“My lady, you’re okay!”
The moment we entered through the gates of Nordor mansion, after I had to ignore the constant cheers the citizens were giving Mom and me after our return from Inferno Nest, a familiar elven woman rushed through the garden and jumped into my embrace. Unrestrained with her strength, she tightened her grip around me, as if she was afraid if she let go I would vanish into the thin air.
At least, that was what I suspected Tasianna was feeling.
“Sorry for getting into trouble without you,” I smiled awkwardly as I saw my fairy friend’s face covered in tears. Her cheeks and eyes were reddened and I could see her lips blistered, probably from biting them.
She raised her head, desperately holding back the waterworks. “You should be sorry! By the gods, when I heard everything that had happened... I-I, ah, I should’ve known. I should’ve; everywhere we go, trouble will come, and that applies even more to you, my lady.”
Oi, I don’t want to have that magnet either, I rolled my eyes, but I kept my comment to myself as I had to agree with my bad encounter luck.
“I just can’t believe it; attacking and attempting to imprison their own princess! Age not only degraded their souls, but also their minds from the sounds of it!” Tasianna spat out with derision, eyes filled with the same rage from how she used to look at humans.
Seeing her like this only reminded me of the trauma she suffered through with her previous mistress, cooling me down and making me want to apologize again for worrying her. I had ordered her to stay in Coral Beard to research a cure for Raffarson’s Debilitation, and that meant she had been multiple country-sizes away from Inferno Nest, not to mention Frozen Nest. She couldn’t help me in my time of need.
I didn’t blame her, of course, but Tasianna probably didn’t feel the same. That feeling of hopelessness shouldn’t be ignored. She watched her last mistress die in front of her, and she must have felt something similar to that once again, probably after she heard my rescue message from Vifi and the twins.
Haaaa, Grimnir, Ellaine, and Saori are gonna lecture me after I finally get to meet them again. Tasianna and Svena definitely won’t forget to report everything to them ...
“Hear! Hear!”
Tasianna suddenly let go of me when the mansion door opened up to the loud applause of the people inside. Dragonewts run-walked in a diligent manner outside, lining up next to the entrance in a pair of orderly rows, with the butlers on the right and the maids on the left. The head butler and maid stood in front of all of them, before the seneschal, Skardrvo, walked up to us in the middle before giving us a deep bow, prompting everybody else to do the same.
“We welcome Her Majesty and Her Highness back to Frozen Nest from their campaign!” they all shouted in unison, so loud they drowned out the excited roars from outside. “We welcome Dragon Ruler of Ice, Alextraxus, Lord Guyulthanos, and Lord Karydrinos to Nordor Mansion. Allow us to grant you the rest you deserve!”
I see they got excited as well ... Gosh, this doesn’t sit well with me at all.
Receiving fans and seeing the counter go up, I had to admit that receiving those 696 new dragonewt, dragon, and drake followers for what happened on Inferno Nest felt more hollow than fulfilling. It made me feel like the only reason they were fervently cheering for me—maybe only for Mom, actually—was due to my ... incident with Dragon Ruler of Fire, Maustoovaka.
Not like I could call it an incident really. It was more a one-sided bullying act to intimidate me from doing what was right—trying to assure my new family wouldn’t splinter apart due to a succession crisis. Some strong-worded arguments to keep myself and Brother Ryra safe and, boom, big, ancient fire dragon decided to imprison me in an attempt to “educate” me on what not to do.
Unreasonable as heck and, when I tried to escape? H, he tried to kill my friends! Sure, I had Vifi call some dragons and drakes to help me out, not to mention, I lured the Dragon Ruler of Volcanoes out to fight Maustoovaka since the two were arguing how to handle me, but that wasn’t even the most egregious thing that happened that day. A miniature “civil war” due to an attempted coup on me, and that asshole dragon just had to kill some of the dragonkin who tried to help me out.
Ridiculous ... I was already at my wits’ end after we successfully escaped Maustoovaka and from how my rescue message prompted Mom to show Inferno Nest what not to do with the only daughter of the second strongest dragon in Kargryx, but then Father dearest just had to appear as well. Well, that little daughter-father interaction didn’t go as well as it could have, but at least it ended well enough. It reinforced how much I cherished Mom and Neill, and how I actually could rely on my lazy, sheepish older brother, Ryra, when push came to shove.
Just ... I didn’t want that traumatic event to actually lead to followers. I didn’t want to cause internal strife within my nation to gain followers. At least, I didn’t want them to cheer for me due to the hostile relationship between Frozen Nest and Inferno Nest.
Haa ... just deal with it. Let’s just not turn into a drama queen.
As Mom and her three top retainers went inside, I let out a deep sigh as a thought came to mind.
