Devouring Monarch: Rebirth of the Profane Phoenix

Chapter 146: Fiancée and unsure thoughts

The journey inched towards the end as Asura sat atop the luxury carriage of Princess Vela. His eyes focused on the distant landmark now visible. Named the bastion of Drakkur, Bhalgrim fortress citadel.

'Even if the memories are foul, this place before the war is so beautiful and enchanting,' Asura thought as he admired the black gates with two gigantic serpents wrapped around them with four eyes gazing down into the distance.

Normal people would never know that these two serpents were magical constructs designed to defend the fortress during times of duress. "Which Verana will I meet?"

[...]

His heart felt torn over the past few nights; after enjoying the pleasures of a mature woman's mouth, he would fall into a deep sleep and watch memories of his last life.

'Frosty nights where I embrace a shadow doll... Then warm and vibrant dreams about studying with her in the library.'

"Asura, are you alright?" Lucia's soft voice whispered from Asura's shadows.

The pair seemed inseparable since the night he accepted her. Asura didn't mind her actions and understood that she did because she wanted his affection and love.

"I'm fine. Just remembering something that makes me hesitate."

"Why?" Lucia asked as a shadowy hand rubbed his wide shoulders, letting another slip into his robes, caressing his body.

"Forgive me, Lucia, it is something I cannot put into words well..." Asura replied, patting the back of her hand that was caressing his chest.

"It's fine... No matter what happens, I'll be here by your side, Asura."

Although to some, it might seem a little clingy and make them disgusted. Having someone so close gave him a sense of relief. Helliana gave relief but couldn't hug or comfort him all the time like Lucia.

[She's waiting for you, look.]

On the top of Bhalgrim's wall, a beautiful maiden with crimson hair down to her buttocks stood watching their direction, her body dressed in a black and red elegant, noble dress with a ball gown style.

Asura felt he could see her ruby eyes from this distance as he stood atop the carriage; wearing his high-quality black leather and white padded clothing, he watched the walls, almost in a trance.

"Verana..." Asura mumbled.

'How many years has it been...?'

'No matter how much I dread walking back here, I must go... I have no choice.'

'Yet why do you look nothing like the revenant that broke my heart?'

'What happened to the shame? That could aura and beauty spot beneath your eye? Even though I have my suspicions, I want to know the truth. No, I will find the truth!'

*****

? Verana POV

Meanwhile, on the fortress walls, Verana gazed at the royal carriage; she could never miss his figure; even in a crowd of a million, her eyes could never forget that beautiful raven hair, softer than the finest silk and those crimson eyes that drew her into his gaze and refused to release her.

"Asura! You came..." Verana mumbled.

'How long is it since you looked at me without seething hatred?'

'No matter how much I dread meeting you, fearing you will discover my pitiful fate and blame yourself... I have to tell you.'

'I am glad you are the same man who stole my heart, and I will gladly give it to you once again in this life.'

'This tainted bloodline, now with the power to fight her... When I defeat her, let me tell you everything from the moment I died to the moment I became the doll you spent over a decade with... as husband and wife.'

When her thoughts finished, she swept her hands across the air, a beautiful display of blood magic forming a great seal across the serpent doors.

Their eyes opened, shining gold, which only happened for the most revered visitors and guests. Normal people would take a small door below to enter as she performed a beautiful dance atop the gate; her magic and aura flooded the city.

"The princess has returned from her long journey." A woman's voice resounded throughout the city.

"The Earl of Fenix has arrived. Let us greet him warmly." The voice resounded with more emotion, passion, and a tinge of affection.

*****

? Asura POV

Asura watched the dance, his eyes admiring the spectacle he remembered from a distant memory. He felt no anger, only awe at the beautiful dance.

"Asura... Should we head to the fortress or the city?" Princess Vela asked as she climbed onto the carriage roof and sat beside Asura, her eyes a little jealous.

"Princess, perhaps it is best if you and the guards approach the main entrance to the citadel and let the serpents guide you. This is a very special greeting of Drakkur, and those two guardians will be the ones to guide us."

"Really!?" Vela seemed shocked. Although each of the lords and nobles had strange magics and skills that the royal family knew about, this great welcome was something that likely only the queen and older members of Silvara knew about.

"Thank you, Earl of Fenix," Vela whispered, wanting to say something but holding herself back.

"Princess, thank you for the wonderful company," Asura smiled.

"Heh, I feel like there is a hidden meaning in your words." Vela replied, her hands slowly reaching for Asura's hand and grabbing it.

Asura allowed this. "Princess, there is a lot about myself that I have hidden."

"I know..."

The carriage and caravan soon reached the enormous gates with a warm feeling of welcome. The aura of Bhalgrim was vibrant as people from the city began throwing lovely coloured paper and cards around the streets; it was folklore, but once the gates opened, the city would prosper, and thus, it became a day to celebrate even more with their lady dancing for the serpentine rite.

