When his mother said he'd have to stay with her until Ederes came he figured it'd be just like before when she never left his side while he was learning under Tiamat. Though, he never imagined that outside of his lessons and when he was sleeping the time he wasn't with her she'd be fulfilling her duties as the Empress.
Currently, he was in his mothers' office located in the heart of the palace where she conducts her business and meets with her clan members. It was a large spacious room with luxurious amenities. There was a central desk where she sat and the room was kept well-lit by the sun shining through the terrace that overlooked the Dragon Continent.
He was sitting in a chair beside her after she insisted when he opted for the seat in front of the desk. There were papers sprawled about the desk titled various departments that were responsible for a specific function and task within her territory.
The first department was for the treasury, responsible for managing finances and handling the distribution of funds. Second was the foreign affairs department for maintaining relationships with other nations and continents and engaging in trade and diplomacy. Third was the defense department for protecting the territory and population from external threats and foreign intruders. The members in this department were specifically her clan members deduced as their training.
The fourth was internal affairs; it was similar to the defense department but instead was responsible for enforcing laws and maintaining order inside the territory. He was curious about the laws as he didn't get the chance to view them before.
They were relatively simple. Trespassing was prohibited, all dragons must obey and respect the Empress, commands were to be followed by the defense and internal affairs department, dragons must register themselves with the Alryg clan, and some others that went with violence were disapproved of.
Since dragons were a higher race and their pride as such beings were dominant there was a designated area for fights that was managed by one of the departments. Unlike the other continents there was no tax to be paid since the rules restrict them and forcing them to give up their treasure would cause an imbalance, not to mention that they are highly independent and self-sufficient.
The insurmountable treasure Isirneth owns is from her plundering of those who break the rules mixed with the gifts from other continents as a sign of cooperation and a good relationship. Tiamat told him his mother had a habit of raiding every continent she could when she was younger, thus in hopes of the past not repeating they sent her expensive items yearly.
Looking up from the paper in his hand he saw his mother deeply engrossed in her work, he didn't want to disturb her so he patiently waited. The glow from the sunlight shone upon her unblemished face adding to the air of dignity, power, and authority she was emitting. Despite her reckless behavior, she projects a sense of stability, security, and order. She was wearing a black royal uniform similar to his own except it was decorated with red jewelry on her sleeves with golden embroidery and instead of a cape, she draped a red coat over her shoulders.
While Casen was admiring her there was a loud knock on the door to her office. Before she could call them in, the door opened and a young man with a darker shade of white hair entered with amber eyes.
Casen's brows raised at the sight of it, thinking it was strange that the man had hair so similar to his mother's. However, when he took a closer look, he noticed that the top of the man's hair was dyed white while his roots were much darker and grayish.
"You dare enter this office unannounced?" Isirneth barked, a stern and cold expression on her face. She fixed the young man with a piercing gaze and waited for an explanation. Ivar straightened himself and tried to speak, but he found himself stuttering as he struggled to explain his intrusion.
Casen observed the scene with concern, unsure of what was happening and what to make of this strange man. He noticed the strange odor coming from Ivar's hair, it wasn't dyed by normal means, and he could only wonder.
Ivar opened his mouth to speak but Isirneth's stern glare shut him down almost immediately. He looked down and wrung his hands nervously, unsure of how to proceed. Isirneth took a moment to study Ivar, her gaze full of annoyance and distrust. Finally, she broke the silence with a sharp demand.
"Speak. Explain yourself. What do you want?" Isirneth inquired, her voice low and threatening.
The tension in the air was palpable as Isirneth's gaze burned into Ivar's soul. Despite her stern and intimidating demeanor, she was curious and wanted to know why Ivar had intruded upon her office.
Ivar nervously shifted in place as he tried to think of a suitable explanation. He cleared his throat and spoke, his voice quiet and shaky. "I uh...I...I wanted to see you, Empress. It's important."
Isirneth narrowed her eyes and leaned forward, her expression turning more serious and stern once more. "Stand," she commanded. Ivar quickly scrambled to his feet and backed away, his hands clasped behind his back. Isirneth continued to study him with suspicion, her gaze piercing through his very soul. "Tell me what it is that you want," she demanded once more.
