The White King's Favorite novel Chapter 2

The man was completely baffled. He knew the Dragon Empire had Dragons, but he didn't think he'd see so many of them at once, from so close, too!

Just a few seconds later, the Princess was surrounded by those small creatures, all trying to climb over her, or making high-pitched sounds at her feet. They were moving around a lot, but thanks to their very different colors, Yassim counted four of them. The biggest was a black one, about as large as a big dog, or a snow leopard, but including the tail, it was the length of two of those. It was rubbing his body like a cat against the Princess's leg, and this Dragon was a lot like the large one she had called Krai, with a longer body, but smaller tail and wings. It was arching its body in Yassim's direction, with glowing sapphire eyes and some faint growling. Another one was next to him, also moving around the Princess, visibly trying to approach her without climbing over a light-green Dragon, just a bit smaller. The two smallest were the ones climbing all over the Princess, trying to get around her shoulders or in her arms. They were both still a bit too big to be there, and were flapping their wings and kept bickering to get more space, even growling at each other in annoyance. One was a bright orange-red, while the other dark blue, and it was only thanks to the difference in color that Yassim could follow their bodies' bickering and flying around, until Cassandra clicked her tongue.

"Enough, you two!"

As soon as she did, both of the small ones jumped down on the grass, a bit quieter, but still rushed beneath their older peers to rub themselves against her ankles too, like angsty kittens.

Then, a fifth Dragon came out of the water, more shyly than the others. This one was grey, and even bigger than the black and blue-eyed one. Yet, it looked like it was almost afraid of the Princess, and tried to slither away.

"Kiki."

The Dragon froze, and Krai suddenly growled at this little one too. As soon as the big Black Dragon had growled, all four of the little Dragons quickly scattered. The two small ones ran to the little boys, hiding behind them, while the other two went to the elder sister, Cessilia, curling up next to the folds of her purple dress, one on each side, and put their heads on her lap. She chuckled, and petted them, but they all had eyes on poor Kiki.

Cassandra sighed, and walked to the Grey Dragon.

"Kiki, go find your owner. And you'd better stay with her this time!" she said.

As soon as she was done talking, the Grey Dragon flapped its tiny wings, and, although it looked like they wouldn't be strong enough to carry its weight, the little one managed to get itself above the wall. Even after Kiki was gone, Yassim was still unable to process what had just happened, what he was seeing. Dragons! Baby Dragons everywhere!

"Children, go see your aunt Phemera for a little while," Cassandra suddenly said, "I need to talk with your older sister."

They all obeyed immediately without a complaint, apparently happy to go see "Auntie 'Mera", their little Dragons following after them. Once those four and their Dragons were gone, only the two older girls and the huge Black Dragon were left in the garden. Calm befell on the garden, and Cassandra smiled at her daughter.

"Cessillia, this man has something to ask you."

Cessilia exchanged a look with her cousin.

"...Is it alright if I stay, Auntie?" asked Tessa.

Cassandra nodded gently, and the two young women stood up, Cessilia kept her book tight against her chest. Once she stood up, that young lady was obviously tall for her age... perhaps another family trait, from her father's side this time. Yassim had heard rumors about The War God being as tall as a giant... Although he had expected the rumor to be a bit of an exaggeration, Cessilia was definitely not a petite woman. She had her mother's slender figure though, but more defined muscles, which he could see from her exposed arms. Perhaps because she was a young woman, she wore a bit more jewelry, bracelets and earrings, and also a wide-band golden choker around her neck, covering most of it.

Tessa briefly glanced towards her aunt, before her dark eyes went to Yassim. Now that he was seeing her from a bit closer, his cousin also had a hint of green in her eyes, although it was very faint.

"Cessilia is my eldest daughter, she's eighteen years old," said Cassandra. "She and Tessa were born in the same year, hence why they are so close."

"...Auntie, what is this about?" asked Tessa, frowning.

