A young woman set a letter on fire on top of a candle then she went to the balcony with a contemplative look. On the burning letter, the name Solany was written on the lower right. Soon, no evidence remained.

So, Marvin is finished… It seems our plans to remove that brutish oaf are no longer required.

Her mind was already predicting the trajectory of the Latias Kingdom once the news about Marvin’s situation spread. How Duke Lucan would react and how to chart a path forward in the political turmoil.

She said she didn't know the identity of the attacker. Curious, for something so basic to be obscured from her keen mind… Alas, Marvin sooner or later calamity would fall down upon you. This is the seed you have sown. I have no pity for you, but as we are of the same blood, I’ll offer you a moment of silence.

“My Lady,” the handmaid's voice came from the other side of the door along with knocks. “Pardon me. Your guests have arrived.”

“Thank you. I’ll be right along.”

She caressed the black-scaled creature that slept on her bed. It was the size of a cat. The touch woke the creature from its slumber. It let out a sound before curling its tail near its head and going back to sleep.

“Sweets dreams, Serena.”

The woman let the baby dragon sleep in peace. It wasn't appropriate to keep the guests waiting.

She entered the guest room with the highest degree of elegance. Her white dress and alabaster skin were a stark contrast with her long and silky jet-black hair. She received the people in the room with a warm smile.

“Valiant heroes, it gladdens my heart that you’ve come to visit.”

There were five youths in silver armor. One wanted to touch a vase and another tried to stop him. When she entered they stopped in an awkward pose. For most, the opulence of the Latias Palace could be overwhelming.

“It is our honor to be invited, Princess,” one of them bowed politely.

“The honor is mine. And please, there’s no need for such rigidity between us. After all, you are all the heroes that prevented a calamity upon the southern border, my ancestral home. Come, I’ve prepared some tea. I hope it is to your liking.”

“That sounds lovely.”

Servants entered bringing tea and snacks on a cart. There were colorful macarons stacked together like a tower and lavish cakes. All of them were superb quality, even capable of improving cultivation.

After the guests sat comfortably, the mood became lighter.

“Princess-”

“Please, call me by my name. I wouldn't dare to use my rank on the illustrious members of the Silver Legion.”

The woman hesitated for a bit before giving a nod.

“Miss Celestine, we thank you for your hospitality.”

“The pleasure is mine,” Celestine said while elegantly sipping her hot tea. “I trust you are well, Miss Freya?”

***

“Shaa!”

“H-hey, quit it.”

“Shaaaa!”

“Come on, listen to me!”

A baby dragon was biting a nice curtain, gnawing at it, and wouldn't let go. It also left many tears and burn marks on the carpet. Croix tried to make his dragon behave but to no avail.

This all happened under the winter-like gaze of the one and only Countess of Stormberg no less, Grace Weiss.

Croix felt the urge to bite his nails in the tension. All the new things must excite the young dragon, thus its naughty dog-like behavior. Along with the prince, Viers, Boram, and Malika were in the room. Alfred was in the infirmary being looked on by the healers, thanks to the gryphon-riding Knight Captain.

Even while the dragon was making a mess of her house, the countess’ face was the same as ever. Her expression was cold and sharp. When her gaze landed on you, it felt like she was about to freeze your soul. Even a soul Pathseeker as good as Viers mistook she was using a soul method.

“Falmerion, bad!” Croix called.

The red dragon had shrunk after the party ran away from Marvin. Croix told Viers it was a temporary gift from the big red dragon on top of the volcano. While Boram was impressed, Viers kept a stoic face. It wasn't surprising for him.

The prince he was backing was successful in his forays. He was a Pathseeker now, with a dragon partner as icing on the cake. The winds of legend were on his back. The greater the prince’s prospect, the greater the potential benefits.

There was another reason Viers was happy: the successful capture of a royal meatbag. But nobody needed to know about it.

The Countess's gaze was focused on Croix from the time of her arrival, then finally, on the dragon. Falmerion seemed to feel it and growled while taking a threatening posture, widening its wings and standing upright. Of course, its full height didn't even reach Viers’ knees. No threat at all. It didn't have the might that it demonstrated back then.

Woman and dragon stared at each other for five seconds.

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Then the winged baby hid behind Croix’s legs like a frightened cat. No longer interested in being rowdy and mischievous. Viers and Malika held back their smile.

“So, you’re not dead.”

After some peace and quiet, the countess spoke.

“It’s thanks to your well-wishes and aid,” Croix gave a nod to the Knight Captain while saying the latter.

“Malika acted without my permission and certainly without my well-wishes. Her punishment for acting without orders will come, but now it is about you.”

Croix gulped his saliva.

“You met an ancient dragon. You became a Pathseeker at the Archion Volcano. Your partner was born. You then managed to escape a significantly stronger older brother who intended to kill you. Am I correct?”

“I did all that only because my friends are with me,” Croix replied humbly.

“Great job,” Grace said curtly.

“You’re too kind,” Croix was elated. He passed the test. With the support of his aunt, the path to the throne will be that much clearer. He would be closer to his goal, a peaceful and prosperous Latias

“Impressive. Marvelous. A legendary achievement. One for the history books… Do you think I’ll say such things?”

Croix shut his mouth.

