Hearing this was a shock to the three children. Never did they imagine that Danjela would have such a dark history or that the Sinclairs were a royal family. Adding to the story, Lord Sinclair speaks up,

“As Danjela’s father has passed away, I am the next in line for the throne. The current royal families in the kingdom aren’t there by law but by force. A far off distant “cousin” propped up by human gods currently sits on the throne. Many of the older citizens do not support their rule nor recognize their claims, but with the country surrounded and the people held hostage, they can only hope to be rescued. The newer generation has been taken in by the human powers and indoctrinated to hate their country and their history. The human church has been eating at our borders since the start of our nation but now they’ve finally entered.”

Kyrie then asks,

“Then what will you do? Are you going to retake your country?”

“That is the planned arrangement that our family has with the dragons, particularly the Dragon Guardians. Your mother is also a part of the plan and has been raising and training personnel for the eventual conflict.”

“No way… I never imagined that.”

“This is surprising to say the least. With both the dragons and the royal bee family involved, I had assumed that you both would also have been informed.”

Aldrich pitches in,

“So if I’m understanding this correctly, this means that the Dragon Guardians of this village are in support of the Sinclair house and are planning to retake the Trinity kingdom. Is this also why you’re the lord of our village? To raise an army to take back your country?”

“You are both correct and incorrect. I was a lord here in the dragon lands before my brother had died. I was a wandering knight of sorts before I had met my beautiful wife and my journey had brought me here. I eventually settled down and the local dragons saw fit to make me a lord for my deeds. When my brother sent his daughter here, I was asked by him and dragon collaborators to prepare for an eventual war.”

“The war never came, however. Shortly after Danjela came to live with us, my brother and his entire family except Danjela was slaughtered.”

As the other two children came silent and were processing the information, Leah then spoke.

“Then is Hiram the next ruler after you? Is that why you’ve been training him?”

“Indeed. When I pass away, Hiram will be the next head of the Sinclair house and then next one to inherit the throne.”

“Does he know about this?”

“Of course. He knew about it when Danjela came with the letter from her father.”

“That’s a lot of pressure.”

Looking at her, he takes her head and rubs it.

“Do you worry for your brother?”

“Yes, do you not?”

“Hiram is a strong boy. Even though recent events have him questioning himself, he will see that he is a great leader. He will definitely grow into the shoes that he must fill.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“Do you really believe that?”

“Of course.”

“What if he fails.”

“Failures are natural. People make mistakes. It is important to learn from them. Still, I see your concern. Do not worry Leah, even if your brother fails, I will be there to correct him.”

Seeing as the conversation has begun to stall and stale, Lord Sinclair begins setting up to return to the main hall and let Aldrich and Kyrie leave.

“We should leave Danjela to rest. Tomorrow she should be good enough to join you all once more.”

The children agree and give their goodbyes to Danjela before heading back. As they reach the main hall, Hiram comes in through the front entrance with a blunted wooden spear. Alongside him is Issac who is laughing who is also wielding a similar weapon. Both of them are dirty and have welts and bruises. It is apparent, through context clues, that they were practicing combat. Seeing Aldrich and Kyrie, they speak.

“Aldrich and Kyrie, wha…”

He trails off as he sees his father and then changes his opening greet.

“Lord Aldrich Elden Agnis and Princess Kyrie Sun-Crest, it is a pleasure to see you both again. May I ask why you’re here?”

Aldrich replies,

“We have come today to see if our friends are in good health after the event that had taken place.”

Making a gesture of gratitude, Hiram thanks him by saying,

“You have our thanks for coming all this way in concern of our health. As you can see, with the exception of Danjela, we are doing fine. Issac and I are healthy enough to begin training once more. Have you already seen Danjela?”

“Indeed we have. We were just on our way out to see everyone else after checking in on her and you and Issac.”

“I see, perhaps we could also join you at a later time. For now my brother and I shall freshen up.”

The two brothers move along and enter into a different hallway.

Lord Sinclair turns and whispers to Leah.

“You should go with them and check on your friends' health.”

She whispers back.

“Really dad?”

“Sure. You’re going to go to Ms. Noriko’s lessons anyway so just stick with them.”

“Thanks dad.”

Usually Leah and the rest of her siblings have a schedule and curfew they plan out and follow for the day, but Lord Sinclair was more than willing to let his daughter see her friends.

As Aldrich and Kyrie leave the mansion, Leah comes running along beside them. Kyrie asks Leah.

“Are you okay to leave with us?”

“It’s fine. My father approved of it.”

Leaving the mansion, the group went to the several households of their friends. Going through them, they gathered each friend that they visited until it became late morning. The last friend left to visit is Peter. With the mob of children the group had grown to, they noisily bounced around the village before reaching the outer dwarven embassy, a different and larger office than that of the one in the dragon roost. All around the embassy were dwarves, most of them being guards or warriors. Some wave to the group of children as they approach.

Aldrich walks up to the embassy before he is stopped by a guard. The guard is a familiar face, usually guarding Peter or retrieving him. She looks at him with a soft but gruff voice before assuming the reason for his visit.

“You’re here to see the young master?”

“Definitely.”

“He’s fine. Glad y’all care so much to come by.”

“Can we see him?”

“Not right now. He’s in a meeting with the Matriarch.”

The children behind Aldrich groan.

“Do you know when he’ll be done?”

“I have no idea. The Matriarch does not usually talk to Peter for so long.”

“Then do you know if he’ll come to the lesson today?”

“I also don’t know if that will happen. I hope it will though.”

Seeing as there was nothing left to do here, the group headed out to the dragon roost.