“Huh?”

High Lord Herodis was still smiling. How could he not? He had not heard that name in so long, he was not even certain he’d heard it correctly now.

“Process it,” the Grand King said mildly, folding his arms across his chest. “I will wait.”

“Process what? I do not understa-”

And then it struck him. He called me Gustazlion. Dragaxlov.

Herodis went pale. “I’m afraid I have no idea what you’re speaking of Your Grace.”

“Oh, you do.” King Daemonikai’s voice was quiet, but implacable. “The Oracle told me of a youngling who buried his heritage beneath another name. Who wore a new life simply to survive.”

Herod’s back went ramrod straight. “I do not go by that name. In fact, I have not been addressed by it in over two millennia. It does not exist to me.”

“Perhaps it’s time it starts meaning something to you again.” The Grand King walked to the nearest couch, lowering himself onto it. Crossing his legs, he added, “The Northern Throne needs its ruler.”

“With all due respect, my Grace, I must decline,” Herod said flatly.

him as he said it.

years past, when he had stopped

end,

buried that part of your life so deep you never once tried to resurrect it. Not even when

my mind,” Herod answered truthfully. “Were it not for the Oracle, it would have remained a faded past: One that feels as if it never belonged to me at all.”

cushions with a sigh. “The name Duonavaar is a worthy one. I strove for millennia to ensure it stood on its own merit and all that effort was not wasted. After my mother died, after the long years and harder work, I finally found the courage to return to the heart of Urai. I built a life here. A home.”

a reputable farmer, then became a crop overseer, then the village agriculturist, and finally the High Steward of Harvest. I rose, rank by rank, until I single–handedly became High Lord of Agriculture. I did this without the Dragaxlov name and power,

you consider it. That is the reason for my visit. If, in the end, you refuse, I will understand. We will follow the sacred traditions and select another bloodline worthy of the Northern Throne.” With that, the Grand King rose. “I have other

respectful bow. “Thank you for

reached the door when he

question I have long wished to ask,” he said. “Why did your mother leave the Citadel? Why would a

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Chapter 356

clan,” Herod stated in a cool voice. “She was pregnant with me when she fled in the middle of the night because her life was in danger. She was poisoned repeatedly, and had she not been skilled with herbs and plants, recognizing the scent of those poisons in

grand king remained

(+68)

was quieter. “Only realizing it only after the first swallow, she was quick in finding an antidote. But after that narrow escape, she made the choice and ran to protect me.” He inhaled deeply. “With father away at war, he could

went dormant, but through grief–and the way she fled, making certain never to be found–it eventually broke.” Sadness was clear in his voice. “I suppose my

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