Ding-. Ding-.
With the sound of bells in the background, Lucis spread his wings and descended slowly from the sky.
Bathed in sunlight at the highest point of the sky, he appeared like an angel, a halo surrounding him.
“Ahhh……”
“Oooo……”
The nobles on the dais and the commoners below were all mesmerized, staring at Lucis’ sacred and majestic presence.
As he slowly descended to the ground, Lucis gently landed into my arms.
The pure white dress prepared for today even had openings for his wings and tail.
Feeling cheerful, I pressed my lips to the top of Lucis’ head as he wiggled his wings and tail.
“You did well. That was a spectacular debut.”
“Hehe.”
Lucis laughed happily and then turned his gaze toward those who stared at him in awe.
“Wait… his wings…?”
“…Leather wings?”
People alternated their astonished looks between Lucis’ wings, tail, hair, and eyes.
“A dragon…?”
“A dragon?!”
Confusion spread through the crowd.
According to the Mausoleum Treaty, dragons had not appeared for a thousand years.
Yet amid the chaos, the strongest emotion was awe.
“The Radiant Dragon…!”
“The baby Radiant Dragon…!”
Even in an era where golden light overshadowed faith, some human believers still remained in this world.
One of the most important events in the scriptures was the disaster of the Mausoleum a thousand years ago.
Faith in the Radiant Dragon, who ended that disaster, still spread widely among the people.
The most distinguishing feature of the Radiant Dragon, contrasting with the black Void Dragon, was its dazzling white hair.
A dragon with such color, descending from the sky under sunlight, was enough to fill people with religious ecstasy.
“Lord Radiant Dragon!”
“Lord Radiant Dragon…!”
Among the commoners below the dais, some knelt in overwhelming emotion.
Even the palace knights, who were supposed to show their backs to the dais, stared in awe at Lucis.
The nobles couldn’t bring themselves to kneel, so they hid their gaping mouths behind fans, staring blankly at Lucis.
Under all those gazes, Lucis…
“Hmph!”
Lifted his nose high, proudly.
As if fully aware of his own greatness.
As if praise and adulation would never be enough.
With every exclamation of admiration and awe, Lucis’ nose lifted a millimeter higher.
Eventually, it reached such an angle that the line of his chin and neck was almost a right angle.
“Hehehe…”
I did not interrupt Lucis as he basked in his pride.
In fact, I was one of those who wanted to see this moment the most.
The original Lucis never enjoyed this.
The praise he deserved as a great being, the love he deserved as a child—he received none of it.
Hidden away by his foster father, he disappeared without ever seeing a single ray of light.
This time is different. I have no intention of hiding you.
I intended to make Lucis the most beloved child in this vast city.
“Hmph!”
Because he was that lovable and magnificent a child.
The succession ceremony proceeded for at least ten minutes.
The chaos caused by the sudden appearance of a dragon continued even after the Emperor appeared.
“In the presence of His Majesty the Emperor! Everyone, be silent!”
Only when the court officials invoked the Emperor did people finally close their mouths.
But their eyes remained fixed not on the Emperor, but on Lucis, cradled in Seymour’s arms.
“Ugh…”
Sensing this, the Emperor groaned.
The succession ceremony was one of the events that best displayed the Emperor’s authority.
It was the reason such ceremonies were held in the grand plaza, where commoners could witness them.
No matter how much nobles challenged the Emperor, he alone granted titles, and this was a demonstration to the entire empire.
Now, ironically, it only made Lucis’ debut even more spectacular.
Whether aware or not, Lucis snorted “hmph” at the Emperor.
The Emperor, looking exasperated, shook his head and gestured.
At that signal, a court official loudly announced,
“We shall commence the succession ceremony!”
The ceremony’s procedure was simple.
Those receiving or inheriting titles would kneel before the Emperor in order of their rank.
Since no one this quarter inherited a marquisate or duchy, Seymour naturally went last.
“Sir Valens, Sir Hook! Step forward!”
The first in line were two wandering knights who had quelled a monster disturbance in a provincial territory, saving many subjects.
Unfortunately, no one paid much attention to them.
“Ha~ah.”
Already bored, Lucis yawned widely.
Seymour tenderly caressed Lucis’ plump cheeks as if finding it adorable.
The nobles and commoners were distracted by this sight.
“How is it that Seymour… or the Count of Mausoleum is with a white dragon?”
“Look closely; that hatchling’s eyes are golden.”
“Could it be… a hybrid of the white and black dragons?”
“A hybrid of the Void Dragon and Radiant Dragon lineages?”
The nobles whispered among themselves, covering their mouths with fans.
“This is big news.”
“Interestingly, the Marquis of Ishtar doesn’t seem surprised.”
“He must have been informed in advance. Mausoleum wouldn’t just bring a hybrid hatchling to such an event without cause.”
