– Is there anything I can help you with, sir?
Rairin was a little relieved that she spoke first but, sir? Did he look old? She probably tried to approach him politely, thinking he tried to talk as calmly as possible – Oh, no, I was passing by and… I saw you… alone…
The young woman expressed seriousness as she stared at him, looking bored as if this situation usually happened during her day – Then you can leave sir. I don't need company.
Rairin despaired for a moment – No, I… – Trying to think of an excuse as quickly as possible, he looked at the board, his eyes sparkled – I saw that you were playing alone, I found this game a little interesting, and I thought I could learn a bit about it.
She raised an eyebrow – Oh, if that's it, I can appoint some masters to teach you.
Rairin got nervous again. It was clear that she was trying to dismiss him; taking a deep breath, he tried to be direct – I would like to accompany you if it is not a bother. I was a little nervous and anxious as it was my first visit here. I thought I would appreciate a little by little the environment I saw you as I walked. I saw a gentle expression on the lady that calmed me down in a way, I don't understand your culture, and I'm terrible at approaching women. That's why I wanted you to accompany me, even if only to tell me a little about the game you're playing - His direct explanation made the young woman look at him in astonishment. She stared wordlessly, seeing his expression Rairin looked away – I'm sorry if I bothered you. I'm leaving now.
He turned to leave. In his mind, he cursed himself in every possible way, and as he went down the stairs of the small pavilion he heard the young woman, her voice this time was a little restrained – Wait, I have time now. I can teach you some rules – Rairin turned to look at her. At first, he thought he made her uncomfortable, but when she saw her, he realized that her expression was strange. She tried to hold back her laughter and realizing that he was looking at her, she covered her face with a fan, signaling with her free hand for him to sit down.
Rairin was relieved and happy at the same time. Sitting down, he listened attentively to her explanation, following every step she taught him. The environment was comfortable while they talked. When he made a mistake, she corrected him calmly, and when he got it right, she congratulated him, starting a game they completely forgot about time.
– Looks like you won again - Rairin said while looking at the board, they played a few times, and as he was a beginner, it wasn't difficult for her to win the game.
She smiled – You're still learning. These victories didn't mean much to me.
Rairin glared at her, finally not calling him sir or some other honorific for older people.
Smiling, he nodded – My name is Rairin.
She stared at him for a while before bowing slightly – Li Jiaohui.
– Diaorui?
– Jiaohui – She wrote with water on the table, first in her writing and then in Western writing. Rairin nodded in understanding, but when she thought about continuing with the conversation, a loud sound of footsteps caught her attention and the young woman's.
Both looked toward where the noise was coming from and saw a large group of soldiers and servants that, as soon as they saw them seemed to sigh in relief.
– Your Highness!
– Your Majesty!
Rairin frowned at the situation. Then, leaving the pavilion, he walked calmly toward the group. As soon as he approached, they all knelt – Did something happen?
A soldier who was closer answered him – Your majesty disappeared all day. There are search teams everywhere in the cities looking for you. We didn't think you were more inside the palace.
A servant suddenly crept forward – These servants are useless. We couldn't even find him all afternoon, please punish us, your majesty.
Rairin was shocked by the servants offered to him by the minister. His servants in the capital didn't act like that. A little uncomfortable, he ordered everyone to get up, remembering something, he looked back seeing Jiaohui staring at him in surprise. Rairin felt embarrassed – Oh, right, it's a little late, would you like to have dinner with me? Of course, to teach me a little more about the game while we eat…
She looked at him strangely – I… – Then looking at the large group of soldiers behind him – I already taught him everything I knew about the game… Your Majesty.
Rairin looked at the people behind him, asking the nearest servant, Are there any other games your people usually play?
Before the servant could answer, Jiahui interrupted – Rairin… I mean, Your Highness, if you want to invite me to eat, just ask. It's not like I can refuse your request…
Desperate with his attitude, Rairin spoke hurriedly – You can refuse any request, and you can call me Rairin after all, that's how you met me, right?
Jiaohui nodded, so Rairin continued – But, could you not refuse this request?
Jiaohui smiled – Alright, I'll accompany you again – Getting up, she went to him, the servants who already knew her looked astonished at their interactions, but in the king's presence, they didn't dare to say anything, the prime minister's daughter, the Miss from their house seems to have a good relationship with the king, should they tell the master about it? Or did he already know about it?