“How did you make it back to Frozen Nest in a day, Tasianna?” I asked.
She shouldn't have access to my fast travel method and she wasn’t a fast enough flier to arrive here from Coral Beard in time for my arrival. It has, after all, only been a day since my incident in Inferno Nest.
“Haha, probably not the easiest question for our dear faithful maid here to answer.” Approaching us, Skardrvo gave me a small bow as he spoke in Tasianna’s stead. “She intimidated a wind wyvern.”
I tilted my head. “Huh? She did what?”
Tasianna groaned for a moment as she lowered her head with an uneasy smile, looking a bit ashamed of herself. “W-well, you see, my lady. When I heard everything from Svena, it was already quite late on my end, and Miononbolax doesn’t have any griffon carriages like in Artorias. After all, most can fly in Kargryx, and those who can’t can usually run or swim very quickly. Most everyone in Kargryx can simply move faster than conventional carriages. So ... I paid a wind wyvern to help me arrive here at dawn.”
“She forced the poor wyvern to do so. She had to travel through the night,” Skardrvo corrected.
“Pardon you, but I paid her well! Not to mention, wind dragonkin are the best long-range fliers around; unlike the other dragonkin sub-species, at least, they flourish in the sky with some even falling asleep while gliding!” Tasianna tried to excuse herself, but Skardrvo looked pretty unimpressed.
“... I see you read an ecology book on us. Superb Tasianna ... but that still doesn’t include the fact most wyverns just don’t value Davi as much, especially those living in Loatryx since they possess stable jobs fit for dragonkin. The one you ‘persuaded’ was even a retainer for a true wind dragon.”
“I paid her and even gave her an apology! Not to mention, she wasn’t that furious with me.”
“She wasn’t because you explained that this was done for Princess Hestia.”
“I ... I’ll treat her to some good food around Iceskale.”
“Thank you very much!”
Ahaha ... Well, I guess that happened while I was gone.
Tasianna’s loyalty to me was always endearing, but this ... well, it was how she was. As long as she took responsibility, I couldn’t fault her too much. although maybe it wouldn’t have happened in the first place if the universe wouldn’t send so many troublemakers after me.
Once done, my maids prettied me up with some perfume and cosmetics before handing me a kimono to wear for the meeting. They also stated they did have a dress available if I preferred it, but since Mom was wearing a kimono, I decided that I should do the same.
With my long hair styled and braided, I left my room in a blue-white kimono and entered the meeting room of the mansion, where I saw Mom sitting and discussing something about the fire dragons with Uncle Alextraxus, Uncle Kary, and Uncle Guyul. Once they saw me, they pointed at the chair on the left of Mom, which I chose to sit on.
With Mom sitting on one end of the large rectangular table and my uncles and I on the right and left side respectively, my uncles wanted to continue their discussion, but Mom raised her hand, stopping them. She then turned to me, looking me up and down with a fat smile.
“You look better, and that sulfur smell is finally gone. How are you feeling?”
“Refreshed and as if I didn’t just experience the worst thing possible in Inferno Nest. Thank you for asking.” I grinned. “Peckish, a bit, but I can hold on.”
“Why not order something? Some jerky, water, and bread would be a good way to help you get ready for later. After all, the discussion will be quite lengthy, and I think it would be good for all of us to eat after what happened. I, too, would love a steak after having my calories burned to heal up my wounds.”—she turned to her retainers—“You three also fought to protect me from Maustoovaka’s and Arkanator’s vassals, so I suggest you eat as well.”
“We can talk things through casually, yes,” Uncle Kary agreed. “Let us eat; I think I can hear the kitchen already preparing something for us, so let us feast.”
“Very well. I’ve been rambling too much, either way.” Uncle Alextraxus sighed before clapping his hands, prompting Tasianna and my maids to bow before leaving us. “Princess Hestia, to warn you, we will be meeting with the first and fourth empresses, including their children.”
I frowned but I was expecting something like that after what Mom did. Personally, I wasn’t too interested in meeting Gyadiosa and Virrflax, but I did have something to say to Kahalameet, Wendriosa, and Nong who accompanied them, especially my two brothers. This expedited the process.
Following the warning, my uncles told me I didn’t have to say much during this discussion, as it will mostly involve the adults in the room. In particular, they suspected, there would be a clash between Mom and Gyadiosa about today’s events and about what Mom did to Eltharion. They stated that while it was normal for husband and wife to fight, even to the point of wounds, it was a different matter when an empress was demeaning an emperor’s authority.
“I disobeyed his order to cease my attack on Maustoovaka and Arkanator and proceeded to turn portions of Inferno Nest into a desolate ice desert. This culminated in me insulting and outright demeaning Eltharion in public, not to mention how I fanned the fires of a potential civil war between Frozen Nest and Inferno Nest.”
