CHAPTER 15: TRUE VALERIA

Aegon observed others’ reactions to Elara’s words, and only then did he remember something he had once read in a book. Exact words flashed in his mind, telling him that Elves’ ears were sacred and only their spouse could touch them.

"Ah! I’m sorry," Aegon quickly apologized, confusing others. "I forgot for a moment about your tradition."

His Perfect Memory made him remember every single moment of his life very clearly, but it was also very annoying, so Aegon had learned to only focus on the important parts. Still, he could access every memory if he wanted.

"Haha! My cute nephew is so smart," Aurelia laughed at his words and said, treating him more like a teenager rather than a baby. "Don’t worry about it. That tradition is way too old, and nobody follows it anymore. But our ears are still very sacred to us, and only close ones can touch them."

She patted her daughter’s head lovingly and said, "She knows it too. If she gave you permission, then it means she wants to be your friend. You don’t need to overthink it."

"Ohh!" Aegon turned towards Elara, who was still looking at him with her small emerald eyes, and said, "Thank you!"

"But I have a condition," Elara said in her sweet voice.

"What?" Aegon asked.

"I want to pinch your cheeks," Elara stated her intentions clearly.

Aegon thought about it for a few seconds before nodding. "Equal time."

"Deal!"

"Deal!"

Everyone was amused to see the kids talk as if they were making a huge deal, but who would tell them that it actually was a big deal to both of them?

"You two can play later," Xiu said. "For now, let’s start the banquet. I don’t want our guests to keep waiting."

Many had the urge to roll their eyes at her comment. What had they been doing till now?

"Aiyah! I didn’t wish my nephew a happy birthday," Aurelia stopped Xiu and tried to take Aegon from her, but it was a futile effort.

"Wish him from a distance," Xiu growled before she shoved the pouting Aurelia away. "Theon, handle your wife!"

Meanwhile, Aegon’s gaze still lingered on Aurelia, who smiled gently at him and mouthed her words, ’Happy birthday, dear!’

’Xiu’s friends are weird just like her,’ Aegon concluded before he waved his hand at her and also at Elara.

Then, Xiu climbed the stairs but stopped midway. At first, she had planned to have the banquet on the second floor so that the first floor was reserved for dances, but she discarded that idea later, so now everyone was below her.

She cleared her throat after putting Aegon on her shoulders. She smiled and said, her voice booming through the silent hall.

"Welcome to the banquet, everyone. I’m glad you found time in your busy lives to attend the birthday of my dear nephew. I hope you won’t be disappointed by this banquet because it’s a little lackluster compared to what nobles usually hold, but it’s for a very different reason, and you know it too."

Everyone was speechless hearing her speech for various reasons. First of all was simply the fact that she was giving a speech at all, and second, she was using a polite tone. As for being lackluster, that was the last thing that came to their minds upon seeing the banquet.

It looked simpler, yes, but it was far from ordinary. Every single person present here was a distinguished figure in their field and place, so that alone made the banquet special.

These were people one couldn’t meet easily.

Then, the things she had used in the banquet were also one of a kind. For example, the wines used were the most expensive ones, wines more suited for collection rather than for drinking.

There were many other factors too, like the presence of Elves.

If this banquet was lackluster, then all the banquets they had ever attended had been a waste.

Arnold stared at his daughter and wondered which ghost had possessed her.

"Now, let me introduce you to the birthday boy, my dear nephew. The Third Young Master of House Augustus, True Heir of the Chen Clan, Prince of the Moonrise Kingdom, the last Dragonborne, and the sole heir to the House Valeria—Aegon Valeria Augustus!!"

...

Aegon Valeria Augustus.

It was a name famous all around the world. So much so that even the Demons had heard of him. The fame had nothing to do with the said person, since he was just a one-year-old baby.

Everyone knew of him because of his background, and what frightened them most was the fact that he was the heir of House Valeria.

Not a single person in the world didn’t know of Valeria, the true Dragonborne. They were the absolute top predators and also the mediators between humans and Demons.

Sadly, the true Valeria, the true Dragonborne, were very rare, as it was incredibly difficult for the bloodline to pass down.

Olena Valeria was considered to be the last true Valeria, as her children and even her grandchildren didn’t inherit her blood.

Many people were looking for an opportunity, but it was then that they heard of Aegon Valeria Augustus, who carried the true bloodline of Valeria.

This name frightened them to no end, but it was also a fact that it would be nearly impossible to even touch a hair of a true Valeria unless they themselves made mistakes and fell.

That was the reason why, when some people were invited to the birthday banquet of this said legend, they didn’t hesitate to put aside everything to attend it.

They considered themselves lucky to be present.

But it was only when Xiu properly introduced him that they truly understood the sheer background this little baby possessed.

Forget being a true Valeria—every single one of his other titles alone would have put him among the top of the younger generation, and yet he had all of them.

They also realized the reason why Xiu had invited them. It wasn’t just to celebrate, but also to warn them for the future. She was announcing what Aegon meant to his background and that everyone should think ten times before even considering harming him.

But some of them also realized that it was actually an opportunity. Xiu was reminding them that she trusted them to some extent, and if ever in the future they helped Aegon and saved him, his backing would be grateful and would forge connections with them.

It was a threat and an offer at the same time.