AVERY

  When we came back to the palace, I saw Count Windermere walking down the stairs. I just got out out of the carriage and Sir Leonis was helping me down.

  The Count looked up when he saw me. He was not that old. His slight brown hair that had gray streaks bounced as he walked down. His kind blue eyes smiled just as he smiled at me. He approached me and bowed.

  "Good day, Your Majesty. I see you've taken a stroll in town." He mused and I smiled softly.

  "Ah. Yes. I just wanted get out the palace." I said, voice soft.

  "I'm glad to hear that. I hope you enjoyed your stroll. I must get going now. Farewell, Your Majesty." He said and bowed one last time before walking towards his carriage.

  I watched him ride the carriage and leave.

  "Count Windermere is one if the nobles that His Majesty trusts." Sir Leonis said and I looked up at him.

  "He seems kind." I said and walked up the stairs with Sir Leonis behind me.

  "He is. He became busy, though, when his grandson was born." Sir Leonis replied.

  I looked back at him with wide eyes and surprise evident in my features, "Grandson? He's not that old, right?"

  Sir Leonis looked at me and blinked, "Count Windermere is like... 56 years old, Your Majesty."

  "Yes. Exactly. He's not that old." I reasoned.

  "Well... from what he said, his eldest son got married at a young age and decided not to succeed him." Sir Leonis rubbed his chin as if remembering something.

  "Oh. I see." I simply said and nodded.

  We walked inside and I was greeted with Typhone rushing towards me. His face was etched with worry and panic.

  "Where were you? I was looking everywhere for you." Typhone said, voice laced with worry.

  "I was... in town. I... thought Sir Leonis told you." I said. I looked at Sir Leonis and he looked away.

  Ah! He didn't tell Typhone anything!

  I glared at him and he cleared his throat, "I assumed His Majesty didn't want to be disturbed so I didn't say anything."

  "You could've relied the message to Grimore." Typhone sighed, rubbing his temple.

  "Oh, but Grimore would probably just brush me off, Your Majesty." Sir Leonis turned to Grimore who gasped in surprise.

  "I would never brush off something related to Her Majesty!" Grimore exclaimed.

  "Alright, everyone. Calm down. I've gone to town and came back in one piece so... I'm sure that will ease your worries now, Your Majesty." I said and placed a comforting hand on his arm.

  Typhone looked at me from head to toe and sighed in defeat. I smiled softly and caressed his arm.

  "Also, I was with Sir Richtan and Sir Leonis. You did not really need to worry." I reassured him.

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  He glared at Sir Leonis. In return, Sir Leonis looked away and walked towards the servants who were bringing my stuff inside. I could feel him burning in annoyance so I decided to ease his worry a little.

  "I've bought you some things. Why don't we open it I my room, hm?" I asked. His head turned to me and his eyes widened.

  "Really?"

  I giggled, nodding, "Yes. Now, shall we?"

  I can't believe he could worry like this.

  **********

  When we arrived in my room, Meylin brought us some tea and snacks that I bought from town. Typhone eyed all of the snacks and hummed in thought.

  "So you bought different kinds of snacks, hmm?" He mused, grabbing a cookie.

  "Yeah. They looked so good so I bought a lot. I don't know. I... I kind of want to try them all." I said, embarrassed. I took a sip of my tea and glanced at Typhone who was clearly enjoying the sweet treat in his hand.

  "So... may I ask what your meeting with the Count was?" I asked, a little hesitant.

  Typhone looked at me in the midst of him biting his cookie. He lowered his gaze for a brief moment before looking back up at me. I could tell he was hesitating.

  "You don't need to tell me. I was just... curious because... well... the meeting went on for so long." I immediately said, waving a hand in front of me.

  "It's alright, princess. Since it's just the two of us here, I'll tell you," Typhone inhaled his cookie and took a sip of tea, "There has been a sighting of illegal trade near the border. Count Windermere's house is by the border so he knows everything that's going on there."

  "Illegal trade of what?" I asked, placing down my cup on the table.

  "Monsters." He said casually.

  I looked up at him in disbelief and I was frozen in place. I blinked at him once, twice. I swallowed and after a few moments, I found my voice.

  "What... What kind of monsters?" I asked in a low voice.

  "I don't know. But on one event, there was a giant red snake that I failed to hunt and now it's missing from its nest and usual locations." Typhone sighed and looked outside the window.

  "Keeping wild monsters like that is illegal. That is why we need to kill it when we see them. However, dragons are a different story." He added.

  I tilted my head slightly, curious, "What do you mean?"

  "You see, princess, dragons were once allies of the people. They were not weapons of destruction and like knights, they protect their kingdom and the people that take care of them." Typhone explained and my ears perked up, interested. I stayed silent as way of telling him to continue.

  "But as time passed, people became greedy. They abused the dragons, sold them, killed them and sold their scales and teeth, and tortured them until they obeyed." At Typhone's words, my heart broke and I subconsciously clenched my fists.

  "So... are they disappearing now? Is Calagon... the only dragon that survived?" I asked, voice soft.

  "No, princess. They're not. I'm saving them. I want to save them. Not to become allies, but to protect them from people who want to do evil things with them." His voice was firm and I could sense all the determination in him.

  I smiled softly, "You are kind, Typhone. Despite what other people think, you have a kind heart."

  He chuckled, "You're too nice, princess. I am practically still a ruthless king."

  "Maybe. But... not all the time. I mean... you're kind to me, aren't you?" I teased and he huffed.

  "That's because you're fragile, princess." He grinned. I narrowed my eyes at him.

  "What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?" I hissed, making him chuckle again.

  "Nothing, princess." He smirked.

  My cheeks turned red and I huffed, turning away and grabbing my cup. I took a sip of my tea, glancing at him once more through the cup.

  This man really knows how to push my buttons.

  "So... how was your trip to the town? Was it everything you hoped for?" He asked, breaking the brief silence.

  "It was fun. There were some food and sweets that really caught my eye so I bought a few." I said and realized something.

  I forgot about the brooch!

  "I forgot to give you something." I said. I walked to my vanity table and saw the black pouch that sat there. I smiled.

  I walked to where Typhone was sitting and handed him the pouch. He looked at it and raised a brow at me. I rolled my eyes playfully.

  "Just take it." I insisted. He hesitantly picked it up.

  Goodness. His hand dwarfed the pouch.

  I shook my head and watched him open the pouch. He picked up the item that was inside. I was nervous that he might not like it, but all that nervousness vanished when I noticed his eyes widened very slightly.

  "Wow. This is... This is really stunning, princess. Thank you." He mumbled loud enough for me to hear. I smiled widely.

  "You're welcome. Here let me put it on for you." I said and gently took the brooch, placing it on his shirt.

  "The dragon emblem was so like you so I bought it." When I finished, that's when I realized how close we were. I looked up and saw him looking down at me. I swallowed thickly and tried to move away, but I felt his large hand grab my waist. I gasped softly.

  He slowly lowered his head and I closed my eyes.

  Oh. Is this it? Will he finally kiss me?