“It’s you,” the creature spoke as its eyes settled upon mine, its deep voice spoke from within the darkness, causing the whole capital to vibrate. It’s full of authority, full of power that no one dared spoke or even breathe.
The creature in front of us grunted as smoke and fire can be seen through its nostrils as it inhaled and exhaled.
“Why is it so dark?” It spoke again, this time a few sets of feet approached the creature.
“Master, welcome.” The dragons, including the newly summoned, lined up and showed obeisance unto the creature.
“Light up the torches, light up everything,” it spoke to no one in particular but the dragons did as he commanded.
As the lights went back, we can finally see the creature in front of us. Dark red scales that looked almost black, sharp talons that can slit your whole body in an instant. As it stretched its body it can be seen that it is gigantic. The length may have been a whole building, if it were not cramped in such a small podium, with a height of 5 meters high. It is larger than the other dragons combined.
It lifted its head and made eye contact with me, again.
“Hmmm, I guess this form is not suited to be in this world, should I…”
It shrunk itself until it became a form of a beautiful man. Long dark red hair, fair skin tone, and sharp jawlines could bring anyone to their knees.
It- I mean, he walked closer to where grandpa and I were. As he got closer, I can now see his face. Long red lashes with thick red eyebrows. Eyes that look like it's carrying a flame inside and that smile as if he knew everything that happened and will happen. It does not seem he’s happy just amused with what is going on – amused at me.
“Well, well, is this the person who summoned me? Quite small and not really my taste, but anyway-“
He bowed formally at me and without lifting his head he said, “Master, please give this humble servant a name.”
I always wondered why. If dragons are all great and mighty, why do they bow down to us, when we are just mere humans? I know it was because Benedict helped a dragon and such but why are they still serving us centuries after? It does not sit quite right with me.
“Uhm, master?” He lifted his head and tilted it sideways as if a pet waiting to be petted.
“Do you not like my appearance?” He said, almost pouting, “I can turn into a child if you want my master.”
So he shrank again, this time his hair became shorter and he got the same facial features but this time he is cute rather than beautiful.
“Is this more suitable, master?”
I opened my mouth and then look around, everyone is looking at me and at our interactions. I then looked up at Grandpa.
“Hmm?” He also looked around and as if for the first time he noticed there are people surrounding us, and that the dragons are still on their knees waiting for his command.
“What are you all waiting for? Let the festivities begin!”
With that he waved towards the dragons, grandpa also stated that the vinculum ceremony is done and the festivities may now commence.
Since there is no banquet, some of the nobles held their own banquets and invited the imperial family. This might look that the imperial family became weak but this is done as a symbol that the imperial family is for the citizens and not against them. Instead of having a banquet, the imperial family funded the festivities so that commoners may enjoy the festivities too.
“Fliz, I will leave you with your dragon so that you will get to know him more. Your cousins are also enjoying their new company,” he looked at my cousins as they played with their own dragons.
The nobles came and congratulated us and reminded us of their banquets at their individual mansions.
No one seemed to question why I got a dragon at this age, but their stares told me otherwise. Anyway, I, too, am wondering if I got a dragon when Fae did not even have her own.
“Ria!” “Fifi!”
The twins with their dragons flying behind them came running towards me. Even Nix is walking towards me with his dragon sleeping in his arms.
Then, I heard someone clear their throat from behind me, “Master? It's best we should go,” with that he grabbed my hand and carried me bridal style as he grew a little bit in size.
“Hold on tight, master,” With that, he sprinted far from the podium.
He was laughing as he sprinted and jumped from alley to alley. He avoided the people enjoying the festivities. I can hear music and laughter everywhere.
“Where are we going?!” I shouted for him to hear me.
“To a place where no one can disturb us,” He smiled down at me.
Then I can feel him decelerating and coming to a stop on a cliff.
“Woah,” that’s the first that came to my mouth as I beheld the view before me.
The whole capital can be seen from here. A sea of lights that may have put the stars above to shame. The imperial palace at the distance. Music can still be heard from here, and people can be seen, just like little ants doing their own business.
“How do you know that this place existed?” I asked him as he sat down near the edge and extended his hands to me.
“I don’t know really.” I held his hand as he assisted me to sit down beside him.
“I have never asked this to the other dragons, but what is it like in your world?”
