Inside the imperial hall, Rio was staring at a woman sitting next to the emperor with looks full of hatred and resentment.
The woman noticed his gaze, got up from her chair, and walked toward him with heavy, confident steps. She was extremely beautiful, with long blonde hair and clear skin, wearing royal clothes and high heels, her eyes a light brown. She said:
"Young man! Haven't you learned something called bowing?"
Rio looked at her with the same hatred and said with disdain:
"Why should I bow to mere trash! You don't deserve it!"
The woman approached him and whispered in his ear:
"You're my son, aren't you?! The exiled prince?"
Rio replied:
"And what if I am?"
She smiled at the emperor and said:
"I'll step out for a bit with this young man. I have an important discussion with him."
With the emperor's permission, she left, and they went for a walk together.
Rio said angrily:
"What do you want, you old hag!"
The woman laughed and said:
"What a coincidence! My son has returned once again. Well, let me make sure of your true form."
Rio indeed transformed into his original form, wishing the conversation would end quickly.
The woman said:
"It's really you! By the way, if you don't know my name, I am called Yurie Valeris. Call me 'Mother'."
Rio replied:
"I know that, but what do you want?"
Yurie asked:
"What is your name, exiled prince? I haven't named you yet! Have you chosen a name for yourself? And also, how did you survive that forest?"
Rio said:
"It's none of your business how I survived that forest, and my name is Rio."
Yurie said:
"So Rio Valeris, would you like to return as prince and heir to the Valori kingdom?"
Rio was stunned, remaining silent for a long moment, clenching his fists:
"Why do you want me back? More than ten years have passed, and I am an exile. Why now?"
Yurie said:
"Rio… Rio Valeris, you are the last member of the ruling Valeris family, and it seems Queen Faleoria has chosen you."
Rio was astonished:
"What do you mean?"
Yurie said:
"Simply, you fool. When you were born, your power was extremely low. No, not just low, but below the lowest known level. We, the Valeris family, are known among the other kingdoms for shaping a great king from his youth, and you were never great, so you were considered a disgrace.
But then we received news that you had become insanely powerful. We misjudged you, and it became clear that Faleoria chose you as the kingdom's ruler! That's why I can no longer bear to carry and give birth to another heir."
Rio said:
"No, I will not return!"
Yurie became angry and said:
"Your father is on his deathbed! If you do not return to rule, the kingdom will fall into chaos!"
---
In the hall, the emperor said:
"So, you are Rin? Hero of the Fire Kingdom."
Rin replied:
"Yes, that's me."
The emperor said:
"Tell me about Infernus, I heard you two are friends."
Rin said:
"Of course!"
And Rin began recounting the events and adventures to the emperor.
The emperor whispered:
"Why didn't Infernus come to save Loris?"
Rin asked:
"Did you say something?"
The emperor replied:
"Nothing."
Rin asked again:
"Can I know why the empire wanted to meet us?"
The emperor said:
"No specific reason. I just wanted to know about the heroes of the great Fire Kingdom! People who saved the kingdom alongside Infernus. It's unbelievable. Who would have expected Infernus to need help!"
---
In the inner garden, Yurie said angrily:
"You won't return? Who asked for your opinion anyway? You'll return whether you want to or not!"
Rio replied:
"Do you want to fight, you lizard?"
Yurie stepped toward him, and suddenly a sleeping gas spread through the air. Rio tried to resist but to no avail, and she advanced toward him, lifted him, and flew out of the empire.
---
Rin felt that something was wrong and decided to go check on Rio. He said:
"Sir, I'll step out for a bit."
With the emperor's permission, Rin left the palace searching for Rio, but he couldn't find him anywhere. He began worrying, asking the guards, but no one knew anything.
Rin left the palace for the street, and on the way, he encountered Andreas.
Rin said:
"Andreas!"
Andreas replied:
"Oh, it's you! How are you? Where's your other friend?"
Rin began speaking quickly and nervously, so much so that Andreas couldn't understand.
Andreas said:
"Speak slowly, I didn't understand!"
Rin took a deep breath and began explaining the story to Andreas.
Andreas understood:
"Oh, that person, yes I saw him. There were some princes carrying him away from there."
Rin said:
"Thank you!"
He dashed in the direction Andreas had indicated at an incredible speed.
To be continued…