The scent of lavender drifted softly through the small and old but well-kept room, mingling with the quiet creak of the door as Damian stepped inside.
'And there she is... Still as beautiful as ever... My mother... Amelia Blackthorne.' Thought Damian smiling.
The only person who had ever embraced him without questions, Without discrimination.
She stood by the window, bathed in soft golden light. Her long black hair cascaded down her back like a silken curtain. Though the years had left faint lines beneath her eyes, she still carried herself with the same gentle dignity as she always did.
Damian's voice was low as he approached her and called out. "Mother…" he said.
Amelia turned slowly, her eyes widening just slightly before softening into a tender smile. "Oh... Is it over already?" She asked "...How did it go?"
He stepped closer while his expression turned unusually quiet, unsure how to begin.
"Um... before that.." he whispered while reaching into his coat. "I... broke your necklace."
He pulled out the remnants of her 'necklace'—the snapped thread and broken crystal— a simple but worn out antique.
She took it gently, running her fingers across the shattered stone. Then she laughed — a short, airy laugh.
"Oh, my sweet boy. So that's what was troubling you huh." She giggled, Her gaze returning to his'. "Dont worry about it, it was already worn out anyways." she replied.
"But you always wore that necklace." he stated.
Patting his jet black hair, "Think nothing of it, it's just a necklace afterall.
"But..." Damian just pouted in reply, a little flustered before speaking up. "I'll get you a new one, I promise."
She shook her head, smiling wider now. "Ok... ok... You always were quite dramatic."
"And you always let me be," he muttered.
She stepped forward and pulled him into her arms — no hesitation, no distance, just warmth. He tensed at first, but only for a moment. Her embrace hadn't changed. Not at all.
"I just want you to be safe Damian," she whispered. "That's all I ever want."
Damian closed his eyes, letting that warmth settle in. 'In this life… I'm gonna protect you.'
When they pulled apart, she cupped his cheek lightly. "You've grown alot Damian, speaking of,... How did your awakening go?"
He gave off his usual childish grin before puffing out his chest and answering. "It's not much, but got myself a swordsman class and I also got a sword Arts skill. Pretty cool huh."
'I can't tell her about by real stats just yet' he thought.
"Yeah, it is really cool," she teased.
"Yeah, and father finally accepted me as an heir." He smiled.
"Oh..." She replied, the shock evident on her face.
"And this is just the first step. When I get older, I'll officially start my role as a potential heir to Aureon after I get my own land, and- huh?"
His words got cut off as Amelia pulled him into a hug, sobbing on his shoulder.
"Mother?...."
"Damian" she sobbed. "I'm so proud of you."
'...'
He just couldn't find the words to reply her as he just patted her back.
"It's alright mother."
'Its no surprise she's like this,' he thought. 'I mean, we've been through a lot already.'
For as far as he had remembered, Damian and his mother were never treated as proper nobles, not to talk of royalty. The entire household, including the servants and maids considered them a waste of space.
Elric Blackthorne was a kind of person who believed In results. Someone who wouldn't hesitate to cut off his ties with his own family if they were ever considered weak.
"I'll get stronger," he whispered. "And I'm going to protect you mother. That's a promise."
Wiping the tears from her eyes, she replied. "And I'll be rooting for you" she cheered with a little sniff.
• • •
"That damned brat!!" Kai roared, while throwing a glass at the wall, spilling it's fine red wine all over the white paint.
"I'll ki-"
"Calm yourself Kai..." A cold voice came from the side it was Lucien sitting behind a desk, staring daggers at his brother who had just made a mess.
"Stop ths childish behavior Kai. Honestly, getting mad over just a little kid, can't you be any more ashamed of yourself?"
"But-"
"Enough" Lucien interrupted again and glanced over to his sister watching from the sidelines. "Kaia I'm entrusting your brother in your hands... Don't let him do anything stupid."
"Yes brother, I understand." She replied, glancing at Kai who looked like he was about to explode.
"Whatever" Kai added with a huff.
"Hmm... Aeron?" Lucien called out
"Yes prince Lucien." He replied from the corner where he was standing all along.
"You did do what I told you to, yes?" He asked.
"Yes... I gave him Beelzebub's essence as you ordered." Aeron replied with a bow.
"I see..." Lucien replied, his gaze landing on the door. 'If he was still able to get an average class and skill even after been given a high quality essence like that, then he could've seriously proven problematic to my plans...'
'And if that spark is still inside him... Then I have to cut him off as soon as possible.' Thought Lucien with a smirk.
• • •
"Arthur" A lady's voice called out. It was The kings second child. Marcine Blackthorne. She had a perfect body to be honest. The right curves and everything. Her wavy blonde yellow hair was just enough to give her a perfectly stunning figure.
But she was not the only person walking down the hallway.
There he was in all his glory, the first prince of Aureon, Prince Arthur Blackthorne. Just his appearance made the maids turn in embarrassment as they found themselves blushing the handsome blonde prince before them.
"What do you think of that boy?" Marcine asked with playfulness in her tone. "If father can praise him even a little and hold him in such high regards, I'm sure he's gonna be pretty interesting."
Arthur kept the silence before replying with a calm tone, glaring at the exit before him, with his sister in tow.
"I suppose you're right Marcine," he replied calmly "I suppose you're right."