Aeris's POV

It had been a few days since my son was born, yet he still didn't have a name.

I couldn't keep calling him "baby" forever, so I decided to ask Zephirion, Valerion, and Caelum for name suggestions.

That was my first mistake.

"Alright," I said, holding my son. "What do you all think we should name him?"

The three dragons looked at each other.

Then-

"Obsidian Deathfang."

I almost dropped my baby. "WHAT?!"

Valerion smirked. "It sounds powerful, doesn't it?"

I stared in horror. "He's a baby, not an ancient warlord!"

Caelum rubbed his chin. "Fine, fine. How about Bloodfang the Annihilator?"

I gasped. "ABSOLUTELY NOT!"

Zephirion sighed. "You both are being ridiculous."

I nodded. "Finally! Some sense-"

"His name should be Abyss."

I blinked. "I take that back. You're all insane."

Zephirion crossed his arms. "It's a strong name."

"HE IS A BABY, NOT A DARK GOD!" I shouted.

Valerion pouted. "What about Daggerstorm?"

"NO!"

Caelum grinned. "Doombringer."

"NO!"

Zephirion sighed. "Shadowflame?"

"NO!"

"Void?"

"NO, NO, NO!"

I took a deep breath, regretting everything.

I looked at my baby, who was staring at me with those big, innocent eyes.

Then, I smiled softly.

"Lorien."

Silence.

The three dragons froze.

"Lorien?" Zephirion repeated.

I nodded. "It means light in the darkness."

My son blinked up at me, his tiny hand reaching for my face.

And then-

For the first time, he smiled.

A real, tiny, innocent smile.

Zephirion looked shocked.

Caelum crossed his arms. "Hmph. It's not Doombringer, but it's... decent."

Valerion pouted. "No Inferno Stormblade?"

I glared.

He sighed. "Fine, fine. Lorien it is."

Zephirion looked at our son. He hesitated, then reached out a hand.

Lorien immediately turned away.

Caelum burst out laughing. "PFFT! Your own son is ignoring you!"

Zephirion's eye twitched.

I bit my lip to hold back a laugh.

Lorien snuggled into my arms, smirking at Zephirion as if saying, She's mine now.

Zephirion sighed deeply.

"...Lorien it is."

As I turned to leave with my baby in my arms, I felt his tiny hands clutch onto my dress.

I smiled, thinking he was just getting comfortable, but then-

I noticed it.

Lorien peeked over my shoulder, his crimson eyes locking onto his father and uncles.

And then...

He smirked.

Not an innocent, baby-like smile.

A knowing, smug, victorious smirk.

As if saying:

"She's mine now. You can back off."

Zephirion's eye twitched dangerously.

Valerion nearly choked on air.

Caelum's mouth fell open. "Did he just-?!"

Before anyone could react, Lorien let out a soft, content sigh and nuzzled into my neck, his little arms wrapping around me as if staking his claim.

Completely unaware, I giggled, kissing the top of his head. "Aww, my sweet boy."

Zephirion was gripping his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white.

Valerion slapped his back. "Congrats, brother. You've been dethroned."

Caelum nodded in mock sympathy. "You had a good run."

Zephirion growled under his breath.

Meanwhile, Lorien...

Still smirking.

Eight Years Later

Time had flown by so fast.

Lorien was already eight years old, yet to me, he was still my innocent little boy-sweet, loving, and the light of my life.

Even now, as I sat beside him, gently running my fingers through his midnight-black hair, I felt warmth in my heart. My little prince.

Though, calling him "little" wasn't exactly accurate anymore.

Lorien had grown fast, and his sharp crimson eyes reminded me so much of his father's. But unlike Zephirion's piercing, intimidating gaze, Lorien's eyes were bright and full of mischief.

And now...

Now, I was seven months pregnant again.

Another little life was growing inside me, and while I was happy, I was also emotional and, according to everyone in the castle-chaotic.

Mood swings? Worse than last time. Strange cravings? Even stranger. Random demands? Non-stop.

And Lorien?

He was my sweetest supporter.

If I wanted mangoes in winter? Lorien would find a way. If I wanted someone to listen to me rant for hours? Lorien would sit with me, nodding at the right moments. If Zephirion told me not to do something, Lorien would secretly help me do it anyway.

He was such a good boy.

Or at least... that's what I thought.

As I sat with Lorien in the royal garden, enjoying the evening breeze, the door suddenly creaked open.

Zephirion walked in, his towering figure filling the space, his golden eyes immediately locking onto us.

I smiled at him, but before I could say anything-

Lorien turned to me.

His face was soft, his voice gentle. "Mother, wouldn't you like to go on a walk? The fresh air would be good for you."

I blinked.

"That's a wonderful idea!" I beamed. "You're so thoughtful, my love."

I leaned down, pressing a kiss to his forehead before slowly rising to my feet.

Zephirion's eyes narrowed slightly, but before he could say anything, Lorien stood up, walked over to him, and met his gaze head-on.

"I'll stay here with Father," Lorien said with an innocent smile.

Still oblivious, I nodded. "I won't take long!"

And with that, I left.

The doors closed behind me.

A heavy silence filled the air.

And then-

Lorien shifted his gaze to his father.

The innocent smile faded.

And in its place...

That same smirk.

That same arrogant, knowing look he had since the day he was born.

Zephirion exhaled sharply. "What do you want now?"

Lorien crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly. "Just a chat."

Zephirion's eye twitched.

He already knew-this wasn't going to be a normal conversation.

Zephirion's POV

I knew this look.

That infuriating smirk. That cocky tilt of his head.

Lorien had been like this since birth.

From the moment he pointed at me with an arrogant little "Bah!" as a newborn, to now-eight years later-he had made it his personal mission to irritate me.

And he loved it.

Right now, he stood before me, arms crossed, eyes gleaming with mischief.

"So, Father," he drawled. "How does it feel to be ignored?"

I exhaled sharply. "Your mother is pregnant. She needs care."

Lorien's smirk widened. "Yes, she does. And I am her favorite, after all."

My eye twitched.

He was doing this on purpose.

He had always done this on purpose.

As a baby, he would cling to Aeris whenever I tried to take him. As a toddler, he would sit on my throne just to test me. Now, as an eight-year-old, he would casually throw challenges at me like it was a game.

I knew what he was doing.

And yet, I still fell into his traps.

"I am her husband," I reminded him, voice firm. "You are her son."

"Yes, yes," Lorien waved a hand dismissively. "But let's be honest, Father, she listens to me more."

This boy...

I narrowed my eyes. "Do you enjoy testing my patience?"

Lorien's smirk deepened. He leaned in slightly, tilting his head. "You're my father. What kind of son would I be if I didn't?"

I clenched my jaw.

I could burn kingdoms to the ground, command thousands, make warriors tremble with a single glare-

But this tiny menace?

He was my greatest challenge.