Kingdom of Waterfall

Leonar shook his head – We broke up. She didn't want to let me have another girlfriend.

Aillard stopped.

Leonar looked at him – What happened?

Aillard narrowed his eyes – And why did you want to have another girlfriend? – Aillard watched as the blond-haired boy's expression changed slightly to doubt.

– Why not? The two were very beautiful.

Aillard didn't know how to respond.

Leonar continued walking, and as soon as they arrived at the pool, they changed to enter the water.

Aillard sat there, relaxing. The freshwater was very good in this climate, and Leonar swam while he talked, telling random stories about his life.

While the boys had fun in the pool, the queen tried to contain the fights in the throne room.

The atmosphere only calmed down when the ministers saw that an important guest had arrived. Then, to convey a good image of their court, they partially silenced themselves, pretending to argue in an orderly manner.

The queen looked at the Lord of the North, relieved and a little irritated by the hypocrisy of those who, until now, had been arguing fiercely.

Eigard approached, bowing slightly – Your highness, great queen of Waterfall.

The queen waved her hand – There is no need to bow, Lord Eigard, to what do I owe the honor of your visit?

Eigard looked at the ministers. Now that he was here, they were silent, they didn't show any respect in front of the queen herself, but as soon as a foreigner arrived, they pretended politeness and courtesy.

– I seem to have arrived at the wrong time.

The queen shook her head, speaking quickly – Not at all, Lord Eigard, but I have to apologize because my husband isn't here. He's been tired these days, so, he couldn't attend the throne room today.

Eigard looked at the beautiful woman standing in front of the golden throne. Her tired appearance made him upset. Frowning, he thought: 'Prince Leonar had said the king was not in the palace, he had probably gone out to chase some women out of the palace, leaving his queen to deal with his work, and yet she protected him'

Eigard straightened his posture, speaking calmly – So, I would like to talk with your highness alone, I have matters to discuss with the king, but since he is not present, I will discuss it with the queen.

Murmurs erupted in the throne room, all about the queen. Of course, if she didn't accept, they would think of her as a snobby or mean person for not wanting to receive a high-ranking guest like Lord Eigard. Still, if she accepted... it wouldn't be suspicious of a woman to get so readily the request of a man as handsome and powerful as he?

The queen looked at everyone in the hall, expressionless, sighing imperceptibly.

– Lord Eigard is Waterfall's most important guest. The trip was a bit long, I suppose.

Eigard smiled slightly – Indeed.

The queen nodded – If the matter is not urgent, please rest in the palace. The king will come promptly as soon as he hears of your presence.

Eigard was glared at by everyone in the hall. They feared he would be irritated or offended that the queen refused to argue with him.

Eigard looked seriously at her, their eyes met, and the moment they did, the queen slightly averted her gaze.

Eigard smiled again – Your majesty is right. I appreciate the hospitality.

She smiled, waving to a servant – Accompany Lord Eigard to his chambers, provide everything necessary for his stay.

The servant nodded, approaching Eigard – Lord Eigard, follow me. I'll take you to your chambers.

Eigard nodded, glancing lightly at the queen before he left.

As soon as he left, the ministers started talking again. They argued so fervently it was almost impossible to understand what they were talking about.

The woman beside the throne pursed her lips, and, ignoring the ministers below, she looked to where Eigard had gone.

At the pool, Leonar approached to speak with Aillard, thinking of a subject that could attract his friend's attention. He remembered the topic addressed this morning by his tutor.

– Did you know that dragons have palaces made of gold?

Aillard was utterly relaxed in the water. Anything that the other boy said, he didn't care because they were all banal subjects and that was not of interest to him. But this time, he opened his eyes to look at Leonar.

Leonar smiled brightly. They said it was difficult to get the attention of someone like Aillard. Still, there would always be something a person was highly interested in. Although the North was a land dominated by Elves, who also had a bad image of dragons, this little elf, in particular, loved these creatures. Everything he could know about them, he would know.

Aillard then began to speak – Yes, they have a passion for gold. It's their instinct and blood. Some call them greedy for having entire palaces made of such an expensive stone. But I think people shouldn't blame a race for its own nature. Some things can't change overnight. They lived here before. Who are we to intrude on their culture?

Leonar, although he didn't like subjects that didn't present him with any amusement, always listened carefully to what Aillard said, even if the other started a whole lecture on the topic.

– It's not like a human being addicted to the beauty of jewels. Dragons have an accumulative nature. They make nests with them. That is, there is nothing strange in their palaces being built that way. They've always had an abundance of these materials, and now that they've been pushed to the far east, they're relatively poor compared to how great they once were.

Leonar added – Because of these contracts, they lost a lot of wealth too…

Aillard nodded thoughtfully – This started since the other races started to have the wrong idea about them, well, not too wrong, but, just like any other race, there's always the good and the bad.

Leonar sat beside him, questioning – How do you think they are? In personality.

Aillard stirred lightly in the water, thinking for a while before speaking – It's hard to say. Of course, like any other race, some are arrogant or proud. Still, there will always be some with calm and gentle personalities, and a strong or weak personality can't always define them because both have their positive and negative sides.

Leonar appreciated Aillard's explanations. Whenever he could, he asked something that he was very curious about, and oddly enough, even though Aillard was only thirteen years old, he always had the answers to his questions.

