The Story of Dhanvanthri

thirteen

Blood On Your Lips

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There was a creature curling around the armrest, eyes opened and looking at Dhanvanthri with an examining gaze. The cold gaze turned nonchalant soon after, showing nothing but disinterest. Despite its look, the creature uncoiled itself from the armrest and slithered down, slowly advancing to Dhanvanthri who stood there calmly. It stopped right before Dhanvanthri, raising its head to look at the boy.

Dhanvanthri went on one knee, reaching out for the creature. Slowly, the creature slithered up and coiled itself around Dhanvanthri's left arm, refusing to budge an inch. It was rather small, like a child, but its scales was a beautiful shade of pearl white with streaks of blue. Dhanvanthri reached a finger out to stroke its head before asking calmly.

"Are you a sacred beast?" Dhanvanthri asked. The white snake raised its head, looking up disinterestedly at the person it was coiled around. Dhanvanthri knew the answer at once, confirming his own suspicion. "Ah, so you're my sacred beast. I didn't think my mana was that high."

The white snake slithered up, uncoiling itself from Dhanvanthri's arm as it slowly slid around his neck. Looped around his neck, the white snake looked like a thin, white necklace with blue streaks. Dhanvanthri stroked the scales once more before turning towards the door, wanting to walk out. It was still the early morning, after all, spending his whole day in the room would be dreadful.

"Your highness," Noah said the moment he came out, making Dhanvanthri pause in surprise. Noah usually didn't speak until it was late in the evening, it was like a creepy habit of his to observe. Then again, even if he does speak, it was never right after Dhanvanthri leaves his room.

"What is it?" Dhanvanthri asked. Noah bowed slightly, "His Majesty requests your presents in the throne room."

"...Is that so?" Dhanvanthri hummed. "Let's go then."

"Is that a snake around your neck, your highness?" Noah asked curiously. The white snake uncoiled itself, raising its head to pin a stare on Noah, red eyes gleaming with intelligence a creature should not have. Noah stared back with an equally intensive one.

"Yes, it's mine." Dhanvanthri turned away after responding, wishing to avoid further dwelling on the topic of his magical beast. It was dangerous, after all. Anyone could easily render him completely magicless if they murdered his sacred beast before maturity. Dhanvanthri stepped into the throne room and was greeted by his little sister in pigtails along with his father who was seated on the throne.

"...Good morning," Dhanvanthri greeted, feeling a bit weirded out. Because while it was usual to see his little sister and father in the same vicinity, it was highly unusual to see his little sister being carried by her clothes. "...Shall I leave the two of you alone?" he offered awkwardly.

"Big brother!" Athanasia choked out.

"Ah," Dhanvanthri made a sound. "Father, if you continue carrying her like that, my little sister might just suffocate and die."

"Why?" His father asked, sounding genuinely confused. "She just needs to stop moving around and she'll be fine."

Dhanvanthri stared at the scene in doubt. No, wait, his little sister was actually turning blue. He looked at Felix and pinned the man with a glare, hadn't the red-haired knight carried his little sister around often? Then, he should step in and show his father how. As if he noticed, Felix reached out to save the little princess.

"Here," Felix reached out and allowed Athanasia to be tucked into his embrace. His arm carried her, tucking her over his arms while Athanasia looped her own around his necked, burying her face which was pale. Then, Felix looked at Dhanvanthri's father and instructed, "Please try holding her as I did, your majesty."