Chapter 59: Still worried
The reason?
Fratina glanced at Lucia, a hint of resentment in her eyes.
‘The reason is you.’
She thought it but answered, “I don’t know… maybe I’ve been restless since arriving here.”
“Still upset I meddled?”
“That’s not it…”
“Then what?”
Fratina stepped closer, speaking softly so only Lucia could hear. “Lord Lucius, you’ve known Christine for one day. Do you trust her that much?”
“…Not exactly one day.”
Lucia thought for a moment. “I started learning about them from the guild’s reports. In the villages, I dug deeper. Though we met yesterday, I’ve got a good sense of her character.”
“You’re not worried it’s an act? Duncan was a beloved minister before his coup.”
“Why should I worry?”
“?”
Fratina was confused.
“What are we giving Christine’s group in this partnership?”
“Your money… and maybe our help against Duncan later?”
“Exactly. How important is that to Christine?”
“Pretty important, I’d say.”
“And what do we hope to gain from them?”
“…”
Fratina froze.
Right, partnerships were mutual. What did they want from Christine?
After thinking, she ventured, “You said we need them to remove Duncan, so we can move freely in Londe without anyone eyeing the valley’s mines.”
“Correct. If they betray us, we’re no worse off than we are with Duncan now.”
“And I trust Christine’s character. She’s built a disciplined bandit group as an outlaw. Imagine what she’d do as queen.”
Fratina pouted. “Lord Lucius, you’re sure it’s not because Christine’s a beauty?”
“Uh… why would you think that?”
“I mean no offense, but… I’ve heard dragons have certain… tendencies.”
Fratina trailed off, but Lucia understood.
Her face reddened.
She was a dragon, yes, but a female one. How could she feel that way about another woman?
And men? Before crossing over, she was male, so that was out of the question too.
Had she somehow overcome her dragon instincts?
Still intent on hiding her gender, she coughed and said, “You’re overthinking, Fratina. Christine’s human, I’m a dragon. Different species—no chance for that kind of relationship.”
“Really?”
Fratina eyed her skeptically.
“Really.”
Lucia nodded. “She’s just a friend.”
“…”
The knot in Fratina’s heart began to unravel.
But Lucia’s words sent her into thought.
If dragons and humans couldn’t be together, then she…
“No…”
Fratina blurted out, startling Lucia.
“Fratina?”
Realizing what she’d said, Fratina apologized. “Sorry, Lord Lucius, I zoned out.”
“If there’s nothing else, shall we head back?”
Lucia didn’t mind her distraction and beckoned her.
“Okay.”
Before breakfast, Fratina insisted on testing the food for poison, letting Lucia eat only after confirming it was safe.
Emmeline, watching, felt exasperated.
She admired Fratina’s loyalty but found the distrust excessive. They were allies—why would they poison them?
Having lived among commoners, Emmeline understood Fratina’s caution.
Not everyone clicked like Christine and Lucia.
After breakfast, Christine emerged, yawning.
Seeing Fratina and Lucia together, she approached and greeted them. “You two are up early.”
“I’ve rested plenty these days. Fratina’s just used to it.”
Lucia stood. “Christine, what’s your plan for attacking Notting City?”
“We’ve had plans for a while but needed more strength. Your arrival is a godsend.”
Christine spread a map of Londe on the table, explaining…
Elan City, Londe’s Capital
Duncan hadn’t slept well lately, waking in the night from dreams of a shadowy figure approaching, muttering.
That voice—he’d never forget it.
The voice of the king he’d killed.
After the coup, such dreams haunted him nightly.
They faded as his rule stabilized, but recently, they’d returned.
Below the throne, Freeman looked at Duncan nervously. “Your Majesty, didn’t you rest well?”
“Rest well? That escapee is grown now. Until she’s found, I won’t sleep soundly.”
“But, Majesty, I’ve searched tirelessly. She might be dead. How else could there be no trace?”
Duncan shook his head. “Forget it. What’s the bandit situation in Notting City?”
“They recently raided a caravan, stripping even the soldiers’ gear. Heavy losses.”
“And the Hero? Didn’t she take the commission?”
“She and that dragon went to Notting City, then left to gather bandit intel. They haven’t returned.”
Duncan frowned.
This felt familiar.
He’d been fooled once, but not twice.
“Send more troops to Notting City. If the Hero betrays us again, we’re done.”
“It shouldn’t come to that, right? Lucius was an exception, and the Hero has his help. Could a bunch of bandits defeat her?”
“Hard to say…”
Duncan shook his head, uneasy. “I’m not taking chances. Send more troops.”
“…Understood.”