CHAPTER 143: KAELGOR’S GRATITUDE

[: 3rd POV :]

The music in the grand hall swelled softly, fading into a gentle rhythm as laughter and conversation echoed like waves in the distance.

The glow of golden light from the chandeliers shimmered against the polished marble floor, illuminating the soft expression on Melira’s face as she shared a rare, peaceful smile with her son.

For Daniel, moments like this were precious, fleeting fragments of warmth in a world that had often shown him only chaos and blood.

Sitting beside his mother, he felt something he hadn’t felt in years, serenity.

The kind of serenity that didn’t come from victory or power... but from belonging.

But that serenity was soon interrupted, not unpleasantly, by a voice filled with authority and an undertone of good humor.

"So... are you the one who’s been making Rika talk about you nonstop?"

Daniel turned, sensing the towering presence before he even saw the man.

The Demi-Human Emperor, Kaelgor Ironclaw, approached with a smile that could crush walls.

His physique was massive, his golden fur-lined armor gleaming under the lights, and his tusked grin sharp enough to intimidate any lesser man.

Yet beneath that bravado, there was something gentler, it was a flicker of warmth, an emotion rarely shown by someone who ruled entire tribes of beasts and warriors.

Daniel blinked, taken aback by the sudden question.

"She... talks about me?"

"F-Father!"

Rika’s voice immediately rang out in protest, her fluffy ears twitching wildly as her face flushed pink.

"Why are you saying that out loud?!"

Kaelgor only laughed, a deep and booming laugh that echoed across the hall.

"Hah! What? It’s the truth! My daughter hasn’t shut up about you since she had returned"

"If I didn’t know better, I’d think she was preparing to write an entire book about you!"

"F-Father!"

Rika’s stomped her foot in mock indignation, her eyes darting toward Daniel in embarrassment.

Daniel chuckled softly, his voice calm but amused.

"I... didn’t realize I made such an impression."

Kaelgor’s laughter faded, replaced with a sincere look that carried the weight of his title.

He stepped closer, towering over Daniel, yet there was no hostility in his presence, only the quiet reverence of a warrior addressing another who had earned his respect.

"Impression?" Kaelgor said lowly, his gaze steady.

"Boy, you did more than leave an impression. You gave my daughter something far more valuable than power or victory, you saved her life."

The tone of the room shifted instantly.

The nearby attendants and guests turned their attention subtly, their conversations dying out as they sensed the gravity in Kaelgor’s words.

"Father..."

Rika murmured, her voice trembling slightly as she took a small step forward.

Kaelgor raised a hand, silencing her softly without looking away from Daniel.

"You might not understand a father’s feeling, boy... but you can bet that I owe you my life."

The words struck deep.

His voice didn’t tremble, but the emotion behind it was unmistakable, fierce, raw, and full of gratitude that words could barely hold.

Rika’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"Father... you’re..."

"Yes,"

Kaelgor interrupted gently, his eyes glinting in the light as he smiled faintly.

"Don’t look so surprised, daughter"

"You think I wouldn’t appreciate the man who saved your life when I couldn’t?"

"A man like that... is someone worth bowing to, if need be."

The guests around gasped softly, it was rare for the Emperor of the Demi-Humans, known for his pride and strength, to speak so humbly of another.

Daniel, however, shook his head slightly, his expression calm but firm.

"You don’t need to show me gratitude, Emperor Kaelgor"

"If anything... I should be the one thanking you."

Kaelgor raised a brow. "Thanking me? What for, boy?"

Daniel glanced at Rika, his voice quiet but filled with sincerity.

"Because Rika... saved me"

"You might not realize it, but she, Caelira, Kiel, and Manork, gave me something that gave me the reason to live"

"A reason to live and to keep walking forward."

He smiled softly, his gaze distant as if remembering a time far behind him.

"There was a time when I thought I was nothing more than a slave"

"I thought of ending my life, but they were the reason that I managed to carry on"

Rika froze, her lips parting slightly as her throat tightened.

"I never really did that much, you know..." she whispered, her voice barely audible, trembling.

