Page 228 of The White King's Favorite

“This Kingdom’s people have no need for a man like you, absolutely none, Yebekh. This Kingdom won’t heal with more military power or political schemes. It will heal if we, the people, get along and help one another, if they understand each other, and open their doors, and their hearts. You think your Yekara Clan is better than the others, but you’re the very last clan this population cares about, believe me. The warm herbal tea the Hashat makes is worth thousands of your swords. They will heal the Kingdom when it’s needed, and study until its medical knowledge is on par with the Dragon Empire’s. The Sehsan Tribe’s beautiful creations will bring back color and hope in their lives. They can trade with the Empire, and bring even more wealth, even more beauty back to the Eastern Kingdom. They don’t think about reinforcing borders, they think about what could be gained by opening them. Even the Cheshi are ready to ally with the people, stepping out of centuries-old secret hiding places to protect others!”

“Enough!” Yebekh shouted. “Those useless tribes’ trinkets and stupid tea are meaningless! This Kingdom needs to get stronger!”

“You can’t become stronger if you don’t heal first,” Cessilia retorted. “If I have learned one lesson since coming here, it is that. A kingdom needs time, patience, kindness, and faith to heal, just like people. Those people aren’t just cattle who’ll all depend on you. Each and every person out there is already doing their best and not waiting for their King to save them. They don’t need a strong king, they need one that can understand them, get on their level, and give them time. Your greedy and brutal ways will only provoke more struggle and death. Look outside! You’ve already filled this Capital with blood and fire for power! What will happen to the whole Kingdom if a man like you ever holds more power?”

She took a deep breath, and returned to her original position, glaring at him.

“I won’t allow it,” she said. “I’ll put an end to your ambitions, and help Ashen get it back on its feet.”

“You can’t stop us,” he groaned. “Even if you kill me, another commander is ready to take over any minute! The Yekara Clan is stronger than you think!”

“Good,” said Cessilia. “I don’t care how long it’ll take, but we’ll make sure to end this. My brothers would call it boring if you made it too easy for us. Plus, I plan to stay here for a while.”

“What gives you the right to interfere?!” he shouted, raising his sword and getting ready to defend himself again. “You’re just a child who came here on a whim!”

Cessilia chuckled, and raised her sword.

“Didn’t you hear your King before, Lord Yebekh? I’m his Queen. I didn’t come here on a whim, I came here to heal. Now I’m ready to give back what this country gave me. ...Moreover, when the King needs her, it’s the Queen’s duty to step up and get rid of the vermin. Get in position, Yebekh. This girl is about to show you what a real fighter can do.”

The loud growl of a furious Silver Dragon echoed with her words.

“You’re–!”

Lord Yebekh never found anything to insult her with, and Cessilia didn’t leave him the time to, either. She decided to resume this fight, more determined than ever. Her sword swung in his direction, and he only had enough time to raise his. Their swords clashed again, faster than before. They clearly had opposing objectives: Cessilia wanted to end this fight soon, while Yebekh wanted to make it last. It probably had to do with Ashen’s condition. That man thought that if he could make this last long enough, the King would die. Cessilia had no intention to let him win. She was getting tired, and this was the last fight she couldn’t wait to be done with.

She was already very different from the woman she was when she first arrived. Even since that morning, she felt like she had shed her old skin and been reborn into a stronger being, fiercer than ever. This time, she could proudly stand as the War God’s daughter and Ashen’s future Queen. She was pushing Yebekh more and more, not withholding her attacks, relentlessly pursuing the man. As he was trying to get away from her and her weapon, the man kept her circling around the room. The only thing Cessilia was adamant about was not letting this man anywhere near Ashen. She was protecting him, standing in the way as much as she could while trying to finish Yebekh off. It wasn’t as easy as she had hoped. The man was truly skilled and experienced. Unlike most men, he knew not to rely on his strength alone, and was improving minute by minute, learning Cessilia’s style as much as she was learning his. It was no easy fight.

“My lord!”

The voices coming from behind her made Cessilia lose her focus. She glanced back, annoyed to see more Yekara soldiers had made it all the way up to this room. She could already barely hold Yebekh at a distance!

“Ah!” shouted Yebekh. “See, a brat like you is no leader! You can’t do anything if you’re alone...”

Cessilia’s green eyes suddenly went back to him, glowing with anger.

“Who said I was alone?”

A furious dragon growl resonated above their heads. It was louder than the thunder, like a deafening echo in the skies above, surrounding the tower. Glimpses of flying silver scales flew by the windows like lightning bolts in the darkness. A smile appeared on Cessilia’s lips. The Yekara men were already staring toward the ceiling, looking afraid and unsure of what to expect. They probably hadn’t seen the giant Silver Dragon yet, and now they were in the front row seats. Shortly after, the whole tower began to shake. A lot. Groaning and grimacing, Ashen forced himself to sit up, and using his arm, slowly retreated until he was leaning his upper body against Cessilia’s leg.

“...A friend?” he asked, looking up with a worried expression.

“I think she missed you more than I thought,” chuckled Cessilia.

Another dragon growl resonated, higher-pitched. After more shaking, the tower stopped moving. It was only a second before the roof was suddenly torn off. It happened so violently and quickly, it looked as if it had simply been popped up, the whole ceiling disappearing in one go. The roof was literally sent flying god knows where, while stones from the top of the torn walls were falling down the sides, in or out of the room. The tower itself trembled again, and a gigantic dragon’s face appeared above them. Ashen gasped.

“That can’t be... Cece!” he exclaimed, a baffled expression stuck on his face.

The Silver Dragon answered with a gentle growl, before turning its large ruby eyes toward the Yekara soldiers that had just appeared. Raising their spears and swords, the men were suddenly not so sure about attacking anymore. Cece let out that strange scream, and most of them took a step back, unsure.

“Good girl,” chuckled Ashen, clearly the only man happy to see the dragon.

Luckily, the tower they were in was much bigger than the one Jinn had destroyed, and a bit sturdier. As Cece suddenly put a gigantic paw on the ground, the floor squeaked dangerously, but it held well under the pressure. The dragon’s head was right above the half-torn wall, and Cessilia guessed her dragon was probably supporting itself against the whole tower. Cece was way too big to get inside, but the dragon would still make a trustworthy support against more enemies... Meanwhile, Ashen was still visibly in awe. He leaned against the silver-scaled paw.

“Damn, you’re so big now... I missed you too, pretty girl.”

Cece must have enjoyed the compliment, because he received a gentle growl and slight nudge in response.

“Ashen, you shouldn’t move too much...”

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