Summary:
Leo finally meets his son — now a young man named **Lucian von Zerath**, raised in the hidden kingdom under Seraphine's protection.
But Lucian has grown up believing his father was a tyrant who died for his sins.
Their reunion is filled with tension, anger, and painful truths.
Meanwhile, a faction within the kingdom begins to conspire against Leo's return — fearing that his presence will bring ruin once again.
And in the shadows…
> Someone else watches.
Someone far more dangerous.
---
I had imagined this moment many times.
What I would say. How I would explain. Whether he would hate me.
But when the doors opened, and I saw him standing there — tall, proud, and wearing the armor of a warrior — all I could do was stare.
> My son.
**Lucian von Zerath.**
He looked just like me.
Same sharp eyes. Same stubborn jawline.
Only his hair was lighter — inherited from Seraphine.
He crossed his arms as we faced each other.
Then he spoke.
"You're not real."
I blinked.
Then slowly, I raised my hand and pointed at myself.
Lucian narrowed his eyes.
"This is some kind of trick," he muttered. "A ghost. A clone. Maybe even a spell."
I sighed inwardly.
Then I picked up my notepad and wrote carefully:
> **"I am Kaiser von Zerath."**
Lucian stiffened.
Seraphine stood beside me, watching closely.
"But I am also… your father."
---
The Reunion
For a long time, Lucian didn't speak.
He just stared.
Then finally, he laughed — bitter and cold.
"You expect me to believe that?" he asked. "That the man who built an empire on blood and fire is now… this?"
He gestured at me.
"A baby wrapped in a blanket?"
I gave him a flat stare.
Then I wrote:
> **"You were never meant to see me as a villain."**
Lucian's expression darkened.
"But I did," he said quietly. "All my life, people whispered about you. Some called you a monster. Others feared your name."
He clenched his fists.
"And I grew up knowing I was your son."
I flinched.
Then I wrote:
> **"I'm sorry."**
Two simple words.
But they carried the weight of everything I had lost.
Lucian looked away.
"I don't know if I can forgive you," he admitted. "Not yet."
I nodded.
Then I added:
> **"I don't ask for forgiveness. Only understanding."**
Lucian studied me.
Then he turned and walked out.
Leaving silence behind.
---
A Kingdom Divided
Later that night, I sat alone in one of the palace gardens.
Zephyra dropped down beside me, landing with her usual flair.
"You handled that pretty well," she said. "Most villains would've tried to force him into loyalty by now."
I gave her a small glare.
She grinned.
"Okay okay, I know. You're trying to be good now."
She leaned back against a pillar.
"But here's the thing… not everyone wants you to change."
I tilted my head.
She caught the look.
"There are people in this city," she whispered, "who still remember what you were. And they don't trust what you're becoming."
I frowned.
Then I wrote:
> **"Who?"**
Zephyra hesitated.
Then she whispered:
> "There's a group forming in the lower halls. They call themselves 'The True Blood.' They believe Lucian should rule instead of you."
I stared at her.
Then I wrote:
> **"Why?"**
Zephyra sighed.
"They think you've gone soft. That your peace will destroy everything Seraphine built."
She looked at me.
"They want war. And they'll do anything to make it happen."
---
Shadows Among Us
The next morning, the first attack came.
A quiet explosion near the armory. Smoke. Fire. Panic.
No one was hurt — but it was a message.
We found the symbol carved into the stone wall.
A serpent coiled around a blade.
> The mark of **The True Blood**.
Tessia reported that several high-ranking officers had gone missing during the night.
Selene confirmed that someone had been watching us from the rooftops.
Grimwald muttered something about how politics always ended in betrayal.
Elyna, meanwhile, seemed oddly excited.
"This is getting good!" she chirped. "Secret societies! Betrayal! Explosions!"
I gave her a tired look.
She shrugged. "What? I like drama."
---
The Truth in the Dark
That evening, Seraphine gathered us in the throne room.
Lucian stood beside her.
So did several of her most trusted advisors.
She looked at me.
Then she spoke.
"The True Blood has made their move," she said. "They believe I have weakened by letting you return."
Her voice hardened.
"They believe Lucian should lead."
Lucian stiffened.
Then he met my gaze.
"I don't agree with them," he said. "But I won't deny… I understand where they come from."
I nodded.
Then I stepped forward.
Slowly, I raised my tiny hand.
And I wrote:
> **"Let them come."**
Everyone turned to me.
I continued writing:
> **"If they want proof of who I am… I will give it to them."**
Seraphine watched me carefully.
Then she smiled.
"As bold as ever."
Lucian looked at me again.
This time, with something different in his eyes.
> Curiosity.
---