Rairin looked at his son with a complicated expression. Then, taking a deep breath, he straightened his posture and nodded at Bavellis.
The general nodded and called for the guards to remove the suspects.
Long climbed up to the throne and looked at the suspects being led out of the throne room when something suddenly flashed, causing him to blink a few times.
– Everyone leaves. I want to speak with the prince alone.
The ministers and deputies, such as some purebred dragons, hurriedly left. That was the king's order they most craved at that moment.
The hall quickly emptied. The only remaining ones were the king, the Guardian, the general, and the prince.
Long looked at his father, a little curious – Is there something you want to talk to me about, father?
Rairin looked at Long with narrowed eyes, a slight smile forming on his face as he again beckoned to Bavellis.
Bavellis walked over and held out an item to him. Rairin took it and handed it to Long.
– What do you think of this item?
Long looked carefully at the object in his hands. It had a spherical shape and was relatively smooth. Its interior was dark.
Long furrowed his brows, looking at his father, he asked – What is it?
Rairin took it and turned it between his fingers, holding it up to the light as he studied it. Long looked at her curiously.
– It's a pearl.
Long was confused as soon as he heard his reply.
Rairin laughed lightly when she saw his expression, speaking again – It's one of the items we lost in this morning's attack – Rairin handed the pearl back to Bavellis – Do you know what we use pearls for, Long?
Long looked down in thought, answering with another question – Jewelry?
Rairin nodded with an amused expression – Also, but those in question, what are they for?
Long looked at him in confusion, looking again at the pearl in Bavellis's hand.
Shaking his head, Long replied – I don't know.
Rairin wasn't the least bit disappointed by that answer. It wasn't something Long needed to learn at that age.
He explained calmly – We use them to help keep the eggs warm during the brooding season – Long seemed to have understood, he had never been to the nest, and he didn't remember very well when he was there either, Rairin continued – Without them, we would need other raw materials to help in this process, or if not, the eggs would take hundreds of years to hatch.
Rairin looked carefully at his expression, hoping that Long understood what he wanted him to understand.
Long looked at the pearl for a while, pursing his lips – Were other ships attacked? Or just the ones who collected pearls?
Rairin kept her expression straight, but his eyes couldn't hide his pride in Long – Only the pearl ships were attacked.
– Have we lost them all?
Rairin sighed – Almost all of them. We managed to save a few, enough for the next gestation period. But after that season, we will lose many newborns if we don't recover at least two hundred full ships.
Ikalles pursed his lips – Considering what we would lose, our population would be reduced to half of what we have today. But, of course, this would not be the case if we managed to find a cure for Fahre's disease.
Bavellis shook his head – By the time we find the cure, we'll be able to collect over three hundred ships of pearls.
Ikalles looked at him - Does the general not care how many individuals of our race die, as long as there are newborns to replace them?
– I'm sorry to remind you, Guardian. The sequels this disease left in those who managed to recover made them useless for the empire.
Narrowing his eyes at the general's speech, Ikalles spoke – The aftereffects are practically invisible. They are not crippled. They can still be considered excellent workmanship.
Bavellis remained with a severe expression – They are too weak to fight.
Rairin calmly watched the two's discussion, it wasn't fun, especially considering what was being discussed, but the interactions between his Guardian and his general were always exciting.
Ikalles frowned – The army has not had much influence on the economy. The military is not necessary at this time. As the general knows, we are in a time of peace.
Bavellis stared at him – Peace? Are you sure, Guardian?
Ikalles couldn't answer her question, staring at Bavellis for a while.
– Enough, enough – Rairin waved a hand, her expression weary.
Long understood the reason for the attack and had an idea of its purpose. Remembering what Leah had told him a few days ago.
"They hate us"
Long looked at his father – And what do we do now?
Rairin looked at him thoughtfully, then, lightening his expression, he chuckled lightly – Have you got something in mind?
Long pursed his lips – How much would it cost to get the substitute raw material for pearls? Or to get more pearls?
Ikalles responded quickly – In both options, we would need to buy from nearby suppliers. Currently, Argon retains the most significant pearl trade between continents, and Yuugen's kingdom comes next with the second largest business – Glancing briefly at Rairin, he continued – We don't have a good relationship with either of them.
Rairin sighed. Long looked at Ikalles, asking – What about the substitute raw material?
– We could use silver, gold, or diamond for the nests, with diamond being the best option. The biggest traders of these materials are the Northern Kingdom, the Kingdom of Nairot, and the Kingdom of Waterfall.
Long nodded, asking – And how is our relationship with them?
Rairin smiled slightly as she watched her son, answering in place of Ikalles – It's neutral, we don't have any problems with them, and they don't have problems with us either.
Long then smiled – Can we ask them then?
With a wry smile, Rairin looked at Ikalles and Bavellis.
