Page 71

"This hall is the embodiment of our legacy—of House Aestherisin. Every king of our bloodline, from the first to the current, has sat on this very throne." He spoke as he descended the platform, his footsteps echoing in the vast space.

"This is the hall in which I have ruled for millennia, and in time, you will too." His voice swelled with pride as his gaze met mine, his eyes gleaming with a history older than most could fathom.

"Today, I bring you here not just to show you where power resides, but to help you understand what it means. This is the symbol of the highest authority in all of House Aestherisin, the source of envy and respect across the lands." He paused, now standing directly before me, his presence imposing.

"But above all," he continued, his tone softening, "I hope you will be impartial and just. I hope you grasp the immense weight of this responsibility." His hand settled on my shoulder, a silent gesture of the burden I was yet to truly understand—the weight of a king's duty.

"I am not you, Father. Perhaps I won't be as kind as you, nor as forgiving," I responded, my voice steady. "But I can promise you one thing: I will never bring shame upon House Aestherisin."

"I know you are not like me," he said with a knowing glance.

"You are more like your mother—and that's fine.

I understand where you both come from. We are Nocturnals, after all.

Ruthless. Unforgiving. Driven by our desires.

" A flicker of something darker passed through his eyes, as if there was more he wished to say but couldn't quite express.

"And I do admire you guys for that". He concluded his statement as if meaning to express something.

"Thank you for sharing that with me, Father. I hope I will not disappoint you," I said sincerely. He was one of the few who truly seemed to care for me, even when I considered my previous life as an orphan.

Calling him "Father" had never felt odd, may be because he was a thousand years old. My two lifetimes combined barely added up to a fraction of his existence.

"Now that we've discussed that," he said, shifting gears, his expression turning serious again, "I trust you've learned about the outer entity, the infection, the Damned, and the technology that keeps us in check."

"Yes, Headmaster Zephyr has informed me," I replied.

"So, you know his name and his affiliations—meaning you have his approval," he nodded.

"Not many know of him. A select, powerful few.

His story is shrouded in intrigue and blood, even I've only heard the whispered legends never witnessing anything.

He was the head of the academy even before I was born.

" A distant look overtook his face, as though recalling something long buried.

"You'll learn his full story in time, but for now, there are more pressing matters at hand," he said, his tone hardening.

"Do you mean the outer entity?" I asked, a sense of dread creeping into my chest.

"Yes, the outer entity is the primary threat.

But more concerning are the Damned. They are stronger than humans, making them difficult to kill.

Though killing us isn't easy either, their numbers are growing, and soon enough, we may find ourselves at war.

" His eyes turned towards the windows, as if he could see the storm brewing beyond them.

"When I say 'soon,' I mean it by our standards. By human standard of time, it will take a while for them to gather enough power, resources, and numbers to pose a real threat. But for us, years pass like days. We must be ready." He turned back to me, his gaze unyielding.

"I don't wish to burden you with this right now, not when you've just returned," he added, his tone softening again. "But I want you to have a general understanding. The finer details will come in time. As future head, you'll be more involved in the workings of this house."

"You know Eldon, my right-hand man. He's the one who makes things happen. If you need assistance with anything, he will help you," he explained, his voice returning to its usual calm. He turned back to the throne as though already lost in thought.

"Also, the woman you requested is being kept in a guest room on the lower floors for now," he added casually.

"Lucian Blackwood came with me. They'll likely be staying together," I said, not bothering to mask my intentions. Not that it mattered; he knew me too well to be fooled.

"You can instruct Eldon on what arrangements to make for them. He will comply with whatever you wish," he affirmed, almost as if to emphasize his earlier point.

"No problem, Father. I'll make sure everything is handled well." I reassured him.

"Now go," he said, his voice almost playful. "I'm sure you're eager to see your mother and sister." There was an unmistakable teasing undertone in his words.

"I'll be on my way then," I replied, my tone polite but carrying a hint of amusement.

"Oh, one more thing," he called as I began to turn.

"I didn't tell them about your arrival, as you requested.

Your mother should be resting in her room.

I've arranged things so she won't notice your presence right away.

As powerful as she is, sneaking up on her is no easy feat.

And I am not sure how else you can surprise her.

" He paused, then added, "Your sister should be training.

She seemed to be in a rut after you left. "

With that, he gestured for me to leave, his mind clearly elsewhere.

"Thank you, Father. I will take my leave now," I said, bowing my head before retreating from the hall, the guard closing the doors behind me.

Today, I came to understand two sides of power—through the perspectives of both my mother and father. While my mother saw power as a means to an end, a tool to fulfill one's desires and needs, my father viewed it as a responsibility to be respected and carefully wielded.

Both perspectives held truth, but one was aligned with the ideology of this world, while the other resonated more with the values of my past life—or perhaps, the way humans might view power.

I needed to decide where I stood—to choose between righteousness or volatility, self-serving or people-serving.

I walked down the corridors, the weight of my thoughts pressing in on me.

As I passed by a familiar door, an image flashed in my mind— battered woman, soft and plump yet scarred, her heavy fleshy jugs adorned with heavy earrings, Her humungous asscheeks With stump of a rod peeking through, her body marked with blood, her flesh trembling in fear.

The sight ignited a surge of desire within me , the silver blood rushing between my legs, my silver eyes glowing with intensity in the dark corridor. She would have her time, but not tonight. Tonight was for my family. I continued on, though the thought lingered in my mind.

It was then that I realized something deep within me: I could never be the benevolent king my father envisioned. Yet, I did not wish to completely become the monster my mother desired either.

I needed balance—my balance, not defined by anyone else. This was a path I would carve on my own.

I arrived at the large white doors, their silver patterns glimmering in the soft light. The scent of my mother's presence filled the corridor—a sweet, milky fragrance that made my head swim as my trouser strained again my length. Finally I was here.