Chapter 23 – Tears of a Future Emperor
Phoenix didn't remember walking back to the palace.
He only remembered the ache in every muscle, the icy sting in his hands from the water basin, and the dull throb of every "tap" Valeria had landed during sparring.
By the time he stumbled into the family wing, he felt like his body was made of wet, overcooked noodles.
His wooden training sword hung limply at his side, and even his wings sagged like tired blankets.
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The Quiet Before the Storm
The great hall was warm — lit by the soft glow of enchanted chandeliers. The smell of fresh bread and roasted meat drifted through the air.
Phoenix's stomach growled, but he didn't head for the dining table. Instead, he trudged toward the cushioned seat where his mother sat, reading by the fire.
Rose Nightshade looked up immediately, her crimson eyes softening. "Phoenix?"
That single word broke the dam.
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The Breakdown
Phoenix's sword clattered to the floor as he ran the last few steps and threw himself into her lap. His small body trembled, his face burying into the folds of her elegant gown.
"I can't do it, Mother," he choked out. "It's too hard. My legs feel like they're going to fall off. My hands are frozen. Valeria didn't even let me hit her once! She's so scary—"
Behind them, faint laughter drifted in from the hallway. Phoenix turned his head just enough to see his sisters leaning against the doorway, clearly amused.
Lyra, the second eldest, smirked. "Did the great future Emperor get beaten up by a wooden sword?"
Isolde crossed her arms, pretending to look serious but failing. "Maybe we should give him a rattle instead of a weapon."
Phoenix's cheeks burned. "It's not funny!"
Rose raised one elegant hand, and the sisters fell silent instantly — though smirks still lingered.
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The Comfort
Her cool, pale fingers brushed the hair from his face. "My little star," she murmured, "training is never meant to be easy. If it were, it would not be worthy of you."
"I'm not strong like Valeria," he whispered. "I'm just… me. I can't even last one day without feeling like I'm going to die."
Rose tilted his chin so he was looking directly into her eyes. "Phoenix Bennith Nightshade. Do you know who you are?"
He sniffled. "…Your son?"
"Yes," she said, her lips curving faintly. "My son. The son of the Vampire Empress and the Dragon Emperor. A child born of the strongest bloodlines in all of Arcania. Do you think fate gave you this life so you could hide behind my skirts when the world tests you?"
Phoenix looked down. "…Maybe?"
Rose chuckled softly — the kind of sound that was warm and dangerous at the same time. "No, my little one. You were born to stand above the stars themselves."
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The Promise
Then she leaned close, lowering her voice so only he could hear. "If you keep going — if you endure every day of training, no matter how hard — I will give you a gift when it's over."
Phoenix blinked. "…What kind of gift?"
Her eyes glimmered. "A gift no one else in the world will ever have. One that will make even your father raise his brow. But you will only earn it if you never give up. Not once. Not even for a moment."
From the doorway, Valeria's voice carried in. "Careful, Mother. He'll think you mean a pet wyvern."
"I wouldn't mind a pet wyvern…" Phoenix muttered.
Rose's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Perhaps it will be something greater than that."
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The Resolve
Phoenix hesitated. The thought of another day like the one he had just endured made his stomach twist. But the promise… and the way his mother's voice held such certainty… sparked something small but stubborn inside him.
He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. "Okay. I'll keep going."
Rose kissed his forehead. "That's my little star."
Valeria stepped into the room then, arms folded. "Good. Because tomorrow, we start with aerial combat drills."
Phoenix groaned. "I just learned how to walk properly…"
"Then you'll learn to fly properly too."
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The Tease
As Phoenix stood, Lyra grinned wickedly. "Try not to cry again tomorrow, little brother. It makes your eyes puffy."
"I wasn't crying!" Phoenix said instantly.
Isolde raised a brow. "Your face says otherwise."
Rose's voice carried an edge of amusement. "Enough, girls. Let him eat. A warrior must feed his body as well as his pride."
Phoenix's stomach growled again — loudly this time — and even he had to laugh.
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The Ending Note
Later that night, curled up in his bed, Phoenix thought about the day, about his sisters' teasing, and about his mother's words. His muscles still ached, but now… they didn't feel like proof of weakness.
They felt like proof he had started walking the path toward becoming the strongest being in the universe.
And somewhere in the back of his mind, he couldn't stop wondering — what kind of gift could possibly surprise his father?
He fell asleep with that thought, a small, determined smile on his face.
Tomorrow, he decided, Valeria wouldn't have it too easy.