Chapter 145

Chapter 145: Chapter 145

"Well," He matched her tone, looking around his room to find several more hammers than there had been last time. "How about you? And the old fogey?"

Valrena laughed heartily at his title for his grandfather, immensely tickled. So much so that she couldn’t give him a response, doubled over in laughter.

Kath’tan watched her laugh with a faint smile, he hadn’t liked the expression she wore before she noticed him. He would take the time to visit more often, it took him nothing and his mother’s company was pleasant.

"How long are you going to spend in that child’s room?" The subject of the conversation strode into the room, slowing to a stop at the sight he was presented with.

Valrena only laughed harder when he showed up, needing to lean on her son to remain upright.

Grand Duke Yamra’s gruff expression softened as his daughter’s laughter, it made him realize that it had been several years since he had heard her laugh. "Hmph, children should visit their parents more often." He remarked mildly. "Bring your mother to the carriage in an hour, we have an important dinner to attend."

Kath’tan was so stunned by the Grand Duke’s words that he lost the chance to respond before the towering Fiend walked off. Leaning heavily against his arm was his mother trying to catch her breath while wiping tears from her eyes.

There was no mistaking that Grand Duke Yamra had included him as a part of the important dinner. The discordance he had felt before he visited eased - it was no surprise he didn’t know how to be gentle, he had never been treated gently before.

"I’ll leave you to get dressed," Valrena said naturally, still chortling to herself as she left for her room.

Kath’tan stood in the middle of his room for a few moments, whiplashed from the suddenness of the events that had happened in quick succession. He had just planned to make a short visit, perhaps a few hours of conversation with his mother before his return but now he had been roped into a dinner.

He glanced down at himself as he picked an outfit specifically from the messy pile his mother had meticulously folded. His skin was still hued red, was it really fine to take him to an event of any kind?

Kath’tan could turn down the invitation but his mother’s laughter had sunk into his skin like gentle sunshine. He knew that she would be happy if he accompanied them, so he had little choice in the matter.

The crown on his head felt unfamiliar, despite being the son of a Grand Duke, he owned no accessories. His clothes were worn, his weapons basic, it was a little difficult to grow accustomed to his mother’s generosity.

He didn’t even live in Ashford, only coming to visit for a short while, yet he had wardrobes full of clothes and chests spilling over with jewelry. The gleaming hammers on stands in the large room were even more extravagant, it made him feel like he should be indebted.

A knock pulled him out of his thoughts, he was already dressed so he simply walked over to open the door. His mother was standing on the other side, wearing vibrant red clothes, a crown nestled in her purple-black hair.

"Are you ready?" She asked, looking him over with approval in her purple eyes.

"I am," Kath’tan peered down at her intently, "Is it fine for me to come along?" He asked directly.

Valrena looked away, but it wasn’t because she was lying; rather, she wasn’t telling the whole truth. "Of course. If you would rather not attend that’s fine too." She added despondently.

Kath’tan indulgently ignored her shifty reaction, "I’m already dressed, I might as well."

Valrena brightened up again - in truth, the news of her mixed-blood son had spread throughout the city. Ashford was one of the last few Fiend cities to still carry the statutes of their origin.

Fiends had grown weaker, and they believed it had a lot to do with the forced segregation. Their only might currently was in their numbers, if a catastrophe wiped out a considerable amount of their numbers, they would be at risk of extinction.

So hope had begun to rise again at Kath’tan’s existence, hope of a harmonious people underneath the five suns of Flaeris. They believed Kath’tan could merge both factions and return them to their former glory.

She kept all of that to herself, aware of her son’s view of his birthright to the throne of Ashford, suggesting that the city hoped he would reunite the five cities of Flaeris and rule over them was just seeking trouble.

"Do you own any Hellhounds?" Kath’tan asked suddenly as they leisurely walked down the castle hallways. They had gotten ready ahead of time, so they didn’t have to hurry to the carriage.

Valrena’s brows furrowed, thinking her son wanted one. "I fought one when I was young," She said, distaste turning her lips down. "I have no interest in riding a Demon’s back."

Kath’tan chuckled before he could stop himself, he had thought the same the moment he had seen Caedos. Prior to that, he had only seen Hellhounds in their Hound forms, but they were just Demons, what was the fun in riding on another Demon?

"Do you want one?" Valrena asked without judgment, ready to procure one for her only child if he asked.

"I don’t. But it would be best to have the citizens of your city who own Hounds set them free." He said vaguely.

Valrena didn’t question his request, ready to fulfill it regardless. By the time they stepped out of the castle, Grand Duke Yamra was already waiting by the carriage, speaking to a deferent Fiend in military clothing.

Yamra turned around at the arrival of his family, dismissing the Lieutenant. "You’re on time today," He commented, approval in his pale purple eyes.

Valrena refused to have her name smeared in front of her son, "I’m always on time, Father..."

Kath’tan watched Grand Duke Yamra hold open the carriage door for his daughter despite their bickering, getting on the carriage as well.