Dragon Monarch System Chapter 964:- Two Minds, One Throne

"Lady Laura!" Exclaimed a stunning woman dressed in a maid’s uniform as she hurried into the parlor. Her gaze swept frantically across the room, searching for a specific face. Her expression crumbled when she failed to locate Lady Laura, but her sadness vanished the moment her eyes locked onto a woman who bore a striking resemblance to her mistress, watching her with a tender, knowing smile.

"Kate, I’ve missed you." Their voices were nearly identical, though this one carried a slightly more mature resonance. There was no doubt remaining. It was truly her.

This woman was Lady Laura.

Kate didn't hesitate for a heartbeat, lunging toward Athena.

Before the eyes of everyone present, Kate threw herself into Athena’s embrace and dissolved into tears.

Ever since Aditya and Laura had departed from the Six Continents, Kate had lived in a state of constant anxiety. A dark corner of her mind whispered that she might never behold her Lady again.

She harbored a deep-seated dread that some catastrophe might befall her mistress.

During Laura’s absence, Kate was forced to maintain the facade that Laura was simply Cultivating in seclusion. The weight of managing everything fell solely on her shoulders. Whenever she encountered a hurdle or a political stalemate, she had to rely on Spencer’s counsel.

Holding the fort had been an agonizing ordeal. She was so paranoid about the secret leaking that she forbade any servants or maids from entering Laura’s chambers. Occasionally, she would slip into the bedroom herself just to maintain the illusion that Laura was present but preoccupied with her Cultivation and not to be disturbed.

With Laura finally back, Kate’s composure shattered. She was, at her core, a maid dedicated to her Lady’s personal care; being thrust into the role of managing an entire Empire had been an overwhelming burden. The stress and constant worry had pushed her to her limit.

"There, there... I've returned. Everything is going to be fine." Athena—or Laura—stroked Kate’s hair, offering gentle comfort. In that moment, they didn't resemble a master and servant, but rather two sisters.

"My Lady, are you able to return to your Original Appearance?" Kate whispered, yearning to see the familiar face of her mistress once more.

"I can, of course. I’ll show you once we are back at the Deep Sea Palace." In her mind, Athena was already calculating. With both Athena and Laura pulling the strings from the shadows, the Deep Sea Palace was destined for a massive political and structural overhaul. Athena intended to introduce systems that her father had utilized in their own Empire before its fall.

[Furthermore, your current Military and Political influence as Empress is insufficient.] - Athena noted.

[I am aware! I've been making slow progress. I was afraid that moving too aggressively would trigger a backlash.] - Laura replied.

[We shall act with speed and precision. No one who opposes the Empress will be shown mercy.] - Laura found herself in full agreement with Athena. Having her other half back meant she no longer had to carry the burden of worry alone.

"Kate, what is the status of the repairs in the destroyed sectors of the Capital?" Before her departure, a colossal beast had attacked, leaving a trail of ruin and many casualties in its wake. Though the loss of life was a tragedy that could not be undone, they could honor the dead by rebuilding and learning from the disaster.

"The restoration is roughly 70% complete. It should be finished within two weeks." The Empress had been utilizing the treasury to fund the reconstruction. She had also called upon the nobility and the wealthy elite of the Capital for donations. The response was overwhelming, which significantly lightened the financial strain on the state.

"That is excellent news!"

"Has anything significant occurred within the Empire during my time away?" Athena questioned. She had been groomed for leadership since childhood, as she and Laura had frequently devised ingenious strategies to enhance their Empire's prosperity.

Much like Laura, Athena possessed every trait required of a formidable Leader.

"Actually, nothing major! Due to the heightened security in the Capital, even petty crimes have plummeted over the last fortnight." Athena nodded in satisfaction. This was positive development.

Kate continued to pepper Athena with inquiries.

She was desperate for details about their travels.

What sort of foes had her Lady and Aditya encountered?

Where did they take their rest at night?

What lands had they crossed and what people had they met?

Then, she leaned in. "Did he try to take liberties with you?" Kate shot a sharp glare at Aditya while whispering to Athena. However, her voice wasn't quiet enough; several people in the room caught the question.

Athena’s cheeks flushed a deep pink as memories of Aditya’s intimate moments with Laura flooded her mind. Since they shared a fundamental essence, it felt as though she had been the one experiencing his touch.

