Devouring Monarch: Rebirth of the Profane Phoenix

Asura and his father spent several hours planning and arranging their next actions, and both felt a strange joy from speaking with the other in this way. It was fresh for both Garret and Asura. However, before they could finish...

"Garret, don't make our son work so hard. He's only just won his first actual battle!" Ophelia scolded Garret softly yet commandingly while winking at Asura as she carried a large pot before placing it on the table. "Come on, let's eat."

"Ah... Forgive me, Ophelia. I was just excited to speak with him about such serious things."

The trio sat at the table, but when Garret reached for his bowl, Ophelia's spoon flicked his wrist. "Not yet. Others are coming."

Soon after that, Mu Xue, wearing a lovely blue and silver dress and long white tights, entered before bowing and sitting beside Asura on his right. Then, wearing a calm but elegant green and white dress, Princess Vela entered and sat on his left, causing Garret's mouth to open wide.

"Princess Vela!" He stuttered while standing to give a bow; however, nobody else did the same, making him feel embarrassed.

"Father-in-law, do not bow; we are amongst family."

Garret suffered from remembering her mother, knowing how strict and violent she could be, as he slowly sat down, following Vela's gentle response. "Family? No... Wait, father-in-law!?"

"Yes, Sir Garret. My mother requested permission from Asura and me to marry, although we don't know each other too well. We thought getting engaged might be the best first step for each other if you would permit it."

Ophelia was the first to react, her lips curling into a smile as she nodded. "A very headstrong and aggressive girl."

'The princess, she was serious about becoming my number one!?'

Vela's sharp eyes looked at Asura, her lips twisting into a wicked yet cute smile as she brushed his shin with her foot. Asura had his work cut out for him with these women.

Finally, they began showing their differences.

"Son... Is this true?"

Asura could tell that his father was both excited and happy on his face. He tried to hide a beaming smile but couldn't allow Vela to take complete control here and do wrong to Mu Xue, who quickly closed her eyes in silence.

"Father. I have three women I have sworn to take as my wife, the first being Mu Xue and the second being Xavida Bahamot, princess and future Demon Queen of the Demon Empire."

"What!? That girl! You want to marry our enemy?"

"Father... She already carries my child in her womb, and the enemy is not her but her uncle."

"Not to mention..."

"She carries your child!?"

"Oh my, how exciting! I cannot wait to meet her."

His father knew that because of the current situation of the territory, his son also accepted the proposal of the Drakkur family. Garret looked conflicted yet over the moon... Ophelia smiled as she served each person's meal.

"So you two will become my daughters. How exciting! Fufu, I cannot wait to see all the little children running around." She giggled excitedly.

"M-mother...."

Asura felt his face becoming hotter and hotter at this talk about children... while Mu Xue and Vela seemed unconcerned as they ate the food that Ophelia prepared. No Asura saw their faces... both of them had bright red cheeks, and the soup just fell from their trembling spoons.

"Father, I was serious about the engagement with the Drakkur family. If we refuse them, I feel the future battles will crush us within a year, maybe less."

'Even if the thought of meeting her again makes me sick.'

"Hmmm..." Garret remained silent at the new information.

Mu Xue remained silent for a while before blushing as she looked at Ophelia, who patted her shoulder and spoke gently.

"Don't worry, Xue'er... Our family is large enough for many children; you and our Asura will make beautiful children!"

"Mother..."

Asura felt his face was burning... Since losing that wall that separated their feelings, Ophelia became so gentle and warm that he couldn't resist her lovely actions.

However, with the sudden entrance of Vela... Things turned interesting between Mu Xue and Ophelia.

Mu Xue wanted to say something but kept silent and remained patient, before she felt a hand grab hers gently.

'I have to make sure none of my women feel unwanted... Or they might secretly fight each other.'

That was Asura's greatest fear. He watched the smiles on their faces as Ophelia laughed lightly while patting Mu Xue's shoulder; her gaze never left Vela's face as she also gave them equal attention.

Despite knowing Mu Xue for so long, she kept both girls happy using her skills. It seemed Asura's mother was very talented as a social butterfly.

****

Ophelia took both girls not long after the meal, claiming she wanted to talk with them, while Garret could only smile wryly. "You lucky bastard, my boy! But still..."

Garret realised he might not see Asura for a long time if he entered the tower, and it might be more difficult if he travelled with Verana.

He could tell his son somehow loathed that girl, but their terms would likely be he would take her with him through the tower nicknamed the Tower of Death.

"Asura?"

He glanced at his son, who rested against the sofa, enjoying the sunlight with a subtle smile. It felt somewhat odd.

"Hmmm?" Asura looked at his father but couldn't help his mind drift towards his ladies before his eyes saw his father's smiling face. "Sorry... Did you say something?"

"Haha... Ah... It feels strange to hear about everything that happened over the past few months."

Garret returned to his chair and sipped the last of his wine. "I wish to travel with you back to your academy or Drakkur. Just in case anything happens... But your mother is expecting, and the east is too turbulent."

