Davian looked visibly worked up, his brows furrowed and his posture tense. I smiled softly and reached out, wrapping my fingers around his hand to ground him.
It was strange—now that I thought about it, I’d never really lied to him about anything. Not about the past, not about the present... apart from my second identity, that is. Sohow, I trusted him more than I realized. Just when did he beco so important to ?
Watching him get genuinely angry on my behalf stirred sothing inside . It reminded —no, it affird—that I had people here who truly cared for . People who would stand up for even when I said nothing.
"Thank you, Your Highness," I murmured, my voice gentle but warm.
He blinked, frowning as if unsure how to respond to the sudden gratitude.
"This is a story I haven’t told anyone," I said, smiling faintly. "But I’m glad it was you who heard it."
He looked stunned. "You... you haven’t told this to anyone?"
I shook my head.
"Not even Lyall? Or Kai?" he asked, disbelief lacing his voice.
"No," I replied simply.
His grip on my hand eased, and he stared at , his expression unreadable for a mont.
"Then... why ?" he asked quietly.
I chuckled, leaning back just a little as I t his gaze.
"Because you asked."
He blinked, as if his brain needed a mont to process what I had just told him. Then, averting his eyes, he sat in silence.
I smiled gently and patted his shoulder."You’re a really good kid, Your Highness," I said softly.
His face turned bright red. "I—I’m not a kid," he mumbled, clearly flustered.
"Lie down and get so sleep," I said as I stood up, brushing invisible dust off my sleeves.
He frowned. "What about you?"
"I need to inform them about our slight delay," I replied, walking over to the window.
He followed my gaze, his eyes drifting to Sol, who was still curled up peacefully on one side of the bed.
With a quiet sigh, Davian kicked off his boots and climbed onto the bed beside the sleeping Dragon. He lay down cautiously, trying not to disturb Sol too much.
I dimd the glow of the oil lamp, casting the room in a soft amber shadow, and remained standing by the window, my communication device in hand. The cold glass beneath my fingertips felt oddly grounding as I leaned against the sill.
By morning, snow had settled over everything like a quiet blanket. The rooftops, the inn’s balcony, the trees beyond—it was all cloaked in white.
Sol stirred awake with a sudden jolt, blinking up in confusion when he realized Davian was cuddled up next to him. He turned to , his expression full of silent, sleepy protest—as if to ask Why Davian was cuddling with him?
"Get ready," I said, stepping away from the window. "We’re moving out after breakfast."
We had a warm and hearty breakfast before setting out again. This ti, Davian volunteered to ride with Sol—regardless of the sharp look Sol gave him—and I let them be. Davian seed to genuinely like children, and surprisingly, he got along well with them.
"You... you use Aura," Sol said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Davian humd in acknowledgnt. "Yes."
"Who taught you?"
He paused, considering. "My father taught the basics, but after that, I just figured it out on my own."
"And who taught your father?"
"His father," Davian replied simply.
Sol grew thoughtful, his small brow furrowed."What’s wrong? Does that not impress you?" Davian asked, a teasing note in his voice.
"It does impress , actually," Sol said seriously. "I didn’t think there were humans who could utilize a power like Aura. It’s trickier to use than mana."
I turned to glance at him, curious about the direction this conversation was taking.
"Our family bloodline has always used Aura, unlike most other families," Davian explained. "It dates back to the ti when the first King of Sestia defeated the Dragon and founded our kingdom."
Both Davian and Sol briefly glanced my way, but I simply waved my hand.
"Go on," I said.
"At that ti, our ancestor was considered unworthy because he couldn’t use mana like the rest of the collateral royal lines. So he trained—relentlessly. Through that effort, he awakened a different kind of power: not mana from a mana heart, but Aura—power drawn from the body itself. He carved a new path with sheer discipline. Since then, our family has beco known as the only human bloodline to consistently wield Aura, besides certain other species that can."
Sol nodded slowly, visibly processing. Then he asked, "What was the na of the first person in your family who learned to use Aura?"
"Perselian Montaire," Davian said with pride.
At the na, I saw Sol’s eyes widening subtly, a flicker of recognition flashing across his face before he dropped his gaze.
"Anyway," Davian continued, "what about you? Where did you co from? If you plan on staying with Master, that’ll make you his third son, you know?"
Sol’s expression soured instantly. "Third son?" he echoed, then glanced over at . "He’s not even strong enough to give his essence."
