The only way to stop a snitch was to stop them from snitching in the first place. Sadly, in this situation, that wasn’t possible, since the snitch had already snitched me to his older brother and then probably to their father, who then reported it to my mom. What was this, first grade?
It didn’t really matter, I suppose; dragonkin grew up slower than humans, so it couldn’t be helped with how they were acting. Rhekkraxus was still a fledgling, as from five to 100, dragons considered you the equivalent of a teenager or adolescent. Even my older sister and Cernust still had childish aspects to them—the former was an attention seeker who had to be humbled by almost losing her life before she stopped acting like a brat, while the latter took off with the daughter of a viscount and almost got hunted down by her knight brother.
With all of this in mind, what was my best course of action? Stay silent and listen before acting? Yes, this probably was the most sensible choice.
Mom was fair; I knew that part of her personality all too well. She upheld oaths and promises just as well as Kramps, and was able to remain neutral, even with me if the situation didn’t call for my protection. Tactful and cautious, she was used to analyzing situations until she figured if mediating, scolding, or threatening was the best course of action. Calm and refreshing like a cool breeze, but her fury was as swift and dreadful like a howling blizzard. Hatred, especially, was frozen in time forever.
Yet, I didn’t believe I should be sensible. Being an adult sucked and the moment I tried to act like one, some common house gecko tried to bully me! … This wasn’t counting the many times being mature did improve a situation, but, ahem! I was 16 mentally, 18 as a humanoid, and three as a dragon. Three. I was still a toddler so I had all the right to complain!
It was time to show Mom my childish side!
[“Mom, I healed his wounds as you said. It’s his fault,”] I said the moment we landed, pointing at Rhekkraxus to place all the blame on him, causing him to flinch back.
‘You call that acting a kid?’ Hikari, on the other hand, scolded me for my lack of shamelessness. As if I could be that brazen when it came to Mom! I had my pride as a dragon as well!
Titanic …
Mom’s large figure gazed down at us as she laid next to Thalaxarus’s skull. Her and the four adult dragon’s shadows hid the melted snow around the entrance, covering up my usage of [Scorching Sun].
“Hey, Vifi, did you leave any meat back at the nest?” While the mood felt awkward, Tasianna and the twins greeted Vifi as the latter jumped off my back. “Ah, I don’t smell any blood on you. A shame. We will have to hunt a mammoth before returning for Lady Hestia’s feast.”
Vifi shrugged, not a worry on hand. “I’ll get on it. Wanna come with me? Beth, give me a ride down south, saw a herd with a weakened member there.”
[“Understood. Brother, I’ll be going!”] With that said, Vifi and Beth quickly took to the sky, leaving me, Shay and Tasianna behind. It was good to see everybody getting used to each other during the one year I missed, but why did they have to ditch me right now?
Giving those two a dejected goodbye stare, I turned my attention back to the issue on hand when Alextraxus let out a massive sigh. It was strong enough to blow away the frame of a house if he wasn’t careful. Whatever his mood was, he turned his head and looked at his two sons.
The taller one stepped forward. [“Siegragxus Thornurakk Thalaxarus. Eldest son of the Dragon Ruler of Ice, Alextraxus, and Rhutuyual. I tuck my tail in front of Frozen Nest’s rising sun.”]
His voice, unlike his brother’s, was more composed and serene, perfect for a lecturer or speaker. Even the manner he introduced himself was perfect, giving his name, family association, and then honoring me like a properly educated human noble. Depending on how old he was, he probably met many of them and copied how they spoke. Was he being considerate for my sake?
Regardless, this was the distinction between the brothers. While Rhekkraxus acted like some college frat boy about to haze a newbie, Siegragxus seemed like an adjusted adult. Even if he had the same misgivings like his younger brother, he made sure to hide it away and put up a front.
How should I act then? Giving Tasianna a look and seeing her nod, it seemed the right choice was to follow my education. “Manners maketh man.” We dragons weren’t brutes … Yet, how did dragons greet others properly?
For now, I sat down and raised my head, only giving a slight nod to confirm his introduction. [“Hestia Atsuko Kargryxmor. Third princess of Emperor Eltharion. Daughter of Sixth Empress Melloxtressa. This young scale salutes you, elder scale, with her tail raised.”]
