Marked Ones: Advent of the Demon Prince

Lucius sat before her and Mylene as they shared the details of his birth and what happened after. Though he seemed unphased by most of the story, his facial expressions did move slightly when he was told that Mylene and Derrik were the ones who transported him to the parents who raised him.

He agreed that their gamble to curse a newborn with dark magic was risky, but it worked out in the end. Derrik had taken the infant Lucius directly to his cousins in a single, non-stop horseback ride. He brought with him two horses, both of which he ran into the ground to make it happen without notice.

When Lucius arrived at Wayne and Rubellia's home, he was in perfect condition thanks to Derrik's liberal use of his Light Magic. However, the man himself was ragged and worn. It seemed his adoptive parents had never told him the entire truth of the matter.

Lucius turned to Mylene and bowed his head. "Thank you." Then he turned to Adellia, "Thank you as well. Were it not for your efforts, I would not be here. I don't know where Rena would be… and… well, just thank you both."

Adellia smiled and gently stroked his cheek. She could tell by the look on his face that he was nowhere near ready to accept her the way she had accepted him. But, he was willing to open up to her, if ever so slightly.

"So, you never got the chance to try and name me?"

"No, I did not… you were taken before I could give you one."

"What would you have named me?" He asked carefully.

Truthfully, Adellia had thought of this question many times. What would she have named her son if she could have raised him… or even if she was given just a second to name what she thought was his corpse. Adellia thought carefully over these many years, but there was only one true answer.

"To tell the truth," she said with a smile, "I don't think it matters. I think that your mother, Rubellia, gave you a wonderful name, my dear Lucius."

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Never in her life had she felt so much conflict within herself. She felt happiness, pain, shame, and loss. They whirled together inside her as if fighting for dominance amongst themselves. However, looking upon her son's steady gaze and the strength behind his eyes, she settled on one: contentment.

Though this was not the path for her life that she would have chosen, it was the hand she was dealt. Adellia played her cards the best she could in the circumstances and it ended with her seeing him in the end.

"Thank you." Lucius whispered. "Now for my request, if I may. You of course can ask for anything in return and it shall be yours."

"As I said before…" she sighed, looked at him hopelessly, then continued, "Never mind… What do you want me to do?"

"I have reason to believe I will have to leave the kingdom soon. I do not want to send my pregnant wife on a trip to Eroa alone or with help… so…"

"You want my help?"

"Yes. I need you to be there for Rena. Her mother… she never really knew her and even though I never experienced it from you, I can tell that you care deeply for Lyrah. Can you please watch over Rena and…"

"Your child?"

Lucius nodded, but chose to correct her for a moment, "And your grandchild."

"Lucius…"

"My relationship with you is my own. There are many things I have to sort out. However, my feelings are not my child's and my relationships are not theirs. You have not done anything that shows me you don't deserve a chance to be in their life."

Adellia could not contain herself and threw her arms around her beautiful son. The man awkwardly tapped her shoulder as she cried into his neck and whispered gratitude to him over and over. It was not until Mylene had to pry her off due to Lucius's uncomfortable expression that Adellia finally pulled back. Her face was flushed and her eyes were puffy.

"I don't know if it will happen, but I hope that you will be able to help me."

"Would it not be dangerous to have her here in the castle. I know you are not on good terms right now…"

"There is nowhere in the kingdom that Arcadios protects more than the home of the Oracle. Only the King's inner palace is under stricter guard and if I have to leave… I don't know that the embassy will be as safe. If you could house Rena and Rubellia…"

"Of course." Adellia answered firmly. "I will do this, no matter the personal cost to me. I swear it."

Lucius thanked her and awkwardly bowed to them before taking his leave of her tower. His request was an earnest one and Adellia had no reason to deny it. Not only did it give her a chance to show that Lucius could trust her, but it also gave her a chance to be a grandmother. She had never thought she would live to see the day that she could enjoy such a life.

Mylene said nothing, but did gently pat her shoulders. The maid knew how much this meant to her that Lucius would speak with her directly. Though the young man made a request, he did show signs of at least trying to close the gap between them.

"Do you think that the castle will accept their residence here, no matter how temporary?" the maid questioned.

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"They can certainly try! I will not let anyone ruin my chance at being a grandmother!" Adellia shouted. "This is my best chance to hold a precious baby again… the gods only know when Lyrah will finally take a husband. Even then, it would only be a relationship like what mine was with Kalivas…"

"Of course…"

"Besides, you know how exceptionally handsome Lucius is. Couple that with Rena's beauty… I'm sure their child will be the most beautiful and precious baby on the continent!"

Mylene could only roll her eyes at the Oracle's antics as she ranted and raved about the potential adorableness of her unborn grandchild. Adellia noticed the judgement, but said nothing. After all, why shouldn't she enjoy the moment?