Casen walked out of the office feeling quite awkward, as he was reminded of what just happened. He didn't know how to process what had occurred and he felt conflicted. He enjoyed his mother's affection but it was nothing of what he was used to or seen before.
"Little dragon," A familiar voice cut across his thoughts causing him to turn around and see Ederes with his hood down exposing his face. He had dark brown medium-length hair that was brushed back at the sides and featured with a finely trimmed beard. His eyes were a piercing hazel.
Casens' expression softened as he smiled, greeting him. "Ederes. You look younger than when I last saw you without your hood."
Ederes laughed at Casen's comment as he walked up to him. "Indeed, I was disciplining a few lowly dragons." Casen knew the man didn't directly mean disciplining, he was a master at the art of torturing. Tiamat had shown him the remains of the red dragon he had a conflict with after Isirneth pried its heart out and he was sure his mother picked up some techniques from Ederes. He was a little impressed.
"I see you still look the same as usual," Ederes said, looking Casen up and down. "Has that charm of yours already caught the eye of Her Majesty?"
Casen couldn't help but put on a questioning look at his words. "Nothing is a secret from you, is it old man? Besides, she's my mother. Wouldn't it be wrong if that were the case?"
"I've been alive long before this continent was made little dragon, of course, I'd know quite a bit. For example, incestuous relationships between dragons aren't frowned upon. The same goes for numerous other races."
Crossing his arms over his chest Casen tilted his head a bit to think about his words. He didn't think his mother viewed him in that way since the earlier events were just one moment between them that didn't set anything in stone for him to be sure.
Ederes watched with a strange glow in his eyes as Casen mulled over what he said. Seeing as he wasn't quite where Ederes wanted him to be he decided to add wood into the barely lit fire, "Who knows, perhaps if you don't show her enough attention she will get bored and direct hers onto someone else."
Yes, the one mostly responsible for Isirneth's personality was the ancient dragon standing in front of Casen. Having been by her side for over a thousand years he doted on her like a father and reminded her that greed and obsession is the most important thing in life. In return, Isirneth developed a complex far greater than Ederes expected.
It was the reason she was possessive of what was hers and her insatiable greed that led to emptying the treasure vaults of other overlords. Ederes knew Isirneth wouldn't get bored of Casen, he could tell he was her most precious gem but what good was life without entertainment?
Even better, he'd get to witness the dumbfounded faces of those who only knew her fiery self become nonexistent when she was in the presence of Casen.
Casen's eyebrows pulled together as he frowned, mumbling. "She wouldn't, would she?"
He couldn't imagine his mother doing such a thing. Isirneth was possessive, and she did love him more than anything. However, he couldn't even fathom the thought of her finding an outlet for all of that, it was supposed to be his.
While he was thinking, the engravings on his ring finger began to glow. Ederes, who noticed this, looked down at it when a threatening hiss reverberated throughout the surroundings. When he moved his gaze to Casen he realized that the white dragon didn't seem to hear it, 'A warning, huh? I'm afraid you're a little late.'
Truly, the small ember that Ederes stoked was now a raging inferno that would only grow if blown on.
"Ederes, could you tell me if anyone has been interested in my mother lately?" Casens' words were slow, yet his tone broke in between with a bit of a bite causing his true emotions to bleed through.
Ederes saw Casen's demeanor change and a small smile spread across his face in realization. He couldn't believe it, this young dragon was getting possessive of his mother already. He had only wanted to nudge Casen in that direction, and here he was doing it all by himself.
"Why yes, I believe there are a few who have been paying her some attention. Why, is there anything else you'd like to know?" Ederes asked in an even tone as he watched Casen struggle to regulate his emotions.
Casen's patience was wearing thin, he needed to know who was trying to court his mother, not only so he could keep an eye on them, but so he could stop it. Before he could respond Ederes started speaking again.
"I've seen the way Ivar has looked at her. Not to mention both the Human King and Beastkin King," Ederes said the smile from before still on his face.
"Are you going to let them steal your mother away from you? Or what about your aunt?" Ederes asked. The way he said the word "steal" caused Casen to feel like his heart was going to explode.
Casen froze as the words hit him like a brick wall. Ivar, and the Kings? Stealing his mother? No, he couldn't allow that. His thumb gripped onto his ring finger, and the glowing engravings grew brighter as if they were reacting to his emotions.
"They are lesser than we are, why would they even think of approaching my mother and aunt?" His voice dropped to a whisper. His family was his and only his, surely they had their own so shouldn't it be enough? No, he knew it was never enough. Greed was everywhere but he'd just be greedier than them.
Right now he was small, insignificant in the face of even adult dragons but that couldn't remain the same. After all, he was to train under Ederes soon and then he'd go to Hell where he could eat as many hearts as he so desired.
His tail lashed about as he looked at Ederes. "Their actions?" His voice was soft but the question was punctuated with sharp tones. Ederes chuckled. He didn't expect Casen's reaction to be so intense. Perhaps he was more like Isirneth and Ederes knew.
"I believe Ivar is the most forward," he said casually. "The Kings of Humans and Beastkin are just as you'd expect, keeping their intentions vague."
Casen took a deep breath and straightened his back, calming down. The Kings, he didn't have to worry about right now since they only met through meetings. Ivar, on the other hand, was possibly her direct clan member meaning she'd deal with him daily, though from their conversation he was present in it was anything but pleasant.
He looked down at his ring finger and realized that his friend was seemingly worried about his mental state. This little serpent who should've been focused on sleeping was instead focused on him, it was cute.
'Although this situation is a little unfavorable, I at least learned that despite having greed the amount I possess isn't enough.' Truthfully, he had an inkling that it wouldn't be but he didn't think it'd include his family since they were by blood his. Nevertheless, he needed to broaden his views on this matter.
He also had to keep an eye on that cunning old man of a dragon, he knew perfectly well how to spark emotions.
Casen was getting better at maintaining his composure but his emotions were still raw. He felt protective of his mother and aunt. He'd only met this Ivar once, and yet the boy already disliked him from his earlier look. The pieces were falling together.
"Ederes would it be alright if we start training earlier?" Casens current capabilities weren't enough for him to feel confident in keeping people in their place. If Ivar was of the Vurmilth clan that only allowed the geniuses in then he had years ahead of Casen to hone himself.
"If that's what you wish, little dragon. Be at the Alryg clan early tomorrow morning."
Nodding Casen turned and left the area toward his chambers, he needed a clear mind to plan further. If possible, also obtain more information.
As soon as Casen left Tiamat appeared beside Ederes with an expression that was anything but pleased. "Ederes. Was that really necessary?"
The man in question kept his smile despite the killing aura seeping off of the woman. "If you really thought it wasn't then you would've stepped in."
Tiamat was silent, signifying that he was right. Her nephew may have a clear path of his determination but a human's determination of wanting was different from a dragon's. Casens royal lineage was influencing him as the days passed but he subconsciously still held onto a thread of his remaining humanity, if he didn't let go soon it would be detrimental to him and those around him.
"..Just make sure he doesn't kill anyone without consulting the department, the mess he made when he arrived was pushed as self-defense but the next time it happens he wouldn't be lucky."
"As you command, Mother Dragon." Ederes bowed respectively before he was enveloped in shadows and disappeared from his spot.
Tiamat clicked her tongue in annoyance, she'd have another Isirneth on her hands soon.