At the end of the day, I defaulted to what I learned from the first scalekin I met in this world—the lizardmen in the Belzac swamp. Seeing as Master Kush never complained about it and I never practice etiquette with Mom or Sis, it was all I knew.
So, what was with this reaction? Everybody was silent while Mom had her eyes closed, almost as if she was contemplating something.
[“Dragons aren’t too strict when it comes to etiquette, Hestia, especially if you are an imperial. Free like the conquered skies, Kargryxmors have no restriction when it comes to how they conduct themselves. All you need to know is that family treats family well while offering loyalty to both their liege and retainers. Oaths must be kept,”] Mom taught me. [“Sorry, I didn’t explain this prior since it wasn’t necessary. Maybe I should have.”]
[“Correct, the greeting we had just a moment ago is exactly how you should act, little one,”] Guyulthanos explained. [“Not overly attached, but also not too dismissive if we are allies. To strangers, act aloof, even threatening to show your might if you believe they aren’t overwhelmingly stronger. Show respect then. Against a foe, well, that should be obvious.”]
[“… So, did I do it wrong? That’s how I learned it when I met other scalekin,”] I asked.
Rhutuyual shook her head. [“Nothing egregious, really. Honestly, you didn’t have to include the fact he’s an elder scale, as he is supposed to show respect to you, his princess. Dragons respect age just like any other scalekin, but there is no need to mention it in a formal greeting. You are not showing strength. Strength is what matters to us dragonkin. Remember that, you must show you are stronger. If you are weaker, you yield and show respect.”]
What a far cry from everything that I’ve been doing amongst the humans. Elegance, prestige, and wealth was what the people of Artorias, Estralia, Yeos, and Aureolis valued, while etiquette wasn’t as important for the dwarves of Ankor-Nazta, preferring an energetic greeting followed by mead and a feast.
It wasn’t that they didn’t care about it, but actions spoke louder than words for them. Loyalty and candidness were paramount for dwarven culture, but to list out reasons for why you should be trusted wasn’t as impactful as protecting somebody with your body.
Meanwhile, Peolynca was all about strength. The lineage of your dragonkin ancestor may be imperative, but that didn’t matter at all if you were weak. Even a Kargryxmor could be insulted and demeaned, like I was just a moment ago, with that reason. And then these dragons used my blood relations to Mom, someone who was technically a lower rank than the current Ruler of Ice even if she was stronger, to mock me even further.
Yet, what was happening now? Rhekkraxus had his head lowered before me, not even attempting to look me in the eyes. I had shown that I was superior to him and this was the result. I didn’t know what his elder brother was thinking, only that he wasn’t intending to start a fight here.
[“That sounds toxic,”] I stated, surprising the adults. [“Why am I expected to act in such a manner? If you pardon me, auntie, I think I’ll listen to my mom about being a bit more lenient with the introductions. It doesn’t hurt to be friendly.”]
[“Even if the recipient is plotting against you?”] Alextraxus questioned, eyeing me as if he was trying to look into my soul. He was clearly testing me, or trying to learn about me.
I smiled and shrugged. [“I’ll take uncle Guyul’s words for this. If they are my allies or friends, I will treat them to the best of my abilities. If they are strangers, I will show respect because you can’t earn respect unless you show it to others. If they still bow their head, that is fear or reverence– not something that I want. For my enemies, well, try touching the sun and you’ll know exactly what I do to those trying to mess with me. Or, ask the people lying in the ground for how I reached rank B as a three-year-old …”]
I am just following your ‘advice,’ uncle.
Hearing everything came out right, I nodded. [“As such, don’t try to change me in that aspect. You know my situation, I’m a reincarnator. I was human back in my old world and that part of me hasn’t changed. I am human and dragon, I learned from both natures. If you wish to teach me, teach me more about Miononbolax so I can understand the continent and its inhabitants. That is my role as a princess, right? Talk with me about my family’s issues, instead of speaking over me and treating me like a naive child just because my values clashes against yours.”]