Their romance was unfolding from that meeting, but only after the wedding that some things get weird. Rairin feared physical contact with women, for a few years, it was impossible for Jiaohui to give birth to a prince for the empire, it was after a long time that they got a boy.
Even though he knew that Jiaohui felt bad somehow, he couldn't comfort her with physical touch, his concern was shown through his expressions, gestures, and words. Jiaohui was used to it, talking normally with him about it.
– I'm fine, it was just a sudden illness – She said as she went to bed.
Rairin sighed in relief and, returning to his usual expression, he looked at his wife – There's something I'd like to discuss.
The queen replied without looking at him – Tell me, my husband, I will do my best to help you.
– It's about the second child of Ikalles. I would like you to help me find a master for him.
Jiaohui looked at him confused – Izrun Snowden? – She asked, and seeing her husband nodding, she became thoughtful – Well, we already know a very skilled master of ice skills, but the Guardian isn't able to teach him?
Rairin snorted – Ikalles is making the same mistake his own father made with him. I won't allow that.
Jiaohui sighed – Even if you think the way the guardian teaches his children is wrong, you can't just interfere like that, let them understand each other, instead, why don't you spend more time with Long to teach him some skills?
Rairin looked at her, and, going to her bed, he sat down – Long is very smart, you already teach him very well, but if it's your request, I will accept it.
Jiaohui looked at him irritably – I don't want you to teach him just because I asked. I want you to do it by your own will and initiative because he is your son, even if you have your duties as a king, you must pay attention to your duties as a father.
After his speech, Rairin looked at her for a while, lowering his head, he looked at his hands, he was no better than Ikalles, both were repeating the mistakes of their parents, sighing, he answered lightly – fine.
Jiaohui thought that she would have been a little too firm, but soon that got out of her mind, she knew that her husband was very busy with the kingdom, many things were going on, and they only got worse, but that was precisely why she did her best to help him, there were many things related to the capital or other small cities that she took care of herself, saving her husband from more documents on the table or more complaints in the throne room.
Rairin got up going towards the door. Stopping before opening it, he turned around and spoke again – Help me find a master for Izrun. I entrust this matter to you – He opened the door to leave when Jiaohui spoke suddenly.
– Where are you going?
He looked at her – I'll have a look at Long, and then I'll go back to my quarters – He stopped for a moment, seeming to remember something he smiled – Good night.
Jiaohui nodded slightly – Good night.
Closing the door, Rairin walked through the corridors, dismissing the servants who tried to help him. He went to the prince's room, knocking lightly and receiving no response. He just opened the door.
A boy, apparently twelve years old, was sleeping in a big bed. Rairin looked at him for a long time. Long was a half-breed of east and west dragons, which were completely different types. He was born with a shape similar to his, but the colors were those of his wife, and his human appearance was also similar to his wife's.
It was a pity that dragons could not remain in their true appearance because of the other races they could not walk and fly around showing off their colors and scales, Long missed the proper form of his wife and son, who, by his permission, was a bit freer to use them, mainly to train your defenses, Long, even young as he was now, already had good control of his form, very different from many other children of his race, who even reaching adulthood never even managed to transform, diminishing their own spirits and their grandeur to mere mortals indifferent to their insignificance.
Approaching, Rairin caressed the boy's head, who opened his eyes slightly at the touch. Thinking it was his mother, he smiled, soon surprised to find his father.
Hastily sitting down, Long opened a wide smile – Father!
Rairin smiled. Opening his arms, he invited his son in for a hug. Long seemed very happy with his presence, hugging him. It didn't even seem like he was sleeping.
– How was your day?
Long sat up and stared at him – It was good. Mama taught me some spells of golden flame.
Rairin softly with his son's animation – Oh really? You did it?
Long nodded, leaving Rairin who was smiling a bit shocked as he stared at him. Long learned to control golden flames? This spell is a little complicated. It was created by a very old master from the ancestors of Jiaohui. Jiaohui tried to teach him once, but it was a complete disaster. He couldn't even do it if he wanted to.
Why didn't Jiaohui inform him about this? Did his son learn that today?
The room suddenly lit up, a small golden flame was contained in the boy's small hands. Rairin sighed in surprise, unconsciously smiling. Long was happy that his father seemed proud of his work, while Rairin thought that just when he went to see his wife, he should have asked about his son before talking about Izrun.
- Very good, my son - He ruffled the boy's hair while smiling.
Long chuckled, putting out the flames carefully, asking as he did – How was your day, dad?
Rairin looked around pityingly. With a strange expression, he replied – Boring.