Chapter Text
Diamant spent most of his life unfeeling, doing what he thought had to be done rather than having a drive, to do it per se. Yes, he was just a kid, but he still didn't have the urge to do anything he wasn't told to. But that was just the way things worked in the world. If he was blunt, he felt lost most of the time. His father often smiled at him, telling him that he'll find himself when he meets the person who has the other half of his soul. His soulmate. That the world would brighten up, and he'll finally have the desire to do things. Want to do them. That he'll be the happiest he's ever been. Diamant didn't know if he believed his Father, though. But it seemed to work for everyone. His mother was proof of that, he was going to have a little brother or sister soon after all. Mother and Father wanted another child, Diamant had heard them discuss this when he left his chambers at night, like any normal child would. Now, Mother was set to have another child. A part of him, that held any desire he had, hoped it was a boy. He'd like a little brother.
Eventually, the child came to be, and a part of Diamant, inside of him, tucked away, was happy. The child was a healthy baby boy. His Mother and Father settled on the name "Alcryst" for him. It was fitting. The boy looked more like his Mother, but had Father's eyes, just like Diamant who also had Father's eyes. Diamant looked a lot like Father, anyways, though. After a few months, Father and Mother decided it was time for Alcryst to get his Divine Baptism by the Divine Dragon Monarch, Lumera. Diamant had been an infant the last time he was there, it was his own baptism. It would be his first time within the Holy Land of Lythos due to this, the first time he could remember, anyways. He wondered what would happen when they went there.
It was time to leave for Lythos, Father had servants help him pack his things.
A Servant broke him out of his thoughts. "Prince Diamant, is there anything you'd like to bring other than clothes?" The poor servant knew better than to ask, knowing the Crown Prince hasn't found his intended yet, but sometimes those that have not found their intended can tap into what little desire they have to do something.
Diamant instinctively reached for one of his toys, a Red Lion stuffed animal. It was one of the few items Diamant cared for, like he was drawn to it. "This one." He smiled gently. The Lion was a gift from his Mother and Father, he had had it since before he could remember. Lions had an important significance in Brodia, after all. His Father, King Morion, was responsible for the Ring of the Young Lion, after all.
The Servant smiled. "Ah, you really do like that one, don't you, Prince Diamant?"
Diamant merely nodded in return. He liked Lions, after all. They reminded him of Father. There was a knock on the door, and the Servant immediately opened it, and when they had seen who it was, bowed.
The Servant apologized "Forgive me, my King! I was taking a bit longer than expected."
Father, King Morion, laughed. He patted the Servant on the back, "Nonsense. You did well, I see you even managed to get my son to grab something else for the trip, as well. You did well." Morion nodded, and the Servant took it as they were excused and may return to other duties. They smiled at Diamant as they left, and Diamant tried to return their smile.
Diamant greeted his father with a hug, and Morion patted him on the head. "There's my boy. We're getting ready to leave now, so i hope you have everything prepared that you need and want?"
Diamant nodded. There was nothing else he wanted other than his Lion, whom he had named "Roy". Everything he needed was already prepared by the Servant.
Morion laughed, "Good boy. Your mother is already waiting for us outside, let's not keep her waiting too long, or else I may get an earful." Morion ruffled Diamant's hair and picked his son up and carried him out, while servants finished carrying their luggage out to the horses. It was finally time to begin the journey.
The Brodian Royal Family arrived in Lythos and were greeted at the gate by Queen Lumera, who smiled warmly. "It is nice to see you again, King Morion, how are your children faring after this long trip?" She asked.
Father laughed, "They are just fine, Divine One! They're strong like their old man, they may be a bit tired but nothing too severe."
Diamant agreed with that in his head. He was only a little tired, and Alcryst was doing well, too.
Queen Lumera turned her gaze to him. "You must be Prince Diamant. Last time I met you, you were but a baby! Look how you've grown."
Diamant perked up and answered her immediately as befitting a Prince. "It's nice to meet you, Lady Lumera. Father has told me about you, before." He smiles the best he can, and tries to make it as genuine as possible.
Lumera frowns, she must be able to tell he hasn't found his intended yet, but it soon shifts into a smile. "There's no need to force yourself to smile, Child. I know it must be uncomfortable for you." She says, Father laughs saying that it was just who he was, and Lumera turns to him to discuss the plans for their stay.
"For this visit you and your family will be staying in the Somniel, is that fine?" Queen Lumera asked Father.
Father agrees. "Yes, it's about time to show Diamant that all the stories of the Divine Dragon's child are real, after all. Your child is a true Hero, it would be an honor for my son to meet him."
Diamant suddenly felt shy, but even though it was a foreign feeling for him, he stayed strong.
Queen Lumera smiled. "Very well, I will take you to my Child's Chambers. Follow me through this portal." Queen Lumera opened up a portal, it was weird, but Diamant walked through it anyways. The child and his family soon walked into a foreign land unlike any other he had seen. They were on a floating island. If he had his other half, he would have been in awe, but he just looked around looking mildly interested instead.
Queen Lumera spoke again. "I would actually like you all to stay in the Somniel during your stay here, but first let us take care of visiting my Child before we worry about sleeping quarters." Lumera said softly.
