Chapter 256: Aurora doing Politics.

Chapter 256: Aurora doing Politics.

Y-You really want to look the part, huh, Mother?

Scales floating around like glistening snow, enchanting scale accessories complementing her aloof beauty, and ice forming and disappearing in a deposition and sublimation process you wouldnt really see naturally as often outside of special effects or shows. Its almost as if Mother was showing off her complete control of her scales and magic.

As you would expect, draconic fashion doesnt exist, as we do not wear clothes, my whelpling. To attract mates, we must make sure that our scales and carapace shine healthily before we females assault the males, Mother suddenly went into a tangent on dragon courtship.

Hold on, the women attack the men?! What does any of that have to do with finding a partner?! I was baffled. If I were to go out and attack some random dude, he would just call the police on me!

Why, of course, Hestia! How else would you know your husband is competent and is able to protect your child? Dragons mate for a lifetime. Our tails stay linked even through the harshest times, never separating until one of us passes on. We must make sure they are as or stronger than ourselves. Even the males prefer strong and assertive females, as that will result in a strong hatchling.

This is my life now.

Speaking with Mother was fun, although admittedly, I did think some of the things she spoke about would be more suitable if I were, I dunno, 100 years older? At least when Im interested in anything concerning boys, which I am not right now. I have an idol career to focus on, plus I had duties to fulfill for a Goddess, but that was beside the point.

This whole talk should have been about her attire.

When I brought us back to that topic, Mother nodded. Oh right, I apologize. I got ahead of myself since you act older than your real age.

Cause I am mentally older than my biological age, but I kept that thought to myself.

Back to my point, we dragons did not develop our fashion style alone. We learned and adapted it from how dragonewts and levianewts clothed themselves. Even with their scales, their elven, dwarven, or human parents thought they were naked, so a clothing culture naturally developed afterward.

Back on Earth, I was never really into fashion and clothing, as most of the stuff I wore was picked out by my Mama. I didnt have to think about it. But after Saori drilled her whole clothing is important lecture into me, I began developing a mild interest in it. At least, I was curious as to why certain cultures clothed themselves.

In the case of the dragonewts, as Yorshka once told me, dragonewts took a lot of pride in their scales and other draconic features. Their sleeping wear, armor, even formal clothing all had their scales and features displayed. It was a mark of prestige and strength if your scales are impressive to look at.

Since our scales are filled with our mana, they are, as a consequence, attuned to our mana. My scales are naturally attuned to ice. Hestia, yours is probably a mix between fire and light, due to your blessings and evolution path. You could have been born as a silver or ice dragon, but Kargryxmors blood overpowers lesser lineages. Your siblings inherited more from the Emperor than from their mothers, too.

Because theyre made mostly out of mana, dragons often possessed the ability to manipulate their scales, taking pride in their ability to control them. Thats why Mother pimped out her usual Empress outfit with more scale-blings with her control over mana.

On the other hand, I was wearing a modified version of my ballroom gown. Saori made sure to emphasize my regalness with a more draconic design while Mother created some accessories for me to wear from her own scales. Make-up came from Ellaine, giving Tasianna and Svena a fun time to pretty me up.

Unlike my meeting to mediate between King Drangleic and Muraina, this was an official conference. A meeting between two sovereign parties, and Mother and I were the representatives of Kargryx. If it were only me, this meeting would have been unofficial, but since Mother agreed to participate, it automatically turned into an important event.

We would be treated like any other imperial guests for this whole day, although properly now, as any minor grievances could cause a war. The problem was that I felt underdressed next to Mother.Ñ00v€l--ß1n hosted the premiere release of this chapter.

While I could copy insert name of whomever the hell I could think of to copy and act regal like a princess with the help of my skill [Royal Presence], Mother exuded majesty with every movement and action, naturally. She had this presence which told you straight to your face, You are beneath me. I am beyond your comprehension. She had an amazing cold shoulder look.

I will teach you how to turn your scales into clothing, Hestia. Mothers promise, Mother comforted me. And just like that, she switched from being a dragon to a mother. Simple as that.

I did see her talking extensively with Yorshka about how to be a mother. Ehehe, I guess she has a good enough mentor?

With both of us dressed and ready, we said goodbye to everybody in our company except for Saori, who would be accompanying us as our aide.

Hesti-chan, good luck! Break a leg! Kazumi encouraged me, looking anxious as she helped me memorize the proper etiquette with Ellaines mother, Marianne.

Sensei, please, dont forget to raise those topics we went over. Our classmates who went to the Empire will be a sore subject. And please, make sure everybody sticks to decorum, Nishio reminded Saori.

You worry too much, Nishio-kun. You should know how I work, especially when you were one of my classs representatives. Saori tapped her satchel with documents before waving goodbye to everybody else.

The three of us then left the RV and were confronted with a large retinue of griffon knights, all surrounding an ornamented griffon carriage. There wasnt a need for it, since we could all traverse the sky in one way or another, but we were supposed to be VVIPs right now.

