Page 253 of The White King's Favorite

She then walked out, glancing one last time at Lord Marau. She wondered what that man would have to say to his former fiancé’s son... Whatever it was, Cessilia knew it wasn’t her place to intervene. As close as she was to Ashen, she knew he had his own demons to overcome, and a complicated past she wasn’t a part of.

Leaving Ashen behind, Cessilia had to accelerate her pace a bit to catch up with her grandmother. Kareen was actually already back outside the residence, arms crossed, staring at the locals who were starting their tasks for the day. Many of them seemed intrigued by the burgundy-haired woman, sending her curious glances, although they didn’t dare approach her. Either Kareen intimidated them or because she was standing in front of the enigmatic Cheshi residence, no locals were brave enough to do more than steal a few glances in her direction. Cessilia joined her, a faint smile on her lips.

“You’re getting some attention, Grandmother.”

“Don’t I always?”

A smile on Cessilia’s lips widened. It seemed to be her grandmother’s curse: always admired, always envied, but always alone... At the very least, her family always stuck around, no matter how much she feigned complaining about it. Cessilia took her grandmother’s arm, guiding her through the streets. For a little while, the two women gently paced side by side, touring the busy streets and gathering more attention.

“...Why were you so mad? About the Cheshi?” Cessilia finally asked.

“Did I seem mad?”

“To your granddaughter who knows you well, yes. A bit.”

Kareen chuckled.

“That’s my granddaughter for you, so perceptive. ...Yes, I am slightly upset. It’s not against them. I simply can’t stand that such people are still alive, even so far from the Imperial Palace.”

“What do you mean?”

Kareen let out a faint sigh.

“I refused for the longest time to live in the Imperial Palace. Your grandfather, that silly man, tried to coerce me by any means, but as you know, he never got the last word. My main reason was to protect my children from political intrigues, assassins, and wretched schemers. Don’t let yourself be fooled by these people, Cessilia. They might be on your side because you’re a daughter of the Dragon Empire, a dragon owner, but people born and raised in the shadows will always belong to the dark. How many people do you think they are ready to let die for their own pride? They barely acknowledged your King, from what I heard and saw. Ashen is right not to rely on those kinds of clans too heavily. That boy might be too self-centered, but at least he’s got good instincts.”

Cessilia thought of Ashen’s mother. That woman probably was as headstrong as her grandmother, from her understanding. She had left her clan and gone through many hardships to raise her sons the way she wanted to. In the end, was the sacrifice worth it? ...Perhaps. After all, it was as if she had earned her own freedom. Cessilia understood her grandmother’s words. It would have been foolish to trust a clan who had turned their back on this Kingdom for so many years so easily. They might be useful as spies and assassins, but it would take a long, long while before they proved their loyalty for real.

“Do you think I trust too easily?” Cessilia frowned.

“I think this world needs more women like you and your mother,” chuckled Kareen. “Not every woman can wield a sword, but every woman is a fighter.”

Cessilia smiled.

“I think I heard something similar recently.”

“Because it’s true, and something the women in our family live by. Far too many times, women are underestimated. It is both a strength and a weakness. That goes for Ashen as well, Cessilia. That boy might be right for you, but remember, you’re right for him too.”

Cessilia smiled and nodded. Even without her grandmother saying it, she felt like she had already come a long way since she had landed in the Eastern Kingdom, and learned many things.

They walked a bit longer, lightly chatting about the shops Cessilia was starting to know about. One of Nana’s cousins who recognized her even walked over to offer them some warm tea she was selling, and some dried fruits to snack on, all for free. She was the only one who approached them, but by now, many people were out in the streets, busy trying to get back to a normal life, either by clearing the debris, starting to repair their houses and shops, or, for the luckiest ones, resuming business as usual. The more they walked, the more the two women naturally drifted toward the seashore. They were just a couple of streets away from the docks and, to her surprise, her grandmother didn’t seem bothered at all by the smell of fish.

“Grandmother...”

“Yes?”

“Do you believe that legend? About the pair of Earth and Sea Dragons? About that... mountain and that cave.”

“Why do you ask that?” smiled Kareen, who already knew what Cessilia really wanted to know.

“Cece,” muttered Cessilia. “You know I need to know. How did she come back? It has to do with that legend, right? ...How did Mother know? I thought she simply suggested putting her in the lake of the Imperial Palace as a burial for a dragon, or so I wouldn’t be too sad, but she knew, didn’t she? She knew Cece would be back. Just... how?”

A mysterious smile appeared on Kareen’s lips.

“I’m not sure your mother really knew,” she said. “Perhaps she took a chance.”

She didn’t add anything, but Cessilia was getting restless. She ought to know more. She could tell there were some secrets her family hadn’t disclosed yet, and she had rarely questioned them until now. Until it became about Cece too.

“Grandmother,” she insisted. “...Please. I know Mother and Father both won’t talk about it. This is related to what happened to my mother before I was born, isn’t it? Kassian told me and Darsan. Krai was always by that lake... That place really is special, isn’t it?”

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