“Do you think you’re worthy of the mantle of king now? Do you feel you have what it takes to rule a kingdom? Keep it together and safeguard it from inside and outside? Do you think having a newborn dragonling will imbue you with kingly qualifications? What do you know about ruling in the first place?”

“I…”

“You don't know. Of course you don't. Let alone a kingdom, you cannot even rule a village! Similar to that hatchling, you’re just a baby chick!”

Croix and Boram flinched. Boram was younger than Croix afterall. In front of the countess, all of them were like children scolded by the school principal.

The countess threw something at Croix. The prince closed his eyes and braced himself but he felt no pain. He slowly looked forward and saw two things, a sealed letter and a time-worn scroll.

“You’ll depart at sunrise tomorrow. If the place is still a bloody ruin in six months, then you better talk your nonsense somewhere else. And if your dragon scratches my carpet again, I’ll turn you and it into a popsicle. You’re dismissed.”

Grace Weiss turned her back to her nephew before saying the last words.

“Y-yes ma’am.”

Croix was so overwhelmed by the Countess’ intensity he still hadn't processed what happened. He took the letter and scroll before heading to the exit. Viers and Boram followed after a bow to the blue-haired countess in white.

After they left, only Malika and Grace remained.

No words were uttered for a while but the Knight Captain wasn't unnerved. She silently awaited her punishment.

“...You flew to their aid against my wishes.”

“I did it because you wished it, mistress.”

Malika had served the Countess for a long time. It was Grace who raised her after her parents were gone all those years ago. In her quest for revenge towards the man who took her sister, the Countess froze her heart. Unfortunately, that frozen heart was unable to thaw because the man responsible had died.

That hatred spread towards the monarchy, including her sister’s son.

To Prince Croix, Malika suspected that the Countess bore him hatred and love both. Although some said the son wasn't responsible for the sins of the father, the heart could be awfully rigid at times.

Malika acted to spare her mistress the pain of regret.

It was the least she could do for her benefactor.

“...Clean this mess up and all the stables for a week by hand.”

“Yes, mistress.”

When she raised her head, the Countess was no longer there. Malika looked at the mess that the baby dragon had made and rolled her sleeves.

***

“The Shore…” Croix read the contents of the letter.

“What about the shore?” Viers asked.

“No, the Shore is a place. A fishing village, I think? This letter is an official document that makes me the viceroy of the Shore.”

Three people plus one dragon were walking towards the exit of the Countess’ place. At one point Falmerion, a male dragon, according to what Croix told Viers, got tired of walking and flapped his wings before landing on Croix’s shoulder.

“Right… It seems the next test after getting to the start line as a Pathseeker is about actually ruling. If I’m reading your aunt right, this won't be a walk in the park.”

“I concur…” Croix was contemplative. “Will a speech be necessary when we get there?”

“Perhaps. Why?”

“I’m… bad with public speaking. Speaking when everyone is looking at you is unnerving. I had an experience I’d rather forget,” Croix deflated.

“Speaking to your followers seems to be a regular thing for leadership. King included.”

“I know, I know…”

“Guess you have to get good at it.”

“You’re right. Six months… I’ll do it. By the time I’m done, she won't even recognize the place because of how good it is!”

“That’s the spirit! There’s no training like the real thing,” Viers bumped his fist with his palm.

“I’ll help too,” Boram said.

“Thank you, you two. I’ll be counting on you.”

Inwardly, Croix was determined to accept their help at a minimum, if possible. After all, her aunt must be monitoring somehow. If he didn't do the bulk of the work, how could the result, good or ill, be attributed to him?

“Shaa!” Falmerion hissed, but not because he understood the conversation. It was just a reaction.

“What about the other thing?” Viers asked.

“I only gave it a cursory glance but it seems to be a technique for training Falmerion. I think it's pretty amazing. I really have to thank Aunt Grace for this somehow.”

“I see. Heh.”

“What’s so funny?”

“No, it's nothing.”

Even though the Countess acts like that, it seems she’s quite concerned about her nephew’s well-being. Ahh, a tsundere icelady, how original… How cute.

“Hm, she wants us to depart at sunrise tomorrow. I don't like having to leave Alfred behind but he’s not even conscious… At least I’ll make sure he has all he needs. I’m going to visit the healing ward.”

“We’re coming with you, Highness.”

“Uhm!” Croix gave a nod. “That reminds me, I think I should change how to address you, Avel.”

“Hm? Why?”

In his mind, Viers thought his cover was blown. How?

“Well, you might be my vassal but since you're older than me…”

Oh, it's about the lower-than-twenty-may-pass thing in Archion.

Croix thought Avel might be a hundred years old or something. Calling him with just his name doesn't feel right. He didn't feel this way with Alfred.

“I think-”

The prince’s words stopped when the main door of the Countess’ manor opened wide. As always, it was raining at Stormberg. However, Viers saw the rain come to a standstill. Just like Croix and Boram. Even the guards were stopped. There was even a bolt of lightning in the clouds that was frozen in time.

Everything was still, except Viers.

The opened door showed the visage of Grace Weiss, standing as intimidating and as elegantly a noble lady should. There was no doubting the cause of this strange phenomenon.

And she froze everyone and everything except for Viers.

“Are you afraid?”