Chapter 20: The Forgotten King

Ethan lunged across the stone bed at an impossible speed, his hybrid instincts kicking in as he snatched Iris out of harm's way. They skidded across the mattress, Ethan shielding her body as he spun around to glare at the intruder.

Standing in the shattered stone archway was a towering monster covered in thick blue-and-black scales. Its massive form cast a heavy shadow over the entire underground room.

Ethan's crimson eyes narrowed defensively. "Where on earth did a monster like this even come from?!" He whipped his head back, fixing a deadly, cold glare on Steevan. "Uncle... did you do this?"

Steevan raised his hands in absolute panic, frantically shaking his head. "No! No, Ethan, I swear I didn't do anything! How could you even think I would ever try to harm you both?!"

"We don't know who to trust right now," Ethan responded, his voice dropping to a guarded, icy register.

Clinging to his torn shirt from behind, Iris trembled slightly, her red eyes wide as she stared at the giant scaly beast. "Ethan... are you okay? I was so incredibly scared..."

"I'm fine," Ethan murmured, never breaking eye contact with the creature. "But let me ask Uncle Steevan first. Uncle... this is your house. Why is there a massive monster standing inside our bedroom?"

Steevan went completely out of words, his jaw tightening with deep hurt. "Ethan... do you really think I am that kind of man? Do you think I'm a monster?"

"My own adoptive family betrayed me," Ethan growled, his teeth grinding. "After everything I've been through, do you honestly think I'll just trust anyone?"

Steevan let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders dropping as he took a cold step forward. "If you truly believe I am in the wrong here, Ethan... then do whatever you have to do."

Seeing the tension escalate, Noorin frantically ran forward, planting herself firmly in front of her husband to shield him from Ethan. "Don't you dare lay a single finger on him!" she shouted fiercely.

Before Ethan or Iris could take a stance, a loud, echoing rumble filled the cavern. The massive blue and black monster suddenly slumped against the stone wall, letting out a pathetic, agonizing cry.

"Help me... please, help me..." the monster whimpered, tears actually welling in its giant eyes. "My leg... my leg is completely broken..."

Ethan froze, his crimson eyes widening in sheer disbelief. He stared at the giant beast, filtering the monstrous sounds through his mind. Wait... how can I understand what this thing is saying?

"Ah... sniffle... please, help me..." the beast groaned, clutching its fractured limb.

Ignoring the danger, Ethan took a slow, calculating step forward toward the scaly creature. "Can you... Can you actually understand me?"

From the back of the bed, Iris gasped, reaching out to grab his cape. "Ethan! Why are you getting closer to that terrifying thing?!"

"Shh," Ethan whispered, raising a hand to quiet her.

The giant monster immediately bowed its massive head into the dirt, its voice trembling with profound reverence. "Yes... my King. Please, you must help us."

Ethan blinked, completely stunned. "What did you just call me? A king? I don't know who you are, creature. You have the wrong person."

"Ethan, step backward right now!" Steevan ordered from the corner, his hand gripping his sword. "It's far too dangerous!"

Ethan completely ignored him, keeping his eyes locked onto the crying beast.

"Please... save our kingdom from the corruption of the black magic," the monster begged, its giant claws trembling. "Help us, our true King... before our entire race is shattered. Before the black rain pours down, our souls have gone completely numb... and our enemies win the realm."

Ethan touched his chin, his mind spinning as the words echoed deep inside his soul. "A black rain... numb souls... it feels like a rhythmic chant you're saying. But I don't understand it."

The monster bowed even lower, pressing its forehead against the stone floor. "Please save us, King... before the sky bleeds. If the realm falls, your life will also be up."

"I am not the king you chose," Ethan stammered, pulling at his dark hair as a strange pressure built behind his eyes. "You've chosen someone wrong."

"No, please!" the monster cried desperately. "Your life is also in a terrible state! The dark world will burn us all down... it will devour you from the depths of the water..."

As the creature spoke the final words of the prophecy, a sudden, blinding image flashed directly into Ethan's mind. He saw a vast, shimmering white surface... and deep, glowing blue water swirling into an ancient vortex.

The sheer force of the memory hit his brain like a physical blow. Ethan stumbled backward, dropping to his knees on the stone floor as he tightly clutched his head. "Ah... it hurts... my head hurts so bad!"

Iris immediately lunged off the mattress, dropping to her knees beside him and wrapping her arms securely around his shoulders. "Ethi! Ethi, are you alright?!"

"I think..." Ethan gasped, his breathing ragged as his crimson eyes flickered wildly. "I think something is completely lost in my memory... a massive, important thing that I should know, but I can't reach it."

Iris looked at him, her face filled with deep worry. "What do you mean, Ethi?"

"That chant... the riddle this monster just recited," Ethan whispered, staring blankly at the floor. "It's like... I know the exact meaning of it. I can feel it in my blood. But I just can't remember why."

He forced himself to look back up at the giant blue and black beast. "What... what is the name of your kingdom?"

The monster lifted its head, its voice echoing with ancient power. "The Kingdom of Ashter Flames."

