This girl would not even be here if not for him, in every way out of pity for the girl, he let her live in the palace, but without any title.
He didn't want this daughter, and he didn't make her with sobriety and consent either so the least he had to do was raise her.
This girl's mother still caused Rairin to feel suffocating, just remembering her made him shudder with hate… and fear.
A human who was able to humiliate and force him in his youth, too weak to resist, hadn't even reached his majority. And then, when he is freed from torture, years after the event, his general brings back a child found in a coastal city in the kingdom of Argon, a child who looks eerily like him, and then, after a healer's inquiry, there was a bastard child... when he hadn't even had a child by his own queen.
With this discovery, Jiaohui found herself in a dangerous position, Rairin wouldn't even touch her, and he just so happened to already have a daughter. Was that why their relationship was so distant? Because he loves another woman? She denied it as soon as she thought it, there was no mistaking or denying that Rairin was completely in love with her...
But even after all, Rairin wasn't even willing to talk to her about it.
Jiaohui hated the girl, and it was because of that feeling, that fear of being cast aside because of this child, fear of the court, fear that people would find out that the king already had a child to assume the titles, that she acted.
Later, rethinking her actions and how Rairin reacted to everything she did, it was that she realized that there was something wrong with this child's existence. But because of the anxiety and despair, she felt with this discovery, was that Long could be born and get the title he deserved, not only him, but Jiaohui could finally breathe a sigh of relief and feel more secure in her position.
Rairin had no idea what to do at this point, he told Jiaohui that he would sort it out, but what exactly would he do with Yarin? She wouldn't do that on purpose...or would she? Long had always loved his sister very much, and he had already seen some of their interactions, which were the few times he saw the girl smile.
– I warned the little prince about the dangers of the spell, and even so he did it to alleviate the king's concerns… – Yarin spoke calmly, and then, a little worried, she asked – I-if I may ask your highness, how is he doing?
Rairin pursed his lips, he knew that Long brought comfort to Yarin, for being the only one who still interacted with her several times, and thinking like that he made a decision.
– Have no more contact with Long from today.
Yarin froze for a moment, feeling dizzy. Her head exploded in thoughts, she shouldn't have given that spell to him, but he asked for it, she knew it was dangerous but, wouldn't Long be upset if she didn't help him? What should she have done? Long was the only one she spoke to in the entire palace, the only one who smiled at her.
She was still apprehensive the day she met Rairin but hearing people whisper that she was his daughter allowed her to feel happy for the first time, that at least her father had looked out for her... that's what she thought.
Over the years, Yarin realized that she was not welcome there, her father's wife did not like her, and her father looked at her with indifference.
He never came when she called him.
What had she done wrong? Was it her appearance? Well, everyone in the palace is so powerful, is that the reason? Is she not strong enough? Listening to the servants talking about the beautiful princesses of the south, wasn't she beautiful?
The servants she knew called her a bastard, half-breed, what was that? The first word she sought when she learned the language of dragons was this one, and seeing its meaning she felt completely hopeless. So that was it, her father would never love her, and her father had her outside of his own family, besides her blood being "dirty".
She wasn't complete, she didn't have the power a dragon would have, she would never take her "true form" because she didn't have one. She wasn't a dragon, and she wasn't a human either. She was neither, that is, she was nothing.
And when Long was born she saw that she was right, a full-blooded child, born to the beautiful queen, a child with a bright future. Yarin didn't like him at first, but when he smiled at her and told her he liked her, she broke down.
She really loved her little brother, her most precious family.
– Father… – Her eyes widened with her slip. She bowed – Your Majesty, you can punish me in any other way, but please, don't forbid me to see him.
Rairin shivered slightly the moment he heard her calling him father, it wasn't her fault, but if he didn't do it, Jiaohui would.
Hearing the desperation in the girl's voice, he sighed, and looking at her, he said – Just for now. If you explained the consequences of the spell, Long was also to blame, but for now, until he regains his full power, you won't be able to see him.
