Centuries after the disappearance of Kephran
Grinrelis - Kingdom of Ingrissia:

Night had fallen on the capital, Grinrelis.

The clear night sky allowed thousands of stars to shine, forming constellations. The air was soft and light, with a pleasant breeze.

Dominating the capital, the vast royal complex stood like the beating heart of the kingdom of Ingrissia.

This complex was home to several beautiful gardens, training grounds and wonderful fountains. This complex proudly demonstrated the power and grandeur of the royal family.

One could hear the rustling of the fountains and the guards on patrol, their rhythmic steps echoing on the marble floor.

In its center was the Main Palace, a majestic building with a golden roof, decorated with immaculate pillars and custom-cut windows. This is where the king and the royal family lived.

Four secondary palaces stretched out in each direction from the central palace.

The exterior walls were made of slightly bluish white stone, decorated with symbols of the Ingriss dynasty. Golden flags fluttered at every corner, bearing the royal emblem: a black phoenixphoenix with spread wings surrounded by golden flames. 

At night, the complex illuminated by the stars, glowed with a gentle light, giving the palace the appearance of a dream frozen in the night sky.

But despite the beauty of that night, the king's heart was not at peace.

In a large office lit by a few candles and a large open window, King Raphael of Ingrissia sat behind his desk, arms crossed and eyes weary. Piles of papers, military cards, and reports spread out in front of him.

Raphael was a man in his prime. At the head of the Ingriss family and the kingdom of Ingrissia, he was considered the most powerful king on the continent of Wisenberg. His black hair was carefully tied to the back, and his light red eyes, usually so piercing, were bored tonight. He wore a royal outfit: a white shirt trimmed with gold and finely tailored black pants.

A man stood behind him, a slight smile playing at the corner of his lips.

" Well, Raphaël... your wife is going to give birth, and You're stuck here drowning in paperwork ?" 

Raphael looked up, recognizing the voice of his faithful friend.

" Hallan, you traitor... I'm just back from the front and you're forcing me to take care of all this paperwork"

" Well, His Majesty went to the front on a whim... and you really thought I would take care of all this ?" Hallan replied with a smile on his lips.

Hearing this, Raphael clicked his tongue.

" It's only been two weeks since you came back from the front but you're already complaining. Well, we can stop there for tonight, today you have to participate in a special event... right ?" Hallan said in a calm tone.

Raphael sighed for a long time and got up slowly. He passed a hand through his hair before answering in a tired tone:

" Frankly... I would still prefer to be on the battlefield than to stay locked up here checking decrees. "

Hallan burst out laughing.

" You will never change... although you are king, you always want to be on the field. "

Hallan, the king's right-hand man and childhood friend, wore a black suit, embroidered with silver motifs. He is a mage who has reached the seven magic circles. It has an athletic build and has fine features. His long white hair, is tied back, and his green eyes give an impression of calm intelligence. His well-trimmed little beard added an air of sarcastic sage.

" Well, come on. Let's go, your wife won't wait forever to deliver your child." he said with a smile.

Raphael nodded, passed his red coat embroidered with gold on his shoulders.

" You've always been better than me for administrative stuff... but do you think letting your beard grow will make you more beautiful than me ?" He said with a provocative smile.

" Well Your Highness... at least I have a beard compared to a certain person," Hallan replied, opening the door with a smile.

They left the office and began to walk in the large main corridor of the palace.

Meanwhile, in the queen's suite:

Inside the queen's royal suite, the atmosphere was tense and charged.

Screams sounded, interspersed with breathless breaths. Queen Arianne, lying on the large bed with white sheets, was sweating profusely. Her white hair clung to her forehead, and her violet eyes shone with pain, but also with determination.

" Where is the midwife! She shouted, tightening the sheets with all her strength.

" It's coming, Your Majesty! " replied a maid as she ran to the door.

Another approached and took his hand.

" So hold on, my queen. Everything will go well. "

Arianne sketched a weak smile, and said:

" I'm the great Arianne... I'm not going to let myself be put down now..."

