With a dumb expression, Melryn stares in the middle of dressing. In front of him was his mother, who had just told him what had happened the day before.

"You are a serious mother? Me married?" [Melryn]

Folding her arms, Litralia only nodded, amused by her son's bemused state.

"Your sister-in-law did quite well for her first dealings with the Yuikra. But you should pay your respects to her before you leave for the academy today. This marriage avoided much bloodshed." [Litralia]

The realization that what he was being told was true sank in.

"I thought there would be complications." [Melryn]

"There were, but not something a master could not handle." [Litralia]

The night before, when all the necessary documents had been finalized. A group of Haldrathin had attempted to retrieve Illtris and her son. In an attempt to take the young woman and the money. Once the signatures were on the paper. Illtris instantly became part of the clan. Meaning any action against her would be bloody and swift.

Melryn, however, had not been told about the incident. Because Illtris herself never knew there was any danger towards her. Everything had been dealt with silently.

"I am not sure what to say." [Melryn]

"Say nothing; be appreciative that your brother allows this marriage." [Lanthim]

It was an indisputable fact that the one who had all power in the Drathalkin clan was Lanthim. At the same time, Leinea was not a figurehead, which was her husband's intent. A harmonious environment between the two of them meant that. Neither is shown brighter than the other. There was no pettiness between them or jealousy. They performed their respective parts with perfect unity.

To Melryn, he wished for such a marriage. But he realized that it wouldn't be easy, watching his elder brother move this way and that having. To deal with two wives and maintain the harmony that existed then. But not a perfect harmony; there was always some discontent between Leinea and Mynrea. It's hidden from the rest but not hard to see. Meanwhile, with family, they acted appropriately as if all was well.

Things between the two dragons were only sometimes smooth. Mynrea, her granddaughter, did not have a child, which made her unhappy. Before he got injured, Lanthim would come to visit with her. But things would never develop intimately. They would talk, laugh and enjoy each other's company. But never had they slept together once since being married.

This led to her becoming more unhappy as the months stretched on. Now, with Lanthim unable to do anything. Mynrea found herself trying to spend more time with him and Leinea.

She was lying together with Lanthim in the meditation room. Mynrea lay on her chest, looking down at his scared face. Leinea had left a few minutes earlier to depart for the academy. Lifting onto her elbows, she began to play with his hair.

"Mynrea, my eyes may be gone, but I can see." [Lanthim]

In the position she was lying in, if he tilted his head far enough, he could see her breast. That being said, looking at the world through natural mana. He did not have to move at all, which was convenient.

"I know. Does this displease you?" [Mynrea]

"Not at all; I would like to see more." [Lanthim]

Raising his hand to her face, Mynrea felt a powerful energy pulse through her body. Her face was reddening slightly. Having her husband tell her he would be happy with more was pleasing to her ears.

"My body, Mynrea, is not in a state. That allows me to give you children at this time. The wound to my thigh makes any movement excruciating." [Lanthim]

Looking down at the wound, Mynrea saw a slight pinkish red coming through the bandage.

"Why would you concentrate on other wounds that were not so needful?" [Mynrea]

"It was easier to reconstruct my tendril network with shorter lengths to work from." [Lanthim]

She was setting herself back down off her elbows. Mynrea moved just next to Lanthim so to see his face.

"It has been a short while since you returned, hasn't it?" [Mynrea]

True, while it felt like she had lived in this residence for a year. In truth, it had been less than seven months since the three of them started living together.

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"Indeed, not long at all, and much has happened." [Lanthim]

True, much had happened over the last months, but Mynrea wanted a better outcome than the most recent. While at the same time helping to bring it about.

"Yes, it is nice that Melryn is not inconvenienced by dealing with two wives. At least we will have a child born into this clan." [Mynrea]

"That is unfair, Mynrea." [Lanthim]

Lanthim's tone was soft but stern.

"I have done the best I can. You can not blame me or Leinea for how things have turned out so far." [Lanthim]

"Not Leinea? But why can't I? She only slept with you one time to evade the question. Since then, nothing I feel you are happy with, just being happy little friends." [Mynrea]

The conversation was turning away from Lanthim quickly. That said, he would not be dictated to. Unlike Mynrea, who had the use of telepathic transmissions through familiars. Sustained and built a relationship with Lanthim over the ten years he was gone. Leinea had only ever heard stories about him as she grew up. So there was nothing between them at all.

Sitting herself up, Mynrea sat in frustration. After months of waiting for him to do something, his slow pursuit of Leinea ate at her.

