Chapter 71: Dragon Lord and his Little Dargon

"I woke up inside the royal infirmary of the central palace. There, feeling the glare of sunlight touch my bare face, I took in the refreshing feeling. I could feel my left arm broken and wrapped in a cast. Looking to my right were the familiar faces of friends, both old and new,"

Jushiro sat up on his bed to greet everyone gathered to see the champion of Dreko. King Aeoglin approached to see a convalescent Jushiro receive him with delight. Aloud, king Aeoglin declared in earnest gratitude, "Behold! The outsider who saved our home and kin. The man who aided us in our darkest hour. Though not of us he originated, his heart and stature stood taller than the greatest of dragon kind. The hero of Dreko, Jushiro Motoshita! Brave knight, I ask thee to please kneel,"

Jushiro struggled to stand from his bed until Sigreth and Bronir helped to support him. Jushiro knelt to the ground, and king Aeoglin drew forth his sword. In little time, the king of Dreko, whose gratitude and conviction cast away all doubts in his final decision.

"Sir Jushiro Motoshita, noble knight of Aredain. For all you've done, I, king Aeoglin Belindo II grant you the title of Freyormr (Dragon Lord) and recognize you as master of your contracted dragon, Beliri. With the blessings of the royal temple and lord's court, you are forever a loyal friend and citizen of the dragon realm,"

Hands applauded and echoed the halls of the central palace. The sound grew ever louder until the citizens outside could hear the momentary cheering.

Jushiro stood surprised and bewildered before a grateful realm. He noticed his friends and the visitors from other kingdoms cheering his triumph as well. He remained silent as he looked around for someone. Disregarding everyone's cheers, he nervously looked thoroughly with anxiety. Then a hand softly touched his shoulder. He turned to see a delighted lady Maia with Ashara holding Beliri.

Jushiro immediately swung his body to embrace them in relief. His eyes soaked with tears, and his grip around the two tightened. His forehead placed against Ashara's, expressing his ease to see them both.

"It's okay, father. We're all okay (Sobbing), so worry no more. We're here for you,"

"Yeah... Ready to go home? Both of you?" Jushiro asked.

Ashara nodded, but king Aeoglin asked to speak with only Jushiro, lady Maia, and Sigreth. Everyone left the infirmary. Ashara and Beliri joined the rest of the Aredain group to their tower. She waved to Jushiro as he waved back, smiling.

Inside the royal infirmary, the four individuals discussed matters regarding the aftermath and plans for the future. King Aeoglin regretfully informed Jushiro of the passing of lord Haugr after he received an injury from Mackenna. Jushiro frowned in despair, having lost another whom he admired as a friend. His hand trembled and clenched the cast on his left arm. Sigreth opened his pocket, where he showed a letter to Jushiro.

"What... Who's it for Sigreth?" Jushiro asked.

"It's for both you and the king. In his final moments, lord Haugr asked me to write his final wishes. So I ask you. Jushiro, I would like you to accompany me to Forgion,"

Knowing how important it must be, Jushiro obliged to join him. Knowing it's been a while since he last visited the capital, he hopes to see more of his former team again. Sitting on his bed, he noticed something in his pocket. Jushiro's eyes broadened a bit once the thought of it came to his mind. Everyone looked at him with puzzled expressions. King Aeoglin asked him, "Is there something on your mind, sir Jushiro?"

"Oh, I just remembered something, your majesty,"

"And what is it you were remembering?" Sigreth asked.

Jushiro told them it was nothing to worry about, only that he yearns to send a letter to Archhill. Sigreth offered to help him, but Jushiro insisted on doing it himself since only his left arm broke. Sigreth relented and went to fetch a paper and quill for him. Jushiro thanked him as he and king Aeoglin chose to leave the room. Lady Maia stayed behind to remain with Jushiro a little longer.

The room went quiet and calm, with Jushiro and lady Maia being the only two inside. Before Jushiro finished his letter, he asked with curiosity, "Tell me, lady Maia. Why lie about being a dragon matriarch? Why were you opposed to your family when they ruled? And why was it that I was the one to find Beliri and form a bond with her? There's so much I hardly understand..."

"Indeed, Jushiro. As a matriarch, I should have wielded my power and ended the war before it had a chance to start. If I had such power, to begin with. Despite being part of the original royal family, I didn't possess the same abilities as the founder. Only a known couple existed as true matriarchs and patriarchs, both The founder and one of his descendants. My father was that descendant. To all in the royal family, the chances of obtaining the founder's power are severely slim..."

