Devouring Monarch: Rebirth of the Profane Phoenix

His best friend of over forty years finally found the missing daughter he lost so long ago. The aged man visited the young couple to share their happiness. Garret could not hide the tears when Agatha hugged him warmly, and Glade asked his Lord and best friend to confirm the documents and findings.

"To think that royal knight would be Lucia!" Garret\'s voice echoed through the Fenix Mansion\'s huge dining room.

They spread a brilliant feast of meat, fish, and delicacies. Glade and Agatha sat next to each other at one end of the long table with Asura, Mu Xue, Xavida, Vela and Lucia all sitting along the sides, while Garret sat across from them with a glass of red wine in hand.

Garret felt nostalgic as he told Ophelia and the others the story of Glade and Agatha\'s meeting. "You\'ve become such a fine man, Glade. It\'s not just your looks, too!" Garret praised happily, "You\'ve found such an amazing wife who will perfectly match you! Fate truly blessed the two of you!"

Glade had no words to say and lowered his head bashfully while Agatha was in high spirits beside him. She giggled in glee as she looked at Glade with a loving gaze.

They felt so happy and shy because of this being what Garret said when they first announced the pregnancy with Lucia, the feeling of déjà vu and relief causing them to become more emotional than before.

"My lord..." Glade couldn\'t help but down a tankard of ale, filled with pride.

"Hahaha, Glade, at this table, it is brother, not lord!" Garret laughed heartily, "I\'ve known you since you were young... You\'ve grown into such a fine man..." His eyes turned moist, "I\'m so proud of you, Glade..."

Seeing her husband drink heavily, Agatha also lost control, and she clung onto Glade\'s arm affectionately as she laughed merrily.

"Who was young! I am one year older than you, brother!" Glade didn\'t stick to his usual stiff self, as the dinner felt nothing like a noble greeting, which caused Vela and Mu Xue to feel shocked.

Vela didn\'t know Asura\'s father well, but she knew how meals usually started or ended. The fact she didn\'t need to check food for poison anymore, thanks to her cultivation, was the only thing she felt thankful for.

Until seeing this kind of joyous meal!

Mu Xue was the same. She had never seen her Lord\'s father or Asura himself so bright during a meal. Genuine love and happiness filled the air, something she never saw in her homeland.

It reminded her why she loved being with Asura; there was no conniving or politics during meals. Mu Xue\'s expression softened as she watched Asura talk about Lucia with Garret.

She could see how close they were as they talked, with no formality. No maids were standing by, ready to serve them, and even the Fenix family\'s butler did not stay to observe despite having come out to greet the guests.

\'I am happy for Dad and Uncle Glade... But do I call him uncle or father-in-law in the future?\' Asura wondered as he felt Lucia\'s warm hand grasping his tightly as she turned bright red with an awkward expression.

"What\'s wrong, Lucia?" Garret smiled gently toward the girl, who seemed embarrassed by the scene before her.

"Ah... Nothing..." Lucia awkwardly rubbed her hair as she didn\'t know what to say.

"Oh, is that so? Haha, you look a lot like your mother." Garret looked at her tenderly as he felt happy she looked so much like Agatha. "You\'re popular amongst the boys, right? However, you must let Uncle Garret ensure they are worthy of you first!"

"Uncle..." Lucia became even more embarrassed.

Garret laughed loudly and teasingly as he joked around with Lucia, trying to lighten the mood.

Glade had an apologetic expression, and Agatha stroked Lucia\'s head lovingly while she laughed sweetly.

The sound of laughter rang through the Fenix mansion dining hall, which was usually cold and quiet, adding another reason to celebrate tonight.

Later, Glade took Garret to his office, where they discussed Lucia\'s future, while Asura and Lucia seemed to vanish after dessert.

*****

⁜ Garret POV

"My brother... have you noticed?" Garret\'s red hair and beard flickered as the fireplace crackled, his hand holding a double shot of expensive scotch.

"Brother..." Glade sat across from Garret with a troubled expression.

"She resembles Agatha... I\'m so glad Lucia resembles her mother... It feels like fate wants me to take care of your child..." Garret smiled brightly. "I can\'t help but feel as if she is my blood... She is a blessing for your family..."

"... Well, Agatha was your sister\'s cousin."

"That\'s not what I meant, though, brother..." Garret\'s eyes looked at a large picture of four people... It was Garret from ten years ago, with a beautiful woman with silver hair, two small children, one with raven hair, the other a light purple and a rugged man with red hair. "I cannot help but think that Lucia and Asura..."

"Brother..." Glade sighed deeply as he understood Garret\'s feelings. "Lucia... has changed me... I don\'t know what to do, but I know she is special to Agatha and me... I know her feelings and don\'t plan to get involved."

Garret\'s eyes flashed as he looked at Glade, "So... She knows then?"

"Yes... But brother, Asura is still young..." Glade hesitated.

"I know... I just feel that Lucia is... destined to be with him..."

"You... Brother, you already predicted this, didn\'t you?"

"Tsk, Glade, how can we not see the feelings they hold when they are so close and touch each other so intimately?" Garret shook his head with a bitter smile.

"But brother, isn\'t it too early to think of marriage..." Glade knew Garret wanted them to marry now.

"I know... It\'s better to let fate take its course for now..." Garret swirled the amber liquid in his glass as he brooded. "I\'ve raised Asura the best I could, and I won\'t deny him anything. Even if he desires a harem of thousands... I expect him to love them all if you, as her father, can accept that."

