Chapter 265: Don’t Drink Too Much
’’The Devil Emperor tried to annoy me,’’ Raegar revealed, chuckling. ’’The idiot thought he could scare me, but he’s wrong, I don’t care for the fiends anymore.’’
When the group heard this, their jaws dropped while Dahlia cast some kind of spell in an unknown language that washed over him. The older woman smiled, explaining. ’’It’s an Anti-Devil spell I created to stop them from contacting you or interfering with your dreams.’’
He was confused, and it showed in his expression, but she continued. ’’Research shows that when the fiends find a strong enough enemy, they don’t just try to kill him; they try to break him down emotionally, mentally, and in all other kinds of ways. I just want to make sure the creatures can’t get to you.’’
Raegar closed his eyes and sensed a barrier of Dahlia’s powerful Aether around him. He smiled before nodding. ’’That’s fine, I’m glad you did that. I have a feeling that the emperor is a weirdo and will harass me.’’
The girls laughed alongside the empress as the carriage came to a stop. At the same time, Drusilla transformed into her small form and floated over to him, climbing inside his pocket, letting out a yawn. ’’I’m going to sleep, all this excitement has me exhausted.’’
’’Sleep well, Dru,’’ he mutters.
Following that, Dahlia stepped out first and was greeted by Alfred, her advisor, who bristled with annoyance when seeing all of them. The older woman looked at the man and spoke. ’’Stop looking so sour, my fiancé and harem-sisters are here. You’d better get used to them, old man.’’
’’Yes, empress,’’ Alfred replied, turning to Raegar. ’’Evening, young master, I’m sure the flight was smooth enough?’’
He was about to reply, but Zahara and Yuki giggled alongside the others while the Demoness and Alice looked embarrassed. This scene amused Dahlia, but she didn’t say anything and led them inside the palace. ’’You see, I hate fancy decorations and wanted my home to show that, so don’t mind the sparse look of the place, it will feel like home in no time,’’ she revealed.
Raegar’s blue eyes lit with curiosity as he stepped into the grand foyer, its expanse lined with paintings. Each showcased the lineage of rulers, culminating in Dahlia’s portrait, already commanding a place on the wall. When the older woman noticed his gaze, she smiled. ’’Alfred and Martha here forced me to get one done; they just loved me being out of my library or lab.’’
’’Lab?’’
She quickly explained, a fascinated expression crossing her face. ’’Yes, I create magic inventions in my spare time, but thanks to all the trouble lately, I haven’t had the time.’’
’’Oh an inventor I see,’’ he replied, grinning. ’’You are full of surprises, empress.’’
’’Don’t call me that, Rae!’’ Dahlia countered, playfully smacking his arm.
Moments later, they arrived at a quieter part of the palace without all the maids rushing around or Imperial Guard patrolling. Raegar felt them step through a barrier of some sort, making the older woman smile. ’’That’s the shield I put around my private space; no one can enter unless I allow them,’’ she revealed.
Following that, Dahlia waved her hand toward a room. ’’There’s the bathroom, the water feels amazing after training.’’
She pointed to another door. ’’That’s the private kitchen and pantry, stocked with all kinds of food.’’
He was impressed, but Dahlia’s next words struck him like a bolt of lightning. ’’There’s a cupboard stocked with bottles of sake just for you, handsome,’’ she said with a playful smirk.
The group of young women nearby turned to him, their eyes glinting with knowing amusement, their gazes flickering between annoyed and pissed off. Raegar, sensing their moods changing, raised a hand and offered a warm, disarming smile. ’’Easy now, ladies,’’ he said. ’’I’m no alcoholic. My Aether burns through the liquor faster than you’d believe. A few sips of sake just help me unwind, letting the tension melt away so I can relax.’’
’’Don’t drink too much,’’ Zahara cautioned.
Raegar chuckled, reassuring the blonde Half-Elf. ’’I won’t Za, it’s just so I can chill out after all the fighting I’ve been doing.’’
’’Just let him drink, it’s summer break and classes aren’t tomorrow,’’ Selene said cheerfully, her yellow eyes full of love.
’’Come on, you lot,’’ Dahlia interrupted. ’’Get comfortable, I’ll go get us some tea.’’