I turned to Rhekkraxus and his brother and slightly bowed my head. [“Rhekk—you name is too long, sorry—I do apologize for scarring your face. You wanted me to act like a Kargryxmor tyrant, so that’s what you got. Felt the sun’s flame? Remember it. Next time, how about we just enjoy something that is actually fun instead of this posturing crap. Hunting some big prey, for example. Siegragxus, I hope we didn’t start on a bad foot because of your brother. I do hope to learn more from my elder scale.”]
With everything I wanted to say said, I turned to my mother. [“Mom, I think I’m still drowsy from my hibernation. Also, I feel icky—can you help me shed when we get back home?”]
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[“Hahahaha, of course, my treasure. That sounds delightful. Everybody, on my head.”] Mom lowered her neck, allowing Shay, Tasianna, and I to get on her before she stood up and turned to her retainers. [“My friends, I think you underestimated the fire in my little daughter’s body. Next time, come to my home for the next discussion. I’ll have Tasianna ready some tea for then.”]
From the sound of it, the discussion I was supposed to have should have been far longer, evident by the looks on the adults’ faces. Have I unintentionally mastered the art of skipping uncomfortable conversations during my stay in Aureolis? Now this was progression!
[“We’ll come visit next time, Hestia!”] Karydrinos was the only one to actually say goodbye to me. Despite looking the most intimidating, he seemed like the most warm-hearted of the bunch. I really should upgrade him into “Uncle Kary” at this point.
As we took flight, Mom let out a deep sigh in the sky. [“I apologize.”]
[“You don’t need to.”]
[“No, I do. I know you hate such politicking. ‘The best way isn’t theory, but practical lessons,’ yet I know this isn’t you. We dragons are not ‘civilized’ compared to the elves or dwarves, as we are mostly solitary until we become parents. Ways to bind us together into a community only works due to blood or our elemental typing, yet the adults hibernate for long times to preserve our soul, so how do our bonds work in the long term?”] Mom complained. [“Our culture is old, but due to our age, we have remained quite stagnant while the world continues growing. Our society is still built upon strength like in the world before Kargryx was founded.”]
[“… Do you feel bad for bringing me here?”]
[“N-no! No, of course not, dear. I am very happy you’re living in the same nest my parents and brother lived in. I really am.”]
[“I know something is wrong, Mom. Something happened with my father, and it’s impactful enough that it’s spreading like a rumor. Rhekk mentioned how he doesn’t accept me as a real princess, and I bet this isn’t just a Thalaxarus’s animosity thing for my paternal side. I bet it doesn’t even have to do with me being a fire dragon,”] I said after analyzing the information I heard. [“I am sure there are some misgivings for me not being an ice dragon, or at least showing some hints of your blood aside from my scale-dust, yet the core issue is Father. What happened in the one year I was gone?”]
Mom fell silent. When she did try to speak, her thoughts kept stuttering to the point I could feel her anxiety seep into my mind. Even Shay was lowering his head, as if he didn’t want to get involved in this. Meanwhile, Tasianna was stroking my leg, trying to assure me everything was all right, but I knew it wasn’t. I needed answers.
[“Let’s postpone this talk. Once you’re comfortable, I’ll listen. Just… can we do this before we visit him?”] I asked, but Mom kept silent once again.
The frustration she must be feeling also made the flight bumpier than before. [“I do not know if I can do that. I just can’t. I am both unnerved by the consequences of telling you but also furious at your father. I do not know how to form the words to convey our family’s situation.”]
[“Yet, you don’t feel bad for bringing me here?”]
Mom shook her head. [“I don’t regret that part, I regret what happened afterwards. I knew there would be consequences, but not to such an extent. I hadn’t expected Eltharion to react in such a manner. I was ready to help you accustom yourself to Frozen Nest, and excited to see how much you can rise up compared to your peers. As a mother, I couldn’t be prouder of your strength.”]
[“Oh, don’t worry about that. If I have to fight, I will. My speech from before was to make it clear to my uncles and aunt Rhutuyual who I am. How I would react, and what was important to me. Frankly, I should have probably told them about my idol dream to really prove to them I have no interest in this succession mess. I will not become heir apparent,”] I declared.
