They all turned their eyes toward her, surprised. However, the matriarch already had a sneaky smile on her lips.

“Why not?” she scoffed. “Young man, I will need men to build my palace here, will I not? You just need to save a few necks, and they will work for me.”

“You’re not to dispose of war prisoners as you please, Lady Kareen,” sighed Ashen. “This is my Kingdom’s matter.”

“I’m being more than generous to offer to feed a bunch of ruffians,” she retorted. “Didn’t you mention most of those people were desperate for a job? I want my palace, I will have it, and I will need servants, guards, and workers for that. I am just making a headstart and a small investment for my own future ambition. Consider this as indulging an old lady.”

Cessilia and Ashen exchanged a look. They both knew this had little to do with Kareen’s desire for her future residence. The cunning old woman was actually offering to lessen one of their burdens for them. Ashen wanted to rely on the Cheshi as little as possible, but the current state of the Kingdom was such that no one else would be able to pay for food for so many criminals while they were waiting to be judged individually. Ashen would have probably saved a lot by simply executing them all, but the young King was choosing the harder path. And Lady Kareen had just offered him the help he needed to keep up with that. It might have been a bit of a stain on his pride, but accepting the older woman’s financial help was a better alternative than requesting that money from any other family. For now, Ashen wouldn’t be able to accept any tribe or clan’s help. If they were planning to reform the Kingdom, they couldn’t give too much power to one of the tribes by owing a debt.

“...Fine,” he finally muttered. “Then those prisoners will repay their debt toward Lady Kareen for their food and clothing after their sentence has been decided. They will work for the lady as compensation for as long as it takes for their debt to be settled. Is that alright with you?”

Aglithia nodded, visibly impressed. Thanks to Lady Kareen, the King had solved two problems already. Not only would he be free from any debt toward Kareen if the prisoners repaid their food by working for her, but that would also provide those men with jobs as soon as their trials were over. Cessilia smiled, glancing toward her grandmother, who responded with a little wink. She did like Ashen after all...

“Understood, Your Majesty,” said Aglithia, bowing to him.

It definitely felt like something had changed between them. Aglithia was now acting much more respectful of her King, acting more cautious too. She glanced quickly toward Kareen, but the tall lady was simply standing still, her attitude the same as earlier. It was as if she confirmed the person who deserved the utmost respect in the room wasn’t her. Then, Aglithia turned to Ashen once more.

“I’ll relay Your Majesty’s orders, and we will immediately start with the executions. I need to inform Your Majesty, the Royal Guards also insisted on taking care of the traitors amongst them. They are holding those that were arrested elsewhere.”

“That’s fine by me, I’ll settle that with them later.”

Cessilia realized she hadn’t seen Sabael much since the battle had began. She hoped Nana’s older brother would help Ashen sort his former comrades’ fate as well. Having traitors amongst the Royal Guards was one of the most obvious confirmations that this Kingdom needed deep changes...

Aglithia nodded once again, and finally turned around, leading them farther into the depths of their residence. It was now a familiar corridor to Cessilia, although it was less busy than before. She could guess many of the Cheshi were already preoccupied with the prisoners, tracking the last enemies of the King, or resting after the long battle. In fact, it was so quiet that their steps echoed in the patios they crossed. Finally, they entered that one specific prayer room. Aglithia slowly opened the door, revealing to the trio the mosaic of the two dragons. Cessilia had already seen it, so she was more curious about her grandmother’s reaction to it. To her surprise, Kareen hardly seemed surprised.

“...Is that it?” she muttered, glancing toward Aglithia.

“Of course not! But this mosaic is our most precious piece, and to us, also a priceless symbol of our loyalty to the Dragon Masters. The legend behind that mosaic is one we have transmitted for generations...”

Aglithia went on to share with Kareen and Ashen exactly the same tale as her grandmother had given Cessilia and the others not that long ago. It was exactly the same tale, word for word, so precise that Cessilia realized the Cheshi actually knew it all by heart. It was probably their way of ensuring the story would be kept intact over the years... When Aglithia was done, she glanced toward Kareen, expecting a reaction.

However, the old lady had her eyes riveted on the mosaic, with an almost bored expression. For a few seconds, no one said a word, and Kareen kept staring at the duo of dragons, her arms crossed.

“Is that it?” she asked again with a smile on her lips.

“You... don’t look surprised,” said Aglithia, slightly upset.

“Darling, studying dragons from outdated legends and books is one thing...”

Kareen slowly walked up to the mosaic, and raised her fingers to caress the obsidian scales of the Black Dragon, that amused smile still on her lips.

“...But you children will never truly know what dragons are.”

“Dragons are gods!” protested Aglithia.

“Dragons are like men,” retorted Kareen. “Each one is different, each one has their own story. You can worship a gutter rat like a god, it won’t make it one. Men created such legends to reassure themselves of their power over dragons. If we know them enough, we can control them.”

“We do not seek to control them!”

