The Dragon's Flame Queen ✔

LXXX - Billard's Trouble

Billard had been feeling restless for a quiet while especially after seeing the name on the report. He didn't want to doubt Seraphina but there was a bad feeling that had been eating him from the inside. He had sent gifts to the human King and had sent Hans to ask them for a portrait.

He had used an excuse that their painter would be painting her portrait in the family picture and that was why he needed it. It was a lame excuse indeed as they had the princess here already but he could not come up with a good excuse.

Billard's thoughts raced as his eyes stayed on the inked reports. Wind blew on his silver hair as it swayed in the air like silk strands.

Saving Demian from the Wizard attacks...

He rummaged through his reports as there was a pile of paper in a drawer that had the reports on all those attacks that happened on Demian. Yellowish papers stayed leisurely on his hands as he opened them one by one and spread them on his table.

His eyes scrutinized the reports one more time. The first attack was in their Garden shortly after Seraphina had arrived. She had saved him. The next was at the Rockmond market when she snuck out taking Demian with her. She was heavily injured but then it was Master Valentine's guard-dogs who had saved both of them.

It could be a trap to make them believe she was innocent... His inner voice told as his eyes widened.

He shook his head. No that can't be happening. He thought. She was his brother's wife. What was he thinking? He should be glad that she saved his brother whenever danger had occurred.

Saved him with her fighting, of course... His mind mocked him.

Somehow the things that Seraphina had done didn't seem like a princess would do. Fighting? Why would a king teach his only daughter fighting? They had enough men at arms to protect her.

Was that enough to doubt Seraphina?

He took a deep breath and released it. He must be going insane because Demian's transformation day was nearing. Yes, it must be the reason behind his restlessness. He was just worried as he had started to doubt everyone. He might as well doubt Zenith someday.

"Alright!" He got up as he put every important report regarding Demian into the drawer. He tried to shake off the worry from his shoulders but he paused as he recalled what one of his guards said to him days ago. The guard was from Rockdelia and he had a sensitive smell.

'I had caught an unusual scent on Princess Seraphina.' He had said when Seraphina and Demian had come from Rockdelia. He said he saw everything on that day about how swiftly she was carrying a sword and moving it as if it was a part of her body. Billard excelled at sword fighting as well and he knew it takes years of practice to move a sword like that.

He tried to calm his negative thoughts on the human princess and assured himself, the portrait was just to prove him wrong. There was no harm if nobody knew that he had asked them for a portrait.

He wasn't sure and was confused at what he should do. At the same time, he was troubled as dark thoughts didn't seem to leave him alone. What if he was proven right?

He clenched his jaw. No... He could not be a coward now as he had already sent the men.

Nonetheless, he was glad she saved his younger brother but at the same time he needed to be sure that his doubts were false. There wouldn't be no one else who would be happy if his doubts proved false.

He was going to the breakfast table and it seemed today, Seraphina would join them as well. She had been sick and he heard Demian had brought the royal physician. He wanted to go see her but Seraphina had warned everyone that her fever was contaminated. Besides, he had been preparing some guards over Demian's wings as the transformation might not go so well.