"And because you renounced your claims and declared allegiance to the new ruling family, you needed something to ease the minds of the people. You needed something to bridge the trust of all citizens to get them behind house Belindo. I can understand the need to have a matriarch and descendant of Arthurious serve the new rulers as a symbolic approach,"

"Yes. This way, we would stave off any potential uprisings. Though not everything goes as planned. And about Beliri, I tried to keep her existence hidden after discovering her power. Matriarchs are never tamed because their mana capacity is considered too great for any rider. But you're an exception due to your overwhelming power. When I felt your core, it was like staring at a vast ocean of mana..."

"I see," Jushiro said.

Before she left, she gifted Jushiro an object wrapped in a cloth of gold. Jushiro unwrapped to find a necklace with a dragon scale attached. Lady Maia told him the scale is one of the eighteen scales the dragon Beliri gave the elf before they departed. She told Jushiro how she knew the dragon, urging him to keep the necklace as a token and recognition of his place among the dragonkin.

Jushiro accepted and thanked her for the gift. Lady Maia left the room, and Jushiro laid back in bed to recover more. He stared closely at the necklace to see runes carved on it. He expressed his disappointment in being unable to read it.

"I guess I'll have lady Maia read it before I leave," Jushiro said before closing his eyes.

Back in the Aredain tower, Ashara bonds with Beliri, exploring the different rooms. The two entered one of the bedrooms where they found Bronir with lady Brenna, catching them off guard. A surprised Bronir stuttered and struggled to explain their only talking. Ashara takes Bronir's word, leaving them both alone. Both Bronir and Brenna breathed in relief. In the main room, Ashara noticed Sigreth and lady Maia enter. Beliri flew into lady Maia's arms, embracing her biological mother.

Lady Maia spoke with Ashara and asked about herself and Jushiro. Ashara openly complied, sitting on a sofa. For more than an hour, both Ashara and Sigreth shared their experiences involving Jushiro. From their meeting at Forgion to their reunion in Eregath. Sigreth went as far as to admit Jushiro's past before coming to Areth. Lady Maia listened thoroughly to every moment with wonder. After Ashara finished leading up to the festival, she noticed a tear rolling down lady Maia's face.

"Oh, my lady, here. Let me get that for you," Ashara said, wiping the tears with her handkerchief.

Lady Maia thanked and petted her head.

"You're blessed to have a father as caring and gentle as Jushiro. And miss Lana, who you love as your mother. I can see why you cherish those bonds. You'll be a strong and wonderful lady when you grow up..."

"You're strong and beautiful as well, lady Maia. I wish. No, I hope I can become someone like you and mother Lana one day,"

"I'm confident you'll reach those heights someday," Lady Maia said in cheerful aspiration.

Seeing it's nearly nightfall outside, lady Maia stood up to leave. Ashara wished her "good night," waving to her. She took one last look at Beliri before closing the doors.

Ashara lay in bed with Beliri in her lap. She stroked her silver scales and two horns on her head. Ashara closed her eyes, saying, "Good night, Beliri," But suddenly, she heard a voice wishing her good night. She sat up and looked around to see no one in the room. Her eyes then looked down to the little dragon staring back.

"Did you just talk, Beliri?"

The dragonling spoke to her, confirming her question. Ashara's eye swelled with astonishment. The dragon stood up on its hind legs, spreading its wings like silver fans. Her body then glowed bright, changing form.

The bright flash caught the eye of some people outside. Sigreth rushed inside with worrisome haste. Everyone stood still, observing with surprise the little dragonkin girl in Ashara's bed.

A bewildered Sigreth asked, "Ashara, who is that..."

"I'm Beliri. The tamed dragon to my benevolent master, Jushiro Motoshita..."

"Beliri!?" Everyone shouted. Sigreth didn't believe it until Ashara defended her. Reminding him how she's lady Maia's child, everyone in the room backed off. Ashara expressed her delight to see Beliri in her human appearance. Wanting to touch the horns protruding from her head, Beliri granted her permission. Ashara gently gripped and stroked Beliri's horns showing her intrigue. The sensation amused Beliri as she felt tickled.

Seeing nothing wrong nor troublesome, Sigreth advised clearing out of the room. Everyone followed suit, leaving Ashara and Beliri alone to sleep. The two snuggled closely next to each other like instant sisters under a moonlit night. The shine of the moonlight gleamed over the girls in fateful aspiration as Jushiro's new family grew with its recent addition.