NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16: Just For Tonight
The festivities continued late into the night. The first thing Lukas did after their battle was to make sure his mother was safe. Despite the facade Lukas had put on for the Kraken, he had still been beyond worried about her. He'd known that the Kraken would go after his loved ones. But Selene had insisted he had nothing to be concerned about.
She was Selene of Dawn after all and Lukas' mother had lived up to her name.
His mother actually had to hold back or she would risk taking a few of the Dragonborn's lives.
When Lukas spotted her in the crown, his mother seemed to be enjoying herself well so he left her to enjoy the celebrations with the people.
Lukas sat perched on a ledge, away from the crowds below. The people hardly seemed to care about the massive destruction that his fight with the Kraken had caused to the training grounds. As for the Kraken himself, the monster would live to see another day. There were questions that Lukas still needed answers to.
Dealing with the Kraken, finding himself in his new body and travelling around the Seas, everything had happened so fast and Lukas realized he'd never really taken the time to process it all.
How crazy was this? He was in a world of magic and living among Dragons. He had won yet another fight and it felt great but here he was again; away from the people.
He was alone but this time it was by choice.
He knew if he went down there, he could spend time with the people who mattered to him. But that was exactly the problem. Lukas wasn't even sure that it was his place to care for these people.
His stream of consciousness was interrupted by a familiar voice.
"You have done well, Lukas. I just want to say...thank you. I mean that with every fiber of m being, I thank you for what you have done. You have brought something to the Seas that has been absent for years now. You have brought us hope." Lady Kaitlyn Drakos held a glass in her hand. The Royal Consort seemed to have warmed up to Lukas, the harsh judgemental aura gone instead replaced by acceptance and even a hint of warmth.
"My Lady. If not for your teachings, I wouldn't have been able to defeat the Kraken. I almost lost."
"Oh come off it, young man. You were putting on a show. And it was a gorydamn good one. It was no question that you would have won though since I was your teacher." Lady Kaitlyn laughed and took another sip of her glass. Then her expression grew serious, somber even.
Lukas stood there silently, waiting for her to say what she had to tell him.
"Lukas, from this day forth, you will lead House Drakos. This throne is rightfully yours and it is a responsibility you must take on. Our best interest is to serve our people and right now, I think-" she paused, correcting herself, "No. I know that you are to be the one to lead the Seas."
The Royal consort gave him a small smile, holding out a hand for him to shake. It was clear this wasn't something that Lady Kaitlyn had decided on impulsively. She'd been testing him this entire time since the first time they met and now she had finally accepted that Lukas was worthy enough to lead her people.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Lukas truly respected these dragons, he truly did.
The Lady Kaitlyn Drakos was graceful enough to step down, yield her authority and power for what she thought to be the betterment of the Seas.
Yet Lukas did not shake her hand. He did not accept her offer.
"If we are keeping the Sea's best interest in mind then I am not the one who should lead our people, Lady Kaitlyn."
The Royal consort's smile faltered and her hand fell to her side. There was a mix of confusion, annoyance and even shock that was apparent in her eyes while her expression remained as neutral as ever.
"It may seem very daunting, Lukas, but there is no greater honour to serve our people. We need you now more than ever. The Seas are just finally getting back on our feet. I implore you to not act so rashly. I will continue to guide you through this process." The Lady Kaitlyn seemed genuinely baffled on why Lukas would ever turn down her proposal.
"If we are keeping the people's best interest in mind, then it is you who should continue to lead our people my Lady. You are more worthy of ruling over these Seas than I ever could be. I am not saying that I am abandoning my duties to our people. I am saying that I will continue to serve our people but Lady Kaitlyn, right now, you are the one who should sit on that throne." And Lukas meant it too.
Right now, he had a lot to think about, reflect on his situation and honestly he did not think he deserved the position she was offering him. Everything was happening too fast and if he made the wrong move, it would not just be him who would suffer the consequences.
It would be hundreds of thousands of dragons who would all be suffering because of the choices he made.
He could not have that on his conscience.
The Lady Kaitlyn seemed both flattered but at the same time, disappointed. Perhaps the Royal Consort was hoping for him to act with the same bravado Lukas had displayed when they first met when he had made the claim that he would defeat any opponent no matter who they were up against. Lukas was still confident he could back up that claim. But this was more than just winning a fight.
This was about being a leader.
That burden was not something Lukas was anywhere capable of shouldering.
"For now I would like you to continue to guide me. Teach me not only in the ways of magic but how to lead the Seas. And when that time comes when I feel like I am worthy enough, I will…inherit the throne. I give you my word." This was no bluff either.
These were not words spoken simply to comfort the Royal Consort, it was the truth.
He cared about these people. If ever came a point where he was worthy enough to lead the Seas then he would do so.
"That…is all I can ask for." The Royal Consort said, bringing this conversation to a close.
There was a sudden crash as the doors to the open balcony swung open. Jesse and Katrina both held barrels of liquor in their arms and they grinned from ear to ear once they finally found Lukas.
"LUKAS! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN!? COME CELEBRATE WITH US, UNCLE!" Katrina roared and Lukas let out a soft chuckle at the sight. Even Jesse seemed to be in a good mood which was surprising because the young dragonborn had been stressed ever since the Merchant Guild's creation was announced. Lukas had made Jesse largely responsible for most of its operations and it was a position that Jesse carried with pride.
Lukas glanced towards the Lady Kaitlyn who gave him a small nod, signalling for him to follow the two younglings.
Tonight was a time for love and community. It was a time to let worries go and simply live in the moment because it could truly be your last. For now, he would not think about his past life and what seemed to be a troubling future that was in store for him.
Just for tonight, it was a time for celebration. Just for tonight, he danced and drank his fill.
Just for tonight, Julien Fronterra allowed himself to be unapologetically Lukas Drakos.