In a huge castle, people gathered from all corners of the realm. Dragons, mermaids, gods, and humans—all came for this grand occasion.
Igneel Horrendous Haddock was to become king. This day would mark the beginning of a new era—the era of Igneel the Wise.
Soon Igneel arrived and walked toward the throne where his father Erik stood. Everyone quieted to watch the spectacle. Royals from different kingdoms had traveled far for this moment.
Once he reached the throne, he knelt.
"My son, Igneel Horrendous Haddock—do you solemnly swear to govern the people of Novus with fairness and integrity?" Erik asked.
"I do," he answered.
Liora walked forward with a red cushion bearing a crown.
Erik grasped the crown from both sides, turned to Igneel, and placed it on his head. He moved aside. Igneel stood and turned to the crowd.
"I, Igneel Horrendous Haddock, swear that I will make the kingdom of Novus even better than it was before," he said and sat on the throne.
Quite a bold statement, but he does have something I don't—the ability to use everything to its full potential. He will definitely do it. Erik smiled to himself.
Then Mulan appeared in a beautiful Chinese dress. The others were surprised, having never seen such a dress before.
She walked toward the throne and knelt after reaching it.
"Do you, Fa Mulan, solemnly swear that you will govern Novus with fairness and integrity?" Erik asked.
"I do," she answered.
Liora came forward again, this time bringing three items. Erik picked up the crown first and placed it on her head.
Slowly she stood. Erik handed her the remaining two items—a sword and a bow. She took them and turned them in her hands.
"I swear on my name as Fa Mulan—I will use this sword to strike down anyone who dares threaten the innocent people of Novus. And with this bow, I will shoot our enemies before they can harm us," she said and sat on her throne.
Though her face had reddened from excitement, she tried to remain calm. The crowd cheered.
"Let the banquet begin!" Igneel roared to the crowd.
The crowd roared back even louder.
Erik's POV
"Yao, do you have a boyfriend yet?" I asked.
She shook her head in embarrassment.
"No. Father doesn't let men he says are not worthy within even a mile of me," she said.
Damn, sounds like something I would do.
"Cough, how about that guy over there?" I said, pointing to a prince from a kingdom that was just conquered.
If I remember correctly, he'd been cursed before and Rune had lifted it. I'd been watching him, and he seemed like a good person.
Of course, I'm not only looking at personalities. His talent was purple. While it wasn't the best, it was certainly good. He could reach the 5th rank within 10 years if he started training.
But the one I'm most interested in is Sofia. She's the princess of Enchancia, and her talent was gold. If only my children were interested in her, but I guess everything doesn't go my way.
I turned back to Yao.
"What do you think?" I asked.
She tilted her head.
"He looks—happy," she said.
Well, that's one way to put it. I mean, he was recently freed from a curse, so I'd assume he'd be happy.
"Come on, go greet him. In the worst case, it doesn't work out," I said.
She nodded at my words and excused herself. I turned back to the banquet and sensed someone staring at me. I looked over.
It was none other than Igneel. Though he appeared calm, his aura said otherwise—it felt like he would burst into anger any moment.
I looked away and avoided eye contact. Damn, what's wrong with this kid? I was just helping him out.
"Whatever, I still have things to do," I muttered and stood. But then I noticed something from the corner of my eye.
It was Blanch and—a man? I paused. I watched and listened as they talked and blushed. I grit my teeth in quiet anger.
No, don't lose control. Let's see if he at least has good talent. I used inspect on him and was surprised. Damn, where were all these purple-grade talents coming from?
Just as I planned to intervene, Igneel walked past with a grin on his face. My teeth ground against each other.
Is this kid trying to provoke me? No, no, calm down. I did the same thing to him just a few minutes ago. It's fine. It's fine.
Whew, what was I doing again? Oh yeah—I had a meeting with the Seadragonus. She said she needed help with something.
Hopefully this is fast since I plan to go on a solo journey tomorrow. I teleported to the nearby island. The moment I appeared on her back, she noticed.
"My king," she said.
I nodded in response.
"So—what is it that you need from me?" I asked.
"Though this may be presumptuous since you already have a mate, this is a matter of life and death."
It's starting to sound really serious from her tone.
"What is it?"
"Please become my mate," she said.
"…"
A few hours later
"So, you're going to die because your lifespan is running out, and you want me to become your mate? Because if we become mates, we can share a piece of our souls, and that would make you evolve since my soul is strong?"
"Exactly," she confirmed.
"Though this is sad, I'll have to decline. I'm not into a dragon that's over 900 feet," I said.
She started shaking and crying.
"No, please! After my evolution, I'll gain a humanoid form. A-and I heard you want a lot of children. I promise to give you over a hundred," she said quickly.
"Ugh, I don't know," I muttered.
"I'll do anything," she cried out. "I just woke up. I don't want to die."
Damn, this is playing on my conscience.
"Sigh, I'll talk with my wives first," I said.