Ivar took a moment to gather his thoughts. He decided to speak the truth, no matter how harsh and uncomfortable it may be. "Empress, I have come to..."
Before Ivar could finish his sentence, Isirneth cut him off with a sharp wave of her hand. "I have no time to listen to your weak excuses," she snapped, her voice full of frustration and anger. Ivar's expression fell as his hopes of explaining himself were quickly dashed.
Before he could make another attempt, Isirneth continued to speak. "Do you think you can just barge into my office and expect me to listen to you? I have more important matters to deal with, if you have nothing else to say then leave."
Ivar was speechless, taken aback by Isirneth's harshness. He could feel his cheeks burning with shame and embarrassment, and he was at a loss for words.
Isirneth's cold gaze bore into Ivar, making him feel even more nervous and uncomfortable. He dropped his head in defeat and mumbled an apology.
"I'm...I'm sorry, Empress...I-I didn't mean to...I meant no offense," he said meekly. Isirneth let out a sigh of irritation and turned away from Ivar, ignoring his apology.
Seeing as Isirneth had no intention of listening to him further he turned his head to look Casen up and down with a scowl before turning and leaving, shutting the door behind him.
Casen was confused as to how he had made any contribution to their conversation for him to be looked at in such a way. His mother also seemed to have a short temper when dealing with Ivar but with how he spoke Casen could somewhat understand from his observation.
Not to mention that he entered without permission, he also had no confidence nor pride in himself to speak. Such a thing was often frowned upon.
Looking at his mother again who was back to her work except with a frown on her face, clearly agitated from the encounter he opened his mouth to speak but she interrupted him. "Baby, come here."
He stood up and made his way to her. He watched as she pulled her chair out from the desk and patted her lap. "Sit."
"Mother, I am too big to be sitting in your lap." Casen looked between her lap and at her face that was now turned to him.
He still considered himself an adult despite the age difference between humans and dragons and the thought of sitting in his mothers' lap made him feel awkward.
Isirneth only stared at him with her striking red eyes that he shared, conveying that it wasn't something she asked but demanded. He knew she was still upset and he didn't want to cause that emotion in her to grow so he could only listen and sit on her lap awkwardly as he folded his wings to accommodate.
She looked at him with a satisfied smile, brushing away the strands of white hair that fell over his face after turning him sideways to let his legs hang off of the arm of the chair. "You're not too big for anything," she said with a chuckle. "There were never any rules about me holding you." Isirneth pulled Casen close and hugged him tightly, kissing his forehead.
Casen leaned into his mother's embrace and let his arm closest to her wrap around her shoulders under her hair which was visibly curlier than before, it was then that he realized the effects of her emotions on her appearance. He also felt a bit embarrassed by this position but if it made her feel better then he had no choice. Next time, however, he'd just let her hug him instead.
Shaking his embarrassment away he looked at her with concern, taking note of the slight troubled expression on her face. "What's wrong Mother?"
Isirneth looked down at his tail that was wrapped around his leg to not get in the way and ran her warm fingers over the cold white scales at the base, "I don't tolerate disrespect, especially when it comes to my time. He had no authority to enter my office without permission, nor did he bother to make himself known to me."
Casen understood what she was implying. When she speaks, her words carry weight and are taken seriously by those around her and the mere mention of her name is enough to cause those who have disobeyed to tremble in fear. Her presence in itself is felt throughout the entire continent yet some often took her guidance as an excuse to behave like a close acquaintance, her clan members weren't singled out of this.
It made sense as to why it agitated her but he felt that it wasn't the entire reason. If his mother didn't mention it then he'd find out later, he didn't like the disrespect that was directed to his mother and then toward himself. He didn't want to force her to tell him if it sparked her anger.
Since he'd save that for later he focused on the problem at hand. She was still caressing his tail, and it was with such fervor that chills were constantly running up his spine. He knew beastkins' tails were sensitive but he didn't think it applied to dragons as well and it didn't reassure him any further of the situation he was in.
"I understand, but mother please stop touching that." He grew increasingly worried when he felt that feeling in his lower abdomen he knew all too well. If possible, he hoped to get away.