"Brother..." Glade felt speechless. "How long?"

Garret drank the rest of his glass before he chuckled as he leaned back into his leather chair. "Since Asura sent that letter, no... From the moment he restored his core. That boy has a subtle charm. What woman could resist? Many noble families proposed to him even when he was a no-mag..."

"..." Glade remained silent, as he knew it was true.

They hid this and planned to tell Asura when he seemed to become deflated and lost hope. Thankfully, he regained it, and they no longer had to do so.

"Glade... Your daughter is amazing. She\'s a genius mage and a powerful personality that matches Asura well. She will not become a flower vase in some corner of our houses..." Garret smiled. "At least Lucia will never leave Asura\'s side, no matter what he does."

"Brother..." Glade\'s eyes turned red as he nodded.

He knew Garret felt the same way as he did when he lost his daughter. Garret supported Glade like a loyal brother, crying together and bleeding together, and when she finally returned, he offered to become a genuine family. "I will always be grateful to you and Ophelia..."

"Haha, brother, you might as well call me brother-in-law!"

"I have called you brother for decades, you old fart!" Glade laughed as he threw his drink back. MVLeMpYr-content

"Haha!" Garret laughed and refilled the glasses.

They shared a toast, celebrating the return of Lucia and their friendship. The night continued, with both men sharing their burdens and joys.

*****

⁜ Lucia POV

Once more, they stood in the same spot where she revealed her past and the truth. Lucia, wearing a black and red dress with fluttering fabric, leaned against the stone pillar while looking at Asura with a strange gaze. "I am Lucia Estan. Can you accept me?"

"I..." Asura mumbled. He did not expect this. His instructor became the daughter of the man he respects most.

Lucia smiled faintly. Her expression remained aloof, yet a hint of loneliness lingered in her eyes. "Why? I don\'t understand. It\'s just my name, nothing more. You should have expected this question."

Asura pondered for a moment. "How do you wish me to accept you, an instructor, woman, friend, or sister?"

"What about... Wife?" Lucia replied with a mischievous smile. Asura sighed helplessly. He was unsure if she joked or not. Perhaps it was another game of hers, teasing him. The young man rubbed his forehead and looked into her eyes.

"I accept you as my instructor first. For now."

Lucia\'s playful expression turned solemn.

"I also accept you as a woman, and a very appealing one at that," Asura continued. His face glowed slightly red. "You are a person I am indebted to. You gave me a direction to channel my powers to improve."

Lucia\'s face sank before hearing the second line as her plump lips glistened with a pink gloss. She felt disappointed, yet satisfied.

Her heart beat faster as Asura spoke, but she failed to keep herself composed when he added the last part. Lucia swallowed a mouthful of saliva while avoiding eye contact. She felt relieved Asura would be so blunt and straightforward with his words.

"Then a woman is fine." Lucia smiled faintly as she regained her composure.

She did not expect him to accept her as his wife right away. Although she had feelings for Asura, Lucia understood how impulsive such thoughts were.

Her obsessive feelings towards him constantly grew stronger; the more she spent with him, the stronger he was.

However, Lucia knew she had to control her emotions until his feelings matured enough, yet it was so hard. The longer they stayed together, the harder she fell in love. Even now, Lucia could barely restrain herself from jumping onto Asura and kissing him wildly.

Asura glanced at her aloof expression. Despite the truth behind her identity, he still saw her as an instructor. Yet, something strange occurred to him. He did not feel awkward or uneasy after learning who she truly was.

\'His face is so pretty, bathed in the moonlight.\' Lucia gazed at Asura\'s handsome face, her cheeks flushing pink. The warm summer night breeze blew gently upon them. Her red dress fluttered, revealing her delicate legs as it flashed a glimpse of her thighs.

Asura stared at her charming eyes, unable to turn away. His eyes followed her white, smooth skin down her neckline to the gap between her ample bosom.

Lucia declared, "I want to be your woman, not just any woman... Asura, do you hate that way of selfish thinking?"

"No..." Asura mumbled, captivated by Lucia\'s beauty. Ignoring her charm was impossible, as it slowly overwhelmed him. "I don\'t think anyone will find it strange if you were to ask to become their woman."

Lucia smiled faintly before averting her gaze. She tried to hide her reddened cheeks and a racing heartbeat. "What about you then? Forget about others\' thoughts. I only want to hear Asura Fenix\'s thoughts."

The darkness clouded over them as thick grey covered the huge moonlight; her shoulders trembled from the cold as Asura stepped closer to her. Lucia shuddered upon feeling Asura\'s warmth radiating against her body.

His right hand caressed her soft cheek, making Lucia stiffen in surprise. She could feel her heartbeat pounding as her eyes met his.

Lucia knew this moment was significant. She did not dare move or utter a word, fearing he might reject her.

"If you become mine, my jealousy is too great for me to accept the previous way you cultivated. I won\'t ever forgive betrayal despite having several women, hypocritical behaviour." Asura whispered as Lucia leaned in closer to his face.

Her chest pressed firmly against his muscular frame as she closed her eyes. Their lips touched for a moment like two lovers sharing their first kiss. Unlike their past kisses, it only lasted ten seconds before parting again.

Lucia looked up at Asura with flushed cheeks, her enormous iris glowing under the faint light.

"I guess I am a fool then, huh?" Lucia whispered before wrapping her arms around Asura\'s neck.