She glanced at Zahara and politely asked. ’’Would you like to help me?’’
’’Yes,’’ the blonde jumped up, followed by Alice.
The three of them walked toward the kitchen, leaving him alone with Dominique, Yuki, and Selene, who was lying across one of the sofas. She glanced at him, smirking. ’’Who would’ve thought that a blacksmith’s daughter would be in the Dawnfire Palace?’’
’’Life is full of surprises,’’ the Catwoman added, a bright smile on her face. ’’I know young master would go places, but here? I never would have guessed we’d end up here.’’
’’Rae is something special, clearly if the empress wants him as her one and only husband,’’ the Vampress joined in. ’’Any noble woman would love someone kind, caring, but also deadly.’’
Raegar felt his cheeks going red and turned to the window only to see the Imperial Guard barracks by the corner of the wall. Thousands came and went as they went to guard the empress. He was shocked by the sheer number of people the building could support, but shrugged.
’I guess Dahlia used space magic,’ he mused, his eyes glowing. ’Yes they’re, I can feel it.’
While mesmerized by the scenes outside the palace, Selene nudged him. ’’Rae, do you have any of that bread left? I want to eat some.’’
He took some out and handed the small loaf to the Demoness, who happily took it. ’’Thanks!’’ she chirped.
Dahlia, Zahara, and Alice returned, balancing trays loaded with goods, just as the older woman handed over a bottle of sake. ’’Here, give this a try,’’ she said, grinning. ’’I might’ve tweaked the recipe a bit.’’
Raegar popped the cork and took a swig, the sake igniting a fiery trail down his throat. Despite the burn, he savored the rich, refined flavor. With a sharp hiss, he grinned at his fiancée. ’’Thanks, Dahlia. This is leagues better than anything I’ve got.’’
The group settled into conversation, ranging from Drakenwood and its devils to how the girls first met Raegar. As the discussion veered into animated gossip among the women, Raegar felt the urge to slip away and explore the palace. His movement caught the older woman’s eye.
’’Where are you off to, Rae?’’ she asked, her tone curious.
’’Just taking a walk to clear my head,’’ he replied with a small smile, stepping out of the room.
Raegar continued walking, amazed, confused, and even scared, as he never expected one choice could lead him to such a fate. He smiled when remembering his siblings back on Earth, living their lives to the fullest. By the time he stopped, he was standing at a massive window overlooking the garden.
’’I can’t, I believe I came this far,’’ he muttered in wonder.
The faces of his parents in this life flashed before his eyes, causing a smile to appear as he thought. ’At least I have family who love me for me now, even grandparents and girlfriends when I was a nerd.’
A gentle voice, warm and familiar, drifted from behind him. ’’Well, look who it is, the young man who stole an empress’s heart the moment she heard of you.’’
Raegar turned, and his breath caught. Standing there was an older woman, her kind face framed by blonde hair swept into a familiar bun, her green eyes sparkling with unspoken love. The sight pierced him like an arrow through the heart. She was the spitting image of the aunt he’d lost back on Earth.
His throat tightened, words failing him as memories flooded back. Then she broke the dam, and tears spilled down his cheeks. ’’Arthur, my precious nephew,’’ she said, her voice trembling with emotion. ’’It’s been so many years since I’ve seen you. But the Goddess promised me you’d come one day, and here you are.’’
Tears spilled down his face as his Aunt Tracy had been the one adult who loved him unconditionally, but she passed away from cancer, leaving him alone in the world, thanks to his parents being neglectful. Raegar’s heart pounded as he rushed forward, enveloping the woman in a tight embrace, his tears soaking into her shoulder.
’’Tracy,’’ he choked out, voice thick with emotion, ’’How are you here? How is this possible?’’
The woman’s arms wrapped around him, her touch as warm and comforting as he remembered from childhood. She pulled back just enough to cup his face, her green eyes full of tears.
’’Oh, my sweet Arthur,’’ she whispered, her voice a soothing balm. ’’The Goddess works in mysterious ways. She brought me to this world, knowing one day you’d need me again. I’ve been here for years, love, waiting to hold you just like this.’’