Father and Son — The Laughing Beast and the Silent Mind (Divine System Active)
The grand hall finally emptied.
The nobles' whispers faded like smoke. The beastmasters retreated to their dens. Only faint torchlight danced along the towering marble pillars.
Cian Archdemon stood alone beneath the empty throne, small, composed, expression blank — but his mind never stopped moving.
Footsteps approached.
King Aldric Vaelthorn, his towering frame relaxed, posture casual, eyes gleaming with quiet mischief, strolled toward him.
The King ruffled his own hair, offering his usual carefree grin.
"Ah, Cian… You really know how to rattle a room," Aldric chuckled. "Half the court looked ready to faint. That serpent nearly curled up and died at your stare."
Cian's grey eyes lifted — cold, unreadable — his sharp, symmetrical face betraying nothing.
Behind his silence, the Divine System activated:
💻 "Noble behavioural patterns… analysed. Enemy cowardice… amusing. Recommend maintaining low emotional output for optimal psychological control, Master."
Cian remained quiet.
Aldric clicked his tongue, amused. "Still so serious? One day you'll learn life's too short to frown through it all."
Cian's voice, quiet and sharp as glass, finally answered, "Frivolous displays waste energy."
Aldric chuckled again, shaking his head. "You sound just like your mother… Cold words, warm eyes."
He stepped closer, placing a heavy hand on Cian's shoulder. Though casual in appearance, the quiet strength in his grip spoke volumes — protector, warrior, king.
"You did well," Aldric said, tone dropping into something softer, more sincere. "But remember, Cian… in this kingdom, it doesn't matter how sharp your mind is… if you stand alone, the forest will eat you."
Cian's mind dissected every word, every micro-expression.
Paternal affection: confirmed. Intent to protect: 97% probability. Emotional manipulation: not required. System… observing.
Aldric's golden eyes narrowed slightly, playful warmth replaced by quiet, dangerous calm.
"Of course," the King continued, voice low now, "if anyone thinks they can harm you… insult you… test you…"
The playful smile remained, but his gaze darkened — the terrifying, merciless king beneath the laughter flickering to the surface.
"I'll bury them. Quietly. Efficiently. They won't see sunrise."
Cian didn't flinch.
His Divine System whispered sweetly:
💻 "Protective paternal anomaly… acceptable. Emotional attachment detected. System recommends leveraging for political safety. Recommend minimal reciprocation… for now."
Cian's cold grey eyes softened — fractionally — not from weakness… but from calculated understanding.
Aldric ruffled his hair suddenly, ruining the moment.
"But hey, don't get all sentimental," the King teased, stepping back. "You're sharp enough to handle those snake-tongued nobles alone. Still… nice to remind them whose bloodline you carry."
Cian smoothed his hair with faint irritation.
His father's grin widened.
"Ah, there's the predator glare. Don't deny it — you're a miniature version of me, just quieter… and scarier."
Cian said nothing. His mind already catalogued 43 subtle weaknesses among the nobles, 17 exploitable alliances, 5 potential assassination routes. Emotions? Unnecessary.
The Divine System purred softly:
💻 "Cognitive efficiency: increasing. Emotional detachment: stable. Experiment… proceeding as designed."
Aldric stretched lazily, already walking away.
"Come on, little strategist," he called over his shoulder, "Let's go home. Before your overthinking burns a hole in the floor."
Cian followed silently, the towering, laughing King ahead of him — protector, ruler, fool to some… devil to enemies.
Behind the boy's blank eyes, the Divine System hummed — cold, calculating, evolving.
The Beastmaster Kingdom had no idea what it had summoned.
But soon… they would.