Aiden opened his eyes, feeling a warm sensation on his skin. He looked around, seeing a spacious room decorated with elegant furniture and paintings. He was lying on a large bed, covered with soft blankets and pillows. He felt a gentle hand caressing his hair, and turned his head to see a beautiful woman smiling at him. She had long silver hair, fair skin, and bright blue eyes. She wore a white dress that accentuated her graceful figure. She was the Empress of Karlugos, and his one and only mother, Seraphina.
"Good morning, my son," she said softly, kissing his forehead. "How are you feeling?"
She whispered as not to frighten the new born
Aiden.
Aiden just blinked, trying to recall what had happened. He remembered being in the grand palace, surrounded by people who celebrated his birth. He remembered seeing his father, the Emperor Valerius, holding him in his arms, and feeling his love and pride. He remembered hearing the voices of many citizens living in the empire. He also remembered feeling a surge of power within him, a power that he didn't understand yet.
He wanted to speak,ask questions, express his gratitude, but he couldn't. He was still a newborn and his vocal cords were not developed enough to form words. He could only make sounds, like cooing, crying, or laughing. He felt frustrated, but also curious. He wondered what his mother was saying, what she was feeling, what she was thinking. He gazed into her eyes, and saw a mix of emotions that he couldn't comprehend and some that he couldn't even name. He saw love, joy, sadness, fear, hope, and more. But more than that he felt a connection, a bond, a link that transcended words with this figure in front of him right now.
He tried to communicate with his mind, to project his thoughts and feelings to her. He didn't know if it would work, but he hoped it would. He hoped she would understand him, and he would understand her inturn.
But he couldn't. He was still a newborn, and his mind was not mature enough to form coherent thoughts. He could only feel, like warmth, cold, hunger, or pain. He felt confused, but also hopeful. He sensed that his mother was trying to reach out to him, to share her wisdom, her emotions, her secrets. He listened to her sweet voice, and felt a vibration, a frequency, a melody that resonated with his soul within that voice of her that made him drift in to the dream land.
Seraphina sighed, her smile fading slightly. She knew that Aiden was not an ordinary child. He was the celestial heir, the one who would inherit the legacy of the ancient gods and goddesses who created Corona this world. He had a special connection to the gemstones, the source of magic in the world. He also had a mysterious force within him, a force that was out of this world and so foreign
. She knew that Aiden's power was not only a blessing, but also a curse. It would make him a target for many enemies, who would either fear him or covet him.
She felt a faint pulse in her heart, a signal that Aiden tried to reach out to her. She was surprisedand happy but also saddened. She felt his confusion, his curiosity, his gratitude while she was looking into the eyes of her new born son. She wished she could answer his questions, explain his power, reassure his fears. But she couldn't. She was still a mother, and her words were not enough to convey her love, her joy, her sorrow, her hope. She could only speak treat him with so much love and just hope that he would someday understand the feelings by himself.
She continued
"My son, you have a great destiny ahead of you," she said, holding his hand. "You have a power that is beyond the comprehension of most people. You have a power that can bring light or darkness to the world depending on your way of life."
She paused, looking into his sleeping face. She saw a spark of curiosity, a hint of courage, and a touch of innocence. She felt a surge of love for him, a wave of hope for his upcoming future, and a pang of fear of the unknown. She knew that Aiden would face many trials and tribulations, many joys and sorrows, many friends and foes .She knew that she couldn't protect him forever but she would do everything in her power to prepare him for his journey and be his pillar of support when he crumbles down and a helping hand that would push and support him when he falls back or stayed still.She also wanted to be his guiding light and many more...
"Fufu...Such a greedy mother I am.Aiden, you are my son, and I love you more than anything in the world," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "But you are also the heir of Karlugos, and you have a responsibility to the people and the land. You have a gift that you must use wisely and kindly."
She kissed his cheek, and hugged him gently. She felt him hug her back, and felt a warmth in his chest. She knew that he couldn't speak, but he could feel. He could feel her love, her joy, her sadness, her fear, her hope. He could feel her promise, her vow, her oath.
"Eventhough I am a empress before a mother.Mother will always be with you Aiden. I will always protect you and will always love you. Even if it means sacrificing everything I own and Even if it means sacrificing myself."
Seraphina smiled, feeling a tear in her eye. She looked at Aiden and felt a hand on her shoulder.She knew that it was her husband Valerius since he was behind the door since Aiden opened his eyes till now.
"Val,I assume you heard my oath and vow of protecting Aiden.I am not gonna back down now matter what!"
She clanshed her first and wishpered.
As Seraphina hugged Aiden again, she felt a presence behind her. She turned her head, and saw a handsome man standing at the door. He had short blonde hair, white complexion and red crimson eyes that glows in the dark like ruby. He wore a black suit that fitted his toned body. He was the Emperor of Karlugos, and her husband, Valerius.
He walked toward them, his eyes fixed on Aiden. He reached out his hand, and touched Aiden's cheek. He felt a warmth, a pulse, a life that he had helped create. He felt a pride, a joy, a love that he had never felt before. He smiled, and looked at Seraphina. He saw the same emotions in her eyes, and felt a connection, a bond, a harmony that transcended words. He didn't need to say anything, and neither did she. They understood each other, and they understood what each other was feeling without even breaking their cold demeanor.
He just leaned in, and whispered in her ear.
"I know."
He kissed her softly, and wrapped his arms around her and Aiden. He felt them hug him back, and felt a peace, a bliss, a happiness that he had never imagined.
As Valerius hugged Seraphina and Aiden, he felt a movement in the corner of his eye. He turned his head, and saw three figures hiding behind a curtain. He recognized them as the heroes, Valark, Aria, and Lysandra. He knew that they had been watching over Aiden, and he appreciated their loyalty and friendship. But he also felt annoyed by their intrusion, and he wanted some privacy with his family.
He narrowed his eyes, and glared at them. He sent a silent message, a warning, a threat that they understood very well.
Get out.
The heroes, who had been peeking at the scene with curiosity and amusement, felt a chill in their spines. They saw Valerius' red crimson eyes, and felt his anger, his displeasure, his dominance. They knew that they had crossed a line, and they had to leave. But they also wanted to say something, to congratulate him, to tease him, to lighten the mood.
They looked at each other, and tried to come up with a witty remark. But they couldn't. They were too scared, too nervous, too awkward. They decided to just say the first thing that came to their minds.
Valark: "Uh…nice hug."
Aria: "Yeah…very cozy."
Lysandra: "Mhm…very sweet."
They smiled weakly, and backed away slowly. They hoped that Valerius would forgive them, or at least forget them.
They reached the door, and ran out of the room. They closed the door behind them, and breathed a sigh of relief. They looked at each other, and laughed nervously.
Valark: "Well, that was awkward."
Aria: "Yeah, no kidding."
Lysandra: "I wonder what he's going to do to us..."
They shuddered, and hoped that it wouldn't be too bad....