[But it felt so wonderful!] - Laura chimed in playfully within her mind.

[Be quiet!] - Athena was mortified.

[Don't be so modest. Aditya will be doing the same to this body soon enough.]

[It appears that decades of separation have made you forget how to address your elder sister. I shall have to discipline you when we are alone.]

[Hehe! As if you could...]

Aditya felt a wave of awkwardness wash over him as he overheard the question. Memories of his time with Laura following the trial came rushing back.

This triggered a physical reaction in his lower body that he desperately tried to conceal by shifting his sitting position.

"May I have a cup of coffee?" Watson rose at the request.

"With milk?" Aditya nodded. Watson exited the room to instruct a maid to prepare the Emperor's beverage.

Observing this, Alfred turned to Aditya with a question.

"How long has Sir Watson been serving as Your Highness’s butler?" Alfred inquired. In Aditya's youth, Alfred had dreamed of remaining his butler and becoming the Young Master's most trusted confidant. He had hoped to serve Aditya just as he had served the boy's father and grandfather.

However, Watson’s presence created a dilemma. If Watson was the butler, what role remained for Alfred?

"It has been over four years now!"

"To be precise, Watson was originally Julia’s personal butler. But when they arrived at the Istarin Dynasty to watch over me, he transitioned into the butler for the entire Royal Family."

"I see."

"Grandpa Watson also acted as the unofficial Prime Minister for the Istarin Empire for nearly half a year," Spencer added. Even now, the current Prime Minister frequently sought Watson’s perspective on state affairs.

"Furthermore, Watson is the very first Dragonian."

"I’ve been curious—what exactly is a Dragonian?" Alfred had heard the term multiple times since reuniting with Aditya. It was clear the exiled Prince was now a man of many secrets. The mystery only served to heighten the curiosity of Alfred, Bree, and Mateo.

After Aditya provided a brief explanation, the stunned expressions of the trio made him chuckle. It was the same reaction he always saw when people learned he possessed Divine Dragon Blood and held the power to transform other races into Half-Dragons or humans into full Dragons.

"Your Highness, the mere possession of Divine Blood makes you the only legitimate heir to the Celestial Dragon Empire." One of the catalysts for Aditya’s exile was his inability to awaken his Dragon Blood, which his parents viewed as a mark of shame. The Celestial Dragon Empire was founded by Dragons, and its rulers were always powerful members of that race.

Since his exile was based on the failure to awaken his lineage, the fact that Divine Dragon Blood now coursed through his Meridians meant he was more than entitled to the throne.

"I doubt my cousin has any desire to relinquish his power." In Aditya’s memories, Ren had always appeared gentle and kind—a man with the temperament of a true Ruler. However, it seemed Ren had been wearing a mask, revealing his true nature only after ascending the throne.

Alfred fell silent, nodding slowly in thought.

Meanwhile, a certain Vampire Princess was staring intently at Aditya's neck.

It had been two weeks since she last tasted his blood. At this moment, her craving was almost unbearable.

'But that would be so mortifying.' Lara lacked the nerve to act on her impulses.

'Control yourself, Lara.' She had missed him terribly.

"Big sister, is something the matter?" Clara, seated beside Lara, asked. The bond between the two had grown stronger by the day. Not only was their age difference minimal, but Lara had become one of Clara’s favorite people. Clara saw her as both a friend and a sister-in-law, someone she could confide in regarding things she couldn't tell her brothers.

"No, nothing!"

Clara studied Lara’s face and then broke into a mischievous grin, as if she had deciphered the elder girl's thoughts. The look made Lara feel exposed. Despite her youth, Clara was exceptionally perceptive. Unlike her brother Leo, who was often oblivious to social cues, Clara was sharp.

"Aditya, I missed you so much." Lilith suddenly appeared behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist and clinging to him like a koala.

"Aunt Lilith, you really should mind your behavior," Riya remarked, her smile clearly forced as she struggled to suppress her jealousy.

"My dear, firstly, I am your sister. You should call me 'Big Sis'."

"Secondly, you’re clearly just envious because you don't have the courage to embrace Aditya in front of everyone," Lilith teased with a smirk.

That smug look and the biting words immediately incensed the Goddess of Nature.

"Did I say something incorrect?" Lilith asked, her smile turning sly.