Novel's Extra: The Lost Heir of Dragon Queen-Chapter 73: Every Mother’s Fear

Kael’s eyes fluttered open. His body felt heavy, yet the soft glow of the room bathed him in an unfamiliar warmth.

The sheets beneath him were luxuriously smooth, unlike anything he had ever experienced.

The faint sound of waves crashing against the shore reached his ears.

He sat up slowly, realizing he was in a grand, intricately designed room with high ceilings.

The air carried the subtle scent of sea salt.

’Where am I?,’ he wondered.

As he scanned the room, his eyes fell on a figure sitting near his bedside.

It was Sephina.

Her head rested on his arms, and she appeared to be asleep.

Even in slumber, her expression was pained, as if she had been fighting a battle within herself.

Kael looked away and reached for his phone on the nearby table.

Unlocking it, he checked the date.

Two days… It had only been two days since the war.

’Thanks to Astral water,’ kael thought.

He opened his messaging app and quickly typed a message to Shirone.

{Is Lira and Oliver okay?}

He hesitated before pressing send, his heart heavy with the weight of his own guilt.

He knew the answer but refused to accept it without confirmation.

The reply came almost instantly.

{They both are in a coma thanks to the Dragon Queen, but we don’t know when they will wake up.}

Kael’s hand trembled as he read the message.

He stared at the words for a long moment, his mind clouded with emotions he couldn’t describe.

It’s my fault. If only I had been stronger…

Trying to distract himself, he opened the news app.

Headlines flooded his screen, each one centered around the attack on the academy.

"Who attacked the academy? Theories abound."

"Dragon Queen intervenes: Savior or conspirator?"

"The shadowy figure dubbed ’Father’—what do we know?"

Kael sighed, his head spinning.

The questions raised by the articles seemed to awaken more confusion and doubt within him.

Unbeknownst to him, Sephina had been awake the entire time, watching him silently.

Her golden eyes reflected a mix of sorrow and hesitation.

She had heard everything— even the subtle change in his breathing as he tried to suppress his emotions.

She wanted to speak but didn’t know how to start.

The words from the battlefield haunted her: ’Don’t touch me,’ and ’I am not your…’

Finally, she whispered, "I’m sorr—"

"I’m sorry, Mother," Kael interrupted, his voice soft but firm.

Sephina’s eyes widened, tears immediately pooling in them.

Kael continued, his gaze fixed on the floor.

"I know why you can’t acknowledge me as your son in front of the world. If they knew… If they knew the Dragon Queen bore a human child…" He took a shaky breath.

"They’d try to kill me. I understand that. I’ve always understood." Kael said.

His voice cracked, but he pushed through.

"I’m sorry for blaming you. I’m sorry for being weak. I’m sorry for—" kael said.

"Stop!" Sephina’s voice broke as tears streamed down her face.

She stood abruptly, her hands trembling.

"Don’t apologize, Kael. Please, don’t."

Kael looked up, startled.

"I’m sorry," she said, her voice shaking with emotion.

"I’m so, so sorry. I’ve been a coward. I let my fears control me. I thought I was protecting you, but all I did was hurt you."

She fell to her knees beside him, sobbing uncontrollably.

"For the past two days, I’ve been haunted by the look in your eyes, the words you said. I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t eat. All I could think about was how I failed you as a mother."

Kael’s heart ached at the sight of her, the woman revered as the strongest in the world, reduced to tears before him.

"I don’t care what the world thinks," Sephina continued.

"You are my son, Kael. My child. And I am so, so proud of you."

Kael hesitated for a moment before reaching out.

He pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly as she cried into his shoulder.

"I forgive you mother so don’t cry," he whispered.

Sephina clung to him, her tears soaking his shirt.

"Never, please Never...sob....say those words....sob...again.....sob.....I am....sob...I am.....sob... begging.....sob.....you...

Updat𝓮d from freewēbnoveℓ.com.

...

...

{In the Vampire Castle}

Lumia sat quietly on her bed, her hands gripping the soft fabric of her blanket.

The room was dimly lit by a warm, flickering glow from the fireplace.

Her parents, Celestara and Alaric, sat beside her.

The Vampire Queen’s presence filled the space with a palpable aura of power, while Alaric, though calm, exuded an equally commanding presence.

Lumia took a deep breath and began recounting the events of the academy.

She spoke of the attack, the chaos, and Kael’s bravery.

Her voice wavered as she described how close they had come to death.

Celestara listened intently, her purple eyes narrowing with each word.

Her fingers tapped rhythmically on her chair as she fought to suppress her bloodlust.

She was thinking to kill all the staff of academy.

Her nails had already dug faint marks into the wood.

"So," Celestara finally said, "you’re telling me that without Kael, you and the other students would likely be dead?"

Lumia hesitated, her cheeks flushing slightly as she nodded.

"…Yes," she replied softly.

Celestara’s gaze shifted toward Alaric, who raised an eyebrow and smirked knowingly.

The silent exchange between the two was unmistakable to Lumia.

"Interesting," Celestara murmured, her lips curling into a sly smile.

"What’s interesting?" Lumia asked, tilting her head in confusion.

Celestara leaned back,"Now I have two reasons to visit Sephina."

"Two reasons?" Lumia asked cautiously, her heart skipping a beat.

Celestara’s smile widened. "Well, first, to thank her."

"For what?" Lumia pressed, feeling uneasy.

"For Saving you," Celestara said smoothly.

"And the second reason?"

Celestara glanced at Alaric, who was now grinning mischievously.

The two shared a look that made Lumia’s stomach churn with apprehension.

"The second reason," Celestara said, her voice dripping with amusement, "is a surprise."

Alaric chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Let’s just say it involves ensuring a... closer connection between our families."

Lumia’s eyes widened as realization dawned on her.

"W-What are you two planning?" she stammered, her blush deepening.

Celestara stood gracefully, her cape flowing behind her as she walked toward the door.

She turned her head slightly, a playful yet ominous expression on her face.

"Oh, nothing you need to worry about, darling. Just leave it to your parents."

Alaric rose and followed his wife, placing a comforting hand on Lumia’s shoulder before leaving.

"Trust us, Lumia. This is for your happiness." Alaric said.

As the door closed behind them, Lumia buried her face in her hands.

"What are they up to now…" she muttered, her heart racing.