72 5.6 Let them be dissapointed

As Levay had asked of him, Shu XinYi went to the south study to meet with him. The entrance to the study was beautiful. The study looked more like a green house then a study. Inside various artifacts were placed at different places. Shu XinYi quickly looked around to find Levay standing near a peculiar object.

"My Leige is this.." Shu XinYi said looking at the object.

Levay was standing near a dragons tooth, the size of Calian's forearm. Levay had gloves on, and he gave a pair to Calian saying, "Yes, it's a dragon's tooth. While you were gone, I .. The council proposed a decree for anyone who knew ways to kill a dragon to come forward with evidence. There was a man that came forward with this. He claims that his father had killed a dragon when he was little, this tooth was kept as a relic to be passed on, along with the way his father killed the dragon. I had people investigate this and the tooth really does belong to a dragon."

Shu XinYi touched the edges of it to examine, as he said in a sort of angry tone, "A young dragon to be precise. The edges although sharp, are weakly formed. The foundation is the same way. No grown dragon would have such week fangs. My Leige, when exactly did that man say his father killed the dragon?"

Levay honestly answered, "The man said that it was 8-9 years ago. Why? Is something wrong?"

Shu XinYi pointed to a peculiar place in the tooth saying, "This tooth is not old, you can see that the bones are not fragile. If this really was harvested 8-9 years ago, then there would be no cavity settled in. The question remains, why did that man hide this truth? Would the fact that this tooth is recently harvested, prove as a threat to that man? Why else would he lie about something he should be proud of? My Leige, may I ask, who is this person? They need to be bought in for questioning immediately." Shu XinYi wasn't aware that it was the baby dragon's tooth that Bane had presented as an evidence. Although that baby dragon was just a regular Npc, Shu XinYi cared for him.

Levay removed his gloves as he said in a worried tone, "Don't make a mess of this situation Calian. The council already doubts your loyalty. If you begin to question the man they have marked as their saviour, then it will only cause more trouble for you."

Shu XinYi raised his eyes a bit, has Levay become actually perceptive? "My Leige, why has that man been marked as a a saviour, may I question?"

Levay walked towards the exit and Shu XinYi followed behind, Levay told Calian, "The man has the answers to many of our dilemma's. If you hadn't been standing here with me to give me a perspective, I too would've made him a savior. But the council won't be willing to listen to you. So just don't interfere."

Shu XinYi hummed in understanding as he said some carefully constructed words, "Then, what about the dragons? The council will be pushing for a war. Should I prepare My Leige?" These words indicated that although Calian trusted Levay to make the decisions, the council would really be doing all the decision making.

Levay obviously understood his words, he wanted to be angry but Calian was right. Levay said in a reminiscing tone as he walked around the south pavilion, "Calian, 3 years ago, The day my father died was the day he passed me the throne. It all happened so quickly and I was unaware of the makings of a king. My father wasn't a perfect king, but he could be called a king. Me on the other hand... Haa. There were 4 things that father had advised me to do, he said; Don't disappoint your people too much, Don't disappoint the Gods too much, Don't disappoint your family too much, but let them be disappointed sometimes; only then will you be able to achieve something. Yet here I am unable to achieve anything."

Calian respected the previous king a lot so Shu XinYi said in an equally respectful tone, "His Grace, may rest in peace. My Leige, you will surely not disappoint His grace too much."

Levay softly laughed saying, "My father trusted you more than me you know. Tell me, Ilseu. If the council does push for a war, what should I do?" If Levay called Calian, Ilseu, then Levay means to ask for a friendly suggestion.

Shu XinYi honestly replied, "My Leige, let me ask you something first, that man who bought in this tooth-"

Levay said intersecting, "His name is Bane, I have already approved his position in the council, but I don't trust him at all. Go on."

Shu XinYi continued, "My Leige, then will you allow me to question him, in front of the council. I know my position, so I won't do anything that brings harm to me. But somethings need to be cleared up. I have a theory, but I can't confirm it before I get some answers. As for the war, it should be avoided if it's avoidable."

Levay thought about it and said, "Ok then, I will be attending the council as well. I will call for one the day after tommorow. You can question Bane then."

