"But, King Julien, your wife is dead! Aren't you concerned?" Fiona pressed, her brow raising, a hint of anger in her voice.
"And I said, where is my son?" Julien roared, his sharp darken gaze Set at Fiona. "Do you want to be banished from this kingdom to a far away land of death? The only thing that matters to me right now is my son. I don't care if she is dead or alive. This is the last time I will ask: where is my son?"
A deadly silence fell as Fiona, shaking with fear, pointed towards the servant holding Jordan.
"He's over there, with the servant," she said quickly, her voice stuttering.
Without a word, King Julien turned to the trembling servant and walked towards her. King Julien was one of the most feared rulers in the land, a conqueror of countless kingdoms. He was brutal, merciless, and feared by all. the weakest and even the strongest in his kingdom shook with terror at the sound of his raging voice.
"May I have my son?" Julien said calmly and politely.
"Yes, of course, my lord you can," the servant stammered, bowing low as she offered the child gracefully to Julien.
Julien took the boy, then smiled faintly. The servant, rising slowly, glimpsed the smile and quickly bowed her head down again.
"My child… You are so handsome. The true heir to my throne. My legacy will be passed to you, and you will rule this kingdom with the strength of your father running through your veins," Julien said quietly, gazing down at Jordan.
Jordan felt a mixture of shock and anger. This man had just discarded the woman who gave birth to him as if her death meant nothing. He felt a burning urge to punch him, but all that came from his tiny mouth was a sharp, indignant cry.
"Stay calm my boy, don't cry," Julien soothed, his fingers reaching Jordan cheeks as he touched it softly. "I will raise you until the day you can stand before the dragon and prove that my bloodline within you is worth more than anything in this world," he added with a smile.
To Jordan, it felt strange and infuriating that this man was already plotting for him to fight a dragon one day, as if he were a pawn to prove the worth of a royal legacy.
This new world Jordan was born into was unlike any he had ever known. Here, people possessed the ability to cultivate energy, control the elements, and summon creatures of unimaginable strength. The world teemed with monsters and beasts that possessed immense power, making it a realm where only the strong would survive, and there is only one thing that always matters in this strange world which is getting stronger, keep getting stronger and surpass every limit
"Take the baby," Julien said, handing him back to the servant.
Then, just as he was about to step out, Julien paused and glanced back at Fiona, who stood there dumbfounded and frozen in disbelief.
"Make sure you keep the baby alive. You have now taken on the role and responsibilities of his mother, and if anything happens to him, your life is forfeit," he warned, voice cold and commanding, before striding out the door.
Fiona was not only the doctor who delivered Laura but also her sister. The moment the door closed, she collected the baby from the servant and gazed down into Jordan's wide, questioning eyes. An unexpected warmth surged within him, and in that moment, he felt safe in her arms.
"I will protect you with my life," Fiona promised quietly, her voice below her chest. "My sister's twenty years of yearning for a child will not be in vain," she added.
Fiona glanced at Laura's lifeless form and shed a fresh wave of tears. As one of those tears fell upon Jordan's tiny face, he instinctively pushed out his tiny hand, brushing it towards Fiona's cheek.
"Oooh my sweet little angel, I know you will miss your mother but rest assured, I will be with you always and make sure you are safe." Fiona said with a teary smile, leaning her cheek closer. The tiny baby smiled back, reaching for her cheek, tugging it playfully. Fiona couldn't help but chuckle, brushing away her tears as she held the newborn closer.