Your Imperial Majesty, Melloxtressa Wisperia Nordor, and Your Imperial Highness, Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor. I, Duke Isaac Albreus Greenveil, shall be your escort to His Majestys, King Drangelic var Artoriass, citadel. Please, allow me and my knights the honor to guide you there.

According to decorum, only those of high status may act as escorts for an empress and imperial princess. Either the Knight-Commander of a Knight Order, the highest-ranking member of the royal guards, or somebody of the second-highest rank just below the royal family. Thats why Duke Greenveil introduced himself like that, despite knowing me personally.

Without further ado, we boarded the carriage and sat down. From the looks of it, they seemed to have made modifications to the seats in order to accommodate our tails and wings. Thanks to that, this was the first carriage ride where I felt completely comfortable.

We eventually made it to the royal palace and were greeted by the head butler. With Duke Greenveil accompanying us, we were led into a waiting room where he excused himself to prepare for the meeting. A little bit later, the butler returned and told us it was time.

Its time. Here, for you, Hestia. Mother handed me a circlet made from her ice and my scales, making the latter look like rubies shining under the light.

I took it, but all I could do was look at it with a frown. I was conflicted on this. Not only was the thought of wearing a princess circlet suuuuper cringe, I just thought it would look stupid on me.

But, idols had to learn how to sacrifice some things for success. Wearing things they didnt like, performing songs they didnt want to, or working out for ungodly hours. Somethings just had to be done.

There was still a part of me who was still trying to reject this whole princess stuff; however, I also had to learn to use this to my advantage. Being a princess was a double-edged sword you get dragged into this political stuff, but the influence I would hold was pretty huge.

Reluctantly, I handed Saori my circlet and positioned myself for her to put it on me. Without speaking, she understood my intent.

Okay, lets go.

The butler led our group through a long hallway before ending up in the same room I held my mediation session. The butler rang the bell, prompting the door to be opened for us to enter.

May I present Sixth Empress of the Dragon Empire Kargryx, the SS rank [Diamond-Powder Fimbulvetr Dragon], Empress Melloxtressa Wisperia Nordor.

Oh, Mothers race is [Diamond-Powder Fimbulvetr Dragon]? I havent asked her about that yet. Her silver powder certainly does have a diamond-like brilliance sometimes.

And accompanying her is her daughter Third Princess of the Dragon Empire Kargryx, the B rank [Young Sunfang Dragon], Princess Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor. Their presence has been announced!

King Drangleic and his aides, the seven dukes, Muraina, and two unfamiliar faces one man, one woman all stood up from their seats, bowing as we were led to our spot at the table. As we sat down directly opposite from the kings position, everybody said in unison, We welcome the winged frost and fire from the Empire of the God of Dragon, Kargryxmor. May he bless our auspicious meeting this day.

Holy crap.

When its an official diplomatic meeting, those used to it really knew what they were doing. The magnificent presentation of the meeting room, the coordinated announcement and greeting, and the respect for somebody of a higher social status. It made me feel more out of place than I thought.

That is because we have good reason to believe that none of them is a demonkin. If you wish to know my source, you may request it from Princess Hestia. In other words, Ellaines secret was still taboo for now. Second, it is because I cannot afford the Kingdom to go to war that I had to leave them be. If we were to antagonize the Empire even further, there would have been no way for us to attend the alliance meeting between Artorias, the dwarves, Saelariel, and Loatryx.

The dukes eyes and ears were completely turned to King Drangleic. Talk about the demonkin was gone.

Your Majesty, do you mean?

Yes, Duke Myrrdin, there has been progress. We will begin the process of separating ourselves from our vassalage to the Folschreck Empire. Lady Muraina, if you please?

Of course, King Drangleic, Muraina pulled out a piece of document. As you must have seen before we removed it, the corpse of the geisenlarg king, or what remained of it, was frozen solid by Empress Melloxtressa. She was the one to end the attack on that day. Under the advice of Miss Saori, I had ordered Krymdar and a few alchemists amongst the elven community of Griffonpeak to appraise its blood.

Saori had mentioned something about that in the past week. Since the geisenlarg king went full-on eldritch mode, there had to be something in the blood. I was only curious about the black potion Davison and the demonkin drank to go eldritch mode, so Saori believed there had been information from it.

And she was right.

From our results, the blood of the geisenlarg was completely corrupted with demonic mana. The energy a demonkin requires to activate their demonic powers from their blood. According to Imperial Alchemist Krymdar, this is very similar to the process that a demonkin contractor would undergo, only that whatever caused this corruption was imperfect. An imitation, or if we were to follow his theory, something to draw out the full power of a demonkin contractor.

Did he find out how the geisenlargs blood was corrupted? King Drangleic asked.

Presumably during birth. Geisenlarg kings do not live for long, and, if I were to guess, this one most likely came from the colony underneath our outpost. After reflecting on it, I presume the demonkin most likely also planted that colony there, readying themselves for the attack on the capital.