Yassim could see defiance in his cousin's dark eyes, she was probably well aware of their Nations' bloody history together. She didn't bother to hide her frown, and acted somewhat cautious, with a hand on her hip. Unlike most women he had seen in the Dragon Empire, Tessa was wearing pants and a cropped top that flattered her flat stomach and curvy figure better than a dress would have, and wore only green too. Although she was also wearing several items of gold jewelry, even in her long braids. Yassim also noted how she stood slightly off profile, as if she was ready to step in at any moment between him and Cessilia. Unlike her though, Cessilia looked much more relaxed, just a bit curious and surprised.

Cassandra glanced his way, so Yassim understood she was expecting him to explain himself alone. He nodded, and bowed once more to the two young ladies.

"Good morning, my Ladies. I am Yassim the Wise, a close advisor to his Highness, King Ashen the White."

"...K-king Ashen?" repeated Cessilia.

Yassim was a bit taken aback by the Princess's visible surprise, but he nodded, thinking she ought to be shocked by the reason for his visit after all.

"Yes, my Lady. I have come to the Dragon Empire to extend my King's request that they provide him with a... possible future Queen of the Eastern Kingdom."

"You want to send Cessilia as a prospect wife, Auntie?" asked Tessa, visibly shocked too.

"Only if she wants to go," said Cassandra, very calm, her green eyes on her daughter.

For a few seconds, mother and daughter exchanged a long look in silence. Some silent discussion seemed to be happening between them, between Lady Cassandra's calm and gentle expression, and that little spark in her daughter's eyes. Then, Cessilia turned to Yassim.

"D-did the K-king r-really ask for... for me as his wife, S-sir Yas...Yassim?"

Yassim was too shocked to answer her right away. This time, it couldn't be a surprise. Her way of speech... The princess had read that book perfectly fine before, but just now... She was a stutterer?

As a man called wise, Yassim quickly hid his surprise, and nodded politely.

"My Lord still has no Queen by his side, Princess, and he is actively looking for one befitting the position. He sent me away to find for him a Princess of the Dragon Empire."

Yassim knew he was in a dangerous position if he lied to the Princess or the Imperial Family, but the man was at his wits' end, and was now betting everything on this moment. He already considered himself quite lucky he had made it this far, and that the Princess looked interested in his query...

"I s-see..." muttered Cessilia, looking down.

"You're the only one of age, Cessillia," her mother gently said, "But this is your decision."

"We don't have any obligation to comply with the King's demand, right my Aunt?" asked Tessa, still frowning.

"Of course not."

Yassim kept his head down. No, they didn't have any. He was an old man and had come alone, to almost beg them to agree to send one of their precious daughters to a Kingdom they had been at war with for longer than they had been at peace. Moreover, there was no discussion to even be held in terms of difference of power. The Dragon Empire was extremely rich, prosperous and had Dragons to defend it. Their Kingdom was barely recovering from the wounds of the past civil wars, a broken system and the loss of many of their own people. Even if they sent him back in little chunks with an insult tattooed on his forehead, there would be nothing that could be done in retaliation, nothing.

Hence, Yassim the Wise was presently very happy to see that Princess Cessillia was seriously considering his demand. He had come with nothing else to give other than a little chest full of cheap treasures, and his good word.

"D-did you ask Aunt Sh-Shareen?" asked Cessilia, turning to her mother again.

"It's your decision, Cessi. Your decision only. Your unt allowed this man to meet you, didn't she?"

Cessilia's eyes went back to Yassim, and she gave him a faint smile. The old man was grateful, but still surprised. Was the princess seriously considering this? Going to a Kingdom she knew nothing of, to meet a complete stranger? As she remained silent a bit longer, he decided to take a little step forward, bowing again, and push his luck.

"Our King is young, my Lady, but a very handsome and smart man. He is named Ashen the White King, and just three years older than you."

"Ashen...?"

"Yes, my lady," said the man, bowing deeper.

A silence followed, and Yassim wondered if he wasn't overstepping. Yet, none of the women said anything, until he raised his head, and saw the Princess's conflicted green eyes.

"...Why is th-that his n-name? The white K-king?" asked Cessilia.

"That is because our King's hair is white, my Lady, like the Great God in our Lore."

"W-white?" she repeated, visibly surprised.

"I am not lying to my own sister for your sake, Tessa." interrupted Cassandra.