He thought for a moment, a crease forming in between his eyebrows.
“I also do not know. We don’t really remember anything from our life before. Tell me, do you remember your life before you were born?”
“Uhm,” to be honest of course I do. I remember every single bit of it, the bitterness, hatred, shame, and even the pain.
“Of course, you don’t, that’s also how it is for us.”
“But those other dragons bowed down to you, does that mean they remember something?”
“Hmm, not really. They can just sense who is more superior.”
“So, you are superior.”
“I guess, I can also feel that all of them are inferior to me. Besides I’m a red dragon, of course, I am superior.”
“But Alaric is also a red dragon?”
“Hmmm, maybe it’s because, in our world, I am higher than him?”
“Oh, and even though I can’t remember anything before this life of mine, I do remember what my purpose here is. Congrats master for becoming the crown princess.”
My jaw dropped at what he said, “Becoming the crown princess?”
“Hmmm, I thought it was common knowledge. Those who can summon a red dragon to become the crown prince or princess.”
Oh right, I summoned a dragon – a red dragon at that. Does that make me the next ruler of the empire? That somehow feels…
“No need to be burdened by the thought of becoming the next ruler,” he smiled at me trying to comfort me, “You have me,”
“Also, I do question how you summoned me. You are not yet ten and you do not look like a person with imperial blood.”
“I was hoping you have the answer to that, because I, too, am lost in the dark about that matter.”
“I apologize master, but I also don’t have an answer.”
I sighed, I thought I’m going to have answers once I have my own dragon.
“But, don’t worry. Whatever it is, it does not matter. You summoned me, you are the future empress, and you have me and I am yours for eternity.”
He leaned in close towards me, I can clearly see his eyes and it really does seem that something is burning inside them, “Now what name would my master give to her humble servant?”
“A name?”
“Yes, a name. The name you will give me will seal our contract. And I can confidently say I am yours and yours only. Whatever you command, I will do it with no hesitation. If you command me to burn everything I will do so. I will do everything for you, would even die for you. Now, a name, please? My master.”
Again, he looked like a pet waiting to be petted or to be praised. His eyes and lips pouted as he waited for me to answer.
I gently pushed him away, “Hmmm okay okay let me think first.”
I looked at him up and down, so he straightened his clothes, fixed his hair, and smiled shyly at me.
“You are beautiful.” I suddenly blurted out and that made him blush as he looked away shyly.
How come this person or I mean dragon changed character only after a few minutes. He was so high and mighty when he first arrived.
I reached out to touch his hair, but he hold my hand firmly.
“Master, your hand!”
“Oh, right. I cut myself to summon you.”
“Hmm, if we leave this at ease it will turn for the worst. Let me heal you.”
I looked at him and looked forward to how he will use his magic to heal him, but what came next became a surprise for me.
He licked my hand so I instantly pulled my hand away from him.
“Master?” He looked hurt that I pulled my hand away.
“What were you doing?”
“Healing your hand.” He looked down, “I’m sorry master, punish me in any way that you deemed is necessary.”
I looked at my hand and the cut disappeared as if it was never there in the first place.
“No, no. I’m sorry. I was just taken aback by what you did. Look, it’s all healed now, thanks to you.” I showed him my hand as he took it and placed it on his cheek.
“Master’s hand is so soft and warm. Master, please tell me that I am yours.” He closed his eyes and smiled.
“You… are mine?”
“Softer, please?” With that, he said it in a whisper as he inhaled sharply.
I patted his head with my other hand, this made him open his eyes in shock. He then looked at me without blinking so I also looked him in the eyes.
“I don’t really understand what is going on here. I can’t seem to fully grasp my situation, is it because I am ignorant, or is it because of my age? But I do know, I summoned you here and we are bonded until one of us dies. So, you are mine and I, too, am yours for eternity, Omorfos.”
*****
The emperor, together with Alaric walked the streets amidst the festivities as if he is just walking in his garden.
People would stop and show their respect but he told them to enjoy themselves and not mind him. So even though at first, it seemed awkward, the people continued what their emperor told them to do.
He then saw a familiar figure in between the crowd trying to come near him.
Zyde came forward, panting at first then, he cleared his throat.
“Uhm, Your Majesty, we forgot something,”
“What do you mean, Zyde?”
“We forgot to announce that we have our new crown princess.”