Dragon Blossom

The kingdom of lies

Queen Eyren's letter had eased Runa's heart. Sitting at her small table, she read with a smile.

"Dear Princess Runaesthera, please forgive me for stepping outside of protocol to thank you and your wonderful husband for your kindness in accepting my son Bestenar as a ward, and even more so for convincing my king, your father, to accept him as his son once again. I apologize for his actions and words, he has suffered greatly and I assure you that his heart, like his intentions, are noble. In return for your generosity, I can only promise eternal friendship between our nations in the name of my beloved husband and king, and my sincere appreciation. Please give your little one a hug on my behalf.

Queen Eyrenerimis of Meyrin."

The woman was all heart. It was no wonder, considering all she had been through in recent years. The dragon king had killed her eldest daughter and stolen her home on the same day, and shortly after her husband was fighting at a distance with her eleven-year-old son, causing her to miss the end of his childhood.

Runaesthera was very proud of her husband. Being a failure at diplomacy, it was he who solved the succession and diplomatic crisis by being practical and kind as he always was. The bad thing was having to deal with the brat. Although Frey's influence was at least making him prudent, his derogatory comments had gradually been reduced to looks and gestures. If only they could get him to get along better with Eri.

Eri had never been resentful or wished ill on anyone that Runa knew of, but when she was in the same room with the brat Bestenar, she would stick out her tongue, look away, or wrinkle her nose. Once she had even blown a tiny flame on the ground to keep him from approaching. And despite all this, they spent a lot of time together, Eri insisting that everything he could do, she could do too. Runa had set limits, Eri could train with the sword, that had been conceded a year ago, but she still didn't want her to ride or spend afternoons in meetings with the military. At those times, she would take her flying lessons or be allowed to visit the citizens. Meracina—she had gotten used to calling her that—gave them both lessons before dinner, and they attended together, although Bestenar didn't like it when the countess's office was sometimes full of children.

But the other letter was what worried her, signed by King Bestolf's advisor, Rimpidon. Apparently, they had found a group of people conspiring against the royal family of Meyrin, as rumors that the king wanted to name Eri his heir had leaked due to the prince's failed rebellion. They had thwarted an attempt on the king's life and feared one against the prince. He wished to alert them. In addition, that morning a delegation from Atyr and another from Pellegrin had arrived in the city asking to speak with King Alistor.

She already knew what to expect from Atyr. They had come a hundred and five years ago when she was named heir and had presented themselves in Meyrin when Erina was. Pellegrin was a very distant kingdom, rarely meddling with the central or western kingdoms. For them to arrive at the same time was either a tremendous coincidence or a bad omen.

She stood up, deciding to wear her most formal clothes, a simple dress, nothing too elegant or sumptuous, but fine enough not to offend the dignitaries. Frey was going to take Bestenar to the meeting, so he could observe King Alistor and Runa herself. Eri would stay at Meracina's house, they would keep her away from them the first day under the pretext of her education. The first thing was to find out what they wanted.

She let the maid help her with her hair while reflecting on the advisor's letter. If there was a similar group in Artemia, would someone really try to hurt Eri? She was a beautiful, kind, intelligent girl, she would one day become one of those princesses that princes fight over, it was an uncomfortable thought, but somewhat provocative; maybe that's how Frey felt when Eri wielded a sword. Who would want to hurt someone like that? Oh, yes, sometimes Runa forgot that Eri was a dragon. One that, according to Meracina, was very close to being able to fly.