She stared at me for a long time. Then that signature grin of hers crept onto her lips. Not that of a mother, but of a general who found a nuke.
"How could I have been so ignorant?" She laughed and tossed her sword aside. "You're a genius, so of course you'd find time to train between your studies!"
She stepped forward and scoped me up. "Worry not, my son. From now on I will train you personally!"
She squeezed me so tight I thought my ribs would crack.
I had a feeling my life was about to get a whole lot more difficult.
— — —
Our blades clashed and scraped against each other. Sparks flew between us as my mother grew closer. Her face was inches away from mine.
"Oh Lafayette, you are delicious." Her tongue escaped her mouth and rolled against her lips. Somehow I was both aroused and terrified.
We both broke the clash and dashed back a few feet.
We then circled each other. Two years had passed since the day I nuked the ocean. And in those two years, I've spent a large chunk of that time in this training hall.
"She's pushing us to our limits, boy! This woman is a gift from the heavens!" The dragon sounded ecstatic. And it's no surprise as to why. My mother–who I realized learned goes by Lilith Dumica Tide–was his type of woman.
My chest was heavy. Sweat rolled down my face and burned my eyes. But I didn't blink. Not when Lilith was eyeing me like a cougar.
One mistake.
One mistake and I'm finished.
"Boy, attack her left flank," the dragon commanded. "She favors her right leg when she lunges."
I tightened my grip on my training sword. It was made of Ironoak—a wood light enough for a child to lift but hard enough to seriously hurt you.
Right flank, left flank, it doesn't really matter.
She's too fast…
I engaged my Ouro, coating my body in the energy to give myself a speed and strength boost.
BOOM!
I kicked off the ground and closed the gap between Lilith and me. I feinted a high strike from the right before pivoting low to the left.
Lilith's eyes sparkled with delight as she blocked my strike. "Reading my strengths? Give me more!" She flicked her wrist and a beam of high-pressure water shot out from her palm.
"Jump!" The dragon roared.
At the base of my feet, I pooled my Ouro and shot it out like I was a rocket. As I soared up, Lilith summoned a water clone behind me.
By the time I realized, it had already grabbed the back of my tunic and slammed me into the ground.
I bounced hard and rolled onto my shoulder.
"Gah!" I gripped my shoulder and tried to push myself up, but a blade was already touching my neck. Lilith stood over me with a grin.
"Too bad." She teased before she lowered herself onto one knee. "You lost."
A frown crossed my lips. I wasn't mad for losing, I knew that was inevitable. I was pissed because I still couldn't summon water clones, and she knew it.
She laughed and tapped a hand against my cheek repeatedly. "Though you're still far beyond most children your age. As expected of my Lafayette. Oh I can't wait until you're of age and I take you as my–"
The doors to the training hall opened with a bang. "My Lady!" A butler shouted as he rushed forward. He held an open letter in his hands. "My Lady, you've been sent an imperial summons!"
Lilith raised her head with an annoyed expression. "Does it involve Lafayette?"
"No."
"Does it involve dragons?"
"No but–"
"Then I don't care."
The butler sighed deeply. "My Lady, the head of the Tide family, High Lord Triton Faluh Tide, is dead."
The silence that followed the butler's announcement was absolute. It was like the sound had just been sucked out of the room.
I looked up at Lilith. She had wide eyes of confusion and disbelief. "How? That old bastard was nigh unkillable."
The butler's hands trembled as he flipped the letter over. "The elves launched a raid against one of our neighbors. Her majesty sent the high lord to assist them. But… he and his forces were wiped out at the battle of Lorjorn hills."
I blinked.
Did he just say elves? I thought they were isolationist. Or at least, every fantasy show I've seen painted them as such.
Lilith nodded with a hand under her cheek. "Yeah that makes sense, those long-eared bastards would burn their own forests if it meant killing a human."
The dragon in my head sighed. "Elves are old, as such their connection with Ouro is deep. So deep they hate anyone else using it."
Ah, so they're glorified gatekeepers. Honestly, I don't blame them, normies always ruin things.
The dragon huffed. "Humans, elves, I care little for either."
Lilith stood to her feet with a hand on her hip. "When is the funeral?" She asked casually.
"In two days." The butler answered. "But some of the other branches are already having gatherings about succession."
Lilith leaned her head back to stare at the ceiling. "Seriously? Everyone knows it's going to be Ren or Darya. But fine, guess I can attend too."
She focused her gaze on me. "Find Jinnah and tell her to clean you up. We're leaving."
"Yes, mother."
Jinnah–my wet nurse–scrubbed my chest like she wanted to take my skin off. "Hold still, young master, I'll have you presentable in a moment."
I hadn't heard her. Instead, my head was filled with plans to avoid confrontation at the upcoming event. I hoped that if I just acted like a silent and edgy kid everyone would keep their distance.
I mean statistically it works right? I know I avoided kids who looked like they were one bad day away from strangling someone.
Then again I avoided most people.
When Jinnah finished I glanced in the mirror. My body had been squeezed into formal attire. A stifling ensemble of blue and white. The crest of the Dumica branch sat over my breast pocket.
"You look like a proper little lord," Jinnah beamed as she stepped back to admire her handiwork.
I forced a smile. "Yes, ma'am."
Even though I looked like a king, it wasn't worth the feeling of my balls being squeezed against my thigh.
That's not even mentioning the chafing.
I looked over my shoulder.
I wonder, if I bent over would my ass pop out?
"Stop thinking, boy. For both our sakes."
— — —
Despite my expectations, we took a carriage instead of flying. Not only that, but we were rolling with an entourage. It was just me, Lilith, the driver, and the wind striders that pulled the carriage.
And the voice in my head.
But he was asleep. You know for an ancient beast that's hunted the land for centuries. He's actually pretty chill. I wonder if that's because I've tamed him?
A boy can dream.
"Lafayette," Lilith called as she crossed her legs. "What are your thoughts on the Royals?"
I raised an eyebrow.
Where did that come from?
My shoulders shrugged to my ears. "I don't know, I've never seen them. I've never seen anyone really. Except for you and the staff."
Lilith chuckled. "No, I mean what do you think they'll be like? If you had to guess?"
"Is this a test?" I asked.
She shook her head and waved a hand dismissively.
"Never mind, it's just, they'll be at the funeral to show their support. Everyone knows they're there to ensure we don't kill each other."
She sighed. "I don't think it'd be a bad thing however… drain away the filth and begin anew."
I tilted my head. "Mother, do you have a family of your own?"
Lilith raised a finger. "I had a husband once."
"Is he dead?"
"No, he divorced me." She answered with a grin. "I guess not everyone wants a devoted wife." Her eyes narrowed on me as her smile softened. "But you'd marry me, right?"
Hell no.
Well… actually now that I think about it I wouldn't mind. She's not really my type though. I like dominant women, this bitch was just crazy.
"Yes ma'am," I answered.
Lilith smiled warmly as the corners of her eyes creased. "Good, because I'm the only woman you'll ever need."