“The other dragon?”
“Mhm.” I nodded. “And he brought up the point that a princess needed heirs. That the people would expect them from me.” I could feel the gears in Charlotte’s head clicking before she blurted out her response.
“Oh shit, he’s right. Hmm, okay, I see why it’s been on you mind,” Charlotte pointed out as I nodded. I watched as she thought about the question for a bit, finger on her chin. By that frown I guessed she didn’t have a good answer either.
“Hmm…can we adopt some kids?” Charlotte asked and I shook my head.
“Remember, I’m one of the only three dragons, and soon to be two if I try to take the crown. The people will need me to have children.” I was a bit glum, but I noted it hadn’t transferred over to Charlotte. She was still thinking.
“Well, I have some advice.”
I raised my eyebrows in surprise. “Really?” I gasped as she nodded to my delight.
“How about we put it aside for now!” Charlotte gave a disarming smile as I looked at her, confused. How was I supposed to forget my own nagging thoughts?
“Now listen. I’m not saying actually forget about it, because it’s a really good question that needs to be answered. However, considering you’re going into a vault filled with Cestra’s secrets, maybe you’ll find some lost dragon magic thing that will give us a solution? Or maybe Roland wouldn’t mind. Or maybe we adopt some of Lazarus’s kids. I’m just saying that all of those are possibilities, depending on how things play out.”
I ran each option through my mind and nodded. I never did ask why Roland didn’t want kids. If it was taking care of them, or if Lazarus had a few kids of his own that we accidentally stranded, that wouldn’t be a bad solution.
“Thank you, Charlotte, but if none of those things work, and if I don’t find anything in the archives, would you mind, living with me? In some far-off place?” Charlotte looked almost disappointed as I let out a weak smile.
“Aw Aria, you don’t have to do that for me. You deserve the crown, more than any other dragon.”
I stared up at her, waiting for her to finish, and then I said, “I know, but hear me out. I’ve been living with you and Kennith and Mari, and I’ve realized that I’m really happy here. I’m really happy like this, with you.” I slowly slid deeper into bed as Charlotte finished brushing her hair. “I’ve come to realize that if I take the throne, I could potentially make everything worse for everyone. I know, I know. I gave up so much to get here.” I sat up as she slid onto bed beside me.
“But Lazarus’s rule does guarantee this post-conflict world that we’ve grown into, whereas if I take the crown, it’ll be the biggest fight in centuries. Or worse yet, my or Roland’s death as well as his.” Charlotte’s arms wrapped around me as I gave a happy little gasp, before leaning against her neck.
“You get that, right? If there’s nothing in Cestra’s Archives, then how am I supposed to justify my own crown when it actively makes the world worse for my subjects.”
I felt a poke on my cheek as Charlotte giggled, whispering into my ears.
“I’d just take the crown, but maybe that’s why they didn’t make me a dragon.” I couldn’t help but laugh as she let me go, before sliding down into the bedsheets with an exhausted sigh.
“By the Trinity, it’s been a long day. Whatever you want to do, I trust your judgement. Just know that you deserve that crown, and I’m going to sleep. I woke up extra early today.”
I snuffled the candle, before giving her a goodnight kiss on the cheek. “Goodnight Charlotte. I love you.” I slid into bed by her side, snuggled beside her, and scooted to her side as my head tilted to her shoulder.
“Love you too. Better get to ride you if we’re living together,” she whispered into my ear, half asleep as I let an embarrassed mumble into our pillow. How are you embarrassing me while you’re sleeping!
Chapter 15: Into the Depths.
Being forced to wake up in the morning was difficult, especially since I had a long day ahead of me. While I lay in bed, trying to shake off the drowsiness from not getting to sleep in, I had time to consider how I wished to do things.
As soon as I tried to access Mother’s archives, it would only be a matter of time until Lazarus found out. Thus, it was critical that I put my plans into motion as quickly as possible. It also meant that if I didn’t care about casualties, and I sure didn’t about the church, the fastest way in and out would be to apply a liberal dose of dragon diplomacy.
I felt Charlotte squeeze my hand. Right. We were walking over to the Acadamae, first thing in the morning. I barely remembered what happened earlier, other than being half asleep and missing breakfast.
“Still tired, sleepyhead?” she asked and I nodded, rubbing my eyes again before letting out a yawn.
I muddled as I flopped back into my pillow. “Y-Ya. I’m still not fully awake either, but it’s better to visit early morning than later, when more people are out.” Charlotte nodded as I gave my head a shake.
“You want me to piggyback you there?” She giggled and my heart skipped a beat.
“I’m trying to be a respectable ruler, not a child!” I blurted out, feeling wide awake. I couldn’t tell if she was joking or serious, because she was too busy laughing at me.
Soon enough we were out of bed and out of the house. I saw almost nobody outside. The first rays of sunlight peeked out from behind the crystal castle I had so enviously read about all these years.
First, I needed to make sure Charlotte was safe. While the discussion about heirs was negotiable, this was not.
“Charlotte. After you escort me to the Acadamae, I need you to head home. All right?” I asked as I watched Charlotte stop in her tracks, taken aback for a moment before formulating a response.
“Aren’t you usually the one that likes being clingy? Like right now?”
I gave a playful pout, before poking her ribs. We had held hands all the way here, something which I was liking more and more. “I blame you, Charlotte, for giving me a constant need to cling onto you.” I was joking, but I also needed to get serious.
“I want to take you along, but it’s for your safety!” I grumbled as I watched Charlotte’s eyebrows raise. “I talked with Roland, and like before, I have no way of protecting you from another dragon. The best way for me to keep you safe is to let me take it from here…”
Charlotte placed a knowing finger over my lips. There was a tug as she led us away from the square, towards a quiet alleyway nestled between two stores gearing up for the day ahead.
“I’ve been with you for long enough to know that leaving you alone is a bad idea. You need someone by your side.” Her voice was earnest among the sound of hissing steam.
I felt her hand against my shoulders, eyes matching mine. Normally I would have agreed with a weak reply and allowed her to take the lead. This time, it was a matter of her safety. I couldn’t, no, wouldn’t do that to her.
“Charlotte, put yourself in my shoes.” I squeezed her hand. We were almost close enough to kiss.
“You’ve helped me every step of the way to get this far. More than that.” I felt blood rush to my cheeks. “But you’ve never taught me what to do if you’re gone. I don’t want to find out.”
There was a moment of silence between the two of us as we didn’t move a muscle. Instead, we stared into each other’s eyes. She wanted to make me happy and keep me safe. I wanted the same thing.
