17 Between a Rock And a Hard Place

Astraea was not an idiot - she was easily able to discern the growing tensions between Hokuto and her parents. As Hokuto was rapidly approaching initial completion of the <Primordial Orchid Body Art>, Astraea was able to discern some abnormalities... First and foremost, Hokuto's personality was becoming increasingly unrestrained. It might simply be due to her innocent youth, but Hokuto was growing visibly rebellious towards her parents.

Astraea knew that she could control Hokuto but she couldn't control her emotions. She confronted Hokuto one day to ask about her innermost feelings. She had a feeling Hokuto would tell her, as she seemed to have an increased resolve about SOMETHING. "Teacher, I really feel like my parents are hiding something about me. They're trying to keep me from learning something about myself. Otherwise, why would they try so desperately to keep me away from the Leyline Geyser?"

So that's what it was all about? They were keeping her away from the Leyline Geyser? In truth, Astraea couldn't be blamed for siding on Hokuto on this as she had no clue that Hokuto had the bloodline of an Infernal Wyvern. If by some chance the bloodline awakened, Hokuto would be much more vulnerable to the dark suggestion and corruption of the Abyssal Temple!

"I'm sure they must have their reasons for doing so. It's not my right to interfere in your family affairs," Astraea frowned. "But I might be able to do something about it?"

"Truly so?"

"I can see if I can take you there under the reason of making it part of the training regime."

Hokuto nodded profusely - inwardly, she was ecstatic. Perhaps only the [Rose Sword Saint] could accomplish it after all. At this time, Hokuto had already spent the day holed up in the hot springs as the final week of the <Primordial Orchid Body Art>'s initial completion was coming to an end. Thus, Astraea dismissed Hokuto and went to see King Ren and Queen Tyris.

...

"Out of the question." King Ren frowned.

"There is surely nothing wrong? I will be there to protect her." Astraea frowned. Now she was starting to get suspicious. King Ren sighed as Queen Tyris looked at him resolutely with a nod.

"It's simply because Hokuto isn't a pure-blooded human."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Astraea was now confused.

"She has the blood of an Infernal Wyvern. That would be me." Queen Tyris interrupted the conversation with a sigh.

"You?"

"My mother was an Enlightened Infernal Wyvern. She had me while she was in human form, thus giving me the blood of an Infernal Wyvern. I passed down the bloodline to Hokuto. If the excess energy from an eruption triggers her blood to awaken, then it will increase her susceptibility to dark suggestion."

"You can't seriously be thinking the Abyssal Temple is back? I thought Queen Yagyu and King Duke were able to destroy them." Astraea looked at the king and queen, skeptical about the situation.

"We have reason to believe former members of the Abyssal Temple are resurfacing and are the ones behind the Leyline Geysers," King Ren frowned, his brows furrowing. "The Dark Moon Guild is on the case. We are searching for proof and evidence to back up this claim."

Astraea sighed. "Your daughter is going to become increasingly resentful and that might awaken the bloodline on its own. Queen Tyris, you of all people should understand the nature of an Infernal Wyvern. They are highly temperamental, and spite empowers them." she stated matter-of-factly.

Queen Tyris frowned, because Astraea was right.

"Then what do you suggest we do? We cannot just tell our child that she has the blood of an evil dragon flowing through her veins," Queen Tyris sneered at Astraea, who was being unusually brazen towards them. King Ren frowned with disapproval - he was obviously on his wife's side. "We are doing the right thing. We can't, in good conscience, allow you to take her to a Leyline Geyser even with your immense strength. Even if we can't personally stop you with force..."

"With all due respect, King and Queen, I do not have the authority to meddle in your affairs, after all," Astraea sighed. "However, I do believe you should be careful about how you treat this matter. An Infernal Wyvern who has gone out of control is much harder to subdue than one who is still of clear mind. I would rather take the risk of awakening her bloodline naturally than it is due to the overabundance of negative emotions."

King Ren sighed.

"Let us think over it."

Astraea bowed. "I'll be taking my leave, then."

Queen Tyris really had to admit that the [Rose Sword Saint] was correct. She was able to maintain sane most of her life because of King Ren's grace and love. During her time as a child, she was bullied a lot, which caused her bloodline to awaken prematurely and thus she was punished heavily. She was kept in isolation which caused her to grow increasingly wild. Only Ren was able to save her from this hell, since he didn't care that she had the blood of a monster in her.

King Ren sighed. "Perhaps Astraea will take care of her after all," he admitted. "You don't want Hokuto to go through the same turmoil, right?"

Queen Tyris was tearing up. Recalling those bad memories was a bit too much for her.

"That's right..."

"We don't have a choice. We have to placate her now. Bloodline be damned..."