“Then why are you hiding in a bloody basement and clinging on to my grandchildren?” retorted Kareen. “I heard how you acted while your King struggled to keep this Kingdom afloat. You are nothing like Dragon Masters. You’re like those politicians hiding themselves behind grand speeches and never lifting a finger. Keep polishing that mosaic, child. That’s as close to understanding dragons as your clan will ever get!”

Leaving a completely baffled Aglithia standing there, Kareen sent one last disdainful glance toward the room and walked out, standing as tall and mighty as an empress. Cessilia hesitated before following her grandmother outside, Ashen right behind her.

“Weren’t you a bit harsh, Grandmother...?”

“So what?” she scoffed. “It’s not like I owe those people anything. Moreover, I despise those kinds of schemers. People living off dragons’ scraps like vermin... acting almighty when they know nothing. I know exactly what their kind is. Too weak to act, like dogs barking only when their master’s around. The Imperial Palace used to be infested with those. Leave them be.”

Cessilia couldn’t help but think this had still gone horribly wrong... and her grandmother probably would never get along with the Cheshi people from there on. Both sides were remarkably stubborn. Suddenly, while walking back into one of the residence’s patios, they spotted none other than the Cheshi Clan Leader walking alone. Kareen didn’t even seem to notice the man and kept walking ahead, but behind Cessilia, Ashen froze. She glanced back. The King’s eyes on the Clan Leader standing on the other side of the patio were full of mixed emotions. Anger, defiance, uncertainty. She couldn’t even decipher them all. Still, he didn’t say anything, his jawline looking tense. The man he was glaring at had a similar expression. It wasn’t so full of animosity, but both men were staring at each other, gauging each other, with a palpable tension in the air. Ashen’s hand around Cessilia’s tightened a bit.

“Lord Marau,” he hissed.

So he knew the man’s name, after all. Lord Marau was completely still, his gaze also riveted on Ashen. Those two definitely had some unresolved issues... and they would have to resolve them someday, for the sake of the Kingdom. While Cessilia somehow got along with Aglithia, and the Cheshi Clan seemed to have made its peace with the King, Ashen hadn’t really made peace with them yet. After a few more seconds of silence, Cessilia glanced ahead, but her grandmother was already out of sight.

“...Ashen?” she finally muttered.

“Go with Lady Kareen,” he finally said. “I’ll find you later.”

Cessilia glanced at Aglithia’s father, a bit worried. Would that really be alright? At least both men didn’t look like they were about to jump at each other’s throats. Still, Ashen had quite the temper... Cessilia let out a faint sigh. After all, he was the King. He could handle this without her. She put a quick kiss on his cheek.

“Play nice,” she whispered.

“I’ll try.”

She then walked out, glancing one last time at Lord Marau. She wondered what that man would have to say to his former fiancé’s son... Whatever it was, Cessilia knew it wasn’t her place to intervene. As close as she was to Ashen, she knew he had his own demons to overcome, and a complicated past she wasn’t a part of.

Leaving Ashen behind, Cessilia had to accelerate her pace a bit to catch up with her grandmother. Kareen was actually already back outside the residence, arms crossed, staring at the locals who were starting their tasks for the day. Many of them seemed intrigued by the burgundy-haired woman, sending her curious glances, although they didn’t dare approach her. Either Kareen intimidated them or because she was standing in front of the enigmatic Cheshi residence, no locals were brave enough to do more than steal a few glances in her direction. Cessilia joined her, a faint smile on her lips.

“You’re getting some attention, Grandmother.”

“Don’t I always?”

A smile on Cessilia’s lips widened. It seemed to be her grandmother’s curse: always admired, always envied, but always alone... At the very least, her family always stuck around, no matter how much she feigned complaining about it. Cessilia took her grandmother’s arm, guiding her through the streets. For a little while, the two women gently paced side by side, touring the busy streets and gathering more attention.

“...Why were you so mad? About the Cheshi?” Cessilia finally asked.

“Did I seem mad?”

“To your granddaughter who knows you well, yes. A bit.”

Kareen chuckled.

“That’s my granddaughter for you, so perceptive. ...Yes, I am slightly upset. It’s not against them. I simply can’t stand that such people are still alive, even so far from the Imperial Palace.”

“What do you mean?”

Kareen let out a faint sigh.

“I refused for the longest time to live in the Imperial Palace. Your grandfather, that silly man, tried to coerce me by any means, but as you know, he never got the last word. My main reason was to protect my children from political intrigues, assassins, and wretched schemers. Don’t let yourself be fooled by these people, Cessilia. They might be on your side because you’re a daughter of the Dragon Empire, a dragon owner, but people born and raised in the shadows will always belong to the dark. How many people do you think they are ready to let die for their own pride? They barely acknowledged your King, from what I heard and saw. Ashen is right not to rely on those kinds of clans too heavily. That boy might be too self-centered, but at least he’s got good instincts.”