CHAPTER 15: ELARA’S REQUEST

The Royal Guard was a group of four people who were in charge of protecting the President of this country.

They weren’t ceremonial figures, nor were they bound by politics or noble bloodlines.

They were warriors chosen for their absolute mastery, for the kind of power that could make even nations tremble.

Being a member meant you weren’t just strong — you were seen as one of the most powerful people in the whole world.

There were four of them, each carrying the name of their weapon:

The Sword, the sharp executioner who cut down threats without hesitation.

The Shield, the immovable wall that could not be breached.

The Spear, the relentless hunter who pursued enemies beyond borders.

The Bow, the unseen hand that struck from a distance with impossible accuracy.

To most people, they were myths come alive, living proof of what an Awakener at the very peak could achieve.

To Lucius, however, they were reminders of what was to come.

Valerian soon stood right in front of him.

The Sword himself.

The clan’s number one prodigy.

His crimson eyes, sharp as drawn blades, sized Lucius up like a predator judging prey.

Lucius inwardly clicked his tongue.

Valerian von Hohenberg... the great Sword.

In the future of this novel, this man became a major villain.

Not just a rival, but a traitor of the highest order.

Valerian orchestrated and connived with another country, pulling strings in the dark until at last, he struck down the very President he was meant to protect and gravely injured the other members of the Royal guard.

His betrayal had plunged the nation into chaos, bringing disgrace to the Hohenberg name that resounded across the globe.

He had been killed by the main character later but the country was in turmoil and the President’s daughter was forced to rise.

Now, though, the world had not yet seen that future.

To the crowd, Valerian was a hero.

To Lucius, he was a viper waiting for the right moment to strike.

"And what do I owe the pleasure?" Lucius asked uninterestingly.

His tone was flat, his gaze almost bored.

Though he stood face to face with one of the most dangerous men alive, there was no fear in his eyes.

Space stirred around Valerian.

Lucius could see it clearly — the constant tremor of spatial particles shivering in the air around Valerian.

That was how powerful his brother was; he didn’t even need to release his aura for the world to respond.

Valerian’s lips curved into a faint grin. "You have proven yourself. Why don’t you return to the clan? After all, everyone misses you."

Lucius gave him a once over, deliberately slow, deliberately disrespectful.

The grin on Valerian’s face only widened.

The former Lucius — the boy whose life had been crushed by fear, guilt, and obedience had been terrified of this man.

He had bent to his will, obeyed his every command, never daring to look him in the eye.

But Lucius wasn’t that boy anymore. He wasn’t someone who trembled at the shadow of a name.

’Why would I be afraid of someone younger than me?’ he thought, the corner of his lips twitching upward. ’It doesn’t even make sense.’

"Not interested," Lucius said dismissively, brushing past him as if Valerian were a stranger on the street.

He knew it wouldn’t be the end of it — men like Valerian never accepted dismissal but he had no intention of playing along.

This was a romance fantasy world, not a regular fantasy.

Characters often behaved unnecessarily, irrationally, as though fate itself demanded melodrama.

And right now, that was true in every sense.

Valerian’s hand shot out and landed on his shoulder.

Instantly, a crushing pressure poured out from his body, heavy enough to make lesser Awakeners collapse to their knees.

The two families above watched the suffocating aura settle like a stormcloud.

"I didn’t give you a request," Valerian said quietly, though his voice carried like thunder.

Lucius turned his head, his expression calm.

"Look man, I don’t really care," he replied. His voice wasn’t defiance — it was dismissal. "I don’t want to join your clan. Will you force me?"

And then —

[You have used Spell: Spatial Distortion (LV.2)]

The space around Valerian’s hand rippled violently.

For a moment, it looked like heat waves shimmering in the air.

Then it collapsed in on itself.

Boom!

Blood splattered the floor.

Valerian staggered back, his palm gone, shredded by the violent distortion.

All that remained was a bleeding stump.

The hall erupted in chaos.

There were shouts, Eldric couldn’t believe what his eyes were seeing.

To injure the Sword of the Royal Guard, even for an instant, was an act few in the world could boast of.

Lucius smiled smugly. His voice was light, almost playful:

"Of course, I could accept coming back — if I could get all the funds the clan has,."

And with that, he vanished.

It took several minutes to teleport, hopping from one space fold to another.

Each jump left a faint shimmer of mana behind, a ripple only the most sensitive could feel.

But Lucius didn’t stop. Being newly awakened, a celebrity overnight, he knew there would be no peace if he simply walked home.

Reporters, nobles, even assassins could be waiting.

Luna’s apartment had been safe before.

He could only hope the awe and fear he had planted in the public’s heart would keep it safe still.

Finally, he reached the familiar door.

His hand lingered on the knob a moment longer than usual.

Then he pushed it open.

Inside was Elara.

She had shed her usual maid uniform and changed into casual clothes that accentuated her curves.

The sight of her standing there, waiting, sent a flicker of warmth through him.

"Welcome back, young master," she said, her voice a little breathless.

It made him wonder what she had been doing.

Her eyes softened as she looked at him. "And congratulations on awakening."

"Thanks, Elara," Lucius said, shutting the door behind him as he crossed the room to her.

His voice lowered. "Did you get some food ready?"

"Yes, young master," she answered with a gentle nod. "I prepared a hot bath for you, and also made lunch. I assume you want to spend the rest of the day relaxing."

"Yes." He let out a long, almost theatrical sigh and wrapped his arms around her waist.

His head rested lightly against her shoulder. "Now carry me to the bathroom."

Elara giggled at the childish request, but she slipped an arm around him and guided him forward.

The two moved through the apartment until they entered the bath.

Steam rose gently from the tub, filled at just the right temperature — the way he always liked it. Elara memorized all of his likes and dislikes..

Lucius blinked, a little impressed despite himself. "Perfect," he murmured.

But then, Elara turned.

Her eyes lingered on him, uncharacteristically bold.

"Young master," she whispered, voice trembling between fear and determination, "please forgive this lowly maid for what she’s about to do."

"Huh?" Lucius tilted his head.

And before he could say anything more, Elara moved.

She leaned in, her lips pressing against his in a sudden, heated kiss.

His eyes widened slightly in surprise.

[Author’s Note]

Alright keep the PS coming and leave some reviews too, it’s giving me the motivation I need to write for the book.