Arianne Ingriss, real name Arianne Reynolds, was a renowned signet maker. 
She had proven herself on countless battlefields alongside king Raphael.

Her snow-white hair and sparkling purple eyes left no one indifferent. Intelligent woman, formidable strategist, she supported the king in all his decisions.

She was not the type to complain, but here, each contraction felt like an invisible sword slicing through her.

The midwife arrived hastily, and Arianne gave the order to keep only her five closest maids.

" Breathe... slowly Your Highness... push... push again, Majesty. He's almost there..." said the midwife firmly.

Ariane clenched her teeth. His hands were shaking. She thought of Raphael, his children... of this family she wanted to protect. She couldn't fail now.

One of the maids firmly held her hand :

" You are strong, Your Highness. You have gone through worse on the battlefields. This moment is yours. "

The minutes passed, painful, endless.

Then a cry.

A little cry. The first breath of life.

" He's here... he's a boy ! " exclaimed the midwife, her eyes moist.

Arianne, with tears in her eyes, gently turned her head.

" Show him to me..."

The baby was gently placed in her arms. He had white hair similar to his mother's.

Ten minutes later:

The palace corridors were lined with red carpets, and was illuminated by the light of the lanterns hanging along the walls.

Guards in red and black uniforms, with gilded motifs, bowed respectfully at the passage of the king. The symbol of the kingdom, shone on their uniforms.

While walking, Hallan spoke in a more serious tone:

" The latest information from the Order of White Lions confirms that the capture of the duchies of Ansif and Born in the kingdom of Tormek went well. They suffered only a few minor losses. Commander Eliora is currently securing the roads. "

" And for the kingdom of Aldros? " asked Raphael without slowing down.

" We have cut off all roads for possible reinforcements, so according to our calculations, the capital of the kingdom of Aldros will fall in a week at most. Commander Shane is waiting for new instructions on the spot. "

" Well... you can tell Shane to stay in position and that we will send him reinforcements to stabilize the people after the fall of their royalty. "

Hallan approved with a nod.

" Are you thinking of returning to the front? " he asked calmly.

" No… because if i do, this time, Arianne really risks to kill me," replied immediately Raphael in a amused tone.

" I'm having a new child tonight, and I wouldn't want him to live in the middle of a period of conflict like me. I will end this war to allow my children to grow up in peace, " he added calmly, with a smile on his lips.

After that, they soon arrived in front of the royal suite of Ariane. Guards were stationed in front of the doors, motionless.

The door to the suite opened.

" Is His Majesty King Raphael makes his entrance! "

Announced one of the guards posted at the entrance.

Raphael entered, followed by Hallan, and all the maids bowed.

" We salute the Sun of Ingrissia !" They said.

" Leave us, both of us," the king calmly ordered.

Once alone, Raphael approached slowly. He put a hand on Ariane's forehead, still soaked in sweat, and looked at her for a long time.

Arianne smiled weakly and said in a tired voice:

" Look at Raphael, he's our son..."

He approached the baby, bowed, and touched his little hand.

" You are incredible... Thank you, Arianne," he said with a smile on his lips.

Seeing this, Arianne smiled again, then asked in a soft voice:

" What are we going to call him? "

" What do you say about Lucas? " said Raphael.

" It's an excellent name... Lucas Ashir Ingriss," she whispered with a smile

Raphael observed the little prince, asleep, and calmly declared:

"You heard, my little man... You'll be called Lucas Ashir Ingriss. "

And at the same time, the newborn instinctively grabbed the king's thumb.

Raphael smiled tenderly, then added with an amused look:

" I wonder what Layna and Dayvon will react when they see their little brother. "

Arianne looked at Lucas, and said:

" I think everything will be fine with both of them, so there's no need to worry. "

Raphael looked at his wife with a slight smile on his lips, then placed a kiss on her forehead, then on the baby's.

"You're right, I shouldn't worry," he said calmly.

After that, they stayed there, all three, bathed in the light of the stars, while outside, the night wind blew gently on Grinrelis.


                                               To Be Continued...