A Pet for the Dragons

133.

RADROX

My meeting with the old guards was fruitless and disappointed me significantly. It took me two days to travel to meet them. I had some hopes that they'd be able to pull some strings since they'd worked closely with the Empress and the precious Emperor, but no. There seemed to be nothing they could do for us.

This left me with my only option— Prince Kazzirth. He was the only means now, and it displeased me even more. I didn't like to rely on a single means regarding such important matters, especially in a situation as grave as this one.

It took me a while to find him. I went to look for him in one of the old dungeons where he had his place assigned, but he wasn't there. I looked for him in the guard's room and the training grounds, but he wasn't there either.

This was starting to make me anxious. I wondered if that brat was avoiding me purposely. If that were the case, I wouldn't let him get away without giving him a hard time. He was assigned as my trainee, after all. I could exploit that aspect if the situation came to it.

However, I didn't have to think that further because I found the kid soon enough— in Helm's Watch. I knew what was up as soon as I looked at his face— he'd been unsuccessful at forging the documents, and it meant the worst of my nightmares had come true. My brother and I would end up at the frontline again— away from Arika. The thought in itself was enough to make my dragon awaken with ire.

"I... I couldn't do it," Kazzirth told me as I stared him down. He looked calm, but his voice gave away his nervousness. "All the Empress' seals have been recently replaced after they found that a few old ones have gone missing,"

"That's not my problem," I told him coldly. "I'm here for the documents. Where are those?" I demanded cooly, pinning that royal stapling with my gaze. I didn't care what happened. I wanted the documents at any cost, even if it meant threatening a Prince. I was willing to do anything to stay with Arika.

"I told you," Kazzirth pressed, irked but nervous, "I cannot access the seals anymore because they sensed something might be wrong with the old ones. I... I need some more time to figure out," He said.

"We don't have much time," I reminded him, crossing my arms and glaring at him. "The Commission leaves for the frontline next week," My words made him nervous.

"Look... I'll try my best. I'm trying my best. You don't know how hard it is to sneak around these days,"

"I know excuses when I hear them," I glower. Kazzirth seemed timid initially, but he glared back, not wanting to back down.

"You think it's that easy? Why don't you do it then? I'll grant you access to the administrative chambers, and you can figure out the rest, " He returned cockily, making me grind my teeth. Even though he was the least bratty of the four princes, he was still too bratty for my liking.

"Are you forgetting our deal, Kazzirth?" I reminded him, taking a step closer to tower over him. "Or do you want me to remind you?" My words brought back his nervousness, which gave me some relief. I needed to have more leverage on him to get it done.

"I told you, give me some time. I need to figure something out. It's gotten harder to sneak around these days," Kazzirth said with a subdued tone. I gave him a long, hard stare to let him know I was serious about this and wouldn't tolerate it if he didn't get it done for me.

"I want the documents forged in three days. I don't care how you do it. I want it done anyhow, or you'll always be locked away in that dungeon of yours and never see the light of the day," I told him darkly. A look of terror flashed in the prince's eyes, but it was brief.

He clenched his jaw and glared at me. I glared back at him but harder.

"I wouldn't let anyone threaten my freedom," He growled.

"Try me, you brat," I spat.

"You seem to forget that I'm a prince, and you're a Red Dragon," He bit back. I could sense his restlessness— the desperation to have the upper hand in this situation, but I wouldn't allow that.

"And? Didn't you say that you're the least favoured among your brothers? That you were invisible to everyone? That doesn't make you any different than me," I reminded him. His face paled, and his nervousness returned. My words might not be true to a full extent because he was still a prince, and his life was worth more than mine, but I didn't care about that as long as it got the work done.

"You..." He hissed at me. I could tell he didn't have anything to throw back at me, and even if he had it in him, he chose to be careful with it because he knew I could and would use it against him. "I told you, I need some time to figure it out. I will get it done, but I need more than three days,"

I considered it. Three days in itself seemed like a long enough time for me. If I had more leverage over him, I'd have forced him to finish this work by tonight.

"Alright," I gritted my words. I disliked this situation, but for now, he seemed to be the only one who could help. I hated this. I needed to find another way. "I give you three and a half days to forge the documents, or you're never getting out of your dungeon," I told him, leaving before he could rage more. I had more important matters than dealing with a bratty prince.

If this doesn't work out, then Ivret was the last option. I didn't like relying on him for these matters, but if this was the last resort, then I had no other choice.

With this, I decided to return to our wing, thinking about Arika. I was still restless in searching for other ways but needed time to think. I saw no other way to help our situation in the present.

However, when I returned to our wing, I found two Cardinal Guards waiting outside. The air was thick with the scent of trouble. 

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