"Lanthim, tell me. Why is she not pregnant? Why is there no child? INSIDE OF ME!" [Mynrea]

In the last part, she cried out, letting out everything she felt. Laying silent, Lanthim could not help but grieve himself.

"I have wronged you, Mynrea. If I gave Leinea time, things would naturally move towards that course." [Lanthim]

"And now you see that all you did was become comfortable with how things were." [Mynrea]

Mynrea felt anger and bitterness as she spoke. Just watching the two of them play around was sickening.

"I will have to talk with Leinea about this privately." [Lanthim]

Nodding, Mynrea wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Good; I hope something can come out of that conversation." [Mynrea]

Saying this, she proceeded to leave the meditation room with a hopeful heart.

Academy of Alistri Campus Lawn

Sitting together as always, the Drathalkin clan had a new member. Sitting next to Leinea with her new husband, Melryn. Staring at her with a discontented look on his face. Having been forbidden to sit with Illtris until Leinea said otherwise

"I have been able to get four days' leave for the two of you. I would send Uslign to stay with Litralia until you both calm down." [Leinea]

Iltris's went instantly red as Leinea whispered into her ear.

"Are you sure so much time will be required? We just got married. Shouldn't things be left to settle a little?"

Instantly, both looked at Melryn, who wanted to hear what they were saying.

"No, I am pretty sure you will need it." [Leinea]

What was being implied made Illtris a little worried.?She had anticipated Melryn being receptive to sleeping with her. But with what was being said to her now. He may be more than just receptive.

"You should be fine. The fifth day is an off day, so you can have an extra day to get used to each other.[Leinea]

Leinea had not experienced an impulsive husband for herself. At first, Lanthim seemed distant but was a loving partner.

"I think after classes, we girls should look for a good place for the two of you to settle into." [Syrelia]

Thinking he had found a way to be with Illtris. The words "we girls" instantly defeated him. Feeling a hand on his shoulder, he looked to Aldain, who tried to comfort him.

Drathalkin Residence Leinea's Favorite Garden

They had all arrived at Leinea's Territory. The three girls looked at each other amazed. When this gathering was arranged, Illtris did not think about what to wear, So she dressed as simply as possible. She wore a white blouse with a yellow skirt that went to her knees. With the sun still shining bright, she had a parasol for a daughter from a powerful clan. It was not much.

Looking at Syrelia while she wore a blue one-piece dress. The quality of the material made what she wore look like she was going to a globally ranked clan-hosted ball. Both turned, looking intently at Leinea. She was dressed in a red shirt that she had acquired from Lanthim's closet. A pair of pants that accentuated everything about her legs: she had gone complete tomboy with her hair done in a ponytail.

"What? It is comfortable." [Leinea]

The next moment, the shirt changed, becoming tighter around Leinea's chest. Folding her arms, she understood what was going on.

{Lanthim.}

Passing her thoughts through the bonding, she waited for a response. With a hand placed impatiently on her hip. Others with her wondered if something was wrong.

{I shall not repent.}

Bonding was an effective way of communicating. Because Lanthim was of higher order, he was not confined to other bonding aspects. Mainly the ability to have her partner's mind open to her. At this moment, Leinea just stood. A look on her face as if she would harm someone. She could feel the playful, joyful emotions passing through.

"Sigh. Since we are here, let's look through this map and see where we want to begin." [Leinea]

She took the map she had in her free hand and placed it on the ground before everyone. The entire residence was able to be seen.

"So, if we were to go house to house. We could be travelling around this place for weeks. This map will give us the ability to pick out places of interest. To ease our search." [Leinea]

Looking at the map intently, Illtris formulated what she would need. The way each building was built blended into everything else.

"While a good view is nice. Bathing is communal, so every building has easy access. Only specific buildings have their amenities, but that is to keep outsiders away." [Leinea]

The idea of communal bathing was familiar to Illtris, just not on this scale. And because she had just married into the clan. She could choose the best location to start her new life with Melryn.

"How about here? Third peak second tier." [Syrelia]

Pointing to a place that, according to the map, looked at least acceptable to see if there was a place to put down roots there.

"Should be as good as any, I think." [Illtris]

Leinea took the lead to a platform close to where they currently stood. A portal opened just as they arrived on the other side, where they wished to go. Not questioning the portal's fortuitous nature, all three arrived at the desired location.

"So we have a bathhouse. What would your next criteria for a good home be." [Leinea]

Thinking about this kind of thing now felt daunting. Every time, Illtris would think of something. Something else would immediately follow. This kind of experience differed from what she remembered having in the past. But she would have to get past her imitations for this new life.