[“I sincerely hope you will find that happiness. Once again, the deal I presented to you will stand. If you need my help, bring something in exchange; the other dragonkin will probably accept a trade with you as well once you mention who you are. We are a selfish and greedy race, but we are reasonable. At least that elevates us above normal monsters.”] Mom’s mood lightened up once I changed the topic. [“I wonder, will you be able to change our culture similar to how you changed the Artorians and Yeosians? With your idol songs, I mean.”]
I giggled. [“Don’t expect more from me! I’m just a three-year-old.”]
Even a being strong enough to destroy entire cities and nations could have emotional and relationship problems. A good mother wouldn’t hide something like this and instead speak up, but a good daughter also had to take a hint and not pester somebody that was going through a bad moment.
Once we reached home, Mom settled me down in my chamber, or nest, and told me she would help me shed after Tasianna bathed me. She would go out and meet Vifi to bring in today’s meal. After she left, Tasianna had me transform back into a dragonewt before helping me clean myself of over a year’s worth of sleep sweat.
After some waiting, Mom came back home with Beth and Vifi in tow, as they brought in the corpse of a wooly mammoth almost double my dragon size. Blue fur with white streaks covered its meaty body, while a mask made of hardened carapace protected its head, trunk, and tusks. It almost made me want to hunt it myself.
Also, it was decided that I would try eating like a dragon today. “When in Kargryx, do as the dragons do,” essentially, and I was told I had to rely less on my dragonewt form in this place. Not to mention, Tasianna wanted to try out cooking a delicious steak, but for dragons!
“Miss Saori and I practiced it once Empress Melloxtressa expressed her desire to have you be more comfortable as a dragon. We can enjoy a proper dinner inside our mansion here and there, but let us feast properly today!” she expressed, so I agreed.
While she and Vifi started cooking with my flames, the twins and Mom began helping me shed about twenty layers of overgrown scales. Not to mention, a bunch of them were frozen and had died during the initial freezing phase, preventing new scales from growing under them. It felt like they were plucking out ticks.
Worst of all, those spots were naked now! … Until I cast [Major Heal] on myself and regrew my lost scales. Gosh, healing magic was the best.
[“Honestly, there are less layers than I expected,”] Mom said as I stared at my molted skin, fully covering an entire corner inside my chamber. Yet, she was saying I should have shed more?
[“You’ve grown, my lady,”] Beth said. [“A lot as a dragonewt, but even more as a dragon. Not enough to be relevant in a fight, but as you grow, you will molt more and more. This is why we are surprised you’ve only shed this little.”]
[“It’s probably her diet,”] Shay added. [“Most of her nutrients came from the sun, and she didn’t eat much before her hibernation. In fact, she was dancing and fighting, that should have burnt through a lot of her calories before she went to sleep. She must eat properly.”]
Mom nodded. [“Good point, you two. You should start eating like a glutton dragon, Hestia! Mommy will make plump and chunky!”]
[“And ruin my idol career? Never! Idols have to worry about their figure!”] I rebuked.
[“You burn through calories like I do through time, you’ll be fine!”] Mom shot back. [“Tasianna! Vifi! Bring out the first pieces! My little hatchling needs to be plumper than a hydra ready to lay her eggs!”]
What sorta metaphor is that!? Mom, why are you being weird!
Once the food was out, my eyes widened when I saw Mom take out a giant teapot from her [Storage Magic]. Looking at it, it was large enough for me to drink out of as a dragon, and the tea inside was still piping hot. She explained she had it readied about four months ago for my eventual awakening, causing me to giggle awkwardly at the sound of it.
Well, nothing can expire in storage, so who cares? I probably have some things in my storage that are still around from my Belzac days.
The giant mammoth steak was pretty tough as the muscles were thick enough to hold up a gigantic beast like that, but the fatty juices oozing out of the meat kept my tongue wanting for more. Although only plainly seasoned with salt and pepper, it made my ten course breakfast from before seem like an appetizer.
While we ate, Mom began talking about my meeting with my father. In a week’s time, we would travel over to the mainland where my “debut” would happen. I might call it a social debut, but it was just meeting my siblings, my dragon father, and, if possible, the other empress-mothers. In addition, she also wanted me to visit Loatryx for all the formal paperwork.
