“Which part?”
“Don’t know. Call it an intuition. Or…maybe I’m just being paranoid!” She chuckled. “He seems to be helping you out pretty well, Silas.”
“We cover each other.”
“Do you really think he can find our wolf girl?”
“I do. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t entertain this.”
“I’m sure you still would, for us, right?”
I chuckled. “Yeah, you’re right. Speaking of the devil, where is Rufian?”
“With the girls,” Elle said without skipping a beat. She pursed her lips and leaned her crossed arms over the counter, tilting her chin in the air with a cheeky attitude.
“With what girls?”
“The ones you brought in, of course!”
I scoffed. “So much for rest.”
“Speaking of, you need some. You look tired, Silas.”
I smiled. “I’m good actually. I have a few minutes left in my EXP Amulet. I was planning on going out there to max out on experience points.”
“Silas, you know what happens when you substitute combat for sleep. You drain yourself out. Take a break. I can whip you up something good to munch on before you snooze.”
“It’s okay, Elle. I’ll be back,” I said, hopping off the stool and heading out. “But I’ll take you up on that meal though!”
She huffed. “That stubborn man. Just like my Estian.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Lucyna
The Empress of the Dragon Empire was a powerful and formidable woman who commanded the utmost respect from her subjects. She had honed her skills since she was a young girl, making sure that she could put up a fight to protect herself and her title. She was of strong mind and strong will, capable of conquering anything in her path. There was no room for fear in her heart, nor hesitation when it came to fighting for what she believed in.
The Empress's strength was not only limited to her physical prowess and leadership abilities; she was also wise beyond her years. She had studied many texts on history, both ancient and modern, as well as the philosophical methodologies of the world she lived in.
Nothing compared to her when it came to strength and determination. Her army was indomitable, made up of fierce warriors that were trained in the art of battle. They were deadly, unyielding, and possessed great courage, which made them a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.
Under the rule of the Dragon Empress, the borders of the empire expanded rapidly as she conquered many neighboring lands. Soon, her name and influence became known throughout the world. People spoke tales of her and even feared her name. She made her reign known along the vastness of Thalian, the reputation of her kingdom spawning victory after victory against foreign nations who sought to challenge her authority.
The reign of the Dragon Empress was unlike any other before it; her strength, courage, and wisdom were unparalleled. The lands beneath her rule thrived under her guidance, growing more prosperous each passing day as she guided them towards a brighter future.
With her sharp intellect, she charted a path of progress for her people that would serve them well for generations to come.
She was an inspiration to her dragons, and seen as the savior of Dradersi by ending the chronic war of our time…
“LUCYNA!” a voice cried, breaking me out of my light dream…
I stirred awake, the haze in my eyes adjusting to a bright white wall as I groaned irritatingly.
“Where is Lucyna?!” the voice called out again, the echo bouncing down the hallway.
I must have heard my brother furiously call out my name over a dozen times. I was forced in bed in a private room within the infirmary ward, a section of the palace seldom used. I was told to recover, direct orders sent by my mother. To be frank I was shocked to see that she cared about my wellbeing, even though she hadn’t paid me a visit. That being said, I would have much rather had her accompany me than the storm brewing on the other side of this wall, hearing my brother barrel through the hallway and marching into my unit.
“Lucyna!” he cried, flinging the door wide open.
“Lent,” I sulked against my pillows.
He charged in, nearly knocking my nurse over. His eyes landed on me and he rushed to my bedside, his face masked with anger. “What are you still doing here? It’s been hours!”
“I am wounded,” I hissed.
“Still?!”
“There’s been a category A attack involving blood knight blade fragments. Have you been living under a rock?”
“I am aware, and I am disturbed by the reports streaming in! I just came back from the Western Barracks in Pentu to find a wing of our palace destroyed!” he fumed. “You know, all of this could have been avoided if you’d just—”
“Please, finish that sentence,” I threatened, my eyes widening at my dear doting brother. I was itching for him to blame me for this mess, ready for him to open his mouth and boil my blood some more. Instead, he went quiet, Lent choking on his next comment as he tucked his wagging finger away. “That’s what I thought.”
He huffed and grumbled, pacing back and forth at the foot of my bed as he ran his fingers through his hair stressfully. “I can’t believe it…” he gasped, “Bloody goblins?! In our home?! In the House of Dragons?! Have they no shame?!”
“I’m sorry they tainted the air you breathe,” I said sarcastically, Lent stopping in his track and pivoting his head toward me bitterly.
“I’m glad this is entertaining for you, Lucyna, especially seeing as how your slave had a big part in it.”
