Within his Grandfather's arms, Dimitri memorizes the scroll before him, although Dimitri understood none of it. Grandfather was muttering as he made notes. "Locked to the Aura Beasts heart. While overhead Nee spread within the Tria and Hato" Dimitri shivers, his bones humming at that word.
Nee? Even thinking it caused the feeling of his Pix to stir. Mother coughs. "Father, perhaps I should take Dimitri. He might burn your scroll," Jun Yao says, eyeing the sparks running along her baby's skin. Even she got excited hearing Nee, let alone her son. Grandfather pauses. "He's fine, Xiao Yao. He's enjoying listening. Besides, it will help him learn Runic later on." Grandfather says.
Mother frowns, but Father comes in before she speaks. Father's gaze settles on Mother. "So, Yao. Have you heard that the servants in the side stables are being shocked every time they touch anything? Strangely the horses are unaffected" Father says dryly. Mother smiles. "How strange. I wonder what happened," Mother says.
Dimitri glances over. So that's what it was. Seems a bit too revealing Mother. I felt you everywhere in there. "Take it off before anyone investigates, and finds your signature," Father says, suppressing his smile.
Mother snorts. "As if any of you humans could find my signature," Mother says. Dimitri stills. So it's true. Mother and I aren't human.
"An Elder could. Any random member of the Rimes clan probably could." Father says. Mother frowns. "Seers don't count. Besides, I doubt a Lady of the Rimes clan would investigate for servants of the Sung Clan. And only if they've made love to a Sprite should your Elders be able to recognize our magic. You know your Elders are more likely assume it was a natural gathering," Mother says.
So I'm a sprite? Dimitri almost growls when Father leans down, kissing Mother. Quit it, and give me more data! When his parents part for air, Father mummers. "Not the point, darling."
Mother fixes the veil, Father shoved aside, and sighs. "I shall null the spell after Dimitri goes down tonight," Mother says. Father sits on the couch beside her. "Have you heard that Concubine Meng is expecting again?" Father asks, his gaze turning to Grandfather. Grandfather grunts. "I knew. My little student is quite excited" Grandfather says.
"The one given to Commander Jing?" Mother asks. Father nods.
Dimitri recalls his dossier on Commander Jing. Controls the Verra military. The generals answer to him, and he to the Emperor. A wise but wrathful man. The son of Empress Kaili.
Mother hesitates. "Should a null be having children? It seems her children will have health issues, considering Third Imperial Miss Jing" Mother says. Father shrugs. "All of the Blood King's children have health issues, it's not necessarily the null's fault," Father says.
"Besides without a sufficient amount of heirs he can't inherit the throne." Father shakes his head. "If the Rimes Clan hadn't insisted on Empress Kaili's daughters marrying into their clan in her bridal contract, Imperial Princess Lee would inherit as is proper. Even her son only has a single heir as his daughters are members of the Rimes Clan"
Grandfather glances up. "Child, your thinking is crooked. The Rimes Clan is a magic clan. They have enough Casters to wipe out the entire Imperial Family if they wished. They hold to the ancient ways our empire is changing. And being the smallest clan, they value their ladies even more. That bridal contract was to save the late Emperor's face, as they would be taking the daughters one way or the other."
Father frowns. "But even the Clan head gives the Emperor face and our clan is much larger" Father protests. Grandfather laughs, "Alchemist might be Casters but they are not fighters, child"
Wait does this mean I won't have combat training? Dimitri frowns, having assumed that a noble clan would take that as a matter of course.
His gaze rests on the painting of Earth. Training, and who painted that will be my first questions when I can speak.