11 Grandmother comes to stay

Taskia's Dragon Palace.

"I am deeply worried about my granddaughter being the Crown Princess there," Queen Aleksandra said.

"Fredrick is there with her in the palace. Don't worry mother, our little Elizabeth is brave and resilient. Those nobles won't affect her. But if they touch a single hair on her head, Taskia will be their enemy," King Edmond said.

King Edmond was Duchess Elizabeth's brother. Duchess Elizabeth only became duchess when she married the love of her life, Duke Fredrick. And Queen Aleksandra is the Queen Mother since she is King Edmond's mother, which explains why young Elizabeth became the perfect girl to become the future Empress. She has her loving uncle and supportive grandmother behind her. Because after all, Taskia is a great nation, a powerful country that yields to the ends of the earth.

"Edmond, why don't I visit her there for a few months or until she becomes the Empress. I am worried people might want to use her," Aleksandra said as she looked out from the window.

"Mother, our little Elizabeth is not someone that should be reckoned with and the noble people of Vetrai should know this," King Edmond said as he slowly sipped his tea.

"If our mother would really like to visit our little Elizabeth, I might as well accompany her. I've missed her. Besides, I want to stay with her until she is crowned Empress. I want to dress her up on that special day," Queen Viktoria, King Edmond's wife said.

"But both of you know that Taskia also needs their Queens, right?" Edmond said.

"Yes, but it is already ruled by a very reliable King with his 12 sons, right?" Viktoria said.

"I don't need my son's permission to visit my only granddaughter. I'm going to set out tomorrow. Tell the servants to prepare my dragon, Quinn," Aleksandra said as she ordered her son.

"Alright. But one of your grandsons will accompany both of you there, alright? He will stay with you until come back home," Edmond said, breathing a sigh of defeat.

"Alright, we'll take Ethan with us. Our little Elizabeth adores him, you know," Viktoria said.

"Yes, take another dragon egg with you to gift the emperor," Edmond said.

"No. Philippe is someone who has secret agendas upon his sleeves. I know why he chose my Cordelia. He chose her because he knows she has us to back her," Aleksandra said.

"We all know that, mother. That is why we will be there for her. Fredrick already has his hands full in maintaining the Carleston Castle and taking care of some things as Elizabeth's father," Viktoria said.

"Then, I suggest both of you start packing before I change my mind and put both of you in house arrest," Edmond said as he stood up and left.

"Will he be okay, mother?" Viktoria asked.

"He will be okay. He said yes to us because he is worried about our Elizabeth. You know how soft his heart is when it comes to her," Aleksandra said as she patted Viktoria's shoulder.

The next morning, they set out to Vetrai with a lot of gifts meant for the Empress and Emperor, and a battalion of soldiers. The soldiers traveled by horse, while the two queens traveled by air, aboard their dragons to avoid ambush.

When they arrived in the Riku Palace, they were greeted by the Emperor and Empress.

"Your Majesties," the Empress said as she bowed to the two queens who were dismounting their dragons.

"It's nice to see you again, Natasha. After so many years," Viktoria said as she gave a gentle hug on the Empress.

"Likewise, Viktoria. I'm assuming Queen Aleksandra and you are here for our darling Elizabeth? Am I right?" Natasha smiled.

"Yes, where is she by the way? She should be here, greeting her very own grandmother," Aleksandra said as she noticed Elizabeth was missing.

"She is currently in a meeting with the noblemen. I'm afraid she will be roasted alive again in the courtroom," Natasha said.

"Then, where is that courtroom, Empress?" Aleksandra said as she leads the way.

The Empress quickly called for a servant to lead the Queen mother to the courtroom.

Before the servant could announce the Queen mother's presence, Aleksandra barged inside the courtroom which made everyone, including the Emperor, surprised.

The Emperor realizing who barged in, quickly bowed his head to pay his respect to the Queen Mother.

"Emperor, why must my dear Elizabeth attend such meetings that are meant to be attended by your son," Aleksandra asked.

"My son is here," the Emperor said as he gestured for Edward to step forward. "Pay your respect to your future wife's grandmother, and the Mother Queen of Taskia."

Edward stepped forward and paid his respect to the Queen Mother by bowing down.

"Grandmother, I didn't realize you'll be arriving this early," Elizabeth said as she approached her grandmother and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheeks.

"Your aunt and I have arrived first before the soldiers and the gifts because we rode on dragons. Come, leave this meeting to your future husband. Show me Qeillith," Aleksandra said as she leads her granddaughter outside the courtroom.

Queen Mother Aleksandra. Her name is feared by many royals including the Emperor and the Empress because of the power she has. Aleksandra became queen at the very young age of 8, married to the late king of Taskia by the age 15. The King of Dragons has taken an interest of her because she has shown intelligence, bravery, and generosity to people and granted her the power to change into a dragon and back into her human self. She has been only the human that ever received such phenomenal powers and she has used this ruthlessly on those that defied her power and family.

Back inside the courtroom, there were murmurs as how the Emperor behaved in front of the Queen Mother.

"Father, was the queen that gifted me the dragon?" Edward asked.

"Yes. Your grandmother was once her lady-in-waiting when she was still a new queen. And thanks to her, we became royalty," the Emperor said.

"Where is Qeillith?" Aleksandra asked.

"Oh, Qeillith? She's actually teaching Eddie's dragon to transform. But, why are you here, grandmother?" Elizabeth asked out of curiosity.

"Well, first of all, I was worried about how you were doing inside this palace. And I was worried about how the noblemen might try and use you for their personal greedy ambitions," Aleksandra said as she touched her granddaughter's face.

"I am fine. You are fully aware that I am capable of blocking their greedy ambitions. You have to trust me, grandmother," Elizabeth said as she held her grandmother's hands.

"Alright. I really do trust you but without your mother, it is my duty to take care of you. Your father is currently busy with managing the Carleston castle," Aleksandra said.

"What is aunt Viktoria doing here?" Elizabeth asked.

"She wanted to see you. Oh, by the way, Ethan is coming. He is currently traveling with the army," Aleksandra said as she gazed at the sky. "Hmm, I never thought this country would be so warm compared to Taskia."

"I've missed him. How is he doing? Is he married?" Elizabeth asked as she guided her grandmother to the garden.

"No. But he is engaged with the Crown Princess in Peavell Empire. Your cousin's going to be an Emperor too in the future," Aleksandra said.

"But why is he here with you, Derek can go," Cordelia said.

"Well, my darling, Ethan have missed you so much too. And you don't have to worry about his marriage. It is, unfortunately, a loveless marriage so he doesn't really care if he doesn't see his bride," Aleksandra said as she picked up a flower beside the bench they were sitting and placed it on Elizabeth's right ear.

"Grandmother, until when are you planning to stay?" Elizabeth asked.

"Well, I plan on staying until you are crowned Empress of Vetrai. And I would like to give you a special gift on that very day," Aleksandra smiled.