The Prince Of Magic

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Said person was a beautiful woman with long, wavy black hair and bright purple eyes.

She was a head taller than him, and has a flawless, porcelain complexion similar to his own. She has a healthy physique, bearing a curvy hourglass figure that was almost a man's ideal. Her features were also just as flawless, striking and delicate even if she was wearing almost no make-up at all.

Her long black hair was done in a small elegant bun, some of her wavy locks framed the side of her face, which only amplified her beauty further.

She wore a long, black dress that hugged her form, and a pair of high heels that was a few inches high. Her ears and left wrist were decorated with small diamond earrings and a gold elegant bangle.

Hadrian smiled at her appearance.

It was his mother, Lucia Aelfryth von Schweinorg.

Even after giving birth to him, his mother had remained untouched by the effects of time. She was just as beautiful as the day he had seen her pictures when she was still below twenty. It did made him wonder if his mother had uncovered a secret to maintain her youthfulness.

Then again, she is a talented mage, so he would not be surprised if she made her own.

"Mama…" Hadrian greeted her, standing up from his seat to embrace her.

Lucia returned her son's smile, hugging him before kissing his forehead.

"My son, I'm glad you have returned home." She said warmly.

"Sorry for being away for long." Hadrian said, smiling apologetically.

"That's quite alright. I'm sure your duties have kept you busy." Lucia said in light tone. "I hope you would remain at home for a while. I have not seen much of you these past few months. I would rather have you around while dear ol' papa here is being obnoxious. He's been unbearable lately, and I can only take so much jokes from your opa in one day."

Hadrian chuckled, a similar reaction that was shared by some of his retainers, who managed to keep themselves quiet by the sidelines.

Although, he did wonder what his mother meant by that last part.

As if on cue, Lucia leaned to the left to shift her gaze upon her father, who had been strangely quiet throughout their conversation. She lifted one of her hands from her son's shoulder and pointed her index towards the old magician.

Small black tendrils of magical energy began to gather in front of her well-manicured fingertip and –

*BANG*

"ACK!?" Zelretch yelped both in pain and surprise, suddenly sitting up on the couch as he rubbed the spot where he got hit by a powerful Gandr shot.

The white towel that covered his eyes fell from his face, displaying his wide crimson eyes that were currently alight with pain.

"Don't you think you've had enough fun teasing your grandson like this? He must've rushed all the way to here just to see you." Lucia remarked in a flat tone.

"Ah, Lucia! Why do you have to be so violent to your papa?!" Zelretch complained, then swiftly turned to face a large painting of a beautiful woman with long dark brown hair and green eyes that was hanging at the top of the large fireplace. "Oh my dear sweet wife, our daughter has grown beautiful yet abusive. Where did we ever go wrong in raising her?"

Lucia clicked her tongue, looking annoyed by the old mage's words.

"This daughter of yours will soon fire off many gandr shots at you if you don't stop anytime soon~" His mother said in a sing-along tone.

Sensing his life in danger, the old mage surrendered, shivering at the sweet (wicked) smile that his daughter had graced upon him.

Hadrian, who was watching the two interact, looked on the scene with a deadpan expression.

"So, he's not…?" He trailed off, looking at his mother questioningly.

"No, he's just faking it." Lucia answered with a small smile. "Being the prankster he is, your opa here probably thought it would be funny to see you rush in here, all ruffled up."

"Hmph…" was the only contribution that old magician had as he crossed his arms over his c.h.e.s.t, looking like petulant child who was denied of his fun.

Knowing that he got his answer, Hadrian sighed as he suddenly felt tired for some reason.

The way some of his retainers were giggling and chuckling in the background didn't alleviate his annoyance on the situation.

'Hmph, those traitors…' Hadrian thought, noting how some of them didn't meet his glare just to laugh quietly to the side.

His attention promptly returned to his mother, who then turned to face him and cupped his cheek.

"You should go and changed first, little one. I'm sure you'll want to freshen up after coming home." Lucia suggested with a smile.

"Right…" And he did just that, unable to find it in himself to argue with his mother.

Hey, at least he was home now. That counts for something.

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