The Evil Emperor's Fragile Heart

Raven was in an exuberant mood when he returned to the imperial palace with Mana. The two children found King Jaren and Azar waiting for them.

Raven rushed up and gave King Jaren a big hug as soon as he saw them.

"Thank you, Papa," he said softly, his voice so full of affection and admiration that King Jaren was taken aback.

King Jaren ruffled Raven's hair and picked up the boy as if he were a small child. Raven giggled happily.

Taking a cue from his Daddy, Azar promptly flew to Mana and demanded to be cuddled. Mana complied, naturally. Azar had grown bigger again – but whether he was five inches long or five hundred feet tall, he'd always be acting spoilt with his family.

"Something good happened, is it?" King Jaren asked, still carrying a shy but pleased Raven as he led the children towards their rooms.

Mana nodded.

"Want to talk about it?" King Jaren asked.

Mana nodded again.

King Jaren immediately changed his destination and led the three children – two humans and one dragon – to his own chambers instead.

Azar was especially pleased because there was always a platter of his favourite fruits kept reserved for him in Grandpapa's room!

Mana and Raven told King Jaren everything while Azar happily munched on the fruits. Mana wondered idly if they were feeding the little dragon too much – he seemed to be getting as wide as he was tall – but then, he was so cute that none of them could bear to do anything. The only thing they could do was to follow Raven's nutritional plan for their baby dragon religiously.

And the plan did work, because Azar's magic was already more powerful now, and his scales were smooth and shone with a healthy lustre. And his big, round eyes were like sparkling gemstones, filled with the vivacity.

Yes, they were raising a healthy dragon child, Mana convinced herself. And fruits were healthy anyway!

King Jaren was appalled and furious when he heard about how his siblings had treated him in the past, but seeing how happy Raven was right now, having reconciled with one of his younger brothers – he swallowed his rage. Instead, he praised Raven for being such an excellent and generous child.

Raven blushed shyly. "I realised something today, Papa," he said in a quiet voice. "Until a few years ago, I used to desperately want my mother to love me, to tell me that she was proud of me, too. I even used to dream that someday, my father would come and claim me, and say that I was not a mistake that he was ashamed of, but a son he could be proud of…but after a while, I gave up on both ideas. I didn't think that I would ever experience the love of a parent in my life…"

His voice trailed off, and both King Jaren and Mana felt a pang in their heart. This beautiful little child…how he had suffered!

Then Raven smiled brightly, and continued to speak, "But then Big Brother Jules and Mana found me and brought me to you – and you took me in as if I was one of your own children. I'm sure you already know how much I respect you and admire you…but today I realised that it was thanks to you that I am no longer desperate for any care or attention from my biological parents. The last time they were here, I was still afraid of them – and more than that, I was afraid that you might be influenced by their attitude towards me…and that…maybe you, too, would come to be ashamed of me and hate me. But instead, you stood up for me in front of them…and you and Mana…you even made them change their attitudes towards me. And now, when my mother suddenly starts to treat me like a treasure, I feel happy, but it's nowhere like what I used to think. When I think of a parent, it is your image that comes to mind. It is your approval that I want, it is you I want to make proud. So…Papa, thank you…and I also want to tell you that for me, you'll always be my Papa and my real parent."

King Jaren was stunned for a moment, and then he swept up the boy in his arms even as tears flooded his eyes.

Raven was a little shocked by King Jaren's emotional reaction, and looked at Mana helplessly, only to realise that Mana herself had tears in her eyes. Even Azar had stopped eating and was staring at Mana and Raven and King Jaren, his big eyes brimming with tears.

King Jaren held out his hand and Mana and Azar immediately joined the hug.

"Ah, my babies," King Jaren said emotionally, after a long, long time when he finally calmed down. He released the three of them and then kissed each one's brow.

"Raven," he said seriously. "It is my honour and my privilege to call you my son."

This time, Raven looked up at King Jaren with a confident smile on his face (although the tips of his ears were still pink, giving him away), and replied, "And it is my privilege and honour to call you my Papa."

"Grandpapa! Daddy! Mommy! Azar too!" the little dragon said seriously.

Mana cuddled the dragon like a teddy bear and rubbed her nose against his shiny black scales. "Of course, little one," she said fondly. "Aren't you the dearest and most precious child of this family?"

"Yes, Mommy!" Azar replied sweetly.

"You are the blessing of my family, little Azar," King Jaren said, scooping up the dragon from Mana's arms and holding him up.

Even though Azar could fly himself, he loved it when King Jaren held him up and twirled him around just like a human baby. He squealed and laughed in delight and cried, "Grandpapa! Again!"

How could King Jaren refuse? He was probably the most indulgent grandfather in the history of grandfathers!

Raven moved to Mana's side and slipped an arm around her. "Thank you," he said softly, leaning in and giving her a shy kiss on her cheek.

Mana's speckled green eyes were soft and warm as she looked at the boy who had grown rapidly and was now several inches taller than her. "Shouldn't I be the one thanking you?" she asked with a smile.

Raven chuckled. "I must have used up the luck of several lifetimes to have a chance to meet you," he said.

Mana narrowed her eyes. "What cheesy romance novel are you reading now?" she demanded.

Raven flushed guiltily. "But I really do mean it," he mumbled.

Mana giggled and tapped his nose playfully with her finger. "I know – because I can say the same about you," she replied.

King Jaren finally got tired and put Azar down. The little dragon clearly wanted to continue, but he was considerate of his human Grandpapa. After all, being a "good boy" was Azar's motto in life!

"All right, time for bed now," King Jaren said, glancing at the clock. "Do you guys want a late night snack? It's been a long day for you, after all."

"Grandpapa! Garden peaches!" Azar said immediately.

King Jaren laughed and took the little dragon into his secret garden space to pick some peaches.