49: Announcement

Lana said nothing more as she made her way to the seat Xylara had deliberately avoided. The moment she neared her son, her crimson eyes softened, gradually shifting back to their natural golden hue.

The atmosphere around the table was far lighter than the night before. Xylara was no longer a mere observer—she conversed naturally with Vynessa, a bond rekindled between mother and daughter. Elizabeth, as expected, took pleasure in provoking Xylara, testing her limits and reveling in the succubus's sharp yet unwavering responses.

Meanwhile, Lana remained unusually quiet, her thoughts a mystery even to those who knew her best.

As the meal concluded, Elizabeth flicked her fingers, and the dishes vanished in an instant. At that moment, Lycius finally spoke, his voice smooth yet carrying an underlying weight.

"Mother, if you're still searching for the reason behind Xylara's betrayal, she told me everything before her recreation."

His words immediately seized Lana's attention, though, truthfully, that had not been the subject of her contemplation.

"I believe it would be better if she told you herself."

His gaze shifted to Xylara, silently giving her the floor.

Xylara met his gaze before turning toward Lana—her former queen, now merely another figure standing in the presence of her true master.

"The reason for my betrayal was for my Master," she declared without hesitation. "In your absence, I dreamt of my true Master's name."

Lana's golden eyes widened. She understood the significance of those words—every succubus did. It was the very thing they longed for.

Xylara continued, her tone unwavering.

"The name Lycius Abyssi carved itself into my dreams. In my visions, he sat upon the Demon Monarch's throne, with you and Elizabeth standing by his side. Even then, I knew he was your son, but with my knowledge of DragonBorns, I felt an unbearable envy toward your positions beside him.

"So I gave myself a mission.

"With what I knew of your kind, I understood that you, Lana, would never easily relinquish your throne—even to your own son. I sought to make things easier for my Master. My plan was to destroy the Demon Continent, to weaken your standing and force you from power. That way, my Master could overthrow you effortlessly... and in doing so, I believed he would favor me above all others.

"But it seems my mission was meaningless after all," she finished, a small smile playing at her lips as her violet eyes flickered toward Lana. "In the end, you still remain at his side."

Lana met Xylara's gaze, scrutinizing the succubus with an expression unreadable. She believed her—at least, she believed that Xylara herself thought those words to be true. But that didn't mean Lana's treatment of her would change. No, Xylara would need to suffer a little longer before she could even hope to be acknowledged as an acquaintance, let alone a friend.

On the other hand, Elizabeth remained unconvinced—not because Xylara's explanation was lacking, but because she already knew the real truth. She had delved into the succubus's memories long before Lycius had rewritten them, back when he was only a day or two old, before his existence had been fully revealed.

A smirk crept onto Elizabeth's lips as her voice echoed smoothly within Lycius's mind.

"Not a bad story you've crafted. You're lucky your mother doesn't rely too much on her magical prowess. Had she searched for the truth back then, knowing her disdain for cowardice… your slave Xylara would have been long dead. And Vynessa? She wouldn't have been born—she wouldn't be here by your side now."

Lycius's golden eyes widened slightly at his aunt's words. He hadn't anticipated that Elizabeth had already unraveled the truth behind Xylara's betrayal.

Slowly, his gaze shifted toward her, meeting her own golden irises, filled with amusement and cunning. He found himself appreciating her more with each passing day—her unpredictability, her sharp wit, her playful malice.

It would be enjoyable, he mused, to break her—to see Elizabeth in a state of utter submission.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, but then he remembered—his announcement.

Lycius leaned back in his seat, exuding an air of quiet dominance, his golden eyes sweeping over his mother, aunt, and the two women who had become bound to him in different ways. He had entertained the conversation long enough, but now it was time to make his announcement.

"I'll be cultivating in the training chamber," he said, his voice smooth and unwavering. "For a year—maybe more."

