Devouring Monarch: Rebirth of the Profane Phoenix - Chapter 151

Chapter 151: A Nostalgic Evening
The sound of the small band playing beautiful pieces filled with fantastical melodies. Loud conversations from people who meet several times a year. Asura felt the hypocrisy of these people who came at such sudden notice.

‘Baron Holmes, Marquis Davan. Two people who betray the kingdom in the coming war.’

A feeling of pressure from the nobles and merchants, all vying to increase their power and wealth.

“No matter which life, this atmosphere never changes.”

Asura felt he could almost taste the greed. His lips curled into a sarcastic smile, almost smug. The bitter flavour stained his mouth as nobles greeted each other with fake smiles and hidden daggers. ‘I feel disgusted, the people here… How many of them mocked me in my last life, joked about my shame at incompetence?’

“OH?! If it isn’t the new Earl Fenix, a pleasure to meet you. I am Alexander Berand, Earl of the west coast of Vilsheim. Your excellent achievements in the battle at Wolfsheim should inspire us all!” The man was short, but his aura and atmosphere filled the area with a positive feeling as Asura grasped his hand and shook it eagerly.

“I have long heard of the brave General Berand, who guards our Western Seas in silence, asking for nothing but the happiness of the common folk!”

To Asura, this man was an oasis in this marsh of foul, selfish creatures. His father once mentioned this man when he was a boy, fighting the southern kingdom’s navy with five battleships and winning without a single loss.

In the war, he sacrificed everything he could to protect the mainland, eventually dying alone in the cold ocean, securing enough time for Silvara to recover.

“You’re too kind, Earl Fenix.”

His wife and son also died in the war; he was a melancholy figure who did his duty even unto death, never asking for glory or praise. ‘I will not let this man die the same fate.’ Asura could only smile brightly, “Never, my father’s stories and now meeting the man. I can tell you are a lord worthy of his praise. The happiest people are surely from the Western country!”

The short man’s cheeks seemed red from the wine and such a heartfelt young noble praise; Alexander spent his life never aiming to be praised, only wanting to be a good lord, leader, good husband and finally, a good man.

So the moment he received such praise, it was far beyond those idiots and fools who gave boxes of gold and silver with their false praises.

“Such a kind and wise young Earl, Asura Fenix. I will remember your earnest and genuine faith in me. It is a great pleasure to have met you tonight. Please do not let the darkness of Drakkur darken your brilliant aura.”

A slightly older woman approached from the crowd. Her long blue hair and suit gave her an elegant air. Asura recognised her at once and bowed slightly in respect.

“Marquis Ragnar.” Asura politely saluted, as this woman was as neutral as noble, so he treated her with respect.

“Lady Blue!” Alexander gasped, seeing the beautiful, mature woman with a pleasant aura.

“Oh, please, Lord Alex! Call me Lydia, Fufu. Is your lovely wife Margrit doing well?” She smiled at the little old man.

“Y-yes, she is fine.”

“That is a relief. She was always such a wild girl in the past, going from one battle to the next. I am glad she recovered!”

“Forgive me, I must greet the Duchess, Lady Ragnar, Lord Berand!” Asura interrupted, knowing that these two would happily discuss until the morning.

“Go, Earl Fenix. This man will only bore me with war stories.”

“Lydia! That isn’t true! You will speak about your damn new ideas to make money!”

“Haha, thank you both.”

Asura knew the rumours, but Lydia, Alexander and Margrit were childhood friends. Originally, Lydia and Alexander would wed; however, upon attending the academy, Margrit stole Alexander’s heart while he set up Lydia with her late husband, and they maintained a friendly relationship instead of causing issues within the country.

‘I believe there were no hard feelings because of them seeing each other as siblings in the end, but eventually, to save Alexander, she will become an ally, so I can only show respect for now and spur her on to help Alexander sooner than she moved in the past.’

“We announce the arrival of the Duchess Valerie Drakkur, heir of the previous Duchess Frederica Drakkur, Mother of the dark serpents!”

The massive doors at the front of the ballroom swung open, allowing a beautiful woman in a glittering black dress with black wings and a ballroom style with golden fixtures. The orchestra behind her began playing a light melody, almost like an angel descending.

Valerie’s ruby eyes sparkled with excitement and mischief, and her hair braided into a beautiful cascading style over her exposed shoulder.

As she descended the stairs and walked to the front of the hall, she was already quite famous for her beauty, and even Asura could not help but feel his heart race at the sight of her.

He felt a sense of crisis from when she bit him on the throne to now. ‘I can feel her gaze, one of hope and longing…’

“She looks beautiful, but isn’t this Verana’s engagement banquet?”

Her movements were skilled; like a serpent, she slid through the nobles and merchants with a light response, as if prepared for them all, only to make her way to Asura’s front, a small shield necklace dangling from her neck with two wings, an angel and demon engraved on the back, the necklace somehow felt nostalgic.

