Chapter 38: Home

Fiorelle cupped her chin with her fingers.

“I see. Indeed, Dhein has already defeated a dragon once when he was a child. Now, even a dragon won’t be a threat to the empire because he’s here,” she stated.

“Come to think of it, this might be the meaning of the vision I received. Shina represented the palace and the dragon was Remi.”

While Fiorelle was explaining to Shina how she received a vision about a goddess and a dragon, Dhein wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it all. If Remi’s mother, assuming it’s still alive, came to wreak havoc, there would be no one to stop it. Not even if the five clans worked together.

Moments later, Fiorelle continued.

“That said, I can’t really visualize how a human like Dhein could defeat a being that is bigger than the entire area of the capital city. Princess Shina, you’ve seen him fight when you encountered those demons. Can you try and help me understand how strong Dhein really is?”

They turned to Shina who looked like she was still in disbelief reminiscing that moment.

“It was a sight to behold,” she answered.

“To me, he didn’t look human at all. He was on a completely different level than anything I’ve ever seen.”

’That’s because what you’ve watched is a literal god…’ he thought to himself.

Dhein sighed before speaking.

“Even so, there will be times when I won’t be able to protect the empire. Look at us now. We’re about two hundred miles away from the capital. Right now, we have no idea whatever is taking place over there. What if the dragon attacked at a time when I’m away?”

After hearing Fiorelle’s idea about Remi’s mother, Dhein realized that he needed to stop Shina from bringing the dragon into the empire and putting everyone at risk.

Turning her head to look at Remi, sadness creeped on Shina’s face.

She thought long and hard, but couldn’t seem to come up with a solution.

“But I can’t just leave him alone. You know what the people are gonna do to him just because he was born as a dragon,” she muttered.

With a frown, she looked at Dhein. Her alluring, sapphire eyes were like a vortex that drew in his gaze. They were full of sadness, yet so mesmerizing to look at that he just found himself staring. Her matchless beauty laced with distress was an art, like a fragile gem that needed protection, a sight that could be treasured as one of humanity’s rarest gifts from the gods.

Amidst it all, he wondered how something could be so painful and pleasing to see at the same time.

When he realized that he had been silent for too long, he cleared his throat and then reluctantly said:

“Fine. I’ll see what I can do.”

Her sadness was immediately replaced with joy.

Again, he just couldn’t refuse her ridiculous request.

***

Dhein, Fiorelle and Shina were standing beside the horse-drawn carriage by the gate of Selense City. They were just waiting for a few things to be done before they could leave.

They could hear the passersby whisper different things among them. Some were awestruck by the three big figures and some were fretful about the dragon hiding inside their carriage.

A few adventurers also smiled at Shina. They were a bit embarrassed by the fact that they actually invited the imperial princess into their party. She smiled back at them and said that she appreciated the gesture.

Moments later, the king arrived.

“It’s such a shame that you came into Selense during these hard times. I would have loved to show off all that the kingdom had to offer,” he said.

Dhein lowered his head slightly.

“We will return, Your Highness. Next time, it will be a joyous reunion.”

The king smiled.

“But of course. Let’s all do our best to fight off the threats to our beloved empire so that good days may grace us again.”

And with that, the princess was on her way back home.

It was still early in the morning when they left, so they were expecting to arrive in the capital by evening.

Dhein was more comfortable now than when he and Fiorelle were on their way to Selence. Back then, there were so many uncertainties and he only had Fiorelle to rely on to fend off monsters.

Now that Shina was here, he could rest more assured — as pathetic as it may sound.

Long hours passed with both trivial and serious conversations. Fiorelle and Shina shared their childhoods, their training and some valuable information about the Wixorns and Venilons that Dhein had already known by reading about them. Dhein shared some of his versatile knowledge as well.

They stopped for short breaks, but the journey was consistent.

Soon, they reached the capital.

“THE PRINCESS HAS RETURNED!!!”

It turned out that the whole empire had been preparing for Shina’s return ever since Dhein had brought her to the castle of King Garvill. Battalions of protective soldiers surrounded the city square, making sure only the emperor, his consort, a few servants and the three newly-arrived travelers could use the space.

As soon as Vedis saw Shina, he ran towards her and enveloped her in a tight hug.

“Oh, Shina. I’m so glad you’re safe.”

Moments later, Yuhan Venilon also joined in the hug, overjoyed.

Shina seemed like she was a bit hesitant about how to feel, but it turns out, she really missed her parents as well.

Dhein smiled at the warm sight.

It was a happy moment for the imperial family and the people.

Until a little dragon joined in with the hug, too.

“Will someone take that dog away? We are reuniting with our daughter here, thank you!” complained Vedis while hugging his family tight.

“Your Majesty, that’s not a dog!” a servant exclaimed.

The hug broke, Shina gasped.

All widened eyes stared in silence as Remi enthusiastically looked at Shina and her parents. His innocent eyes saw that these people loved Shina, and he thought that they would love him too.

Moments later, screams filled the city square and the emperor ordered for the little dragon’s death.

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