The Crown's Fire - Chapter 285

Chapter 285: Lotus Flower
After breakfast, Katelina dismissed Floria. As soon as she left, Levi spoke up, his voice tinged with concern. “Sister, I saw something troubling. Floria is acting suspiciously in the vision I saw. I witnessed her releasing a glowing lotus plant into a pond. It wasn’t just any ordinary flower too.”

He paused, narrowing his eyes as he tried to recall the details of his vision. “She was speaking to the lotus, saying something like it was the perfect place for someone’s soul like her because it would prevent her soul from becoming a dark spirit. She was also apologizing and saying that’s the least she can do for her…”

“A soul?” Katelina hummed with a creased forehead. Her heart raced at Levi’s revelation. The mention of a soul and a dark spirit confirmed her fears. Floria might be connected to something sinister, and the real Floria’s soul could be trapped in that lotus flower.

Levi nodded. “Yes, she was talking to the lotus plant, saying that once the plant dies, her soul will die with it. It was so creepy, and it was snowing too.”

Her hunch had been right. Floria was a victim of soul swapping like Tessa, and the real soul of Floria was trapped in that lotus flower.

Without hesitation, Katelina quickly relayed this information to Ezekiel through their bond.

[Alright, I’ll speak to Apollo about this and Master Kasper. We still have time. Can you ask Levi for the exact location of the pond and any details that could help us find it?] Ezekiel responded.

Turning to Levi, Katelina asked for more details. “Can you show me exactly where it is?”

“I can draw it, Sister,” Levi offered, and she quickly fetched a sketchpad for him. He worked with precision, and when he finished, she lovingly stroked his head.

“You’re doing great, Levi. Thank you for helping your sister out, as always.”

“It’s nothing, Sister. I’ll do everything to bring these enemies down!” Levi declared. “I’ll protect you and my future nephew from harm!”

Katelina’s eyes widened in surprise. “Nephew?!”

Levi froze, realizing he had let something slip. He quickly pressed his lips together and shrugged his shoulders, trying to play it off.

“Ah, Levi, you already let it slip! Tell me—did you see this in the future? My baby’s gender? A boy?” she asked, excitement bubbling in her voice.

Levi fidgeted and mumbled, “It was supposed to be a surprise… Lady Asura won’t be pleased that I spilled it by accident. I’m so doomed.”

Katelina couldn’t help but chuckle at her brother’s distress as he hung his head low, palms pressed to his head in frustration. He looked so troubled that it only made her love him more.

“Oh, my little brother is so adorable,” Katelina said with a grin. “How about this: I’ll pretend I didn’t know about the baby’s gender. I won’t tell Ezekiel, and we can keep it a secret like you and Asura?”

“Really, Sister? Can you do that?” Levi’s eyes lit up with hope.

“Of course! If you can act well, then I’m sure I can too. We share the same blood, after all!” she replied, grinning. She ruffled his hair affectionately, and Levi stood up to hug her suddenly.

“Oh, thank you, Sister. You don’t know how scary Lady Asura can be if she finds out I messed up,” he said with a relieved sigh.

Katelina laughed softly. “I can imagine the scene already. I’m glad you’re surrounded by nice people like Asura.”

Levi smiled but then looked anxious. “So, did you see if it’s a boy or a girl for Asura?” Katelina asked curiously.

Levi’s face fell, and he opened up. “I didn’t see anything about hers like I did with yours and Lady Cora’s.”

Katelina was aware of the troubling vision Levi had seen of Asura. “Still no vision after that?” she asked, referring to the vision of Asura bathing in her own blood.

“Nothing, Sister. I’m really worried. I feel like something bad is going to happen,” Levi admitted, his eyes filling with tears. Asura was like a big sister to him, and the vision had deeply unsettled him.

Katelina gently squeezed his arm, trying to offer comfort. “Don’t worry. Remember, you saw her with a bump in the future, and in that vision with the blood, she didn’t have a bump yet. That means we should be able to save her. So try not to worry too much.”

Levi nodded in agreement. Katelina, sensing the need to shift the mood, asked, “So, what’s the latest with Lady Cora? I promise I won’t say a word.”

Levi’s face brightened with a faint smile. “Lady Cora is actually expecting twins.”

Katelina’s eyes widened in delight. “Twins? That’s wonderful news!” She felt a surge of excitement at the thought of Cora having two babies in one pregnancy. Though she was still concerned about Asura, she masked her worry, not wanting to dampen the moment.

“Let’s head outside,” Katelina suggested. “We can check on the dragon eggs first, and then I’ll walk you to the training grounds. I’m also curious to see how Onyx’s training is progressing.”

Levi agreed, and they left her bedchamber, making their way to the secret chamber where the remaining two dragon eggs were kept. As they walked through the hallways, Katelina suddenly sensed something.

“Levi,” she said, “one of the dragon eggs is hatching.”

Both she and Levi quickened their pace and reached the chamber just in time to see the red dragon egg beginning to crack. Levi’s eyes widened in awe as he watched the dragon egg hatch. Light emanated from the egg as it wobbled and split open. Emerging from the metallic red shell was a vibrant, newborn red dragon with shimmering metallic scales.

It let out a small, tentative roar as it took in its new surroundings. Katelina felt a rush of excitement and wonder.

“Look at that! It’s a male red dragon,” Levi exclaimed, his earlier worries momentarily forgotten. “It’s amazing!”

The baby dragon blinked its large eyes, its scales catching the light as it moved around clumsily. Katelina approached it slowly, not wanting to startle it. The dragon seemed curious and unafraid, its small tail twitching as it explored.

“I wonder who it will choose as its dragonrider,” Katelina mused.