“Is this your playground, Nix?” Ashwin ran towards the garden where a greenhouse is located.
Ashnor sighed and shook his head as he looked at his brother running off inside the greenhouse.
Niveus approached us, “You can play inside while waiting for the time. The duchess will greet you later, she is still busy preparing for the Duke’s arrival.”
She smiled at us, “I shall leave you for a moment.”
“Thank you Niveus.” Ashnor thanked her.
“No need for thanks, your highness. I am but a humble servant of the imperial family.” With that, she bowed and left.
“Let’s go inside. The maids prepared everything and Fae is already there.” Nix led us inside.
Inside the greenhouse were various kinds of plants and trees. There were even butterflies residing inside it. At the center of the greenhouse is a play area.
The maids even put up snacks at the corner where Fae is seated as Ashwin fed her.
“He really likes feeding babies, huh?” Nix chuckled as he looked at Ashwin and Fae.
As we walked closer, Fae noticed me and she began to raise her hands toward me.
When Finnian saw this he stopped walking and went the other way.
“Where are you headed, Finnian?” Ashnor asked him.
“We’ll watch the butterflies.” He said calmly as he took me towards the butterflies.
I took one last look at Fae as her face fell from being excited to see me to almost shedding tears. Then I stared at Finnian.
“Look.” He pointed towards the swarm of butterflies.
I have never seen a kaleidoscope before. The butterflies are of different colors and are very pretty to look at.
“Do you love it, Flizeria?” Finnian asked me.
I smiled at him as I nodded my head.
With that, he also smiled back at me without saying anything further.
*****
Niveus knocked on the door to the study before entering.
“Are the children having fun?”
“They had fun roaming around the capital, although there was an incident at the Young Lady Clifford’s parlor.”
Duchess Emilia stopped looking at the papers and raised her eyebrow indicating further information.
“The young lady overreacted since the young duke, Finnian, ignored her.”
“Hmmm, well that is to be expected. Anything else?”
“Well, the young lady insulted me, and his highness, Nix covered for me.”
“And the twins covered for you too?”
Niveus shook her head, “Not really, Your Grace. The young lady looked at Princess Flizeria with disgust that is when everything went downhill.”
“Hmm, what do you mean? What exactly happened?”
“Well, the children, the three of them radiated the dragon’s rage.”
“What?!”
Emilia suddenly stood up with shock on her face.
“They are not yet old enough to radiate the rage.”
“I was also wondering about that, your grace.”
Emilia walked towards the window while thinking to herself.
“So, in short, it was because of Flizeria.”
“Yes, Your Grace, their fondness and being overprotective of the princess became the reason for them to activate the rage. Although it was not as powerful as the rage of the adults, it was still something to marvel upon.”
“Hmmm, Flizeria. There’s something about that child, I just can’t put my finger on it. Do observe her from now on.”
“Niveus, do make a report about the incident and send it to Father.”
“I have already prepared the report about the matter, your grace.”
“Good, send it now.”
With that Emilia flicked her hand indicating that Niveus is already dismissed.
“Understood, Your Grace.” Niveus bowed and then left the room.
Emilia continued to stare outside, thinking about how her Father clearly acknowledged the child as part of the Imperial family, is there something peculiar about the child?
*****
Lord Earl knocked on the Emperor’s study as he carried a letter in his hands.
“Come in.”
“Your Majesty, a letter has been sent from Duchess Emilia.”
The emperor put down the papers he was signing and signaled Lord Earl to give the letter to him.
“I believe it is about what happened earlier at the parlor. The report that was made by one of the imperial knights assigned to watch them secretly.”
Lord Earl gave the letter to the emperor as the emperor opened it and read it.
“It seems it was more than just an intimidation.” The emperor commented.
“What do you mean, your majesty?” Lord Earl asked curiously.
“Niveus, Emilia’s dragon, felt the rage.”
Lord Earl’s face became pale.
“The rage, your majesty? But isn’t it too early for them to have that kind of power?”
“It is, and it can be a problem if they are not to be trained properly.”
“That is true, your majesty. They may cause unwanted incidents, especially when the children will be upset since their emotion is pretty much unstable.”
“Hmmm, although it’s not quite strong, it is still alarming. They haven’t received any proper training – physically and mentally. Also, there is something that bothered me.”
“What is it, your Majesty?”
“Finnian, the son of Duke Phil Orientem. The report stated that he was the first one to activate it.”
“But, isn’t that impossible?”
“Yes, it is impossible. Since he’s not a direct descendant, he is only from a branch family. Supposedly, only the children and grandchildren of the emperor can activate the Dragon’s rage.”
“What caused the incident, your grace?”
The emperor read through the report again and again before concluding what caused the rage to be activated.
The emperor then answered, “Flizeria.”
*****
The evening arrived together with the arrival of Nix’s father, Duke William Septentriones. The same typical imperial features can be seen but compared to Ashen, William has a clean-cut and broad chest. It is clear that this man is physically fit or is maintaining to be one.
Also unlike Ashen, William has a strict face. He rarely smiles and only nods at you as a signal that he has already acknowledged your presence. Nix did not run excitedly towards him, instead, he bowed formally and called his own father “Sir.”
The atmosphere around the room is the exact opposite of the atmosphere when Ashen greeted his family or when his family greeted him.
Right now, we are seated around the dining table without making any sound until William cleared his throat.
“So, how are the children?” He looked at Emilia then looked at his children.
“They are doing well. They are holding the title of prince and princess.”
William nodded then he looked at the twins, Finnian, and I.
“These are your niece and nephews, then?”
“Yes.”
He looked at us and smiled politely, “So what are your names?” He asked us in a soft and polite voice.
So, he’s not really that scary. Thank goodness.
The twins and Finnian stood up.
“Oh, no need to stand. Just sit down” William told them.
The three of them looked at each other then sat back down.
“I am Ashnor, your grace.”
“And I am Ashwin.”
“Hmmm, Lucilia’s sons. You boys have grown quite a bit.” He chuckled lightly then looked at Finnian.
“Finnian Orientem, Your Grace. The son of Duke Phil Orientem.”
As Finnian mentioned his father, the face of William became dark.
“Is your Father treating you well?”
Finnian did not answer, instead, he only continued eating as if he was not being asked a question.
I looked at Finnian then at William. I know for a fact that this can be considered rude behavior, this might not be good for Finnian.
I waited for William to demand an answer but instead, he sighed as he rubbed his forehead.
“I guess, he’s still not treating you right. I must talk with your father again. Sorry for asking you that question, continue eating.”
I was told that Finnian’s father hates him because of what happened to her mother while giving birth to him. Is it really known that Finnian is being abused by his father? Then why weren’t there any actions taken to prevent the abuse?
William then looked at me then at Nix, “Son, would you care to introduce your younger cousin to me?”
“Understood, sir.”
“You may call me Father since I am your father.”
“Understood… Father.”
“This is Princess Flizeria de Sanguis Draconia, the late crown prince’s daughter.”
“Hmm, thank you, my son. So, this is Prince Flizer’s daughter.”
He then smiled at me warmly.