Chapter 79
“Send her to the Land of Corrupted Dragons. It’s where the black dragon remnants fled after their defeat in the founding war—that’s where a black dragon belongs.”
Voices appealing to the Crown Prince, the assembly’s presider, erupted from various places. Carl glared around him, grinding his teeth.
They seemed to feel not an ounce of sympathy for someone who had nearly been killed by her parents despite being innocent and had lived quietly until now.
They were making a fuss among themselves, dictating this and that without any interest in understanding what feelings had led her to boldly reveal herself as the black dragon’s master before all these people and accept punishment.
…Damn them.
Carl chewed bitter curses between his teeth.
It was the same. Even when their father the Emperor’s influence had been strong, they had clamored here in the assembly hall that Hendrick Klaus, the firstborn and a dragon master, should be demoted to Prince while Carlston Klaus, master of the silver dragon—the “foundation of the Empire”—should be appointed Crown Prince.
Unable to withstand that pressure, the Emperor had no choice but to send Carlston Klaus, barely ten years old, to the wasteland of Ivarid. Though nominally as appointment as lord, it was essentially exile of one who caused chaos in the Imperial family.
“…For now.”
Hendrick tapped his temple as if experiencing a headache.
“Regardless of the unintended chaos, since nothing has been proven regarding the black dragon’s crimes, punishment is impossible.”
Crown Prince Hendrick, recalling the same memories, sighed heavily and slumped uncharacteristically.
“At least detain her.”
The Marquis carefully broached the subject to Hendrick.
“The black dragon’s master’s rhetoric is not ordinary—who knows what further chaos she might cause if left free. How about detaining her first and considering further steps later?”
The Marquis glanced sideways at Sian standing on the platform. As Hendrick fell into contemplation, Carl bared his teeth, raising fierce eyes as if about to grab the Marquis by the collar.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Uncle. Whatever her identity, she is my fiancée.”
“Nephew, she herself said she would break off the engagement.”
The Marquis spoke with furrowed brows, as if regretful.
“She firmly wants to break the engagement for the sake of your honor as the silver dragon’s master. It’s regrettable, but the engagement is impossible.”
“Uncle!”
“Or do you intend to sully even the honor of your dragon Idelin, descended from the glorious Yggdrasil’s blood, all for one mere woman?”
When the Marquis spoke loud enough for all to hear, sharp gazes poured down from the circular seats. Under these blade-like, accusatory stares, Carl found himself unable to speak, as if he had lost his voice.
The Marquis shook his head.
“Members of the Imperial family have a duty to maintain dignity to protect the Empire’s honor. My young nephew, please remain silent.”
Carl glared at the Marquis, grinding his teeth. While he could certainly get angry and make a scene if he followed his temperament, Sian standing on the platform was the problem.
She wouldn’t want the silver Idelin’s name to be tarnished by association with the black dragon’s fiancée. All her courage in revealing herself as a dragon master would be wasted.
“Since the opinion is overwhelmingly thus, it would be best to separate you from your Lady for a while, Carl.”
“What wrong has she done!”
“This isn’t about punishment. Therefore, guilt is irrelevant. It’s merely a preventive measure since everyone fears the black dragon’s existence.”
Hendrick said. He too looked dissatisfied with this decision. Yet there was no choice.
When the majority of the noble section—practically the entire Empire—were watching with fierce eyes expecting the black dragon’s crimes, even the Crown Prince’s decision-making power had limits.
“Black and silver dragons were mortal enemies at the nation’s founding. Though it might have been different if we didn’t know her identity, now that we do, we’ll temporarily detain her as Uncle suggested.”
“Brother!”
As Hendrick, unable to completely ignore the prevailing atmosphere among the nobles, accepted the Marquis’s suggestion, Carl protested with a raised voice.
“After we interrogate Antonio Carter and investigate the Brita attack incident more thoroughly, we will release her when her innocence is confirmed.”
“I accept.”
Sian calmly agreed to Hendrick’s decision. The assembly, which had been clamoring for the black dragon’s master’s detention, finally fell silent.
Carl alone couldn’t accept it. To Carl, who was opening his lips to protest further, Hendrick slightly shook his head, signaling him not to.
Hendrick knew better than anyone that the black dragon had never shown itself, and Sian had been constantly by Carl’s side since arriving at the Imperial Palace, as he had visited them frequently.
Though he too judged that both detention and breaking off the engagement with Carl were excessive measures merely because she was the black dragon’s master, time was needed.
Time for the nobles and a world noisy with needless commotion about the black dragon to accept the black dragon’s existence.