“Then what about the Mausoleum Treaty?”
“Well… that’s up to the dragons, the royal family, and the church.”
For nobles living in the imperial capital rather than the provinces, their main occupation was gossip.
They constantly measured influence and ability, collaborating or opposing accordingly.
“This generation of Mausoleum may not be as easy as the previous one.”
“Indeed. After the death of the former Count Liam, I thought the family’s influence would shrink…”
“On the contrary, it will grow. Thanks to the hatchling.”
While commoners’ attention remained on Lucis, the nobles’ focus gradually shifted to Seymour.
One observing lady swallowed and asked quietly,
“But… was Count Mausoleum always this handsome?”
Several ladies laughed at her comment.
“I’m glad I wasn’t the only one thinking that.”
“Perhaps he matured after the death of the previous mad Count.”
“Above all, that outfit suits the Count perfectly.”
The Mausoleum family’s clothing was modestly exposing, yet this somehow emphasized their allure.
Broad shoulders beneath the vest, narrow waist, glimpses of forearms with each cuff adjustment—
“The design is incredible…”
“Those who like priest or nun attire would understand this vibe.”
It was a dress designed by someone who knew how a modest outfit could become the most seductive.
“Truly, a devilish design.”
The ladies exhaled in admiration, imagining dressing their husbands or lovers similarly.
“Seymour Mausoleum! Step forward!”
Finally, it was Seymour’s turn.
He handed Lucis to Sia and walked forward with a confident stride.
Seymour knelt before the Emperor, his gray coat spreading around him.
The Emperor briefly gazed down before tapping Seymour’s shoulders with his sword.
“Seymour Mausoleum. I hereby appoint you as Count of Mausoleum, succeeding Liam Mausoleum.”
“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”
“I command you to wisely govern your lands and further develop the imperial capital.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I shall remember.”
Magical flower petals scattered from above.
Lucis’ eyes sparkled as he watched Seymour.
And so, Seymour Mausoleum became a count.
After the ceremony, the party was held at the imperial ballroom.
The ostensible hosts were those who had received titles, but the true focus was the Emperor.
On this day, however…
“Hatchling!”
“Little White Dragon!”
“Baby Radiant Dragon!”
The true protagonist was Lucis.
Although called by various names, the reverence in their voices was genuine.
Lucis, standing in the center of the ballroom, held his head high even among those three times his size.
“What is your name, baby Radiant Dragon?”
“Lucis.”
“Dragon, I am a mage of the Mage Tower. May I briefly seek your insight for research…?”
“Nope.”
“I am an engineer from the Grand Workshop. Could I request your opinion on our artifact…?”
“Don’t know.”
Lucis answered the flurry of questions with utmost sincerity, darting across the ballroom with his short legs.
With each movement, the crowd following him grew.
“Hmph.”
He seemed to enjoy increasing the crowd.
Then, he encountered the Emperor.
Some of Lucis’ followers moved to the Emperor’s side.
“Hmm…”
Lucis frowned, clearly displeased.
“Hahaha. What’s troubling our hatchling now…?”
Ignoring the Emperor entirely, Lucis turned and left.
“So it wasn’t that he was annoyed… it was me who annoyed him.”
The Emperor muttered as he watched Lucis’ departing back.
Some nobles followed Lucis, some stayed with the Emperor, who shook his head.
“Ha… in all my life, I’ve never been ignored by a woman before.”
The Marquis of Ishtar beside him frowned.
“Your Majesty, please choose your words carefully.”
“Then what should I say? Should I say I was blatantly ignored like a stray dog?”
“Your Majesty.”
“Fine, fine… quite boring indeed.”
I observed from a short distance.
“Count Mausoleum! Congratulations on your succession.”
“Thank you, Viscount Winchester.”
“The fashion you displayed today was exquisite. Which tailor did you use?”
“Why, our own tailor, of course.”
As he answered the questions while glancing at Lucis, I noticed Lucis suddenly stop.
“Oh.”
In front of Lucis stood a young boy, around seven years old, with golden hair like the sun and blue eyes like the sea.
“Ah!”
The well-dressed boy seemed startled, shrinking back as if not expecting to meet Lucis.
That child must be the prince.
The only son of the Emperor and Empress.
Barring any major events, he would become the next sun to lead the empire.
“Oh…!”
Lucis’ eyes shone unusually bright at the sight of the boy.
“Sparkle sparkle…”
Sensing something unusual, I quickly moved beside Lucis. The Emperor approached as well.
Before I could distract Lucis, he acted first.
Thump.
He hugged the prince.
And declared,
“You’re mine.”
Everyone’s eyes widened in shock.
“……”
“……”
The Emperor and I gaped at each other.
…In-laws?
Without speaking, our faces twisted in disbelief.
