Chapter 22: Enforced Ruler

22.0

Gentle sunrays enveloped the mountains of Courzer, dissipating the nightly chill that parted with the calming night.

Whether one belonged to a Lower Race or Higher Race, whoever was blessed to live in the Mountain of the Dragons never failed to marvel at the beautiful dawn.

Although…it was only in recent times that Courzer’s atmosphere turned for the better.

Brilliant sunshine or tender rain were used to be rare occurrences for the Dragons. The atmosphere in Courzer had not always been this pleasing throughout the centuries.

For the past year or so, the dragons of Courzer had noticed the change in their quality of life, though they were resilient species, none could deny beauty of the four seasons.

Fluffy winds passed the dragons by very often, some days light drizzle would greet them, and on some auspicious days, flowers covered all of Courzer bloomed and blossomed as though the Gods themselves had come to bless their lands.

Some dragons were hardly moved by this change. But almost all agreed that it boosted the morale for many of their younglings.

Rumors among dragon kind was that one of the Ancient Dragons’ introduced such a ‘colorful’ atmosphere to Courzer.

And ever since the addition of the human amongst their lands they made it such that the weather accommodated the environment that he was used to.

That it was him who was responsible for the change in their habitat.

There was little truth to such hearsay among dragon kind, especially so coming from dragons who have yet to explore the world.

But in certain ways, the rumors were correct.

Historically, the weather in Courzer fairly corresponded to their ruler, Lord Kharston, who was as impartial as the skies themselves, brought about the unchanging scenery of Courzer who stood mightly above all mortals.

After all, Lord Kharston was a dragon who resided in peace after his campaign in the Great War.

Ever since Lady Synthia’s death and Kharston’s ascension, Courzer had lost its spark, its direction...

For a brief moment in time, dragon kind was left in disarray.

Velerion had filled in when his father had left them, but without an official ceremony and direct approval from his sister and Elder Dragon, Ephinelyth, dragon kind was torn between siding with the Silver Maiden of Judgement who cared nothing for them and an immature dragon who could only hope to inherit an inkling of his father’s greatness.

To claim that Velerion was the ruler of all dragon kind was at best, a biased truth.

Thankfully, the confusion that plagued dragon kind had turned into budding hope of a new age on that fateful day.

When he appeared.

The mortal who gained both the Elder Dragon siblings’ approval, their respect, and consigned Courzer back on its tracks.

Sizzle…

The distinct sound of oil jumping across a heated pan was made its way through the quiet valleys. Paired with the aroma of tea in the air, this secluded region of Courzer remains unfazed at the baseless rumors that swirled among the common folk.

“How do you want your eggs, Evie?”

“However you wish to cook them.”

John who was by the stove placed a hand by his waist, eyes still focused on his culinary, a line encompassing both mischief and joy was drawn across his lips.

“Come on, girl. Give me a straightforward answer, if you don’t I’ll—”

“I’ll gladly eat them even if you serve them raw, John.”

“Hey!” his eyes rolled in their sockets, obviously amused at Evie’s playful banter. “At least, let me finish my joke, it’s not fun if you read my mind before I say the funny part out loud.”

“Ufufu!!! You silly man.”

Not even needing to turn his head to her, he knew her blue eyes were sparkling with joy.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“Seriously though, if you don’t want to choose, I’ll just make cheese omelets. Evie, you okay with—”

Swoop!

Without making so much of a footstep, Evie appeared behind John, arm wrapped around his waist as her head popped beneath his left arm.

“T-this is dangerous, I’m cooking with high heat here!”

“Heat doesn’t effect this Elder Dragon, ufufu.”

“Evie…” John locked gazed with her. “I don’t want to see oils flying your way. The thought alone disturbs me...”

“You are gentle as always, my love,” the silver haired girl proceeded to nuzzle her face against his back, fingers running across his thighs like she had many, many times. “But, I also love it when you are rough with me, this woman of yours has no complaints, ufufu.”

“I—”

John’s stoic face broke in a flustered one, his mouth gaping as he fished for the words in his mind.

“T-that! And this are different things, okay!?”

“So, he says. And yet he did not hesitate when he made me a woman, ufufu!!!”

“Evie!

John grit his teeth, face as red as the flames on the stove.

Though he had made sweet love to her so many times that he lost count, his knees still falter whenever his wife reminded him of their first time.

“I-I did hesitate, I asked you over and over if I should!” John let go of the pan, turned towards Evie as his fingers to gently knead her cheeks, tugging at them as his wife looked at him smugly with her beautiful blue eyes.

“This is payback for teasing me yesterday, ufufu,” her giggle appeared in his head. “I told you to take me already, yet you kept kissing and sucking, I’ve even lost count how many times you made me—”

“That’s whyyyy, I am cooking breakfast today. I told you I got too into it, your reactions are just too adorable. You know me when I get really into doing it.”

