Dragon Heart | #Wattys2022

Prologue

Now

My upbringing was unlike any other upbringing one might suspect. Yeah it's a bit on the 'out there' and lumped along the 'impossible' categories, but that's kinda what my life story is about.

I was conceived for the sole purpose of becoming the heir to a kingdom that would've fallen to the hands of a very greedy relative if the current ruler didn't produce an offspring to be named successor to the throne. BTW, said kingdom is under a tyrant's rule, but this wouldn't be much of a story if there's no conflict even after I make my debut in this world.

Yes, yes, I know. Pretty clichéd if you ask me, but heck, since when in life was something not clichéd? Our lives would be boring if we don't do cliché from time to time, right?

And remember when I said my upbringing was unlike any other upbringing?

It's true.

I was raised by my mother without my father even knowing I exist (yeah, yeah, another cliché, so sue me). But she had a perfectly good reason why she didn't want him to know about my existence. And yes, before I tell you what Mom's reason was, lemme warn you now that her reason was another cliché: it was for his own safety.

See, I told you it was clichéd. Don't you just love clichés?

Although my old man had no idea he fathered a child with the woman he fell madly in love at first sight with (yes, another cliché; by the time I'm done telling you this story, you'll be sick and tired of hearing about all the clichés that peppered it), I was well aware of who he was and actually got to know my old man long before he realized that I was his son. I kinda felt bad not letting him know that I was his child even though I knew he felt the connection between us.

Anyway, to better understand what I'm talking about, lemme take you back a few years to when it all began (don't worry, I won't start with how and when/where I was conceived)...

= * = * =

Six years ago

Close your mouth, Haru, you're drooling," said Tina to her twelve-year-old charge as she led the dark haired, blue-eyed boy through one of the gates leading in to the vast village hidden in the leaves of the lush green forest with picturesque mountains surrounding it. Beyond the massive gate they just walked through, what looked like a quiet village on the outside was bustling with sounds and activities from the near half a million resident of the country's true capital; Hotaru, the next big city in the country, was its secondary capital that was run by a Governor General.

They were entering Kasia's true capital and home to the kingdom's Chiji, the ruler of all Kasia; a Chiji was akin to a king from other lands.

"Wow," the preteen breathed in awe as he took in the sight of this magnificent village he only heard about from stories his mother, as well as his two companions with him today, told him growing up. He didn't think he'd actually get the chance to see it in person.

"He's not listening to you, Tin," chuckled Drake, Haru's other guardian.

Tina let out a frustrated sigh accompanied by an exasperated eye roll, but she said nothing as they continued to make their way to the tallest building situated in the centre of the village visible from all entrances. That was their designated meeting place with the Ippan, right-hand man to the Chiji and second in the chain of commands (an Ippan ranked higher than the Governor General who often receives orders from the Chiji through the Ippan), who will be their guide during their stay in Takibi.

"Keep up, Haru," Drake called over his shoulder at the preteen who was lagging behind.

"Ogle later, Haru. We have to meet someone and we need to be on time," snapped Tina, the less patient of the two guardians assigned to look after the heir to Doragon as he made his first official visit to Takibi, Kasai's capital city. Only, Haru wasn't in Takibi on official business from Doragon; he was visiting Takibi incognito and no one other than his two companions and the Ippan knows who he really was and where he was from.