That jab hit its mark. Whatever arrogance Sol was harboring, it was starting to wear thin on . Still, I let it go.
"Now, now," Davian said, patting Sol’s head. "Your presence isn’t exactly overwhelming enough to call Master weak. Honestly, with the way you are now, you might be the weakest Dragon I’ve ever t."
Sol’s expression turned rigid, lips tightening, but he said nothing. Despite his real age which I didn’t know, he did act like a little tantrum throwing, arrogant Dragon. But it was kind of adorable.
After a few more hours, we reached the border town. I paid the innkeeper to house our horses in the stable for two weeks, and then we set off into the forest on foot.
"Are we going to fly, Master?" Davian asked as we walked beneath the snow-laced branches.
I smiled. "No, we’re going to teleport."
He tilted his head, a bit confused.
"We were supposed to arrive last night, but this works too. We still have ti to rest and make so preparations before the ball."
Sol trudged beside us, his little feet struggling against the snow that reached halfway up his calves. Just as he started to stumble, Davian scooped him up in one fluid motion.
"I-I can walk on my own," Sol muttered, squirming.
Davian chuckled. "Yeah, I know. But you’re so small and cute, I can’t help it."
Sol shot a glare over Davian’s shoulder.
I simply shrugged. "Let him do what he wants."
Eventually, we reached a quiet clearing nestled deep in the forest. The trees had parted just enough for the sky to peek through—a pale grey expanse filled with drifting snowflakes.
"This distance should be fine," I said, coming to a halt. Davian stepped up beside , Sol still in his arms.
I extended my hand toward Davian, which he grasped firmly. With my other hand, I pulled out the teleportation device and began pouring my mana into it. The amount of energy required depended on the distance, but I had already calculated the coordinates—we would land close enough to our destination.
The air shimred faintly around us, and then a white pillar of light enveloped the three of us, lifting us from the ground. The sensation was brief, like being tugged through a tunnel of light.
We landed monts later in a quiet forest clearing just outside the capital of Denril.
"Do we walk from here?" Davian asked, brushing so snow off his coat.
I shook my head—but before I could answer, a familiar voice called out.
"Master! You’re here!"
A man hurried toward us, skidding slightly over the snowy ground before stopping in front of us, doubled over and panting.
"I-It’s been a long ti," he said between breaths, eyes sparkling with relief.
I smiled. "Indeed, Count Karcel Fenson. How have you been?"
"I’m doing well, thanks to you," he said, straightening with a grateful bow. His gaze then shifted to Davian and Sol.
"You must be His Highness Davian Montaire—welco to Denril," Karcel said, bowing respectfully to Davian. Then his eyes fell on Sol, and his face lit up.
"Oh! Is this your son, Master? How adorable! I thought our Saint was your only child, but here you are, hiding another one!"
Sol narrowed his eyes and glared, while Davian chuckled beside .
"I wasn’t hiding him," I said with a light shrug. "He’s just a bit shy, so I usually keep him away from strangers."
Sol’s glare turned on this ti.
"But I can see the resemblance," Fenson said with a fond smile, glancing between us. "He’s just as beautiful as you are, Master."
"I’m not—!" Sol began to snap, but I quickly cut in.
"Are you planning on keeping us standing here all day?"
Fenson gasped, as if just rembering he had co for an official purpose.
"My apologies, Master! Please, this way—the carriage is ready to escort you."
He turned swiftly, leading us down a snowy path. Sol, however, continued glaring daggers at the back of his head.
"You’ll burn holes in his skull if you keep staring like that," I murmured, leaning toward Sol.
He turned his withering glare to instead.
Karcel led us to the waiting carriage. I lifted Sol inside and settled him beside while Davian climbed in after us, taking the opposite seat beside Fenson.
As the carriage rolled forward, Fenson began chatting animatedly with Davian, discussing the week-long festivities arranged to celebrate the recent peace after the war. The two quickly found common ground, their conversation flowing effortlessly.
anwhile, Sol yawned softly beside . His tiny body leaned against my arm, and within monts, he had dozed off again, his breath warm and even.
The scenery passed by in a blur of white and grey as the capital drew closer. Soon enough, the carriage ca to a gentle halt in front of the Lancaster estate. Waiting at the gates, standing with quiet grace, was Damon Lancaster and his family, prepared to receive us.
User Comments
0 comments from readers