“Hmph, your sweet talk won’t get you out of this one, John,” Ephinelyth folded her arms. “I’ll have my revenge on you, today, I shall be the one to tease you.”

A soft smile appeared on John’s face, he placed a hand on Evie’s head, patting her before he returned to his cooking, “I am all yours later, let’s finish breakfast before Velerion comes.”

“No.”

“What do you mean, no? Evie, the meeting is in fifteen minutes, I am still in my boxers. We have to get changed,” John uttered as he extinguished the flames, he reached for the condiments that were by his side. “My herbs… where did I keep— Hey!!!”

By the time he noticed, his boxers were slowly being dragged downwards by Evie’s white tail, leaving his lower body completely exposed.

“Ufufu, I wonder how that happened, my love?”

As her words parted her mouth, Ephinelyth’s white tail proceeded to caress John’s thighs, encircling him as it gradually inched to his now aroused member…

Poof.

“That will be my revenge for now, ufufu,” Evie smiled as her tail disappear, her hands stroked his cheeks lovingly “We are short on time, I shall reserve the fun for later tonight.”

“T-then what was that for?” John raised a thick eyebrow, proceeding to place the freshly cooked meal onto two plates.

“To cheer you up, my love.”

“Me? Need cheering? Evie, that’s not…”

“I am not doubting that, but as your woman, it is my duty to ease your burdens, is it not? You are confronting them today, after all.”

Evie’s soft hands moved to John’s wrists, stabilizing the shaking in his arms.

“This is natural, I am born with shaky—"

Evie brough his hand to her face, “I adore the natural tremors you have in your hands, John. I don’t need to read your mind to know what goes on in your heart. Your eyes, your body movements, your breathing, I know you are troubled. I know you still keep some of your emotions to yourself and don’t wish me to worry.”

“Ephinelyth, I don’t—”

“But that is just your charm, my love,” Evie interjected before John could apologize. “Who would not fret, or get nervous if they were in your position. John, I do not need you to tell me everything that goes on in your head, for regardless of my mind reading abilities, I have many ways of knowing you, of loving you, of speaking to you. That is why…”

Evie stood to the balls of her feet, inched her face close to John’s.

Muah.

Her soft lips gently pecked his before she quickly returned to her heels.

“…I say to you, do not fear what happens later with the Ancient Dragons. I will be by your side at every moment.”

Throughout the past year of staying with Evie and living his newfound life, Ephinelyth had showed him nothing but the joys of peace, affirmed his trust, nourished his empty heart.

Compared to the boy who was banished from the Elven Tribe, John developed much from the immature boy into a man who held unwavering conviction.

No longer second guessing himself and drowning in his self-destructive tendencies had brought him much clarity to his perspective.

He still had many doubts and questions as he once did, but instead of lingering on them with an aimless obsession, he learned to tame it with his unparalleled conviction.

Nowadays, instead of wallowing in despair, John had focused his mental and physical energies on more constructive things, taking on activities like cultivating a small garden with Evie, learning to cook, reading stories or even practice singing—admittedly he was not that good—with Ephinelyth.

These were the things that brought him serenity. For as long he was with her, he knew of peace.

With himself and the world he lived in.

It would be great if the rest of his life would go on like this.

In fact, if John were to pass away this moment, he would die a happy and content man. That said, this tranquil life of his did not mean the solvency of his responsibilities.

Firstly, there was still the matter of the other dragons pushing John to be their leader after the defeat of Velerion about a year ago.

While he emerged victorious and embarked on this new life with Evie, he still had to answer to the Ancient Dragons who insisted on making him their ruler.

Secondly, there was still the matter of Aurelius.

His brother who was of wolfkin blood, whose past was only vaguely hinted in his journals that spoke of his journey through the Demon Desert, his training in a temple, and of a sister that he had long parted with.

John had vowed to fulfill the promise he made to his brother. Though not pressed for time, the matters of Aurelius Velupus still pestered his mind.

And finally, there was his past. The past that he forgotten, the past involving Kahnira and his abusive parents, of which all he locked away in the deepest parts of his mind.

If John intended to learn of why and how Kahnira’s death caused him to lock his memories away in shame, he will need Evie’s abilities to help him.

He is stronger now, his mind had gone through the worst torment imaginable, one that was of his own doing.

If he could face his inner demons and defeat them in life, he was certain he could face his past memories that he locked away in his mind.

All that was left was for him to reclaim what he had long lost.

For the sake of his future and Ephinelyth who he held dear.

With Ephinelyth by his side, John enjoyed his simple breakfast with his wife, holding her in his arms as he looked deep into her blue eyes, knowing that she enjoyed his presence as much as he did hers.

It was simple things like these that got him up each day with renewed hope.

“Love you, Evie.”

“Ufufu, I love you too, John.”

And it is why his conviction grows stronger each passing day.