It was the logical conclusion. If it was a sabotage or threat, the demonkin most likely planned on it. A geisenlarg invasion would have given the demonkin enough time to attack Assurfel also.

Now, what caused it? Was there a substance they injected into the egg? Well King Drangleic, you should have the honor to reveal what Charleslyt said.

My brother? Duke Equevanna blurted out, earning him a pitiful stare from his king.

King Drangleic did not leave a single detail out. He informed everybody about how Charleslyt consumed a tonic and even shared it with the nobles who attacked Ellaine. That tonic gave them powers they believed came from the Goddess, but in truth, was a cruder version of the tonic Davison dranked.

No The young duke clutched his head, dismayed from the news. The other dukes even began looking away from him, almost as if this news just killed all trust they had for the Equevanna duchy.

This was a political death, even worse than what happened with his brother and father. All of this, after he just assumed his fathers position as duke.

Politics is cruel. But this information had to come out some way.

I am sure all of you must now understand the situation at hand, Muraina continued, not allowing the young duke to digest this information. I have already discussed this with King Drangleic, and we have concluded that an alliance is needed. Or at least, it is worth talking about.

King Drangleic nodded. As such, a summit will be held. The information we have gathered was sent to the respective leaders, to gain their attendance. All but the Ankoran King have not answered yet, but the dwarves were all we needed to schedule this summit. In five months, on the 30th of AutumnSun, when the dwarves celebrate the birthday of the Revolution Queen and Goddess of Change, Ingenuity, and Ambition, Chihiro.

So that is the date. Got it.

I went to ask him why it was scheduled at that late of a date and the king answered, The Ankoran King expected the answers of the Saelari and Loatryxian to be slow, due to their reluctance to work with us. As such, we required a reason for them to come. Also, because of the recent attacks, I am needed here to oversee the repairs for some time yet.

What is the reason? I questioned, but I already had a feeling what it was.

I had Lady Muraina not tell them about your existence, Princess Hestia. After all, I never really got a firm stance from Kargryx. Your confirmation to help us was appreciated, but as this will demand proper diplomatic procedures, I require an answer from you as a representative of your home. I require your agreement not as Lady Hestia, but as Princess Hestia.

He then turned to Mother.

But, I will also need the answer from your Mother. Empress Melloxtressa, Artorias humbly requests your aide to mediate the summit we will hold.

Mother smiled. This is what we wanted to hear. Seeing her like this, the dukes were relieved.

Only, there was a problem.

I decline.

It was all crushed into dust.

B-But, Empress Melloxtressa Duchess Morgiana looked mortified, as if her goals were just squashed right before her. She and Duke Myrrdin wished for Artorias to make amends with the elves of Saelariel, so seeing the key to solving this problem reject them must have been heartbreaking.

You cannot persuade me. Do you have any ideas what we dragons have done to ensure the world developed to this point? How many dragons have died to fight back the demonkin? How much we had to suffer during the aftermath of all these events? Our Emperor, our glorious leader, Eltharion, has enacted a law to prevent Kargryx from interfering with the world. A law of neutrality.

But what about the humans and elves who fought and died during that war? I presumed some of the dukes wanted to say, but they knew better than to anger someone like Mother. She could snap her fingers and they would turn into popsicles.

Would there be no way to persuade you? Is there anything you need? King Drangleic urged her to reconsider, but she did not sway. Even the Shaturein representatives showed signs of being nervous. Letting a potential ally as Mother and Kargryx go would be a disastrous situation. If they were to separate from the Empire, they needed a strong ally.

However, while I cannot and will not allow Kargryx to participate in any of this squabble between you, I must admit that my daughter had been unruly for a while now. Only a year old, but she has already decided on becoming an adult. Oh, woe is me, but a mother should still support her rebellious daughter no?

And hope was brought back into the dukes and Shaturein pillars eyes. King Drangleic smirked.

I understand. It is a shame that Kargryx cannot help us. He then turned to Saori and me. As such, if possible, I would like to speak with your daughter, who is currently acting as a separate faction. However, as she is still a princess and has the backing of Your Imperial Majesty, her words must still be influential, correct?

Of course, she is my daughter, after all.

He nodded firmly. As such, Princess Hestia, shall we discuss terms? Now, in an official diplomatic capacity between royalty.

Saori smiled and unpacked the documents inside her satchel. She glanced at the Shaturein representative before saying, We are ready, King Drangleic. Their eyes immediately sharpened, fully understanding what they had to do now.

Gael, Yorshka, and Muraina. All of them are tricky.

From what Nishio and Kazumi explained to me, business meetings were a battle between factions to gain the terms they wanted. And this battle began the moment the meeting was scheduled. We needed allies and we had to make sure these allies thrived to work for us. Even if we had to make preparations and talk behind the curtains.

I smiled. The Aurora brand will spread well with our new team.

Let us hear what you can do for us, King Drangleic.