Novel's Extra: The Lost Heir of Dragon Queen

"Swoosh...

As Kael struggled against the branches locking him into place, he saw a throne rise before him, woven from shadows and twisting vines.

Celestara, the Villainess Vampire Queen, seated herself on it with an air of effortless power, her striking purple hair cascading around her shoulders and her piercing violet eyes scanning him with both curiosity and disdain.

Celestara's throne seemed to loom even larger as she leaned back, a wicked smile on her face.

She stared down at Kael, bound and kneeling before her, her gaze intense and unwavering.

"Let's begin," she said coolly, crossing her legs.

"I'll ask you questions. If I don't like your answers… well, you'll feel the consequences." She lifted one hand, fingers curling as if ready to strike, and Kael tensed.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"Kael," he replied quickly, his voice steady.

She nodded, her expression unreadable.

"Well then, Kael… how did you come to know of this place?" She asked.

Kael hesitated, carefully choosing his words.

"I… I found out about it while exploring Valtor Mountain."

SLAP!

Her hand struck his cheek with brutal force, snapping his head to the side.

Kael's vision blurred as he tasted blood, the sharp sting radiating from his jaw and spreading through his entire face.

He gasped, a tremor of pain running through him.

Celestara's voice was unyielding as she continued.

"How did you know the answer to the riddle?"

Kael struggled to lift his head, his cheek throbbing as blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.

"I… I don't know," he choked out, his voice faltering. "It… it just came to mind."

SLAP!

This time, the slap was even harder, sending him sprawling onto the ground.

His vision swam, and he coughed, spitting out more blood.

Celestara's gaze grew sharper as she leaned forward, her tone dripping with disdain.

"How do you know of Astral Water?" she demanded, her voice like ice.

Kael coughed, choking on the blood pooling in his mouth.

"What... what's Astral Water?" he replied, his voice shaky, trying to mask his desperation.

SLAP!

Without hesitation, she raised her hand, delivering another brutal slap across his face.

The force was overwhelming, sending Kael stumbling to the ground.

His cheek felt like it was on fire, the skin beginning to peel, the raw pain blurring his vision.

As he struggled to steady himself, his vision swimming, Celestara's expression grew even more intense, her eyes flashing with cold fury.

"Give me three reasons I should not kill you right now," she hissed, her voice low and menacing.

Kael's mind raced, heart pounding in his chest as he stared at Celestara's unyielding gaze.

He knew he had to tread carefully; if his reasons didn't satisfy her. She will really kill me.

Taking a steadying breath, he began.

"My first reason… I can cure your husband's illness."

Celestara's eyes narrowed in disgust, and she scoffed.

"Why would I care about a weakling like him?" Her tone was as sharp as a dagger, laced with disdain.

Kael swallowed hard, the realization sinking in—she truly a villainess.

His first attempt had failed.

Racking his brain, Kael remembered something from the novel.

There was only one thing Celestara seemed to cherish in her heart of stone: her daughter, Lumia.

Taking a risk.

"I'm the Masked Prodigy who defeated your daughter in the Celestial Duel Competition." Kael declared.

Celestara's expression shifted, and for a brief moment, her eyes sparkled with recognition. She smirked.

"Oh, so you're the one who humiliated her." She leaned back, a glint of amusement in her gaze.

"Well, that's impressive… but hardly a reason to spare you." She let out a soft, mocking laugh.

"Last chance."

Her tone was final, and Kael's chest tightened as he realized he was out of time.

This was it—the last reason.

He could feel the weight of her cold stare, the threat of imminent death looming over him.

Summoning his courage, Kael decided to use his hidden trump card.

As Kael murmured.

"You'd lose a powerful ally,"

Celestara raised an eyebrow, her expression both skeptical and intrigued.

"Powerful ally?" she echoed, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"And how exactly are you such an ally?"

Kael took a deep breath, feeling the sting on his bruised face.

He knew he was gambling everything on this next revelation.

"My mother… is Sephina, the Dragon Queen."

The response was immediate.

SLAP!

Celestara's hand swung across his face, sending a jolt of pain that made Kael's skin feel like it was tearing.

Blood trickled from the edge of his lip as he winced, trying to hold himself steady.

"Are you joking with me?" Celestara snarled, her voice sharp as ice.

"Sephina doesn't have a child."

Struggling through the pain, Kael managed,

"She does. And I'm her son. I can prove it by calling her."

Celestara narrowed her eyes, suspicion and irritation mingling in her gaze.

"Very well. Show me the number you intend to dial."

She freed him from the bind of branches, though he could still feel their lingering pressure on his limbs.

As he pulled his phone from his pocket, he held it up, letting her see the contact labeled with the familiar name.

Her eyes widened as she confirmed the number.

It was indeed Sephina's private line—a number she knew well. As both of them are friends.

With a steadying breath, Kael dialed.

The ringing felt like an eternity, tension rising between him and Celestara, who was watching him with disbelief barely concealed behind her cold stare.

Then, a familiar, warm voice answered on the other end.

"Hello, my dear child," came Sephina's voice, soft and affectionate.

Kael smiled, feeling a wave of reassurance.

"Hey, Mom" Kael replied.

"Why do you call Kael" seraphina asked

"I just wanted to hear your voice." kael replied.

Celestara's expression shifted from icy skepticism to absolute shock, her jaw slackening ever so slightly as she took in the reality of his words.

"Oh, is that so?" Sephina chuckled on the other end, a gentle warmth in her tone.

"You're just calling to listen to my voice?"

"Yes, Mom," Kael replied, casting a brief glance at Celestara, who now looked like she was grappling with an entirely new reality.

"Alright, then. Take care, Mom" Kael said.

As he ended the call, Kael pocketed his phone, meeting Celestara's stunned gaze.

Celestara's face was a mix of shock, realization, and even a glimmer of something that resembled respect.

The fierce, untouchable Vampire Queen had clearly never imagined the Dragon Queen had a child—and now, that child stood before her, very much alive.

Her lips pressed into a tight line, her gaze scrutinizing Kael with a newfound intensity.