‘I feel like I’ve seen this pendant…’

“Asura Fenix, my daughter’s future husband, it is a pleasure to greet you again.” Her voice was cool, but her eyes warmly watched him. “A new noble who has won a battle, now risen from a nobody to become a rising star in the kingdom. I look forward to becoming a family, so please take this gift from my heart.” Valerie pulled another pendant from her cleavage and tied it around Asura’s neck.

The pendant was a sword with two wings for the guard.

“No! My lady, this is too much…” Asura couldn’t help but panic. This was a highly valuable symbol; a gift from a duchess was something the great nobles would have. ‘I don’t mind one in the future, but…’

“Shhh, you deserve this. Nobody else but you should have this.”

[…]

It was as if an arrow pierced his heart.

This woman in front of him, at this moment, even though his heart did not want to love her, even though he did not love her, the warmth of her words and the way she looked at him, almost as if to say ‘I will love you for all eternity.’ as the room felt different, the illusion of a silver palace appeared in his vision for a moment before fading.

“There you go. Now you look extra handsome.” Valerie’s eyes shimmered with slight droplets of tears, yet she didn’t allow them to leak, instead turning around as they announced the arrival of the princess.

“Please give your attention to our beloved princess, Vela Silvaria! The silver flower of our kingdom!”

“This way, Princess Silvara, do not trip now…”

The people stood silently as a girl in a beautiful silver ball gown with a white silk scarf entered, her right eye hidden by a cute fringe. Her smile and rosy cheeks made many young lords sigh out loud. The moment she appeared, Asura and Valerie glanced at each other before giving Asura a small nod.

‘She is my future wife too… I cannot give them any difference in priority,’ Asura thought as he stepped forward, wanting to take the burden of the meeting. “Princess Silvara!” Asura greeted. “It is a great honour to greet and stand alongside you.” He bowed to her in respect.

Vela couldn’t help but find him somewhat handsome. His black suit with golden borders made for eye candy to her eyes as she took his hand and wrapped herself around his left arm. “You look handsome, Asura.” She leaned her head on his arm and let out a satisfied sound, enjoying the feeling.

‘This girl…’ Asura didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as she acted like a young maiden with a crush. However, this was indeed the lovely princess Vela; even though she was a little different today, she still had a pure nature. “Thank you, my princess.”

The entire room could not help but notice the clear chemistry between these two, so rumours and angry insults floated beneath the surface. However, none of them could stop or deny these two were indeed a brilliant match and seemed destined to get married.

‘I’m surprised they aren’t trying to hide their hostility… So many young nobles seem displeased, haha.’

Asura realised how bold this action was and couldn’t help but feel a chill. ‘If Mine or Verana’s family weren’t powerful, they would push for the cancellation of the marriage. I am lucky.’

The royal family, no, Silvara’s family name, was undoubtedly one of the strongest families in the kingdom. Not a single male of marriageable age would reject taking such a name.

“Asura… you smell so good.” The words of Vela sounded a little drawn out as she drank a small glass of purple grape wine, knowing for its sweet taste and high alcohol content.

Asura could only shake his head.

‘This princess is still so young and innocent at this age. How fun…’

The party continued as the young princess rested her head on his arms, not allowing him to leave her side. However, there could never be a monopoly tonight, as the announcers sounded once more.

“Now, welcoming our shining star, the future duchess and lady of the black snake, our beloved Verana Drakkur!”

Suddenly, the orchestra began playing a melody, a strange and unknown song that could not exist yet… It was a song that appeared around one year later in a small orchestra in the capital city on a late winter evening… “How…” Asura whispered as the song, later named ‘Dance of the Black Serpent’, sounded.

Verana stepped down the stairs as if dancing to the music; her dark dress swayed gently as a girl with crimson hair and a black dress followed her, matching her movements. The dress seemed created to be worn by Verana.

“Lady Drakkur is amazing.”

“Who is that girl?”

“She has the same blood as the duchess!”

The nobles cheered and shouted praise and shock as the girl gave a beautiful dance that would eventually spread across the continent.

However, Asura’s mouth opened wide, and his thoughts stopped as he just watched Verana as the music of their first date played while she wore the same dress, hairstyle and jewellery.

The scene he had not forgotten burned into his retinas as tears filled his eyes. “Verana…” He unconsciously reached out his hand, only to feel a small hand grabbing his arm and preventing him from leaving.

Yet, Verana saw her eyes filled with tears as she stepped forward, knowing such feelings remained deep in his depths. She pushed forward and stood before him once again.

A different time, place, an unfamiliar situation, but the same feelings.

“My prince, finally… Finally, have you come to wake me from my everlasting nightmare?”