Yarin sighed, she could still see Long. Relieved, she bowed again – Thank you, Your Highness, I won't make the same mistake again.
Rairin didn't take long in that place, he didn't need to take care of the girl, but he felt some guilt about her situation. Putting these thoughts aside, he hurried back to Long's chambers and was happy when he received the news that his son had woken up.
As they warned the king about the prince, Jiaohui looked at Long with a worried expression as he ate the porridge that one of the servants served him.
Whenever Long tried to say something, Jiaohui scolded him to get him back to eating.
Rairin waited outside until they confirmed that he had eaten all he was supposed to, if he entered at that moment Long would probably refuse to eat so he could talk about what happened. Long properly obeyed his mother, so there was no reason for him to enter now and end up disturbing his wife's orders.
Rairin entered just as Long finished his third bowl of porridge.
Seeing his father, Long was excited, speaking as he approached – Father! They said that they don't know exactly who ordered them to do this, as the ordering was someone else under the order of the real one, but they said that they are very afraid of them. The boss is the head of a very large organization that smuggles oriental races, they said that this organization does everything with them, and its main victims are usually mestizos, so...
Rairin listened intently to Long's words as Jiaohui dismissed the servants. What is this whole story? Considering the spell used was a truth spell, he had no way of denying Long's words. Organization? Is there an organization of smugglers in his kingdom?
Rairin furrowed his brows, motioning for Long to stop talking. Seeing his gesture, Long fell silent, looking at Rairin expectantly.
Jiaohui sighed – Long, never do that again.
Long looked at her – It's okay mom, I'm not hurt, if I hadn't done that we might never have found out about it...
This time, it was Rairin who spoke – There would be other ways, I'm really glad you tried to help, but don't ever do that again, understood?
Long looked at his father. Rairin stared at him with a firm, irritated expression.
And then, Long lowered his eyes, nodding – Yes father, I will not use forbidden spells again.
Rairin looked at Jiaohui, waiting for her to say a few words, but she didn't, she just watched them with a relaxed expression.
The news that the prince had "been injured" spread just as quickly as that of his disappearance, the people were relieved that the prince had been found, but now worried about this injury.
Later that day, the king's pronouncement on the prince helped to disguise the journey of the guardian and Prince Leah to the great western lands, facilitating their departure.
And while all this was happening, Loona, the King of Waterfall, received in his court the news of the queen's edict.
– What? How is this possible?
– There is a new decree, your majesty, merchants from other lands have received help within the empire and full support from the regional courts.
The guard took a deep breath – The king of dragons sent Prince Leah, of the southern lands, and Ikalles, the guardian of dragons, to a meeting as a sign of peace and friendship between the kingdoms.
The hall was suddenly silent, the excitement from just now completely gone. Everyone now acted surprised and desperate, not knowing exactly what to say.
Leonar and Aillard, who were watching the royal court like a grand display of gossip, were also transfixed by the news.
Loona looked at the guard in shock for a while, the mood was getting uncomfortable until Eigard smiled and said – Congratulations Your Highness, you are the first monarch among all kingdoms and so many generations to do business with the dragon empire, and even receive a prince and a guardian of dragons – Laughing lightly to lighten the situation, Eigard continued – It is indeed a great day for the Kingdom of Waterfall.
Leonar looked at Aillard, seeing his friend's eyes shine for a few seconds, he thought: it looks like they're going to stay for a while longer.
The news spread as fast as it had arrived, in a few days, every creature in the entire west knew of the coming of the dragons. And a few more days until the guests finally arrived.
It didn't take long for a huge ship to dock in the port of Friegenia.
Leah and Ikalles, discreetly dressed, left the big ship towards the next one they would use to reach Waterfall, this time they would continue their journey along the big river.
There were many viewers on the pier, all waiting to see the dragons arriving for a friendly meeting.
The King of Friegenia didn't hesitate to allow these grand guests to pass when Loona promised him that he would speak well of his kingdom to the dragons, of course, he would enjoy the benefits of his friendship with Waterfall this time.