Lumera guided them through what looked like a Cafe up a spiraling Staircase. They were led to a beautiful double wooden door, and Diamant who began to feel slightly nervous grabbed onto Roy the Lion even tighter, hugging him to his body. Morion noticed this and patted him on the head. "Loosen up, chap." His father laughed out. "I understand how nervous you must feel, but don't let it get to you. As the Prince of Brodia, you will face many awful times in the future, times that will make you feel nauseous, but you must press forward and not let it effect you for the people." His father said. "Strong of body, strong of heart. As I've always said. When you lack conviction in one, the other will falter. You must take care of both your heart and your body. Prepare them for anything, my son." His father finished and patted him on the back. Mother looked at Father with a pleased and happy look, and also ruffled Diamant's hair, while she carried Alcryst in the other arm.
Lumera opened the double doors and guided them in, and the sight Diamant saw overwhelmed him fully once he stepped inside.
Diamant had taken a few steps into the room, and seen him. He immediately collapsed to the ground, looking like a deer in headlights starring straight ahead. His body was suddenly overwhelmed by emotion, and he felt tears begin to leak from his eyes. He could feel. His Father immediately rushed to his side with a mixture of a concerned and happy look and Lumera stood to the side just as Shocked as Diamant was before she joined Morion on the ground in front of Diamant, personally pulling him into a Hug. Roy had fallen to the ground, during all this.
Diamant's Mother remained composed as she had a child in her arms and couldn't afford to lose composure. She was very happy, though. She bent down and picked up Roy and dusted off the Red Lion stuffed toy.
She bent down with Morion and Lumera, and said "Don't forget Roy, he must be very sad to have been dropped. Right?" He said. Alcryst in the other arm.
Diamant merely nodded, still crying. He tried to get up, and Lumera and Morion both tried to stop him. They explained that he probably shouldn't move so soon. Lumera began crying herself, after that.
"Finally, after so many hundreds to thousands of years… My Child's mate has arrived. Thank you.. Thank you all so much." Lumera cried. She hugged Diamant close to her body.
Morion gave a strong smile. "To think my Son's intended was the Divine Dragon himself, who would have thought." He laughed. "That's my boy, shooting for the stars, aren't you!" His Father sounded the happiest he's ever heard him in his life. He sounded… So proud.
Morion and Lumera helped Diamant and Diamant's Mother up. Lumera guided Diamant to her Child's bed side so he could be formally introduced to him. Alear should wake up soon, she just knew he would. His Mate was here. Although the time wasn't right, it would perhaps take another decade for the young prince to reach adolescence and become a suitable mate. It would be best if Alear slept until then, but she hoped her child would wake up right now nonetheless. "Child, this is Alear. My son, and your Mate. You both were Fated partners and he has waited so, so long to finally meet you!" Lumera said with tears streaking down her cheeks. Even if Alear never woke up in Diamant's life time, this chance meeting would make sure Alear would be able to feel despite being asleep. Yet, if he never met Diamant during his lifetime, the sadness when he did wake up would kill him. "Dragons mate for life, child. He has been waiting for you for so long.. So very long."
Diamant reached out gently to the sleeping body. It was a very beautiful man, almost like a Knight from the stories Father read to him at night. "My name is Diamant." Diamant said. "It's nice to meet you… Thanks to you I can finally feel what I was missing before. I'm still too young, but when you wake up I look forward to the life we'll share." Diamant smiled the biggest smile he ever was able to muster, and this time he meant it. Lumera, Morion, and his Mother all thought it was the most beautiful smile they've ever seen. After all, it was a smile of someone who found their love of their life.
"My boy, you are very blessed to have met your intended at such a young age, even though he is not with us right now. Many do not meet their soul mates until their late 20s, my son. I didn't meet your mother until I was 28. You are blessed. I am proud to be your father, Diamant. To think you will one day introduce Dragon Genetics into Brodia's Royal Bloodline." Morion looked so much like a proud Father, this was the first time Diamant seen his father about to cry, despite his Father being with his mother before he was born.
Time passed quickly after that, before Diamant knew it, it was time to leave. During the entire time there he'd spend most of his time at Alear's bedside just talking to him. Most of the time, it was just them because everyone wanted to give them privacy. Lumera checked on them frequently, but didn't stay long, and now, it's time for Diamant's final visit before leaving the Somniel.
He approaches the bedside with tears in his eyes. He didn't want to leave. He wanted to stay with Alear forever, but he couldn't stay no matter what. Which led him to his decision. "Ally.. I want you to have someone important to me. He'll watch over you when I'm unable to." Diamant takes his stuffed Lion, Roy, and tucks him under one of Alear's arms. "I'll wait for you, Ally." He was too young to understand what love is, but he felt how important Alear was to his soul even if he couldn't comprehend the romantic aspect of their match just yet. Before he left, he said one last thing, to Roy, this time. "Roy, I know you'll be good and strong and protect Alear for me. You've protected me for so long, after all. I'll miss you so much, but Ally needs you more than me, and I know you'll miss me too, but when Ally wakes up, we'll all be together again." Diamant smiles, before slowly walking out. Lumera had entered slowly after this, and seen her future Son-in-Law's act of kindness, and it moved her greatly.
"I am sure Alear will like it, Prince Diamant. Let us get you back to your family now." Diamant followed Lumera out to the main courtyard, already missing Alear and Roy, but he steeled himself, like his Father always told him, he had to be strong of body, and strong of heart. For Roy, and Alear.