“The moment Lord Kael reveals Lady Cirri’s existence, the political scenario of all of Nerathis will change. Your position as the Hero will be strengthened, you will attract more allies, and at the same time, your enemies will get desperate and might do something reckless.
There will be chaos.”
“All because of… one Dragon…?”
“All because of one Dragon.”
Veylara nodded with a serious look on her face.
“What about… the Royal Family? How will they react?”
Kael questioned with a careful look on his face.
He took what belonged to them—he highly doubted that they would react kindly to it.
“It is difficult to say.”
Veylara muttered with a somewhat confused look on her face, even she wasn’t sure about this.
“Yes, Lord Kael attracting a Dragon’s attention when three generations of their family could not, wouldn’t sit well with them. You might become the target of their jealousy but…
It is unlikely that the Dragonborns would act on that jealousy.”
“Why is that?”
Kael questioned.
“Lord Kael was summoned here as a Hero. You were always destined for greatness—a Dragon choosing you as her Tamer only strengthens that claim even further.
Yes, Lady Cirri being with you undermines some of the Dragonborns’ authority, but who hadn’t expected it already?
In time, the Hero will be the strongest there is. It is only a matter of time before your existence would undermine the authority of every other force in Nerathis.”
“So I don’t have to hide Cirri’s existence?”
Kael questioned.
“You have no way to hide Lady Cirri’s existence.”
Veylara corrected.
“The Dragonborns will always be able to see through your level and know the number of Bonds you have. You will need to show Lady Cirri as your Second Bond sooner or later. I suggest you do it now and let the Dragonborns manipulate you into being their ally while you are still naïve.”
“…I understand.”
Kael nodded.
“Lord Kael is wise.”
Veylara bowed her head again, and this time, Kael’s mouth twitched.
“Alright, that’s it.”
He had had enough.
“Stop with this Lord Kael stuff—it feels awkward. I would rather you talk to me like you did before.”
“But I swor-“
“Yes, yes, I know.
But I didn’t reveal Cirri’s existence to you because I was looking for a subordinate. What I need right now is a mentor.”
Kael then glanced at Veylara and,
“Lady Veylara, I want you as my mentor, not a subordinate.”
“…”
Veylara turned silent, unable to react to Kael’s words. So Kael pressed on,
“As much as I would love to have a strong subordinate like you, I also realize my own shortcomings. I am not prepared to handle this big of a responsibility.
Cirri may have chosen me, but I am not worthy of her yet—neither am I worthy of you or your house swearing your allegiance to me.
So before swearing your loyalty, I want you to guide me until I become worthy of all this. After that, we can settle the matter of your allegiance.”
Kael proposed, and at his words, Veylara momentarily turned silent. Then, the woman shook her head and sighed,
“You are too naïve, Hero Kael.”
She commented, somewhat disappointed.
“No one in this world is worthy. It is all a game of words—a game where you create an illusion of safety, strength and absoluteness.
Attract attention, gather allies, and then turn that illusion into reality.”
The woman then stared at Kael and,
“House Stormhold is a formidable force—strong enough to give you standing in not just Drakthar but all of Nerathis. You have a Dragon and such a force ready to swear its allegiance to you. You have everything you need to create that illusion and play the game, yet you still refuse to do so.
It is a foolish move.”
“I am foolish.”
Kael nodded.
“Why do you think I want you to teach me in the first place?”
“I could have done that as your subordinate too.”
“That doesn’t sit well with me. I do not like the sight of the person I respect kneeling in front of me.”
Kael waved his hand, dismissing Veylara’s words, and the woman couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Now I think you aren’t naïve but are trying to charm me with your innocence instead.”
She commented.
“I’ll have you know, Hero Kael, I am a married woman with two children.”
“That shouldn’t stop me, should it?
They say going after married women is easier because the competition is less.”
Kael grinned.
“How vulgar.”
Veylara laughed at those words. Then, Kael looked into her eyes and,
“Seriously, Lady Veylara, I want you to teach me.
I want you to help me survive.”
“I will do my best.”
Veylara nodded.
“I also had another question.”
“Please ask.”
Veylara bowed her head, but once again, Kael shook his head.
“You are doing it again.”
“…”
Veylara scratched her head.
“And Inkar too—isn’t he a proud Firefang Wyvern? Why is he being like this?
A Firefang Wyvern shouldn’t bow his head—that doesn’t suit him.”
Kael spoke as he glanced at Inkar, whose head was still placed on the ground.
“…”
“…”
Both Veylara and Inkar remained silent at Kael’s words. The Hero glanced at Veylara and saw her looking at Cirri and he finally understood what was the problem.
“Is he… being like this because of Cirri…?”
He questioned, still somewhat unsure.
Veylara nodded.
‘That thing is a Wyvern and my Sister is a Dragon—obviously it would be intimidated by her.’
Igni answered, his tone not hiding how proud he was of his little sister.
‘Intimidated…? By her…?’
Kael blinked, staring at his Cirri, who was now gently nibbling his finger, it was yet another way to get his attention, but Kael was too taken aback for the little Dragon’s method to work.
Honestly, Kael was offended.
How can one be intimidated by his adorable daughter?
In the end, he made up his mind. He jumped off Inkar’s back and landed on the ground with Cirri in his arms. Then, he brought Cirri close to Inkar, wanting to show him how adorable his daughter was but…
The closer he got, the more Inkar avoided Cirri. The giant wyvern had even started trembling when Cirri was too close.
“Hero Kael…”
Veylara called out, slightly worried.
‘Father, that thing is too intimidated—it might attack her in fear.’
Igni warned as well.
“How is he intimidated by her?”
Kael stood up and turned towards Veylara.
He then got close to Veylara and placed Cirri right next to her face.
“Just look at her—isn’t she the most adorable thing in the world? How can one be intimidated by her?
See? See? She is the cutest!”
He spoke loudly, and Veylara, who saw Cirri from this close, gulped and forced herself to look away.
She then called out…
“Hero Kael, about me being married…
I doubt it is that big of a deal.”