The night in the Flame Heart was so quiet it bordered on suffocating.
Evelyn stood before the central spirit flame pillar, barefoot on the soul flame pattern array. She had removed her flame robe, wearing only a silver-gray ceremonial gown as thin as cicada wings. This was no act of vanity, but a ritual requirement—the sealing of the flame fetus demanded the spirit body be bared to heaven's will.
Her palms hovered in the air, wrapped in flame breath, and at her fingertips emerged the flame lock vow drawn from the Flame Realm.
And in the center of her lower abdomen, the "Seal of Knox" pulsed violently.
"The soul fire has manifested; his consciousness is beginning to interfere with reality."
"If we do not seal it, he may draw forth the flame prematurely, burning the body and shattering the soul."
At the top of the high tower, High Priest Lovis of the Council of Seven Luminaries advised gravely: "Your Majesty must perform the initial sealing."
Lucian was furious, yet unable to stop the decision.
He pushed open the door and strode toward the flame array.
"You're going to burn the soul seal with your own body?!"
Evelyn did not turn, only said calmly: "Not burn. Seal."
"Do you think I'll watch you burn your soul and sever your lifeline?!" Lucian lifted her from the array in one motion, his voice hoarse to the point of breaking. "You've shut me out for too long, Evelyn. Do you still trust me?"
Evelyn finally looked up, her flame-pupils free of anger, only weariness and resolve.
"I trust you... but Knox cannot trust anyone."
She touched Lucian's face, flame energy drifting between them.
In the next instant—she roused the fire soul within her, sending Lucian stumbling back out of the array with a powerful.
Spirit flames roared, and the soul fire sealing ritual began.Flame Patterns Entwined · Soul SealingThe entire Flame Heart Palace was sealed off, while ten thousand flames above the palace danced ly.
Evelyn stood at the array's center, her spirit body half-separated from her physical form, which floated in the air, bared to the witness of all flame spirits between heaven and earth.
She trembled as she endured the agony of soul fire being drawn out, while using her will to cling tightly to the flame fetus's spirit core.
"Knox, I am your mother. You are the heir to the royal flame, but you cannot awaken too soon."
"This world is not yet worthy of bearing all your fire."
She let out a whimper-like cry as soul fire rose from her lower abdomen to her chest, then to her brow, as if igniting her entire body.
Just as her soul was about to be scorched through, a hand of silver flame suddenly reached into the array.
Eira forced her way into the ,without hesitation pressing her hand to Evelyn's back.
"You should not bear this flame alone."
Evelyn bit her lip, ing: "You'll die!"
"Then I'll die." Eira whispered, smiling. "I'd gladly burn away fate with you."
She poured a part of her own soul flame into Evelyn's spirit body. Instantly, backlash erupted—her armor melted, her skin cracked from the heat—but she did not retreat a single step.
Their bared bodies pressed together, souls entangled, and the Seal of Knox at the array's center stilled.
Flame light dimmed, and the fire core returned to the infant soul.
The ritual succeeded.
Evelyn collapsed into Eira's arms, her body covered in flame marks, fine sweat like dew on her skin, her breath coming in gasps.
She lifted a hand to touch Eira's cheek, murmuring:
"Why... are you always willing to die for me?"
Eira closed her eyes, whispering:
"Because you are the only one I'd burn myself out for."Storm Over the CapitalWhen the at the flame tower ended, the people thought the gods had answered the royal family. But the priestly secretly wavered—
"If the child of soul and flame cannot be controlled, should we seek a 'sacred flame vessel' outside the royal family to take over?"
Certain old nobles who advocated that "divine flame should not be monopolized by bloodline" began secretly contacting Split Moon remnants, plotting to overthrow the flame fetus's inheritance.
Meanwhile, Lucian did not return all night.
He went alone to the Sacred Flame Mausoleum Mountain, retrieving an ancient artifact long sealed away—the Flame-Breaking Halberd, a royal execution tool for severing traitorous soul flames.
"If that child is not mine..."
"I'd rather... end this flame disaster with my own hands."Epilogue · A Stirring in the FlameDeep into the night.
Evelyn stood alone before the throne, palm pressed to the flame fetus's seal.
Knox had fallen asleep, but she knew he remembered everything.
He knew of Eira's sacrifice, Lucian's rage, and her... heart that could never choose.
She whispered:
"If you are destined to be the reincarnation of the Flame God."
"Then let me forge a king's path for you, woven with blood and flame."
High in the vault of heaven, a crack of golden flame silently appeared.