“I doubt I will.”
“Just tell me. I’m not sure yet. ...I thought I’d like to call him Yassim.”
Cessilia smiled, without saying anything.
“...What do you think?”
“That’s really sweet of you to want to honor him.”
“He saved my life,” her husband muttered.
Cessilia felt proud of her husband. He had never been one to be able to thank people, for a long time... His survival instincts had been pushed to such extremes that he couldn’t trust anyone. Even when his mentor had sacrificed himself for his sake, it had taken Ashen a long time to be at peace about it. Now, he wanted to honor this man through his son... She found that adorable. Especially since Yassim had no children of his own, no one left behind.
“I’m still not sure,” Ashen frowned. “I tried to come up with other ideas, but I really wanted... If I had a son... to honor him in some way. But I couldn’t come up with anything better. And that name was specific to his tribe...”
“I like your idea,” Cessilia nodded. “How about Yashen, then? He’s your son, after all.”
Ashen smiled.
“Are you sure? It really is similar.”
“My mother named my first brother Kassian, and my fourth brother Kassein. It’s quite similar as well, yet nobody confuses them. Yashen is cute, and it clearly says he’s your son too.”
“...Yashen. I like that.”
He put a little kiss on the newborn’s forehead, who yawned in response. Cessilia smiled in relief, and then directed her green eyes to the baby dragon sleeping on her lap.
“I guess you’ll be... Ashe, then.”
“Ashe!” Shelie repeated, also pleased with the names.
The other young dragons then came to the huge bed, gathering around the newborn and their mom. Ashen placed the baby boy back on his mom’s chest, where she could hold him against her skin. Yashen was already back to sleep, his cute mouth making a little “O”. Ashen turned his eyes back to his wife, gently caressing her long chestnut curls.
“Are you alright?” he asked again, visibly worried.
“Yeah,” Cessilia smiled, leaning against his shoulder. “Everything went pretty smoothly this time... Were you outside all this time? What about the Council?”
Ashen sighed.
“I think they took pity on me... Nana suggested they let me go early. Thankfully. I don’t think I could have listened to more about trading routes while thinking you were giving birth just a few floors above. I’m fine waiting outside the room, but to be asked to think about politics and make decisions...”
“Everyone probably understood,” Cessilia smiled, amused. “They know our King works a bit too hard at times.”
“I’m just glad you’re okay,” he sighed, “and the baby.”
“He’ll be a good boy, with his two big sisters to take care of him. Let’s make sure he grows strong but not too willful.”
“You’re thinking of your cousin’s son?” Ashen chuckled. “I think he inherited his mom’s temper...”
“You and I have quite the tempers as well. Yet, our girls are like this. That’s all because their dad is so gentle with them. Everybody knows this King is only a fool for his little Princesses...”
“Isn’t that any king’s privilege? You can dote on our sons, I’ll be spoiling our girls.”
“Our sons? Is that your not so subtle way to say we shall grow the family some more?”
“Only when you’re ready,” he said, giving her another kiss on the forehead, “but yes, I want a big family. Our family. We can make your parents happy with more grandchildren.”
“More grandchildren? Ashen, don’t you know I have seven siblings already? How many grandchildren do you think my parents will need?”
“...Let’s just beat your brothers to it, then.”
Cessilia laughed.
“Look at you, you have to make it a competition with your brothers-in-law now... Fine, I’d love a big family too. As long as you don’t pick up on Darsan’s rhythm...”
Ashen laughed while their two girls were a bit confused.
“Will we have another sibling?” Neridie asked, her eyes shining with optimism.
“You just got a new little brother,” Cessilia said. “Just take care of Yashen for now, hm? Mom and Dad will give you more siblings if you two girls are good big sisters.”
“We will!”
The two girls were obviously already fond of their younger sibling anyway. As soon as they were done talking, all of their attention went back to the baby and his dragon. Cessilia smiled, and turned her head to kiss her husband. The two of them turned back to the three siblings, with no need to talk anymore. Their little family would have some time off now, to celebrate the birth of the baby Prince. The Kingdom would probably hold a little festival as well, a new tradition their citizens had spontaneously started at the birth of the first Princess. Cessilia would hold a small party in a few days at her grandmother’s palace, just with their close friends and family. Even far from her own family, she was more than happy in the Kingdom, surrounded by everyone’s love. Whenever she felt a bit too nostalgic, she would fly to the Dragon Empire with Cece. However, nowadays, it was the Eastern Kingdom she called home...
The Dragon Empire Saga will continue in