"Thank you," she said.
I nodded and teleported to the castle. The banquet was still going on, but I headed to where I sensed Merida and Elsa.
Finding them sitting and eating while laughing, I joined in. They turned to me and smiled.
I let out a deep breath and turned serious. Seeing me like this, they put their utensils down.
"Is something wrong?" they asked.
"Cough, if I were to have another wife, would you agree?" I asked them straight up.
They both looked at me, confused.
"Didn't I tell you? You could marry as many as you want as long as they aren't bad," Merida said.
"I don't really care since you would choose a good woman," Elsa added.
I blinked a few times.
"Oh, well, I didn't think that's what you thought," I said.
"But before you go, tell me who the woman is," Merida asked.
"Oh, it's the Seadragonus. She said she would die if I don't become her mate because she's running out of lifespan, and my energy is strong enough to help her evolve."
"Sounds sketchy," Merida said.
Elsa nodded at her statement.
"I thought the same thing, but I have the ability to detect lies, and she was telling the truth."
"Hm, quite interesting. But why don't you use the sun-kissed flower?" Elsa asked.
"I did, but it didn't work. I checked deeper, and it had something to do with her dragon core," I said.
They nodded in understanding. I stood up and gave them both a kiss.
"I'll get going," I said and teleported back.
"You're back. So what did they say?"
"They agreed," I said.
"Then let's do it now," her voice full of anticipation.
Another few hours later.
I looked down at her new form. She now had a humanoid body—long black hair, somewhat tan skin, and green emerald eyes. Though she had a set of wings and a tail. And not only that, she was close to my height, standing at 6'5.
I thought she would be taller. But that's not what surprised me. It was what she was carrying.
I tried to look away, but I couldn't. Her chest—it was HUGE. Damn it, calm down. You're a man of composure, I told myself.
"Cough, here are some clothes," I said and handed her some of mine. None of the clothes in my inventory could fit her except mine.
"Human clothes?" She looked up at me. "But we're not finished with the ritual."
"Ritual? What ritual?" I asked.
"Mating."
"…"
Igneel's POV
I wonder where Father has gone. Tomorrow is the day he planned to start his solo journey. You'd think he'd spend time with family before leaving, but he's nowhere to be seen.
But now I had another thing to worry about—Yao and that man. How dare he get close to my daughter.
But as I continued to watch them talk, I couldn't help but sigh. She looked genuinely happy. Though the man was weak, as long as he can make her happy, that would be fine.
"Husband, should we have another child?" Mulan asked from beside me in a low tone.
I slowly turned to her.
"Quite assertive, aren't you?" I smiled.
She blushed.
"N-no, that's not what I meant. It's because of your situation. Since you can't have another wife, I need to work harder to give you children."
"Haha, don't worry. We'll figure it out later. For now, let's just enjoy our time," I said and entwined our hands.
Honestly, what she said made sense. Yao doesn't seem interested in the royal life, and I still don't know about Stoick. He's just been born. If he acts the same way, I'll try for another.
But I think I'll use the same plan my father used when the time comes.
The next day
Erik's POV
The next day
"Is everyone here?" I asked.
Igneel nodded.
"Everyone is here, even Grandfather and Grandmother," he replied.
"Good," I said, entering the room.
Since everything has been settled, I just need to make sure I'm not forgetting anyone when I make the announcement for my little adventure.
Entering the room, I saw everyone. My children, wives, parents, brother, and even Gobber. Though Gobber and I aren't related, he's practically family.
"Erik, so why did you gather us?" Stoick asked.
"Cough, I have an announcement," I said.
"Is it about your new wife?" my mother asked.
"No. Well—part of it," I said.
"Well, what is it, lad?" Gobber asked.
"I plan to go on an adventure, and I want to inform all of you before I leave."
"An adventure? Why?" Hiccup asked.
I honestly don't know myself, but I can't tell them that.
"New experiences," I said simply.
The room fell silent.
"Can I go too?" Luna asked.
I turned to her. She was my newest and third wife. I honestly didn't think I would get another one, but it is what it is. But bringing her with me? I don't really see the problem.
"Why not?" I nodded.
She smiled and jumped onto me, hugging me tight.
"Ok, calm down."
"If she's going, I'm going too," Merida stepped in.
"I also wish to join," Elsa added.
I just nodded to their requests. I guess it's now more of a really long date instead of just an adventure.
"Son, won't the empire need you?" Father asked.
I shook my head.
"Igneel is already good enough for the job."
And besides, if there's trouble, I can just return and fix it.
"I'll trust you on this, but make sure to visit often," Mother said.
I smiled and nodded to her.
I turned back to my children, and my mouth twitched. Rune and Claude looked uninterested. Moon and Crystal were giggling to each other while Melody listened with a smile.
Liora was talking with Blanch, who seemed to be in love. These children—sigh.
Note: I decided to make the prince go with Yao. I have plans for the others. Especially melody and moon.