– Waterfall already tried to contract with them, right? – Aillard asked.

Leonar was thoughtful – I think so… but after everything that happened to them, it's probably hard for them to trust anyone...

– It is not a question of trust. There will always be interest in one of the parties. It all depends on what those interests are.

Before Leonar could comment, some quick steps appeared. Two girls were running towards them. Both were beautiful, the complete opposite of each other, in everything, skin color, hair, and personalities.

Leonar smiled happily when he saw them – Sara, Fernanda! Why are you here?

The two looked at each other and then looked at him. Aillard moved slightly away from them.

One of them, with blonde hair, said – We thought a little about what you said, and since none of us wants to give up…

The other added – We will both be your girlfriends.

Leonar got out of the pool, and with a smile, he replied – Okay.

Sara, the dark-skinned one smiled, speaking shyly – Starting today, we're going to a picnic.

The blonde looked at her and then at Leonar – And everything you give her, you have to give me too, including what you already gave.

Leonar nodded – No problem at all, but… a picnic? Now? – Leonar looked at Aillard, who got up and out of the pool.

He spoke while wearing his clothes over his bathing suit – You can go. I need to find my father.

Leonar nodded, smiling, leading the two girls away while Aillard dressed.

Aillard looked at them blankly, thinking: 'This isn't going to work'

He left. After coming to this palace so many times, it was as if he had always lived in Waterfall.

Turning down a few halls, he looked for the guest area where he and his father used to hang out.

As soon as he arrived, he found a person standing in the doorway and realized who it was. He saluted – Your majesty.

The queen was startled, seeing the little boy, she smiled – Oh, it's you, Aillard, how are you?

Aillard looked at her – I'm fine, your majesty.

She sighed – There's no need to be so formal. You can call me Cecília.

Aillard looked at her. Her eyes looked tired, but she still smiled, asking – Were you swimming?

Aillard nodded, and she continued – That's good. It's been very hot these days, have you seen Leonar? Were you together?

– He went out with some friends.

She nodded, smiling – Well, I'll let you rest, have a good stay.

She left the moment she said that. Aillard watched as she left and then entered the room. His father was reading a book while sitting in an armchair.

– Already back? Did you have fun? – He asked, still looking at the book.

Aillard nodded – Yes, it was fun.

He went to a corner to change his clothes, and going behind the divider, he dressed more formally. His father was still reading his book, completely focused.

Aillard went to the table, finding some snacks. He sat down to eat, commenting expressionlessly – The queen was at the door.

Eigard looked at him, astonished – What did you say?

Aillard looked at him as he held a piece of cake, calmly swallowing what he had chewed – Queen Cecilia was at the door.

Eigard rose – When? – Muttering afterward – Why didn't she come in?

Aillard raised his eyebrows – When I arrived, she was standing in front of the door.

Eigard frowned – Did she say something?

Aillard drank some tea. Eigard was used to his son's personality, they were alike, and both were patient.

– Just asked how I was and asked about Leonar.

Eigard nodded – I see...

Aillard looked at his father's calm expression. He knew him well and knew of his schemes. But, as he said to Leonar, there will always be an interest in any relationship in the monarchy. His father was no different, just that what he was interested in wasn't so much riches like gold or the abundant diamonds of Waterfall... but their queen.

Cecilia was a lovely woman, naive and weak. She couldn't have children, the king married her just for her appearance, and after he got used to her beauty, he searched for others.

But Eigard was fascinated, not by her looks, but by her voice. No matter how often he had spoken or heard her say, he was always a little lost. His mind went blank, which fascinated him.

A woman who could occupy his mind to the point where he couldn't think of anything else.

Eigard walked to his son, taking a piece of cake. He went to the door, saying, before leaving - I'm going for a walk. The books you asked me to buy are in the trunk near your bed.

Aillard nodded. Eigard then left, closing the door behind him.

Aillard didn't care a bit about his father's love life. He wouldn't say anything as long as his books were with him.

Queen Cecília is not Leonar's mother, but she has taken care of him since he was born, as his biological mother could not bear the birth.

And as soon as night fell, he went to bed, not caring where his father was.

The next morning, Aillard relied on his biological clock to wake him up, and as he dressed, a knock sounded at the door. Aillard dressed and went to her, finding Leonar just as he opened the door.

Leonar smiled – Good morning! Come on, today's breakfast is really good.

They went out to eat, Leonar commented as he ate – I broke up with them.

Aillard sighed – Didn't you two start dating yesterday?

Leonar shrugged his shoulders – They wanted many things. They had already arranged meetings or walks that filled my whole life.

Aillard felt like laughing but maintaining his appearance. He remained expressionless.

As soon as the two finished eating, Leonar commented – Oh! There was some news this morning about how traders are being very well received in Zhenan.

Aillard commented as they walked – The king is relatively young compared to the other kings the dragons have had. Rairin of House Soleil has reigned for only twelve years.

Leonar nodded while Aillard continued – Until now, he was the most liberal king in relation to the other races. Until the last century, any other race was forbidden to set foot in the dragon lands.

Leonar pursed his lips – Do you think that if we try to contract, this time they will accept?

Aillard nodded – Absolutely.