Ikalles sighed, looking at Long – My prince, actions like this require time and patience. There are many things at stake.
– We must have something they ask for in return – Long said.
Ikalles pursed his lips and looked at the king. Rairin looked away and then nodded at Long – Waterfall already tried to ally with us a few years ago, during his grandfather's rule, but he refused that contract.
Long asked – Why?
Rairin leaned back on the throne with a relaxed expression – Because, at that moment, we would have no advantage in making alliances with them.
Long understood. Alliances shouldn't be made just on a whim. There must always be something that benefits both parties. Although there were races that hated dragons, some admired them. Waterfall was one of the friendliest nations, its kings held feasts annually, and they were close friends with Nairot, Kelet, and Friegenia. They were also very close with Argon and the Northern Kingdom. In other words, Waterfall was a great way to bond with other nations. So why hadn't his grandfather taken advantage of it if there were future advantages like that? Long looked at the king, speaking — But now it would be advantageous.
Rairin nodded – Well, I've been thinking about an agreement with Waterfall for a while. It will take some time for us to resolve all the embargoes. Until then, the idea of an alliance with them is sure.
Long smiled. Ikalles and Bavellis still seemed to hesitate at this, but they remained silent in the face of the king's conversation with the prince.
Rairin continued – I heard that Loona has a son one year older than you. If they could become friends, our relationship with Waterfall would be even better.
Long nodded, with a severe expression – I'll do my best, father.
Rairin chuckled lightly, ruffling Long's hair.
Loona was the current king of the nation of Waterfall. It was a nation that liked to party, as well as Nairot, as they were abundant in fertile land, even though both had small desert parts in their territories.
They had the best drinks and enviable cuisine. It was the tourist point of several races. Waterfall with its beautiful waterfalls and Nairot with its oases full of life.
They were considered the friendliest nations.
Rairin let Long leave and looked at Ikalles. Then, he became more serious – Is there still something you want to discuss, Guardian?
Ikalles lowered his head – There is nothing, my king. I will follow what your majesty chooses to follow.
Rairin sighed, returning her gaze to Bavellis – Keep an eye on the suspects. Whatever comes out of their mouths, I want to know.
Bavellis knelt – Yes, Your Highness.
– I'll leave now. If there's anything, don't hesitate to let me know.
Rairin left quickly, his head throbbing and his only wish was to find Jiaohui.
The queen had already returned to her chambers. She stood in front of a large mirror while her servants moved different fabrics, testing them on her body and analyzing whether their colors stood out. Jiaohui was calm.
– The king is here – A guard spoke from outside the room, and the servants quickly gathered some of the mess and went to a corner.
Rairin entered the room, his vision was a little blurred, but he still looked serious.
Jiaohuj looked at him, noticing something in his eyes. She quickly waved the servants out.
– What happened?
When the door closed, Rairin let out the breath he was holding, breathing heavily.
Jiaohui ran to him, worried, stopping her hand for a moment before touching him. Rairin didn't like physical contact. He seemed to be afraid of her touch. But seeing his condition, she pursed her lips, placing her hand lightly on his arm.
Feeling a tremor coming from the man in front of her, she quickly carried him to the bed.
– Tell me what happened, Rairin – She spoke again, and receiving no response, she said – Do you want me to call the Guardian?
– No – he murmured. Jiaohui helped him lean against the headboard. Getting up to get him some water.
Rairin panicked when he felt her pull away, grabbing her arm on impulse.
Jiaohui looked at him in fright, and when he realized his actions, Rairin was also startled, pulling his hand back towards him as if he had been burned.
Jiaohui looked at him, a little upset. Even though she was his wife for so many years, she still hadn't figured out why her husband refused to touch her.
Moving closer, she sat beside him.
Sighing – Rairin, I need to know what you're feeling. That's the only way I can help you.
Hearing his voice, Rairin's breathing became calmer. Then, closing his eyes, he muttered – I'm tired.
Jiaohui looked at him – Your body? Or your mind?
Rairin frowned – My head hurts.
Jiaohui nodded, patting the bed – Lie down. Maybe it will get better. It would be better for the Guardian to come to calm you down...
– Don't go – he muttered.
Jiaohui looked at him. Rairin lay back under his worried gaze.
She remained standing, watching him for a while.
They stayed like that for a while, even standing for that long. Jiaohui didn't seem bored. Instead, she was waiting for Rairin to say what was bothering him.
Even if it took a while, Rairin still told her everything or, well, almost everything...
It took a while before he opened his eyes and looked at her. Finally, his gaze lowered a little, stopping at her hands.
Rairin muttered lightly – Your hand.
Jiaohui extended her left hand toward him. Rairin just looked at his queen's hand for a while, hesitating for a moment before raising his hand and lightly holding it.
Jiaohui continued to watch. She knew Rairin tried not to hurt her feelings when he turned her down, treating her as kindly as he could.