“You came to protect me, though. Shouldn’t the empress-mothers understand this?” I asked.
“They do. Oh, so well, in fact, but they are still representatives of Kargryx. As am I, yet, as a representative of the emperor’s authority, I incited conflict and disregarded his command. It is obvious I will have to answer for it, right?” Mom smiled, self-mockingly. “Therefore, we will have to talk it through. They will also question you on what happened after you escaped; you didn’t get to say that in front of Eltharion, but I am sure they are quite interested in that.”
“On the other hand, we will seek recompense for damages,” Uncle Guyul stated. “From Inferno Nest, of course, but since they won’t send somebody from there, we will be talking about it to your eldest brother, Kahalameet. Since Maustoovaka supports him, we will go through him to affect the Dragon Ruler of Fire. In this case, you have to speak up and, preferably, be harsh on him.”
“How so, though? It isn’t like you are lacking in funds or money, right?” I tilted my head. “Mom already told me you ancient dragons do not put any value on money or treasures, only special experiences and something you don’t have. Surely, there shouldn’t be anything of that sort, right?”
“Wrong!” Uncle Guyul shouted to my shock. “Where are the hot rocks, Princess Hestia?”
“I, well, I didn’t bring any, but it isn’t like we should be lacking them. Right, Mom?” I gave her the stink eye, causing her to laugh awkwardly.
“Well, yes, I apologize. I thought you would have preferred exploring to gain them ... A clear failure on my part that led you to that blasted nest,” Mom snorted. “Regardless, that isn’t what Guyulthanos is talking about. In this case, we are seeking recompense for you, Hestia.”
“I guessed, but what does that—”
“You are allowed to demand something from them,” Uncle Alextraxus interjected. “This is an opportunity for you, or Frozen Nest, to receive something of importance for Inferno Nest. Some material or ingredient useful for alchemy, or some sort of service, or anything you can think about. If you are willing to listen, you must know I have sons, correct?”
I nodded, prompting him to continue.
“Siegragxus dots on Rhekkraxus, even if the former does have a tendency to use the latter in his plots, almost like decoy to avoid attention on him. My younger son, sadly, adores his older brother a bit too much and rarely sees that he is being manipulated, but that doesn’t mean he is a complete fool. Regardless, both rely on each other and both of them would give up their lives to protect each other. Kahalameet, from the limited times I’ve managed to speak with him, believes something similar.”
“... You’re asking me to use the little sister card?”
“... I do not understand what you mean by card. What I meant is that he will listen to you, as from what you and Prince Ryranakus have stated, I presume he must feel guilty for letting you wander around the nest, only for his most ardent supporter to endanger your life and seriously wound Prince Ryranakus. He is the type to feel a sense of responsibility, similar to Emperor Eltharion. He inherited that trait well, and unless he wishes to sully that image I have of him, he will listen to his little sister’s demands and fulfill them.”
Dude, I don’t even know how to respond to that ... but if I get to act like a little sister, then ... No, wait, this just feels awkward. I’m blackmailing my own brother!
Regardless of my feelings on this, I nodded along and decided to think of something. Before long, our food arrived and we all had a modest feast in dragon terms, letting time pass until the arrival of our guests. We all stood up from our seats and went outside to welcome them.
“Presenting!” The leader of a group of dragoons saluted the moment he saw us. “First Empress Gyadiosa Bellamsa Jormangra, and her children, Kahalameet Seathfus Kargryxmor and Wendriosa Tialotrus Kargryxmor. In addition, accompanying her, Fourth Empress Virrflax Kainena Arviosa and her son, Nongramos Eluccierra Kargryxmor. Salutations!”
“Melloxtressa!”
“Gyadiosa!”
Mom approached the blue-haired woman wearing a long, azure-green qipao—or something similar to a Chinese dress—and eyed her as if she was wary of her. The blue-scaled woman, in exchange, smirked and wryly laughed at the cold reception, causing everybody but the imperial members accompanying Empress Gyadiosa to stiffen up.
The atmosphere suddenly felt so tense, as the two of them stayed relatively still and silent aside from their tails slamming into the ground. It took until Empress Virrflax sighing for the two to finally burst in laughter.
“You’re hungry, I can tell. The usual, dear?” Mom stated, but with a friendly smile this time.
“After all that you did, yes! Extra portions to pay back for the stress I’ve accumulated on this day, so have your chefs bring it up in a timely manner. I wish to get this peace talk out of the way so I can deal with the situation in Inferno Nest and the lack of imperial protection!”
... Ah, for a moment, I forgot the two of them considered themselves blood sisters.