Shu XinYi bowed his head to say thankyou. Shu XinYi was about to excuse himself since night was approaching, but Levay said to him, "About Zither and Yuè. I am thinking of sending them undercover to the west valley. I don't want to risk there safety by announcing there depart. I am telling you because .. I want you to deliver this messege to them. My sons refuse to talk to me these days. But I won't be sending them immediately, take a week or 2 and teach them the appropriate ways. Can I hold you responsible for this, Ilseu?"

Shu XinYi was amazed at how Levay had developed. Maybe it was a chain reaction, but the original Levay was never like this. Shu XinYi obviously agreed with Levay's proposal. Either way, it was beneficial if Yuè and Zither were out of the capital. In the original, Bane had ... successfully seduced Zither, it was tragic in many ways. Shu XinYi shuddered at the thought.

Shu XinYi asked, "My Leige, can I know where are the princes now? I can talk to them today."

Levay told him that they had "secretly" run away from the palace to a famous food house in the main city. Shu XinYi smiled an out of character smile. Yuè and Zither's behavior reminded him of, him and his amnesiac husband a lot. He said "I am feeling hungry as well, Then my Leige, I will leave first."

Seeing Ilseu smile, Levay wasn't surprised. After all, although he was a stern military commander been through many battles, he was still human. Levay excused him and went back to the main study.

------x------

In a bustling food shop, many workers and families alike had gathered for food. It was more crowded then usual, after all most have them had come to taste the new chefs famous dishes. The new chef had come in just yesterday, and although a few people had tried his dishes, they were so mesmerized that they ended up gossiping about it to no ends. So much so that it had reached the palace, that was the reason that Yuè and Zither had "secretly" come from the palace, to try this food. They were dressed in casual clothes, neither were they known by the people, so they weren't recognized.

"Gege, father won't find out right?" A slightly anxious Zither asked, overviewing the menu parchment.

Yuè was at ease though, "Zi, don't be worried he won't know."

"You shouldn't lie to Zi like that. Your father clearly knows, and you clearly know that." They heard someone say. How could Zither the fan boy not recognize this voice, "Brother Ilseu. How come you are here?" Shu XinYi too was dressed casually but he had covered his hair with a hood.

Yuè looked at Shu XinYi with an irritated face as he said, "Zi, obviously he is here under father's orders to bring us back."

Shu XinYi pulled up a chair and sat down saying with nonchalance, "I came because I wanted to have dinner here. Isn't that why you came as well? Why haven't you ordered yet."

It was Zither who excitedly replied, "Brother Ilseu, the new chef is getting all the orders today. So we will have to wait. But I am afraid the shop will close by the time it's our turn."

Shu XinYi motioned for both of them to come forward and said in a low voice, "I have plan follow me." Shu XinYi said and then he stood up and left the restaurant. Zither excitedly followed behind, only forcing an irritated Yuè to do the same.

Once outside Shu XinYi kept walking, and only stopped near a fountain. The area was empty except for the rare passerby. Zither asked, "Is this where we'll eat?"

Shu XinYi said, "No. We will go back once the restaurant closes. Then you can eat as much as you want. Yuè, Zither. Your father did send me but to inform you this." Shu XinYi patiently explained the situation about their feat to the western valley. He answered all their curious questions. Although Yuè behaved like a mature man, he was still inexperienced. So Shu XinYi also told them about the training he would be giving them for a week. "I am a harsh trainer. So you are not allowed to complain. This is not a feat your father wants to burden you with. It is a learning experience. But if you feel that you can't be responsible for it then back off now."

Yuè said without his usual arrogance, "No, We'll go. Master Calian, please train us well."

Zither joined in saying, "Yes broth- Master Calian. I am willing. Do teach us."

Shu XinYi softly patted both of them saying, "Good. Early morning tomorrow meet me outside the main palace. This time without anyone knowing, I am not making you rebel. Your father knows of my training methods, it's about time you got familiar as well." Shu XinYi bought lotus seeds and water chestnuts from the nearest street seller and offered to both of them.

Zither happily nodded and took the fruits. Yuè said, "Zither, don't eat too much. Brother Ilseu claims that we can eat even after the restaurant closes."

Shu XinYi smiled saying, "Oh sure. You can even eat the exclusive dishes. By the way, you won't mind if the chef is a dark elf right?"

Author notes:

I don't know a lot about bones, and Google didn't help much. The gist is that by looking at the tooth they can see that it was taken recently. Well I'll figure it out. I want to save the baby dragon soon. Thankyou for the reads and reacts. Goodluck for your exams, and to me too i guess.