[“There is bureaucracy when it comes to me being on Kargryx?”] I asked, bewildered.
[“The dragon areas are undeveloped when it comes to societal progression, however, that is why we have Loatryx. They handle everything we dragons hate to do,”] Mom explained.
“You remember when I told you Frozen Nest has a hunter’s guild?” Vifi reminded me. “That’s the same thing. Dragons sometimes go to the southern harbor city to get Quests from the guild. They earn Davi or buy other goods. It’s the same thing with all the dragon traders—a favor for an exchange, and dragons love collecting stuff. What’s better, all they have to do is kill something.”
Tasianna continued, “We filled up all the forms to make you a full citizen of Kargryx, Lady Hestia. These forms are used to help His Majesty, Emperor Eltharion, in handling the dragon population with the aid of the dragonewts. Actually, the other empresses are responsible for these tasks, but I digress. What’s important is to set up your guild documentation.”
[“Mage’s and adventurer guild, you mean?”]
Tasianna nodded. Even in this place, the mage’s guild from Aleistunum had some influence even if it was lacking compared to on Altrust. The reason for this was that dragonewts dominated its list of members, meaning, even if a human guild representative was sent, the dragonewts listened to dragons.
Regardless, I still had a duty as a mage’s guild member to register my presence here. I guess I could use their information network for when I had to figure out a permanent cure for Raffarson’s Debilitation.
Can’t believe I’m finally a citizen of somewhere. Always been a vagabond up until now.
[“Also, dear, don’t you want to go shopping with your dear mother?”] Mom smiled. [“Clothes, food, not to mention, weapons, armor, and maybe some nice potions that will make your scales shine better!”]
[“I’m in!”] I immediately agreed. [“Mother-daughter day, I’m totally for it! Better than having to bond over killing stuff.”]
[“What? Come on, we should hunt as well! Nothing beats rapport building than killing something and then eating the prey afterwards.”]
“Couldn’t be closer to the truth.” Vifi showed a thumbs up, prompting Beth to do the same with her wing.
Well, I couldn’t disagree. That was how Saori and I got so close.
After this discussion was done, my curiosity got the better of me so I decided to ask what Mom and the others talked about when I was fighting Rhekk. Most of it revolved around how I would adapt to my new home and role as a dragon princess, which led to the adults wanting to lecture me on Miononbolax and the imperial family.
[“You need to understand the different dragon flights—‘flight’ is the word we used to describe a subrace of dragons from the same elemental alignment,”] Mom explained. [“Particularly, for you, it would be the ice, holy, fire, and lava dragon flights, well, lava drake ‘wake.’ There are very few lava dragons compared to drakes, since they evolve from earth drakes. They will be your supporters during the succession crisis, specifically, the former two.”]
[“Because I have you as my mother and the fact that being blessed by Aurena makes me a fire-holy aligned dragon,”] I answered, causing Mom to nod.
“Which prompted our next topic, my lady. Do you remember the different tiers of elementals?” Tasianna asked, prompting me to nod. “Lesser, greater, kings, and then emperors. Elementals grow in power as they develop, similar to a monster. I talked with Empress Melloxtressa if something was possible for fairies, and according to her, it might work.”
[“To explain, I think we can use the fact she’s elementally aligned to ice to our purpose. She can’t copy how elementals grow, since she’s not one, but there is another way to make Tasianna stronger.”] Mom then pointed at my core. [“Dragons have elementally-aligned organs inside us and she is planning to do the same.”]
[“… And there is no place better for an ice mage to—”]
“—train than in Frozen Nest! North of it, in fact, is the coldest region of the continent and probably the entire world!” Tasianna finished my sentence. “It’s nothing too special really, but it will involve my alchemy skills. The ‘organ’ I am trying to make will be similar to a catalyst, which means I will require specific ingredients.”
I gave her an enthusiastic clap. [“Nice … but what does that have to do with the ‘next topic.’ Don’t get me wrong, that’s awesome, but didn’t you guys mentioned your talk involved me?”]
“That is the point! Lady Hestia, we are planning on awakening your ice dragon bloodline.”
… What?