too long... Dayvon kept teasing me! "
Arianne covered her with kisses, emblacing her tenderly.
Meanwhile, Lucas, surprised by this sudden tumult, had taken refuge in Jasmine's arms. He stared at Layna with wide eyes, blinking timidly.
Feeling a look on her, Layna turned around. His gaze met Lucas's... and his expression lit up immediately.
" It's him... He's my little brother! "
Arianne, radiant, took Lucas in her arms and gently held him towards Layna.
" Yes, Layna. This is Lucas... your little brother. "
Layna approached with slow steps, as if in front of a fragile treasure. His red eyes identical to Lucas's shone with admiration.
" He's even cuter than in my dreams..."
She reached out and tenderly stroked Lucas' cheek. He replied with a smile.
" Did you see that, Jasmine? He smiled at me! I think he already loves me! "
Jasmine let out a discreet laugh and said:
" How could he not love you, princess? "
Following this compliment, Layna smiled slightly. Then, with overflowing enthusiasm, she cried out :
" Jasmine, braid my hair, please! I want to be even prettier for Lucas! "
" With joy, Your Highness. Sit here," said Jasmine, tapping a corner of the mat.
Once the braids were finished, Layna admired herself in a small pocket mirror and then proudly turned her head towards Lucas.
" So, Lucas, is your big sister beautiful like that ? "
Lucas looked at her for a moment, before offering him a laugh of joy. Instantly, the three girls exclaimed in unison:
" He's sooo CUTE!!! "
Layna laughed out loud, then pulled a small thread of flowers from her pocket, which she had picked up on the way. She made it a clumsy but touching bracelet, and tied it around her brother's chubby wrist.
His voice, until now cheerful, suddenly became softer:
" Lucas, as your big sister, I promise you that I will always protect you. I will become strong. Stronger than everyone else. Like Dad. Like Mom. And like Grandma. "
Ariane, touched, put a hand on her daughter's shoulder and gave her a look full of pride.
" Careful with your promises, my princess. Maybe it will be your brother who will protect you. "
After her mother's words, Layna smiled and said:
" Yes... my brother will also protect me, just as I will protect him"
After her words, a faint smile formed on Arianne's lips.
A few hours later:
In the golden corridors of the royal palace, Raphael's steps resounded slowly. He walked alongside Hallan, both coming out of an endless meeting with nobles.
" Pfff... these incompetent nobles make me want to deposed them all," growled Raphael, loosening his collar.
" Ably a quarter of them are competent, and others still rely on the past glory of their name. They don't have the abilities of a real leader," Hallan replied with a sigh.
" If one day we find competent people... and you want to falsify files to eliminate his incompetent nobles, you will have all my support. "
As they were about to turn in the west wing, an icy shiver suddenly ran down Raphael's spine. He stopped sharply.
The air suddenly shifted.
An invisible breath, heavy and overwhelming, seemed to have fallen on the palace. An ancient aura was spreading slowly from the depths of the royal complex.
Hallan felt it too. His gaze became serious.
" Do you feel it...? "
" I feel it," Raphael replied, his eyes fixed on the ground.
" This bastard is back..."
Hallan strengthens his posture, ready
To act if necessary, but Raphael raised his hand.
" I'll take care of it personally," he said in a firm voice.
His face was deformed under the effect of anger, and a deep murderous desire emanated from him.
To be continued...