Lady Kaitlyn Drakos carried herself with the effortless grace of nobility, yet beneath the delicate nature she presented lay the quiet steel of a woman who had weathered storms few could endure. Her golden hair was just like Katrina's, but instead braided up neatly compared to his niece's which had been let down.
Beneath elegantly arched brows, her eyes, cool and calculating, held a knowing sharpness; as if she saw through the veils of courtesy and deception alike. Her beauty was timeless, regal rather than warm, her tone firm rather than fierce. Draped in flowing robes the color of deep sapphire, embroidered with silver to mirror the shimmer of the tides, she stood as the perfect consort to the late Lord Jaren.
His mother had her arms linked with hers which Lukas found quite surprising. The usual trope in these Korean dramas he used to watch to pass the time was that the King's official wife would always be at odds with his concubines. But they seemed to share an almost sisterly bond, a genuine friendship. It seemed like not everyone who carried noble blood had such disdain for the "lowbloods" of the draconic race.
"You have grown since I last saw you, Lukas. I am…glad that you woke up because many suspected you never would again."
"Thank you, Lady Drakos." He responded with polite courtesy as he should. She nodded, acknowledging the respect he seemed to show her.
"As Katrina has told you, your brother is likely no longer with us. The Seas can no longer live in the past waiting for its Lord to return, Lukas. Rodan always believed you would come back to us. He loved you fiercely and he never gave up on you. Now, you must take on the responsibility he once held." The Lady Kaitlyn watched him, observing to see his reaction.
This was an evaluation, he quickly realized. Lukas chose to stay silent, thinking about what the right move here was. Did he really want such a huge burden? Yes he liked these people and this new world he inhabited seemed pretty fucking amazing. It was not like he was completely against the idea. But more importantly, he had to be honest with himself: was he really fit to be a leader? Not only to lead but to protect the draconic race? Was he worthy of such a position?
"How will you answer the call, Lukas?" Her voice became more firm, challenging him to speak up; urging him to answer the call.
"I am a descendant of the Drakos Bloodline. If called to serve my people, I will serve. But…I'm afraid I have little memory of my past, Lady Drakos. At this time, I don't think I will be able to fulfill such a role. I am not fit to rule as of now." Lukas lowered his head in humility, hoping that it wouldn't piss her off.
He glanced at his mother who smiled encouragingly at him but he suspected she would probably support him no matter what his response. He gave her a quick smile back before meeting Lady Kaitlyn's eyes.
"I…I understand." The consort said with a sigh, very much to his surprise; voice heavy with disappointment. Lukas had honestly thought that she'd force him into the position but she was much more understanding. He was starting to like this Lady Kaitlyn. "It was a great ask of you…perhaps I shouldn't have suggested such a thing."
"I'll just need one month." Lukas declared after a bout of silence.
"Pardon?" Lady Kaitlyn enquired, her eyebrow raised in confusion. Katrina and his mother stared at him quizzically.
"Right now, it's quite clear I'm not fit to rule. I'll need a month. The only reason why you're in a rush to put a new guy on the throne is because somebody is threatening your authority, no? You need somebody to put him in his place. I'll just need a month and I'll be ready." He'd dropped his well-mannered facade, there was no point in it. And he wasn't bluffing either. If he had a month to adjust to his new body and capabilities, he knew for a fact he would be ready to fight.
Selene, his mother, stared at him in horror. Katrina's eyes were filled with glee while Lady Kaitlyn stared at him in shocked silence.
"Yo…you are smarter than I give you credit for, young man. But the one you're up against is not going to be an easy opponent. He is the successor of a fearsome race, one that has terrorized the seas and clashed with the Drakos Family time and time again over thousands of years."
"What race is more fearsome than a dragon, Lady Drakos?" Lukas replies with a savage grin.
Lady Kaitlyn stared at the young Lukas in front of her, millions of calculations running through her mind. She looks right into his eyes, searching for a chink in his armor; a telltale sign that he's bluffing. But she can find none. Is this just pure delusion, arrogance that comes with youth? No. This is different. There's something more to his claims. There is certainty.
Before her stands one who may be a Dragon Lord greater than her husband will ever be. Maybe even greater than all who have come before him.
He knows he will win. She doesn't know how, but she believes him. The Lady Kaitlyn Drakos matches his grin with a toothy smile of her own, the biggest one she's shown in a long time.
"Very well then, Lukas Drakos. Do not disappoint me. I leave the Fate of the Seas in your hands."