Isirneth tilted her head as if she was confused as to what he meant and slightly squeezed where she had been touching. "But it calms me down. You wouldn't deprive your mother of something that calms her when she's angry, would you?"
Casen gritted his teeth, his mother knew that he wouldn't want to do anything to displease her and his heart began to beat faster. He was used to the way she calmed herself but this and that were distinctly unalike, if anything this felt different.
Not hearing a response Isirneth continued to run her fingers over Casen's scales, her lips curling up in a sly smile as he watched in concern as she touched a spot just right to send him over the edge. His breath turned ragged and his head fell back with a low moan that escaped past his lips. Isirneth was humming a low melody of delight, clearly satisfied with herself and Casen's reactions.
Like an angel, Tiamat entered the room with long strides stopping short just before the desk raising her eyebrow looking between Isirneth and Casen.
In relief at the interruption he lifted his head to look at Tiamat who entered but her amusement at the scene that was before her did little to calm him and his restraint that he conjured in a few seconds momentarily slipped as he grunted and tried to move away once more but he was pinned like a firefly in a jar.
Isirneth looked at the Mother Dragon in annoyance, her hand still on his tail. "What do you want Tiamat?"
"Ederes is requesting your presence outside since he couldn't enter from your shadow, I see why now."
Isirneth rolled her eyes as her attention was finally broken away from Casen, "Tell him he'll have to wait, I will not be interrupted when I am working."
"He claims he is here on urgent business."
Isirneth raised her brow and was now clearly irritated. "Urgent? Tell him I will see him after I have finished."
Tiamat walked over, peering at Casen as Isirneth's touch came to a complete stop. "Nephew, Ederes wants to see you outside."
Taking the chance of his mother's attention being on Tiamat he stood up from her lap. "Thank you, aunt, I'll be going." He left the room just as fast as Tiamat entered.
The two women looked at each other in silence after he left, Tiamat took the seat in front of Isirneth and leaned back with her leg crossed over the other. "Working, huh?" She questioned with a knowing gaze.
Isirneth crossed her arms under her breasts, her smile growing. "Of course, what else would there be?" She inquired, her voice a calm that hid her amusement.
"So you're aware of what you just did?" Tiamat questioned, a slight smirk on her face.
Isirneth nodded with her eyes twinkling in mischief and pleasure, "I thought I'd get one last moment alone with my baby."
"The look on his face when he saw you enter was priceless." Isirneth said with a laugh, her tail growing and swishing wildly, "He thought I had finally calmed down and you'd save him."
"Oh, is that what you were going for?" Tiamat teased and smirked.
"My baby is very cute when he's flustered." Isirneth continued, an amused expression on her face as she sat back in her chair with one leg up on it.
Tiamat looked over at her and sighed, "What happened to wanting him to stay pure?"
Isirneth tilted her head, "That doesn't count." She took a second to stretch out, her voice filled with a flirtatious tone, "Besides, aren't you curious to what Casen looks like in my lap?"
Tiamat raised her brow as she watched Isirneth. "That's beside the point. I saw Ivar, did he try again?"
"I didn't let him, but he entered without permission and tried speaking to me." She answered, her tone full of annoyance. "I told him to address me properly," She said with a faint smirk, her eyes glinting in amusement, "He had no confidence or pride in himself to speak."
Tiamat only nodded and waved her hand, a thread of purple mana surrounding it before she placed it back down on her lap.
"What did you just do?"
"I cleaned Casen up so he could be presentable when meeting Ederes, you know he thinks of that dragon as a grandfather right?"
Isirneth leaned forward with her hand under her chin. "I find it interesting. Ederes isn't the sort."
Tiamat nodded, "Of course, but he does adore him." She took a moment before standing up and looking at Isirneth again. "Make sure you remove the smell of Casens' arousal from this room, I'd do it for you but I have a strange feeling that you'd rather do it."
"Oh? I suppose you're right," Isirneth responded in a playful tone.
Tiamat chuckled, "I thought you were only teasing him at first but it was obvious he enjoyed what you were doing with him on your lap."
Isirneth hummed, "I don't know what you're talking about."
Tiamat shook her head, "You're a vixen, Isir, I'll have to keep an eye on you."