Asura smiled as he grabbed his father's shoulder. "Father, I will be alright. Thank you for worrying, but right now, the territory comes before our personal needs. I will complete that trial and come back worthy of succeeding your back."

"You damn fool... If anything happens, I will burn that kingdom to ashes."

"Father... Hahaha, okay." Asura laughed as he saw his father's determined expression. However, Asura was reluctant to have Verana by his side. He knew she had no choice in her actions.

Besides, there wouldn't be any time to interact because he wanted to enter that tower immediately.

****

⁜ Verana POV

Meanwhile, in the city of Dragonfel, a large city with old stone walls filled with damage from previous wars against the demon kingdom and the dragons in the distant past, a large citadel stood in the centre where the Drakkur duchess lived.

The main building was like a grand castle with forty-foot-tall walls that encased a large garden with an enormous tower reaching hundreds of feet in height.

Within its tallest chamber lay a woman sleeping peacefully in a beautiful white bed as her crimson hair covered the pillows, looking like silk threads and a thick quilt resting on her naked body.

Suddenly, a voice spoke, "My lady, your Mother summons you." A young maid appeared in the room.

However, her expression showed discomfort when she noticed the exposed breasts of her young mistress. She knew the strict punishment given to anyone who dared disturb the lady Verana.

"Mmm... thank you. Will you choose my outfit? I am a little tired."

The response caused the two maids to feel shocked. This was the first time they saw their lady smile in years... Her dazed expression was serene.

They couldn't help but nod in excitement.

"Yes, my lady!" The two rushed over to Verana's clothing chest, which seemed endless, but the talented first ladies chose a beautiful black and white dress with a low-cut neck and long, flowing white frills.

Verana stretched her body while exposing her breasts to the two maids, who blushed as they helped prepare her body and dress her like a princess. She felt cold, and her skin was pale as snow.

However, as they put her dress on, her skin became lustrous, and the colour returned to her cheeks as a small smile lingered.

"Thank you, Janice and Renia. Let us visit Mother and see what she wants to ask of me."

"Yes, My Lady." The two bowed respectfully while escorting her down the twisting staircase connecting the top of the tower to the lower chambers.

Verana's eyes overlooked the horizon with a sense of wonder, feeling the cool morning breeze and listening to the birds chirping in the distance; she no longer felt her pointed ears were unsightly and had the maids brush her hair behind them, forming a half braided style over one shoulder.

"Wow... so lovely, my lady! Your beauty can even shame the goddesses!" Renia spoke softly as Janice nodded, recalling Verana's cruel nature and harsh treatment of others. Her insecurity and frustrated appearance suddenly vanished over the days since she returned.

"Thank you... Come, let us go see my mother."

The two maids hurried after her, wondering what their mistress's mother might need to ask her and why she wasn't downstairs to meet Verana.

She stood before the great doors of the main citadel, where most noble guests would come to visit her mother and seek her help, knowledge or even her hand in marriage.

With a loud bang, the massive doors opened, a single palm of Verana shaking the ten-metre-tall doors open.

"Ah, Verana... how lovely you look."

Her mother sat on a throne-like chair made from rare materials and ancient magic gems. Her voice was graceful, almost melodious, as she watched her daughter enter while leading her two maids, who shivered upon entering the room and were forced to stand on each side of the door.

"Mother, you have summoned me?"

"Ah... no need to rush; tell me, Verana... How are you feeling?"

"I feel great..."

The gods gifted both women with astonishing beauty; however, if asked who was superior, Verana was surely above her mother, likely because of her mixed blood and sharing the blood of a certain divine beast. Her mother had more resemblance to a seductive witch from legends.

"Your strength is remarkable, even better than expected," the woman remarked, seeing that Verana was not hiding her power.

"I know."

"Hmmm? It seems the things that held you back have vanished, my daughter?" Her mother asked with curiosity, noticing that Verana did not become arrogant about her sudden power.

"Yes, Mother, I have found my purpose and... him."

"Oh..." The woman chuckled lightly, watching the subtle change in Verana's tone. "So... How do you feel about him? What kind of person is he?"

"I... I have spoken little with him. However, he is irreplaceable for both Drakkur and Silvara."

Her mother shifted on the throne, her dress flashing between her smooth pale thighs before she leaned back against the throne with a relaxed look. "You should know he accepted the engagement... as long as he can enter the tower of death."

Verana's smile faded as she heard these words; however, she remained composed; her heart raced, knowing he wished to enter that place.

"Mother... You're not joking, are you?"

"Not at all. That boy is interesting..."

"Heed my command, Verana Drakkur; you will enter the tower of death and attempt the trial at your fiancé's side. If you are successful, I swear an oath to cancel my plans to destroy the Phoenix Glade."

Verana could tell her mother was not joking. She was rarely this serious, but still... entering that place... 'Ah, he won't be alone.'

'Obeying is my only option.'