A shrill hawk’s cry suddenly echoed from the distant sky.

Everyone looked up as one.

They saw more than twenty agile hawks escorting a majestic Golden Feathered Griffin as they dove from the clouds, circling above the plaza.

Sunlight spilled over the Golden Feathered Griffin’s plumage, reflecting a dazzling light, like a mass of burning golden flame.

"It’s Miss Lillian!"

Ed, with his sharp eyes, immediately recognized the petite figure on the Golden Feathered Griffin’s back.

The words had barely left his lips when the Golden Feathered Griffin landed gracefully in an open area of the plaza. It folded its wings and let out a deep roar.

The Hawk Knights behind it also landed, their movements perfectly synchronized, a clear sign of their rigorous training.

These hawks were the very same spoils of war given to his sister after the defeat of the Count of the Falcon in the last war with the Fiery Sun Kingdom.

It seemed now that Lillian had trained them into a dependable aerial force.

"Brother!"

Lillian leaped from the Griffin’s back, her skirt billowing like the wings of a graceful butterfly as she rushed straight toward Raylo.

Her amber eyes were brimming with the joy of a long-awaited reunion.

Raylo laughed and opened his arms, catching her securely and ruffling her hair.

"Slow down. You’re the Lord of Amber Territory now, yet you’re still so reckless."

Lillian snuggled into his embrace, paying no mind to her disheveled hair. She looked up and spoke as if presenting a great treasure.

"Brother, I have the most wonderful news for you!"

Raylo felt a stir within, but his face remained impassive as he led her toward the castle.

"Let’s talk inside. It’s windy out here."

The group entered a reception hall in Black Stone Castle, where servants soon brought hot tea and pastries.

Moonlight slipped out from some corner, padding with elegant, feline grace. With a soft leap, the cat landed on Lillian’s lap, found a comfortable spot to curl up, and began to purr contentedly.

Lillian gently stroked Moonlight’s sleek fur, eager to share her news.

"Arthur, our brother, succeeded! He bonded with the Thunder Dragon in Thunder Dragon City, the one that has entered its Growth Stage!"

Lillian’s tone was filled with excitement and pride, as if she were the one who had bonded with the Thunder Dragon.

Apparently, the Thunder Dragon Arthur had bonded with was the very same one that had rejected pacts from both Raylo and Lillian—the "culprit" responsible for sending them to this frontier to build their own domains.

"Father is ecstatic! The whole of Thunder Dragon City is celebrating for him! And they say that on the day of Arthur’s coming-of-age ceremony, our grandfather, the King of the Blazing Flame Kingdom, will personally come to Thunder Dragon City for the banquet!"

Standing to the side, Ed’s expression flickered upon hearing the news, and he instinctively glanced at Raylo.

As the Duke’s youngest son, Arthur’s mother, Lady Anna, was a princess of the Blazing Flame Kingdom, and her family’s influence was immense.

Now that he had also bonded with a Thunder Dragon, a symbol of the Duchy, it was undoubtedly like adding fuel to the fire of the succession struggle.

With a Giant Dragon companion and the support of the Blazing Flame Kingdom, Arthur now had everything he needed to challenge, and perhaps even usurp, Raylo’s position as Crown Prince. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

However, Raylo’s reaction was not what Ed had expected.

He simply listened in silence, a faint smile on his face.

"Is that right? That’s wonderful news, then."

Raylo said, setting down his teacup.

"It’s about time Arthur had a companion of his own."

Lillian continued.

"Exactly! That’s why I came, to invite you to Thunder Dragon City with me. For Arthur’s coming-of-age ceremony and the celebratory banquet, our family should be there together. It’ll be a huge event!"

A wave of warmth washed over Raylo as he looked at his sister’s innocent, carefree face.

Though he and Lillian were only half-siblings, they shared a deep bond.

But his relationship with their other half-brother, Arthur, and his ambitious mother, Lady Anna, was far more delicate.

He knew full well that this so-called celebratory banquet was more like a political declaration.

A grand ceremony announcing Arthur’s rise to the entire Duchy, and even to the neighboring Kingdoms.

Even the personal visit from the King of the Blazing Flame Kingdom carried profound political significance.

His presence would only make the situation awkward.

In the eyes of the nobles and envoys, his appearance on the same stage as his suddenly ascendant younger brother—the current Crown Prince versus the new favorite—would ensure his every action was overanalyzed.

Besides, he truly couldn’t get away.

Raylo gently refused.

"Lillian, Black Stone Territory is incredibly busy right now. As you saw, the Giants and Mammoth Knights have just been integrated into our forces, and there are many subsequent training plans that I must personally oversee. I won’t be able to go."

Lillian’s eyes instantly dimmed with disappointment.

"But..."

"No buts."

Raylo cut her off, picking up a maple pastry from a nearby plate and handing it to her.

"We’re family; we don’t need to stand on ceremony. Once he’s less busy, there will be plenty of time to meet."

He paused, then added,

"How about this: you stay here for the night and get some rest. When you leave tomorrow, take a gift to Arthur for me. It will be my way of congratulating him on coming of age and finding a powerful companion."

Seeing that Raylo’s mind was made up, Lillian didn’t insist further and nodded.

That evening, Raylo held a small welcome banquet for Lillian.

There were no outsiders, just Ed and a few other core members in attendance.

After the banquet, Raylo stood alone on a castle terrace, the night wind ruffling his dark hair.

He knew that with Arthur’s coming of age, a storm of debate over the succession would inevitably erupt in Thunder Dragon City.