A deep, peaceful silence ruled over this part of the estate.
Arriving in front of the doors of Anna's apartments, Raphael knocked on the door, entered and closed behind him without a word.
He entered a spacious room, bathed by the moonlight subdued by silk curtains, thus giving the room an atmosphere of peace.
The air was filled with a delicate floral fragrance, mingled with the richer scent of freshly brewed tea.
Anna sat near the window, calmly reading a book, a steaming cup of tea resting on a small wooden table beside her.
She was still dressed in her ceremonial outfit, her gaze absorbed in the pages before her.
Raphael moved forward calmly, taking a few steps towards his mother.
Anna didn't look up right away. She slowly closed the book as if nothing had happened, and put it on the wooden stool.
"It's been so long since we had a private interview... What did you want to talk to me about that is so important? "
His voice was soft, calm, but tinged with a natural authority that did not need to raise the tone.
Raphael bowed slightly, then straightened his head.
"I have an important decision to announce to you... mother"
Anna gave a slight nod, inviting him to sit and go on.
Raphaël sat down calmly on a sofa in the room.
He inhaled softly, and said:
"I want to pause from the war of extension. After the fall of Glast..."
After saying his words, Anna's gaze, so far calm, froze. She got up slowly. The atmosphere changed immediately. The peaceful warmth of the room gave way to a chilling tension, and the air suddenly increased.
The wind outside hit the windows, as if to emphasize the gravity of his words.
Anna took a few steps towards her son. His aura, invisible a few moments earlier, began to rise... first discreet... then more and more oppressive.
The walls themselves seemed to vibrate under the pressure. The ground began to creak.
Raphael felt a cold sweat slide down his back, while an invisible weight crushed his right shoulder.
He put one knee on the ground, and his breathing became heavier. He did not dare to meet his mother's gaze, but he felt his piercing eyes on him, shining with cold anger.
"What do you say?" she whispered.
His voice was barely audible, but it resounded like a thunderbolt in Raphael's heart.
Raphael clenched his teeth, then raised his head despite the pressure.
"That doesn't mean I'm giving up, mother. I just hope that the next generation can grow up in a peaceful and conflict-free kingdom. "
Anna remained silent. The aura around her intensed even more.
Raphael resumed:
"Even weakened and disabled, you remain an exceptional woman that no one dares to challenge... Mother."
"You are the last of the Ingriss to have formed a contract with the family dragon. Our family owes its fame largely thanks to you, but now I wish the new generation to grow up in peace. "
Anna remained silent.
His aura fell slowly, and the room became silent.
She looked away, and took a few steps towards the window, where the sky slowly turned to the indigo.
"The new generation hm," she says thoughtfully.
She slowly put her hand on the window, and began to observe the stars.
"I also fight for the new generation. "
"With everything I've been through, if we stop everything here... I'm afraid that past events will happen again. "
After these words, she turned around, plunging her eyes into Raphael's. His look was no longer full of anger, but it was full of memories.
And suddenly, his voice sounded calmly, a little more distant:
"My son... I think it's time to tell you some of my story in detail. "
As soon as Anna said her words, time seemed to stop.
Seventy years earlier:
The story does not begin with her...
To be continued...
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