Her hands clenched tightly against her chest. "All I ever did was... talk, listen, and be there"

"You’re the one who fought, the one who endured everything."

Daniel turned toward her, meeting her teary eyes.

"Rika," he said softly, his tone steady but filled with emotion.

"If you, Caelira, Kiel, and Manork hadn’t been there for me, hadn’t raised me, I wouldn’t be standing here today"

"So don’t tell me you didn’t do much."

He smiled faintly.

"Because to me, those years with you all meant everything."

Rika’s breath caught in her throat, and she lowered her head as tears shimmered in her eyes.

Daniel continued, his voice calm but warm.

"If anything, it wouldn’t be strange for me to treat you as my elder sister."

The words silenced everyone.

Rika’s eyes widened again, her lips trembling, her fingers flicking nervously as her heart raced.

For a moment, she didn’t know what to say.

She wanted to hug him, to pull him into her arms like she used to when he was younger — but she stopped herself, too embarrassed, too overwhelmed by the sudden wave of emotion.

Finally, she let out a shaky laugh, wiping her tears quickly with the back of her hand.

"T-Then from now on... you’re my little brother! And you should call me Big Sis Rika!"

The words came out half-playful, half-emotional, and entirely genuine.

Daniel blinked, then smiled warmly, chuckling softly.

"Alright then... Big Sis Rika."

"Good!" she said, puffing her chest slightly with mock pride.

"You better remember that title!"

From the side, a soft, melodic voice broke the laughter.

"Fufufu... it seems Rika has finally gotten what she always wanted, a little brother."

Daniel turned toward the source.

Standing gracefully beside Kaelgor was Selena Kaelgor, the Demi-Human Empress.

Her long hair shimmered under the lights, and her gentle eyes carried both amusement and affection.

"Isn’t that right, husband?" she asked teasingly, her voice carrying a lilting warmth.

"Didn’t you always say she used to bother her older brothers, wishing she had a younger one to spoil?"

Kaelgor groaned dramatically, rubbing the bridge of his nose

"Sigh... as if three sons weren’t enough trouble, now I’ve got another one, and a strong one, no less."

Selena chuckled softly, her laughter like bells.

"Oh, don’t be grumpy, dear. You should be proud. Not everyone gets to have a son like Daniel."

Kaelgor crossed his arms, pretending to frown.

"Hmph. I don’t know if I should be grateful... or start preparing for the chaos that’s bound to follow."

That earned laughter from everyone nearby, even the stoic guards standing at attention cracked faint smiles.

Daniel chuckled quietly, shaking his head.

"If it’s chaos you’re worried about, I promise to keep it... manageable."

"Manageable, he says," Kaelgor snorted. "The last man who said that leveled an entire valley."

"Father..." Rika groaned, hiding her face in embarrassment.

Kaelgor laughed heartily again, clapping Daniel on the shoulder with a weighty, affectionate thud.

"I like you, boy. Truly. You’ve got heart, strength, and humility"

"You remind me of a younger version of myself before the crown and before the gates had hardened me."

Daniel met his gaze with quiet respect.

"And you remind me of what strength should look like, a strength that protects, not destroys."

For a moment, Kaelgor was silent, then he smiled faintly.

"Hah. You’re dangerous, Daniel. Not because of your power... but because of how easily you make people believe in you."

Selena nodded softly beside him.

"Melira, you have one hell of a son" Selena complimented.

Melira, who had been watching the exchange with misty eyes, finally stepped forward, her voice trembling slightly.

"Thank you Selena"

Kaelgor inclined his head toward her respectfully.

"Perhaps he had inherited that from you Melira"

Melira smiled. "Perhaps he did, after all, he’s my son" She declared.

The room fell silent once more, not from tension, but from reverence.

And amid that silence, Daniel smiled gently, lowering his head slightly.

"I’m just grateful to have met people worth fighting for."

Kaelgor chuckled softly, shaking his head in admiration.

"Then, from today onward, Daniel... you are one of us.

The Ironclaw will remember your name, not as an ally, but as family."

Rika smiled brightly at that, tears of joy spilling down her cheeks as she whispered, "Welcome to the family, little brother."