Lana and Elizabeth gave him their full attention, their expressions unbothered by his words. To DragonBorns, a year was insignificant, nothing more than the blink of an eye. But Vynessa…

His golden eyes flicked to her, immediately catching the way her lips curled ever so slightly. A knowing smile.

Vynessa wasn't surprised by his decision. No, she had already started scheming something of her own. She wasn't planning to sit idly by while he disappeared for an entire year. The glint in her midnight purple eyes told him everything—she was up to something, and he would only find out once he returned.

"I suppose this means I won't get to play with you for a while," she mused, feigning disappointment.

Lycius smirked. "I doubt you'll be wasting time."

Vynessa didn't deny it. Instead, she tilted her head toward Elizabeth, already hinting at the plan forming in her mind. She would use this time wisely—she had no intention of remaining as she was. If Lycius was growing stronger, then she, too, would evolve.

Elizabeth met Vynessa's gaze and, without a word, gave her a slow, knowing smirk.

Lycius narrowed his eyes slightly. Whatever those two were plotting, he would find out when the time came. For now, he had another matter to address.

His gaze fell upon Xylara, who had remained silent after her confession, her violet eyes studying him with unwavering devotion.

"Xylara," he called.

She immediately straightened, her body reacting instinctively to his authority. "Yes, Master?"

"You'll have a task while I'm away," he said, his tone carrying a weight that left no room for refusal. "You're going to find your former comrades—the Heavenly Demons."

Xylara blinked, caught off guard.

He continued, listing them off one by one.

"The Heavenly Demon of Instinct—the Abyssal Wolf, Queen of the Beastkin. She's to be found and brought back in peak condition–physically."

Xylara's lips curled slightly. "She'll be thrilled to see me again."

"The Heavenly Demon of Blood—the Vampire Lord," Lycius went on, his voice taking on a cruel edge. "Find him. Cripple him. I want him awaiting execution by the time I return."

Xylara chuckled, a dark amusement flickering in her gaze. "Oh, I'll make sure he begs for death before you even get back."

Lycius smirked. "Good."

Then, his expression became thoughtful as he moved on to the last one.

"The Heavenly Demon of Redemption—the Demonic Hero," he said. "As you said, her whereabouts are currently unknown. Due to her disappearance after the betrayal."

Xylara frowned. "That one might be more difficult to track down. But I'll find her."

"You will," Lycius affirmed. "And when I return, the Abyssal Wolf and the Demonic Hero should be ready to submit to me–mind, body and soul."

Xylara's amusement deepened at his words, knowing what it meant to be claimed by him. The two women he had named would eventually fall under his dominance, just as she had.

"Understood, Master," Xylara said, bowing her head slightly. "I won't fail you."

Lycius nodded, satisfied.

Just then, he felt a shift in the shadows behind him.

A slow smirk spread across his lips.

"Kiara," he called without turning.

A soft giggle echoed from the darkness.

"My, my, you're finally acknowledging me, Master," Kiara purred, stepping forward from the depths of his own shadow.

Her obsidian black eyes gleamed with wicked delight, and behind her… a figure was barely visible, trembling slightly.

Lycius raised a brow. "I assume you've been keeping yourself busy?"

Kiara's smirk widened. "Of course."

His gaze flicked to the shadowed figure behind her.

The woman. The one who had dared to sneak in.

Lycius had assumed Kiara had been simply toying with her, but now he understood—she had been breaking her...Not in a good way.

"She'll be fully yours once you return," Kiara promised, her voice laced with satisfaction. "She just needs a little more… encouragement."

Lycius let out a low chuckle. "I'll leave her to you, then."

Kiara bowed mockingly. "It will be my pleasure."

Lana and Elizabeth watched the exchange with amusement, neither interfering.

With all preparations set in motion, Lycius leaned back in his chair once more, exuding an aura of absolute control.

Everything was falling into place.

A year of cultivation would pass in the blink of an eye.

And when he returned, the world would shift once more.

____________________

-----------------------

°°°°°°°°°°°°°