Asura stood atop the carriage, his eyes admiring the serpent's performance as they bowed.

"Please enter, Lord Asura."

"Enjoy your visit to Drakkur."

The serpent spoke with a melodious voice that was highly unique, almost inhuman; there was a slight hint of divinity in its voice that was a shock to those who heard it for the first time.

Not to mention they were female, but only Verana knew that the twin serpents represented the bloodline of their Drakkur family...

Twins were born, with one becoming the other's shadow. Verana and Verena, sisters and counterparts.

The carriage passed through the walls as Asura gazed at Verana atop the wall, his eyes admiring her beauty as his heart tugged. The feeling of his feelings betrayed his suffering, yet no matter how much he looked at her.

There was no anger or feelings of rage; the depths of his soul remained calm, causing him to feel a sense of helplessness.

"Lucia, I will see you later," Asura whispered, the carriage driving towards the fortress.

"Don't forget me, Asura!"

"I won't."

Lucia melted into his shadow with those words, disappearing without a trace. Even the highest level of mage wouldn't find her existence now without first suspecting something was amiss.

The road into the fortress was an arched hallway carved through the mountains; it was not a tunnel, but a gloriously decorated hallway with doors at the side, with every inch carved and etched by magic or perhaps even devils and demonic contractors.

These doors would lead to different parts of the city, which meant special visitors could visit any part of the city instantly, while the rest of the city only saw the carriages being guided to the palace by the snakes; it was an amazing display of magical technology.

Verana waved her hands again as a gate behind her opened; she then jumped off the walls, fluttering what seemed to be crimson wings or a flutter of red fabric to slow her speed before landing before the carriage with a smile. "Lord Asura, on behalf of the Drakkur family, I welcome you back."

Her face seemed full of affection and hope as she continued, "Welcome home."

[This girl is doing her best, too... I will help her.]

Asura didn't hear Helliana's muttered words because the moment she spoke and welcomed him home, his entire existence returned to a strange memory that was too real to reject...

"Welcome home, Asura." The beautiful doll's voice, as enchanting as he remembered it, echoed as she brushed the crimson hair behind her ear and gave him a gentle smile, identical to the woman standing before him now; exactly, their actions were identical!

Asura almost felt like he couldn't breathe as the carriage stopped, and he climbed down, his feet touching the floor with a slight stumble.

Verana looked like she would rush over but held her arm, stood still, resisting, and waited, watching him approach her as she gently stretched her hands out. the-place-MVLeMpYr

"Verana, I'm home," Asura muttered with a smile; his hand grasped hers. When their hands touched, he felt an explosion in his heart, almost like he was on fire as his cheeks burned red.

The moment their hands touched, the mirage of his dream ended, and his surroundings filled with the shocked princess, the woman in his shadow complaining and the stunned crimson-haired goddess standing ahead of him, with tears welling in her eyes. 'Eh? Did I get lost in a dream... Why does she look so upset?'

Asura wondered as the woman named Verana suddenly threw herself into his arms.

"Verana!?" He called out and almost instinctively pushed her to the ground with all his power. Yet his hands grabbed her slender waist and hugged her tight. 'There it is... the same scent as the doll... Who is this woman... Why does she make everything become so strange?

Is she the Verana I knew or?'

He felt her tremble in his embrace; he didn't know why, but when he looked down at her crying face, he couldn't help himself and covered her face with his large palm, blocking her teary face and trembling lips from the public's view.

"Are you alright, Lady Verana?" He asked with a forced smile.

"I'm fine," Verana replied, wiping her eyes with her sleeves as he helped her up. She trembled a little and could not stand steady, but Asura realised that her weakness was not an act; perhaps her emotions overwhelmed her.

"Verana, why did you throw yourself into my arms like that?"

"I..." Verana looked at him with watery eyes; her scarlet lips opened before shutting tight. "I was happy..." she replied softly.

"Happy?" Asura raised his eyebrow in surprise.

"Forgive me, Lord Asura; I..." She paused and gave an apologetic look before turning and walking ahead and greeted the pouting Princess Vela, all the knights and Valkyrie now trying to hide their strange faces and bitter smiles, the occasional "Our Lord is a lady killer for sure!" being whispered.

Asura kept silent and ignored them. The last thing he needed was gossip and rumours running rampant about him in the royal capital, but it seemed unavoidable.

"Princess, let's head to the fortress; many people are waiting to greet you," Verana said.

Vela nodded, approached Asura, and, without a word, hooked her arm around his, tugging him against her breasts and snorting at Verana as they left.

'Is this her jealousy or simply an act?' Asura wondered, looking at the cute expression she made while puffing her cheeks at him.

"I will punish you later, hugging another woman in my presence."