Years ago—

The floating kingdom of Glimmereach drifted peacefully above the world below.

Its royal palace stood at the center, surrounded by smaller floating islands, crystal bridges, and hanging gardens. Everything about it looked magical, majestic, and far removed from ordinary life.

In one of the palace courtyards, the sound of a child playing echoed through the air.

A young boy around five years old ran around with a wooden stick in his hands, spinning it like a spear. He swung it left and right, pretending to fight invisible enemies.

Dex Volkov.

Even at that age, his movements were surprisingly sharp.

Nearby, a beautiful woman sat beneath a shaded pavilion, sipping from a cup while maids stood close by to attend her.

She wore a royal white dress and a matching hat. Her cream-blonde hair rested neatly over her shoulders, and her dark blue eyes carried a calm but strict warmth.

Queen Olivia Volkov.

Dex’s mother.

Her hand rested lightly over her stomach.

She was pregnant.

“Dex,” she called gently. “That’s enough playing around.”

“It’s time to study.”

Dex immediately looked over.

“But Mother…”

“I want to play more…”

Olivia smiled.

A dangerous smile.

Dex instantly recognized it.

“Young man,” she said, still smiling, “it is time to study.”

Then she gently touched her stomach.

“And besides…”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to be the best big brother?”

Dex’s eyes widened.

Then he nodded quickly.

“Yes, Mother!”

The moment she mentioned that, he gave up instantly and ran off toward the study room.

He loved his mother very much.

Along the way, he encountered a familiar figure.

Priest Paul.

The middle-aged priest smiled gently as Dex hurried past.

“Well, Prince.”

“Where are you going in such a hurry?”

Dex stopped.

“Priest Paul!”

“I’m going to study.”

“Mother’s orders.”

Priest Paul smiled faintly.

“You really love your mother very much, don’t you?”

Dex grinned brightly, showing his teeth.

“Yeah!”

“She’s the best mother in the world.”

Then he paused for a moment.

“…Except when she gives me homework.”

Priest Paul laughed softly.

Dex quickly ran off toward the study room, leaving the priest standing there with a gentle smile on his face.

Two hours later—

Dex still sat in the study room, writing into his notebook with a bored expression.

Every now and then he glanced toward the door.

Then toward the window.

Then back toward the door again.

He frowned.

“Mother should’ve come back by now…”

“What’s taking so long?”

He stood up from his chair and walked toward the door.

The moment he stepped outside, he saw several maids rushing through the hallway carrying towels, water, and other things.

Dex blinked.

“What’s happening?”

A bad feeling suddenly appeared in his chest.

Without thinking, he followed them.

Then—

He heard it.

A scream.

His mother’s voice.

“Ahhhh!!”

Dex’s eyes widened.

“Mother!!”

He ran.

Faster than before.

He rushed through the halls until he reached the room, but before he could enter, guards and maids stopped him.

“Let me go!”

“My mother is in pain!”

“I’m the prince!”

“Let me in!”

“Apologies, Your Highness,” one of the guards said, “but we cannot allow you inside.”

Dex struggled harder.

“No!”

“I said let me go!”

Orange-red mana began to spread around his body.

He was about to force his way in—

Then suddenly—

A hand rested on his shoulder.

Dex turned.

Standing behind him was a middle-aged man with fierce amber-red eyes and dull dark-grey hair.

A crown rested on his head.

King Henry Volkov.

The King of Glimmereach.

The guards and maids immediately bowed.

“Your Majesty.”

Dex looked up at him with teary eyes.

“Father!”

“These people won’t let me see Mother!”

“She’s in pain!”

Henry lowered himself slightly to Dex’s height.

“Dex.”

“Your mother is in pain because she is giving birth to your younger sibling.”

His voice was calm.

“I’m going inside to help her.”

“You’re too young.”

“You cannot help us.”

A pause.

“So stay here.”

Dex looked like he wanted to argue.

“But Father—”

“No.”

Henry stood back up.

Then walked into the room.

Leaving Dex outside.

Time passed slowly after that.

Dex sat near the wall outside the room, knees against his chest.

He listened.

Again and again.

His mother’s screams echoed from inside.

Each one made his chest hurt.

Tears gathered in his eyes.

Hours passed.

He didn’t know how many.

Then finally—

The screams stopped.

A baby’s cry echoed from inside the room.

Dex’s eyes widened.

A smile appeared on his face.

I’m a big brother now.

Without thinking, he rushed toward the room.

This time—

The guards didn’t stop him.

Dex entered the room.

And immediately froze.

The room was damaged.

There were burn marks on the walls, the floor, even parts of the furniture.

The temperature was much hotter than outside.

His mother lay on the bed.

Her body was covered in burns.

In her arms—

She held a baby.

His father stood beside her, holding her hand tightly.

Dex heard her weak voice.

“Don’t blame this child… for me…”

“Love him…”

“As much as you love Dex…”

“He is the last gift I can give you…”

Henry had tears in his eyes as he looked at his wife.

Then Olivia slowly turned toward Dex.

“Come here…”

Dex walked forward with trembling steps.

“Mother…”

Olivia gently showed him the baby.

Cream-blonde hair.

Amber eyes.

Thin orange mana covered his body, mixed with traces of blue.

The baby made soft sounds in her arms.

Olivia smiled weakly.

“This is your little brother.”

“Ron.”

Then she gently hugged Dex.

“Dex…”

“I may not be here for you and Ron in the future…”

Her voice trembled.

“So promise me…”

“Promise me you will always protect your little brother.”

Dex broke down completely.

“Mother…”

“Mom…”

“Mom…”

Tears streamed down his face.

Olivia’s own eyes became wet.

“My sweet child…”

“Promise me.”

Dex nodded desperately.

“I promise…”

“I promise, Mom…”

Olivia smiled weakly.

“I love you, my son…”

“I love you the most…”

“And…”

“I’m sorry…”

Then—

She closed her eyes.

“Mom…?”

Dex’s voice shook.

“Mom…!”

“Mom!!”

“Mom!!!”

But Olivia didn’t move.

King Henry’s eyes were filled with tears.

He took the baby into one arm.

Then with the other—

He pulled Dex into a hug.

Back to the present—

Inside a quiet hall of the Glimmereach royal palace, a large portrait hung upon the wall.

It was a portrait of Queen Olivia Volkov.

Late Queen of Glimmereach.

She looked exactly as she had back then—beautiful, elegant, and warm.

Standing before the portrait was Dex.

His head lowered slightly in respect.

For a moment, he simply stared at the image of his mother in silence.

Then slowly, he bowed.

Behind him, Priest Paul stood quietly with his hands folded.

“Your Highness,” he said gently, “you seem lost in thought.”

Dex remained silent for a moment.

Then a small smile appeared on his face.

“…Nothing.”

“Just an old memory.”

His gaze stayed on the portrait.

“A memory that reminded me…”

“…how long I waited for this day.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep