( Julian Caesar and Regus )
" This is a fool's challenge Julian, we have known each other for 115 years now, have been patriarchs of our clans for over 70, you are the closest thing I have to call a friend, don't make me do this " Regus said with a solemn, almost pleading expression on his face.
As per the tradition of the vampire society, the first ranked clan could challenge the ruling clan for the throne and officially Regus could not decline.
It could be a one on one challenge between the patriarchs, or an all out war involving both clans with the vampire society free to choose sides to support or stay neutral.
For decades the Caesar clan had been iron brothers to the Aurelius clan and helped support their rule, Julian had been like a brother to Regus, however, that relationship was crumbling before Regus's very eyes.
Julian had challenged him for the throne in a honourable 1 v 1 duel, and Regus was pleading him to reconsider.
Both Julian and Regus knew the outcome of the fight.
Yes, Julian was strong, but nowhere strong enough to put up a fight against Regus.
If they fought, he would die a brutal death, however, despite knowing this fact he was choosing to be foolhardy.
" I've always supported you Regus, I've done it with ferocity and loyalty unmatched because of my faith in you as the ruler of vampire society.
When I saw you, I always did know that you were ambitious and cunning, but I always believed that when push came to shove you will put the vampire society before your selfish interest and lead as a true king.
You have lost my trust with this latest fiasco.
I wouldn't have cared if you killed Max for believing him to be a traitor or a threat.
You spared him because you dare not harm him, and tried to end his reputation through dirty politics that ended up backfiring on you.
I know you are scared that he will eventually come for your throne.
Unlike us old fogies who are not progressing anymore, he is still young, learning and has the opportunity to become a monarch someday.
But I won't wait for that day and support him in his growth, because that day is still decades away and you will be king for that long.
Yes, you too are the closest friend I've had, but my loyalty is always to the vampire society first.
It insults my honour to watch you sit on the vampire throne with your own selfish agenda.
I would rather die and let the entire vampire society know that I no longer trust you with the throne, than remain silent on this issue and wait for someone else to do the job " Julian said with a straight face as he let his convictions be known.
No longer did he trust Regus and his judgement and was willing to sacrifice his life just to prove a point.
If Regus accepted his challenge, he would undoubtedly be killed in a tragic fight, but regardless of the outcome it would be a loss for Regus as with his death would start a storm that would eat away at the strength of the Aurelius clan.
As he made his way out of Ixtal, he knew that it was his last visit to the holy land as he kissed the very soil goodbye.
Regus, who was left seething in his office from Julian's decision, began smashing things randomly as he could not contain his rage in the slightest.
Julian's decision put him in a precarious spot and it was all because of Max and the trial.
His reputation had taken a hit and even Julian, his closest supporter, changed his view of him so drastically because of one trial, it was easy for him to deduce what the other lords and people thought of him.
Now he needed to face Julian in a succession battle and make an ever bigger villain of himself.
He was truly screwed.
*************
( Meanwhile Mira )
" Mother, I'm really not interested in your coronation ceremony, I know it's important and all but it's boring as hell, I wanna go be with Max in Dombivli, I heard he's out of jail " Mira said with a pout on her face as she pleaded with Rhea to let her go.
After winning the Dimensional War the fate of the remaining dragon clans that had defected was in Rhea's hands and she showed them no mercy.
The worst criminals were forced to cut off both their wings and branded as traitors, while the lesser criminals were forced into a lifetime of bonded labour.
Rhea consolidated her power by pillaging and looting all the defected clans accumulated wealth and distributed it amongst the black, golden and green dragon clans.
Upon popular demand, she was asked to undergo a second coronation ceremony to declare her status as matriarch of all dragon's which was a big affair, yet, it wasn't something Mira was interested in.
Rhea, who found her daughter to be growing increasingly impossible to predict and restraint, tried to explain to her why the event was important and why she could not invite Max to attend it with her or skip it all-together as she herself was supposed to be coronated as the crown-princess at the event.
Rhea tried to explain how becoming the Crown Princess meant that she would be able to mobilise black dragon army at will and make important political decisions for the dragon race, but Mira was not a bit interested in accumulation of power.
To her, only personal strength and freedom mattered while she absolutely hated governance and other technical areas of work.
Smashing things up and blowing fire was more of her style than sitting in meetings and discussing the benefits and flaws of a new governance system.
But unfortunately for her, just alongside all the privileges she had enjoyed for being the daughter of the ex-dragon king, came the responsibilities too as she could not shy away from it.
She was going to be the crown princess, whether she wanted to be so or not.