The second the name left the creature's mouth, Ethan's eyes went completely wide. The mental wall in his mind cracked, and three vivid, terrifying flashes exploded behind his eyelids:

1. A horizon drenched in pure Crimson Blood.
2. An endless, piercing Sky Blue Sea.
3. A freezing expanse of Ice Water.

And then, a heavy, commanding voice echoed from the deepest depths of his lost childhood memories: "You are the King, my son. Rule the kingdom... the Dragon Vampire. The one who will completely destroy our enemies."

Ethan went entirely rigid, his breath dying in his throat as he stared into the void. "That voice..." he whispered, his body trembling.

---

Meanwhile, back at the Duke's grand estate, the dark night was quiet.

Alberd gently ran his fingers through Betty's silver hair as they hovered in the warm, dim light. They were still wrapped together on the velvet sofa. Alberd offered a soft, teasing smirk. "Now... don't you want to go to sleep, Betty?"

Betty rolled her eyes playfully, a faint blush warming her cheeks. "Why wouldn't I?"

Alberd chuckled softly, lifting her up and carrying her over to the grand canopy bed. Laying her down on the silk sheets, he climbed in beside her, pulling the heavy blankets over them. He leaned in close, his voice dropping to a smooth, fierce whisper. "Betty... I love you. I want you to know this... I would willingly let the entire world burn to ashes for you. If I can't have you by my side, then no one can."

Betty smiled, her blue eyes reflecting the faint candlelight. "You won't let it burn, Alberd... because I am already completely yours."

Alberd smirked, tapping her nose. "Nice line, smarty."

The familiar nickname instantly triggered a warm, sweet flash of memory in both of their minds, taking them back fourteen years into the past...

---

Fourteen Years Ago...

A fourteen-year-old Betty was sitting gracefully in a quiet corner of the grand royal library, completely buried in a thick book. She was reading a dramatic romance novel. As the plot got intense, her face turned a bright crimson. "Oh no... don't go so close to her... no..." she whispered, blushing furiously as she slammed the book shut and covered her eyes with her hands.

Suddenly, a hand shot out from the shadows, snatching the book right out of her lap.

"Hey!" Betty snapped, opening her eyes.

Alberd stood over her, holding the book high above his head with a mischievous grin. "Hey, what exactly are you reading here, smarty?"

Betty stood up on her tiptoes, frantically reaching up to swipe the book back. "Give it back, Alberd!"

Alberd laughed, stretching his arm even higher so she couldn't reach it. "Wait a second, let me read a line first." He scanned the page, reading a dramatic romantic quote out loud, before instantly tossing the book back onto the floor with a disgusted face. "Ew! You actually read this cringe stuff?"

Betty's face exploded into a massive blush. She quickly bent down, snatching her book off the floor and hugging it to her chest. "Shut up! And stop calling me smarty!"

Alberd stepped right into her space, leaning down until his eyes were locked directly onto hers. A charming, dominant smile crossed his lips. "But... aren't you my smarty?"

---

The Present Day...

Back in the bedchamber, Betty let out a soft laugh, hitting his shoulder with a pillow. "Stop calling me that."

The Duke laughed loudly, a sound of pure joy. "You always did hate that name the most."

"No, I didn't," Betty murmured, turning her head.

"Aha! I knew it!" Alberd smirked, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "Was that the very first time you started falling for me, Betty?"

Betty quickly pulled the thick blanket all the way over her face to hide her deep blush. "Yes..." her muffled voice came from beneath the sheets. "But you were so incredibly mean back then."

"I was," Alberd admitted thoughtfully. "You actually slapped me right across the face when I was on bed rest."

Betty pulled the blanket down just enough to peek out at him. "But you were badly injured! So... that slap was pure love."

Alberd raised an eyebrow, amused. "Oh? So beating me up was your version of love?"

"It's my unique style," Betty sniffed proudly. "Now, go to sleep."

She turned around, curling into the pillows, and within minutes, she fell into a peaceful, content sleep. Alberd smiled, wrapping his arm around her waist as the yellow candlelight flickered out, leaving them in a beautiful, long-awaited silence.

---

Meanwhile, inside the Royal Palace...

The heavy silence of the midnight hour hung over the King's private office.

The King was sitting at his grand mahogany desk, buried under a mountain of urgent political paperwork. Exhausted, he pressed his palms against his temples, groaning in sheer frustration. "AAAAAA... this endless work is going to kill me..."

BANG!

Suddenly, the grand double doors of the office were violently kicked open. A royal knight rushed into the room, his armor clanking loudly, his face completely pale with absolute panic. "Your Majesty!"

The King snapped his head up, his expression hardening. "Come in, knight. What is the meaning of this intrusion?"

The knight dropped to his knees, his voice shaking violently as he delivered the terrifying news. "Your Majesty... in pure panic... Her Highness... Princess Cecelia is missing! She never returned to the palace!"

The King violently bolted upright from his throne, his desk rattling as his eyes widened in absolute fury and shock. "WHAT?!"

---

[Chapter Ended - To Be Continued

Author note: hey every one volume 1 is complete now bye!