10
Rhys’s injuries were severe. It took him half a month in the fortress to even get out of bed.
During that time, Jasper often visited him.
Father and son finally began to truly communicate.
“Father, teach me swordsmanship.”
Jasper requested.
Rhys readily agreed.
He began to impart his combat techniques to Jasper.
Though still weak, teaching his son filled him with an unprecedented joy.
“Your talent is remarkable.”
Rhys praised.
“Far stronger than I was at your age.”
Jasper beamed with happiness.
It was the first time he’d received his father’s approval.
I tacitly allowed their interaction, but still kept my distance, my attitude towards Rhys remaining cold.
“I permit you to teach Jasper.”
I said to Rhys.
“But that is all.”
Rhys nodded.
“I understand. This is already enough.”
“To be by his side, even like this, I am content.”
Just when everything seemed calm, crisis struck again.
The old nobles, unwilling to relinquish power, secretly allied with the corrupted Dragonkin to orchestrate an even larger coup.
Their objective was clear: eliminate Jasper and me, and reclaim control of the kingdom.
“By order of Her Majesty, the Queen Mother.”
A fake messenger arrived at the fortress.
“Master Mad Lion is urgently requested in the Southern Marches.”
“Powerful demons have appeared there.”
Rhys didn’t suspect a thing. He immediately set off for the Southern Marches.
But it was a trap.
Shortly after he left, the rebels suddenly launched an attack on the fortress.
Jasper and I were trapped in the command room.
Fierce sounds of battle echoed from outside.
“Surrender the Royal Heir!”
The rebel leader shouted.
“Once he’s dead, the kingdom is ours!”
They burst through the door, carrying poisoned Godslayer crossbows–weapons specifically designed to kill divine bloodlines.
“Die!”
The rebel leader aimed at Jasper, pulling the trigger without hesitation.
I didn’t hesitate, instantly shielding my son.
“Mommy!”
Jasper shrieked in terror.
The instant the crossbow bolt was about to strike me, a golden figure burst in.
Rhys had returned just in time, shielding my son and me with his own body.
The Godslayer bolt pierced his heart, and potent venom instantly spread through his entire body.
“Father!”
Jasper caught the falling Rhys, tears streaming down like rain.
Rhys’s royal bloodline was fully unleashed, and terrifying power swept through the entire fortress.
All rebels instantly turned to ash, but he himself was at his life’s end.
“… I didn’t let you get hurt…
He looked at me, his voice growing fainter.
“This time… I did it right…”
I looked at the man who died protecting us, and the ice in my heart finally melted completely.
“Rhys…”
I spoke his name for the first time.
No anger, no hatred, only an inexplicable, complex emotion.
